Ford questions

[toothfangclaw]

My parents are looking for a towing rig. They have about 2k to spend. The vast majority of the trucks in that price range are Fords. My thing is, I can't tell if that's a good thing or not! I know the c6 trans is a solid trans. I also know a manual would handle what they are towing (5th wheel) but my dad would prefer a auto. He seems bent on a gas motor, but might be open to a diesel for the right rig and some of his fears (mostly lacking knowledge about diesel's)  were addressed. They are getting a 3/4 - 1ton truck and the years of Ford's are late 70's to early 90's. With the majority of them in the 80's.

My questions are: why are so many Ford's for sale in those years? Do they suck? I know the Chevy's of that range (73-87-91 as I have a 79). But Ford's, I am kinda lost.  How are the diesel's of that era? What are the things to avoid? Any other advice for tow rigs in general of that era? They are starting to stretch there Snowbird wings and heading south.  I want to make sure they get the best they can afford. 

Thanks!
Matt

[toothfangclaw]

I guess no one knows. thanks for looking anyway!

[MuleySniper]

 
My buddy had a sweet Ford f350 standard cab with the 7.3 in it, over 200k and sold it for 5k

[sebek556]

ok for the diesel for those age ranges are the 7.3IDI, which is non turbo not a whole lot of power or economy out of them but are long lasting with proper maintance. Big thing to check on them is the valley between the heads for oil, it is a sign of a few possible bad things I.E stretched head bolts, warped heads etc. or could be a minor blown gasket.
For the gasser's 5.0 solid motor, might be a little weak for towing a fifth wheel long distances.
5.7 in stock settings underpowered good torq but really lacking for the economy they put out.
460 (the big block of the group) it's a power house, but bad bad fuel economy.
with the gas motors just look for the normal signs of a bad motor. No really one thing that sticks out with these guys as a danger sign. 

[toothfangclaw]

Thanks all. I know it's a long shot for them, but it's all they got. My dad has been unemployed for 3 years, no one wants to hire a 60 yo old man. So, they have decided to sell all of there stuff and hit the road and hopefully find a job elsewhere.

[Jingles]

Avoid the 460 in the 84 mileage really really sux 8mpg empty pulling nothing

[turkeyfeather]

I have owned a few older Ford's ranging from early '70s to late '90s. The reason that there are so many is easy. It has been the number 1 selling truck for more than 30 years, and they last. That's why there are so many still around. I would stay away from the earlier model diesels, they were very gutless. You would actually be better with a gas engine. I have to disagree with the earlier post saying to stay away from the 460. That is a great motor that is virtually bulletproof. And 8 mpg really isn't that bad for an older truck. The '78 supercab I have now only gets 8 mpg and that's only a 400. I have had 351's that really didn't get much better than that. Not to mention I would gladly give up a few mpg's for the extra torque. 

[Mudman]

For 2k you best get a ford with 460.  Thats not much money to spend and thats all your gonna find that might be solid still.  They have enuff power and suck gas.  Truth is a small block will suck gas to because youll be running guts out of it pulling.  Id not worry about mpg for 2k but instead worry about what will do the job reliably.   Remember a 460 type 1 ton will have larger cooling capacity and braking which you need pulling!

[littlemac]

My questions are: why are so many Ford's for sale in those years?
Thanks!
Matt

Number one selling vehicle in the USA has been the F150 for many years.  Follows that the 3/4 and one tons were just as popular in their class.

Good luck finding a decent truck, the gas truck won't get any mileage but for the money gas will be way less than diesel would be.

[MountainWalk]

Wish mine was big enough. I have a seventy seven ranger with a fairly fresh 460bb and a solid tranny.

[JackOfAllTrades]

I agree with finding a truck with 460, but look really hard at finding one with an overdrive transmission. Yes the C6 was a good tranny, but if you want any sort of fuel economy, find something in 90' ish years with either a ZF5spd or E4OD automatic. They ran the E4OD behind the early 7.3L diesels and the 460's, 95 through 98 model years. None of these are cheap to repair, but on that short budget, buying a diesel should not even be an option.  (I drive a diesel!)
 
I would suggest you look for a one ton 2wd. Bigger brakes for the towing. Better load distribution for that fifth wheel. Better fuel economy than a 4x4.
 
As some have commented, The Fords are available because they built/sold a ton of them in the last 35 years. More than GM and Chrysler combined in some ye/ars.
 
