88 f150 towing build
 

So i have a 88 f150 with the 300ci and 355 gears with the m5od i currently tow around a side by side and trailer with a weight of 4500 total no problems but was thinking of upgrading it some will a zf trans bolt right in ? What about a different gear ratio I want to pull 7-8k at 60-65
will a different cam help at highway speeds
would like to pull a camper and keep up with traffic with out nuking something https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...591a7695d8.jpg

Well, a steeper gear would help you get moving better, but if you want to run 65 you'll be turning about 2200 at 65.

7000 to 8000 pounds is the upper limit of what a properly equipped OBS F-150 is rated to tow. Your truck is probably kissing if not exceeding its rated tow limit at 4500 pounds. In a legal sense you cannot increase the maximum load rating. You can change the equipment and increase the practical capability of the truck but if you have an accident with a load exceeding the trucks rating it will not go over well.

On the subject of swapping in a ZF5. Yes, a small block ZF5 would bolt up to the engine but otherwise you will have a fair amount of work to do. It will cost you power to turn the ZF vs the M5OD. Your 300 does not have power to spare when towing.

IMO you will not be happy hauling that load with a 300 power plant. Gearing will make it better but it will still suck.

You could swap in a roller 351 and an automatic trans or a ZF5 with all factory parts and then you would have a decent platform from which to build. Wanna go crazy? You can fit a 460 in there, but it would involve a lot of fab work.

So you can build up what you have or buy a more capable truck. A HD F-250 would be much more appropriate if you tow all the time as it is built for the abuse. The 460's thirsty reputation often makes trucks so equipped more affordable compared to diesels. An F-150 just isn't designed for constant heavy work.

How you evaluate the pro's and con's is up to you.

No actually it's way over, max capacity for one of these old f150s with an auto trans is 10k COMBINED, manual versions are always rated lower.

Time to start shopping for a big block or diesel 1 ton.

I did not say that 7000 to 8000 pounds was the rating for his truck. But I did say that he was already at or exceeding his trucks max rating at 4500 pounds.

A 1994 or newer standard cab 4x4 F-150 with a 351, E4OD and 3.55 rear gearing is rated to a maximum of 7500 pounds per the Ford owners manual. As far as my research has found this is the highest tow capacity F-150 covered in this forum and I brought it up to illustrate that an F-150 of this time isn't really up to the task the OP wants to achieve.

You are technically correct and I agree... maybe I over sensationalized my response.
I'll add that while it is technically legal to tow 7500lbs it would require the lightest version of one of these trucks to get the combined weight within limits and I don't know how controllable/safe that would be with the trailer at almost double the weight of the tow vehicle

So figured I'll just buy a f250 or 350 I'll make this one a play truck


Man still can believe 4500 is the upper limits of this truck it tows it like nothing

Maybe you are over estimating the weight of your current load, have you had it over a scale? A RZR1000 weighs about 1500lbs wet, the average utility trailer that could carry it wouldn't be more than 1000lbs.

My trailer is a 18ft Carson hd car hauler with a weight of 3400 plus my rzr I used the trailer to tow cars with my 3500 ram until I sold it to buy a flat bed

Are you sure about your trailer weight?
I have a 18' 7000lb wood decked car hauler and it weighs 1800lbs empty.
My 5.0 F150 4.56 gears doesn't like that trailer empty on hills what.so.ever.

I'm pretty sure I have it at my yard at the moment I'll double check the tag when I get a chance but already found a 96 f250 351 auto for 300 bucks fuel pump is out tags expired but no biggie

I HIGHLY doubt a 18' car trailer weighs even close to that. Heck, Bri-mars 18' steel deck 10k car trailer only weighs 2,200lbs
My 24' 14k deck over trailer weighs 4500(scale certified)

I had a 22' deckover 12k capacity that weighed in at 2400lbs.

No way a 18' with steel deck weighs in at 1000lbs more.

All that to say. I wouldn't get a bigger truck. I'd get a smaller trailer. Cheaper in the long run. I've had over 22 different trailers in the last 25+ years. (I owned a landscape company at one point) I currently have a custom trailer that was built for my specific needs. My single axle 14' trailer would easily handle your side by side. And I will be getting 2 more (small enclosed and a dirt bike "rail trailer"). Once the initial purchase is done the maintenance on a trailer is minimal. I have permanent tags on my trailer. And in VA a trailer without brakes does not require an inspection. Every spring I repack the bearings. I replace tires as needed. Stain the wood decking every couple of years. That's it.

.

This is the way to go.

That combo, six cylinder, five speed, is a great combo. Don't change it. Just use it for what it was intended.

The tires and brakes on an F250/350 make it worth having if you tow much. Same with trailer tires and brakes, where the money meets the road.