Post by: turkeyfeather on June 07, 2014, 09:00:28 AM
Post by: jackelope on June 07, 2014, 09:04:11 AM
Post by: jackelope on June 07, 2014, 09:04:31 AM
Post by: b23 on June 07, 2014, 10:19:04 AM
Creature comforts of the new or newer trucks is certainly nice and I don't think I'd want my old 79 with its 6in. lift and 38 Super Swampers as my current daily driver but if I already had one and it was our 3rd vehicle, I would have no problem spending a few thousand dollars fixing it up to be my tow rig or camping vehicle. And, for what it's worth, unless you have a diesel, none of the new or newer gas trucks get very good mpg when they are towing.
Post by: aaronoto on June 07, 2014, 02:48:36 PM
My grandpa bought a 1971 Ford F250 Camper Special new that's still in the family, "old green" as it's affectionately called. I've had many fond memories as a kid hauling the trailer over to Moses Lake in that thing. I helped my dad rebuild the engine, it's been stolen and was later recovered, we blew a head gasket in it coming back from a camping trip, and I can remember as a teenager hating to drive that thing because it could be so finicky to start! Lots of good memories….. My dad bought a newer F150 several years back now, but still keeps "old green" around for quick trips around town. When I get the space at my place I'd like to do some body work and repaint it. I'll pass it down my son when he's old enough and we'll keep it in the family until we can't get parts for it anymore or it gets wrecked.
Post by: Alchase on June 07, 2014, 02:53:55 PM
If you have the funds, there really would be no comparing the drivability of the new over the 78.
But that 78 would be an awesome project to completely upgrade the running gear and motor, brakes, deck out the interior, but leave the outside just as it is, just throw a few coats of clear coat on it and call it good, lol
Post by: turkeyfeather on June 07, 2014, 06:36:30 PM
Post by: HillSlick on June 07, 2014, 09:48:36 PM
Or As has been mentioned find somethin and keep that beauty for a project,
"WAIT! Looks dangerous...you first"
Post by: huntnphool on June 07, 2014, 09:54:16 PM
Post by: sled on June 07, 2014, 09:56:53 PM
It's a cool truck though.:yeah: :yeah: :yeah: :yeah:
Post by: raydog on June 08, 2014, 08:27:43 AM
I think tis is the one I saw on powerblock. But they are VERY EXPENSIVE!!!!!
Post by: Special T on June 08, 2014, 09:06:58 AM
Post by: raydog on June 08, 2014, 09:17:09 AM
YOU HAVE 3 BOYS! What a great opportunity to teach your kids about vehicles and their Maintenance, How they work etc. If you want a newer truck buy one, but get your boys "helping" so that they have a rig when they can drive.:yeah: :yeah: :yeah:
Post by: TommyH on June 11, 2014, 07:13:00 AM
Do a lot to your current truck. You could drop a Cummings motor/tranny in it for less than that.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: ballpark on June 11, 2014, 07:24:21 AM
Post by: baldopepper on June 11, 2014, 07:52:50 AM
Post by: Special T on June 11, 2014, 08:05:39 AM
Post by: Stein on June 11, 2014, 08:29:49 AM
Craigslist is full of adds for 1/2 ton vehicles with rebuilt transmissions at half or a third of the expected life.
I would pick up a diesel and keep that as the running around, having fun truck.
Post by: Alchase on June 11, 2014, 09:50:04 AM
You could drop a stroker in that bad boy!
408ci CHP INJECTED VENOM GT Crate Motor - Dish Top, 10.00 : 1, 425 HP, 420 ftp torque.
http://www.coasthigh.com/product-p/p4082f-gt-f408-v.htm (http://www.coasthigh.com/product-p/p4082f-gt-f408-v.htm)
Put Crown Vic suspension, and new 4-way disc brakes.
Post by: turkeyfeather on June 11, 2014, 10:06:54 AM
A 24' trailer is quite a load, over 6,000 pounds plus you are pulling a square block through the air at 60 mph. If you plan on towing it more than once a year it is going to destroy an F-150. Although the motor may to an ok job at it, the transmission, suspension, driveline and everything simply will not last pulling that kind of load.This is what I have thought alot about, the only thing that hangs me up it that this is the "trailer special" that was built for the additional strain. I just don't know how much additional strain as I can't seem to find very much info.
Craigslist is full of adds for 1/2 ton vehicles with rebuilt transmissions at half or a third of the expected life.
I would pick up a diesel and keep that as the running around, having fun truck.
To all those that say have both....I just don't know if I can pull off a truck payment and the money to fix up the beast. Unless, the newer truck becomes the "family" car that replaces my wifes aging Grand Caravan.
Do any of you all use a truck as the family car?