Worse thing about a Ford of that era is the interior egonomics, smaller brake rotors, front ball joints. Best things... Ford corporate and Dana 60/70 differentials. Electrical systems were solid in the 90's. They ride like a TRUCK, not a CAR!
 
-Steve

[toothfangclaw]

Thanks again, I tried to get Frank, to the point info from other sources, with no avail. Thank you so much.  The most amazing thing is that, yes its a buyers market for trucks, yes there are a ton on c-list, but so little of them are picking up the phone or answering emails! What gives! Do they want to sell or not?? Lol

I know one truck that is in the lead is a 97 3/4 ton with a 5.3? With a new trans and many front end pieces replaced. He will go down to $1600 for it. Now that I am better armed with this info, I can help them better.  Gas motor it is, ideally 460, no gutless diesel motors, shoot for the od.

I really appreciate it gentleman!

[Bowflinger]

Just to be a smart a$$, the reason there are so many older bulletproof fords and no chevy's is because all the chevy's died many years ago  . On a serious note, I will keep an eye out for a nice ford powerhouse for the $ and let you know what find.

[toothfangclaw]

We got one!

89 f250 2wd 460 xlt king cab, awesome tires, shifts well, pulls strong, new brakes, tow package minus brake controller. Overall in great shape.

Two small problems, the serp belt squeals and the wipers are freakishly slow.

What would cause the serp belt to squeal? Belt tensioner gone bad?
Also, are the wipers just freakishly slow and loud on these trucks?

Thanks!
Matt

[Mudman]

HMM.  ?Altenator going out putting extra friction on belt?  Had a ford once with a bad eng to frame ground caused wipers to act funny?  Test alt.  Belt could be old as well.  Solid truck, clear exhaust restriction and put good air intake and let er go!

[toothfangclaw]

That is possible, I will have to bring out my stethoscope and start listening. The PO said it was the serp belt not the alternator belt(they do seem to be separate). He said he would put soap on the belt and it would go away. My dad said the sound would go away at freeway speeds. 

Hopefully some mods will be in order once they get stable. Though, my dad is more of a "stock" person.  I've never known him to "hop up" anything. If it ain't broke ....

[JackOfAllTrades]

We got one!

89 f250 2wd 460 xlt king cab, awesome tires, shifts well, pulls strong, new brakes, tow package minus brake controller. Overall in great shape.

Two small problems, the serp belt squeals and the wipers are freakishly slow.

What would cause the serp belt to squeal? Belt tensioner gone bad?
Also, are the wipers just freakishly slow and loud on these trucks?

Thanks!
Matt

The belt tentioner wheel / bearing goes bad on those..
Should be a single serpentine belt. Not multiple belts.
No, the wipers should not be freakishly slow. 
 
-Steve

[C-Money]

Congrats! How are the repairs going? Should be a good rig.

[Heredoggydoggy]

Most electrical problems in a vehicle are simply a bad ground.  on a vehicle that age, it's possible a ground contact has oxidized to the point that a bulb or motor won't operate at full capacity.  One of the first things I did when I got my '90 Bronco II was to clean every ground connection I could find on it.

Years ago I had a 1973 Mercury Capri (German Ford).  The fan belt started squealing every time it started.  Tried soap, belt dressing goo, everything I could think of to stop the noise.  Nothing worked for very long.  Finally just replaced the belt.  Never squealed again.  Some fixes are so simple it's disgusting!

[toothfangclaw]

All was going fine till he started getting "ABS " and brake light come on. Also after a drive from Seattle, gets home and the back left brakes were smoking. After the move, he took it into shwabs and told him his brakes were shot(all around, calipers and all), could hardly get drums off because of being locked up, his tires are cracked and rear seals are starting to leak. For them to do... over $3000 not including tires.    So looks like $400+/- for us to do.  Tires should hold till it gets warm out.

[mathewsbow4elk]

i had a 1989 f350 2WD, best truck i ever owned! only problem i ever had with it is the smog pump bearing froze up....cheap fix tho, that will make belt squeal when it seizes up!

[Mudman]

All was going fine till he started getting "ABS " and brake light come on. Also after a drive from Seattle, gets home and the back left brakes were smoking. After the move, he took it into shwabs and told him his brakes were shot(all around, calipers and all), could hardly get drums off because of being locked up, his tires are cracked and rear seals are starting to leak. For them to do... over $3000 not including tires.    So looks like $400+/- for us to do.  Tires should hold till it gets warm out.

It sounds like that truck spent some time sitting.