How miserable will this gas hog be towing?

[dellstopjeep]

Well I have a great deal that was put in front of me for a 1990 ford f350 quad cab 2wd dually truck for 500 bones. Runs good and doesnt need a whole lot and even has a tailgate with built in ramp setup for atv's etc. Anyways The only downside is this thing has a 351. Just curious just how miserable I will be trailering my jeep with this thing. Anyone done it with this motor and just how crappy is it? I know mpg will suck but is this adequate enough to trailer a 6000 pound load?
thanks and heres some crappy cell phone pics

 

[WB9YZU]

351 or 351M? One is a 351ci, the M displaces 400ci. In 1990, it should be EFI. The FS Bronco I had with a standard 351 EFI (automatic) got about 15 to 16 towing 5K of trailer and car.

Edit, the 351 is a powerhouse. When they EFI'd it, it got even better as they custom tuned the intake runners for low end torque.

 

[Shorty]

351 or 351M? One is a 351ci, the M displaces 400ci. In 1990, it should be EFI. The FS Bronco I had with a standard 351 EFI (automatic) got about 15 to 16 towing 5K of trailer and car.

Edit, the 351 is a powerhouse. When they EFI'd it, it got even better as they custom tuned the intake runners for low end torque.

in '90 it would be a 351W engine

not quite true on the 351M-- Ford made a 400ci (M) engine as well as a 351ci (M) engine. The 351ci version was never planned, but when they were forced to stop manufacturing the 351ci (Cleveland) engine due to smog restrictions, the Windsor plant was unable to keep up with the demand for mid-sized 8cyl engines. The 400ci (M) was fitted with a different crank and rods to decrease the displacement and help fill the demand/supply gap for a 5.8L powerplant.

oddly enough, the 351M/400M heads are identicle to the 351C-2 barrel engine that couldn't pass smog, but they passed on the larger displacement 400M and were allowed to be used on the 351M by default....

I swear, I've never played with any Fords from the 70's:anon:

 

[dellstopjeep]

So I guess this isnt such a bad idea after all. I figure everything is setup properly to tow except it has a weak motor which I can accept. For 500 bucks I cant say no.

 

[Phil]

For $500 you cannot say no, unless you are towing a whole lot. Especially if you already have an efficient daily driver.

 

[dellstopjeep]

This will be the fourth rig in my fleet. My wife has a wj and this can be a backup rig since its an auto. I have a galant gsx awd car for a dd and my cherokee which I still drive a lot on the street so now its my turn to be the white trash neighbor.

 

[Phil]

If I tow 5000 miles this year at 10 MPG and $4.00 per gallon, I'll spend $6200 with my truck payment. That is, if it were a designated tow rig.

If you tow 5000 miles for $6200 and $4.00 per gallon, you would have to be getting like 3.22 MPG.

 

[WAD357]

For $500 itll tow great 351 makes fair power and will do the job

 

[bails85]

id buy it if i were you. shit if it doesnt work out you can always resell it for way more than you paid for it.

 

[dellstopjeep]

well it failed emissions for hc's according to guy I bought it froms emissions tests. Tranny stutters dropping in and out of third, motor feels almost to gutless. Oh well it was cheap! A tune up and maybe a new car to pass emissions and get back power hopefully. Any idea what auto tranny is in these behind a 351w in a f350? Just in case this one is about done.

 

[1997_sport]

Should be a nice rig for the money! Good luck with the emissions.

 

[ILLXJ]

Any idea what auto tranny is in these behind a 351w in a f350? Just in case this one is about done.

I would think a C6, I know that is what the F150-250 got with the same engine. Too bad I just hauled off a good one last week. JIM.

 

[WAD357]

3 speed would be c4 or c6 or 3 speed with OD is E40D

 

[dellstopjeep]

Its an e40d. Gave it new plugs and wires and all problems solved. Shifts great now and it passed emissions with flying colors despite a big crack in the manifold. Ditched the canopy, cleaned it up inside and out, fixed a list of broken stuff, upgraded the stereo with stuff lying around and now its ready for towing duty. Time for a trailer.... I will post some pics later after I debadge the decals with a magic eraser.

 

[Gecko321]

I tow with a 91 F150 with the 351w. The truck is a beast. Get about 13 unloaded, bout 8-9 loaded depending on the terrain. we would tow a 2500lb trailer with a full bodied XJ, loaded with gear and the bed loaded with no problems. Could run 70 all day with no problem. Had to down shift for some larger hills.

 

[Heap O' Jeep]

I tow with a 97' F150 extended cab 2WD/4.6L auto. It pulls my XJ and trailer amazingly well, only downshifts on the big hills. I get 16 unloaded and 10 loaded on a consistent basis.

 

[dellstopjeep]

Havent pulled with this thing yet still doin all the rountine maintenance in case it hasnt been done yet. I did do a full tank of gas and I got 10 unloaded. It was expected so I guess im not to disappopinted.