Post by: ballpark on June 11, 2014, 10:52:22 AM
A 24' trailer is quite a load, over 6,000 pounds plus you are pulling a square block through the air at 60 mph. If you plan on towing it more than once a year it is going to destroy an F-150. Although the motor may to an ok job at it, the transmission, suspension, driveline and everything simply will not last pulling that kind of load.This is what I have thought alot about, the only thing that hangs me up it that this is the "trailer special" that was built for the additional strain. I just don't know how much additional strain as I can't seem to find very much info.
Craigslist is full of adds for 1/2 ton vehicles with rebuilt transmissions at half or a third of the expected life.
I would pick up a diesel and keep that as the running around, having fun truck.
To all those that say have both....I just don't know if I can pull off a truck payment and the money to fix up the beast. Unless, the newer truck becomes the "family" car that replaces my wifes aging Grand Caravan.
Do any of you all use a truck as the family car?
Heavy duty trailer towing package:
Good for towing up to 6,000lbs.
This package included a heavy duty alternator,heavy duty battery, HD rear shocks, bigger radiator, rear sway bar, swing out recreational mirrors, amp meter, oil pressure gauge, HD front springs, external oil cooler and the Trailer Special emblem on the T-gate.
Post by: turkeyfeather on June 11, 2014, 10:57:06 AM
Yup, that's it. So I would be better off with even a newer F-150 for a camp trailer. I believe the newerones have around a 9-10000 rating.A 24' trailer is quite a load, over 6,000 pounds plus you are pulling a square block through the air at 60 mph. If you plan on towing it more than once a year it is going to destroy an F-150. Although the motor may to an ok job at it, the transmission, suspension, driveline and everything simply will not last pulling that kind of load.This is what I have thought alot about, the only thing that hangs me up it that this is the "trailer special" that was built for the additional strain. I just don't know how much additional strain as I can't seem to find very much info.
Craigslist is full of adds for 1/2 ton vehicles with rebuilt transmissions at half or a third of the expected life.
I would pick up a diesel and keep that as the running around, having fun truck.
To all those that say have both....I just don't know if I can pull off a truck payment and the money to fix up the beast. Unless, the newer truck becomes the "family" car that replaces my wifes aging Grand Caravan.
Do any of you all use a truck as the family car?
Heavy duty trailer towing package:
Good for towing up to 6,000lbs.
This package included a heavy duty alternator,heavy duty battery, HD rear shocks, bigger radiator, rear sway bar, swing out recreational mirrors, amp meter, oil pressure gauge, HD front springs, external oil cooler and the Trailer Special emblem on the T-gate.
Post by: b23 on June 11, 2014, 10:58:52 AM
The F150's typically have a Ford 9in. and I'm not sure if they used something different for the "trailer special" or not. My guess is it's a Ford 9in. in the rear and Dana 44 in the front. From your pics, it looks to be the standard Ford F150 bolt pattern of 5x5. Which would indicate a Ford 9in rear end and that would be plenty strong for towing your trailer. Maybe not the strongest axle to have if you were carrying a significant amount of weight but towing is a bit different.
For a stock motor the stock cooling system is fine but if you start pumping up the hp and towing, I'd highly recommend going with a bigger then stock radiator and trans. cooler. I'm not 100% sure on this but I'm pretty sure the brakes are smaller on the F150's vs the 250's and 350's so that is an area you would want to make sure and address as well.
Post by: turkeyfeather on June 11, 2014, 04:25:23 PM
Post by: Mudman on June 11, 2014, 04:43:01 PM
Post by: HillSlick on June 12, 2014, 09:19:57 PM
I appreciate everyone's input. In fact it inspired me to do some research. Day off and back was killing me so I hit the internet to find out more about it. I decoded the vin and then started looking up info from Ford's production numbers. After what I have found I think I will be keeping it and looking for a more HD truck as well. Turns out the "Beast" is a bit on the rarer side. It is vin'd and titled as a 1978. But was built in 7/78 using some '79 parts. It is also badged as a F150, however the vin indicates in 2 places that it is a F100 supercab 4x4. The F100 was discontinued with the '78 being the last year and was not offered in 4x4 as a production model. The vin indicates that it was a special order to a dealer in Seattle. Additionally, the research has concluded that this truck would have been maxed out towing the trailer we were looking at. The owners manual I found online states a max of 6,000 lbs. Thanks all for the input. I think we are gonna keep it and fix it up to let the boys drive when they come to that age.
Check out the new F150's for a family truck, I'm 6'8" and I can ride comfortably in the back seat with the front seat all the way back. Very comfortable and plenty of HP and Torque, I love em. Good luck in your search!
"WAIT! Looks dangerous...you first" - Young Dr Frankenstein