help pick a tow rig

iif I had 8k this would be much easier. I don't have that much. 5k is at the top of the budget. my question here is what truck under 5k is my best option. it seems the powerstroke 95 up is my best bet according to you guys. now when I go to look at one if these what do I look at?
 
tbone1004 said:
my suggestion was perfectly realistic. Go find a f350 or f250 with a seized engine. find a box truck that is being sold, remove drivetrain. install in ford. when allison transmission comes around swap that... It could be done for $5k, would just take forever...
If you can throw us a bone and stretch to $8k this will make everything 10x easier... i.e..
http://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/2449962632.html
http://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/2447845991.html this one is actually in budget, good looking truck
http://winstonsalem.craigslist.org/cto/2434740961.html
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why the Allison? Its a piece...

use the ZF6 and put a 6bt in the Ford body and you are good to go


But as always, easier said than done and always costs twice what you expect...




I'd go with an older 4x4 manual trans Ford diesel even with high miles
 
I had good luck with a military allison 643 mated to a 6bt and it worked great. Was a big ass tranny, but it worked well. I was lucky that the donor vehicle had it setup like that already, but they're rare.
 
A ford 6.9 is not powerfull. The gas motors do fine on flat land. Try going up a mountain and you will really slow down. Get a diesel. Do it once and do it right the first time.
 
JUICED COUPE said:
now when I go to look at one if these what do I look at?
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One of the main things to look at in the manuals is the dual mass flywheel.Ask the owner if its been changed,most hi mileage 7.3's have been,but its a $500+ expense if it hasnt and you have to do it.You have to change the flywheel and clutch both.The old clutch wont work w the new flywheel.
 
1-tonmudder said:
One of the main things to look at in the manuals is the dual mass flywheel.Ask the owner if its been changed,most hi mileage 7.3's have been,but its a $500+ expense if it hasnt and you have to do it.You have to change the flywheel and clutch both.The old clutch wont work w the new flywheel.
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Is there a way to see if I crawl up under it?
 
CasterTroy said:
Some on here
http://www.nc4x4.com/forums/showthread.php?t=114230
http://www.nc4x4.com/forums/showthread.php?t=112620
http://www.nc4x4.com/forums/showthread.php?t=111532
http://www.nc4x4.com/forums/showthread.php?t=111312
There are LOTS of 92-96 F-350 dually's out there for that price. Most are 4 door, but most are 275k plus mileage, SOME were 4x4, but not many
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I like the 99 2500 dodge but most ppl are saying it wont pull good enough.

I dont care for anything 80s model really.
 
JUICED COUPE said:
Is there a way to see if I crawl up under it?
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Youll have to pull the inspection cover off of it.The dual mass flywheels had springs in em on the engine side of the flywheel,the springs look like big valve springs.
 
1-tonmudder said:
The dual mass flywheels had springs in em on the engine side of the flywheel,the springs look like big valve springs.
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This is the one that came out of mine.
ai59.photobucket.com_albums_g305_1_tonmudder_100_1958.jpg
 
Ok thanks for the help guys. Ima try to keep looking until I can find the diesel I like or a v10 dodge or Ford.

How many miles on a v10 is to many? I really like the one from hky Craigslist.
 
On the dodge V10 forum there is a thread with mileage and there are plenty with over 200k.
 
Personally I would look for a mid 90's 2nd gen dodge cummins. You could find an xtra cab 2wd 5speed in your price range fairly easy just takes some looking. Remember with a v8 diesel you have to deal with the extra parts ie, injectors, pistons, ect and the electronic parts cost more than the mechanical 12v cummins parts. Since you are looking at higher mileage trucks take that stuff into serious consideration. Plus being a 2wd cummins you will get 20mpg or better unloaded, thats from experiance. I am bias to a cummins so take it with a grain of salt, but with a cummins you get reliability, easier to work on, and better power/easier modified than any other diesel.
 
I would much rather have the cummins for the reasons you mentioned. However the fords seem reliable 7.3 anyway and go lots of miles just like a cummins. It just seems any cummins in my range is complete junk and well used.
 
I picked up a 97 cummins auto xcab 4x4 dually a couple years ago. It had 220k miles and was a good truck other than the interior was very dirty and it was aggrevaiting for the kids to get in and out of the back seats. It was a work truck for the previous owner and it showed but it was a good running truck.

I currently have an 01 Ford Crew cab 7.3L 6speed 140k miles. Plenty of power and more room for the kids. Nicer truck but I had to pay more to get that.
 
I started with a 7.3L NA/5spd F250 = sucked on anything by flat level road.
Went to a 5.9L Cummins/auto D-350 = couldn't tow 65mph comfortably in OD & 3rd ran 3000rpm which got me crap mpg

Sold out to the light(?) side & bought a 3/4ton gas rig (Vortec 5.7L/4l80E) that has NO issue dragging my Jeep or hauling 7K# plus. It's cheaper to maintain & troubleshoot for the3k-5k miles it gets used each year!

Unless you're trying to jones or compensate? Just asking :lol:
 
Caver Dave said:
I started with a 7.3L NA/5spd F250 = sucked on anything by flat level road.
Went to a 5.9L Cummins/auto D-350 = couldn't tow 65mph comfortably in OD & 3rd ran 3000rpm which got me crap mpg
Sold out to the light(?) side & bought a 3/4ton gas rig (Vortec 5.7L/4l80E) that has NO issue dragging my Jeep or hauling 7K# plus. It's cheaper to maintain & troubleshoot for the3k-5k miles it gets used each year!
Unless you're trying to jones or compensate? Just asking :lol:
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I know theres folks that do it and get by just fine but theres no way I'd tie my stuff behind a gas powered rig.Trailer is #2400 and my blazer is probably around #6000 plus we have a 32 ft camper.Not tryin to be in the click or compensate,its just what I feeel comfortable with.
 
I had a 97 gas f350 with 460 and it did great until I tried to go up the mountains and it didn't take long to get a turbo diesel.
 
I tell ya I love my chevy 6.0 crew cab 4x4! Its got all the pulling power I need but when it comes to the gas I wont buy another 6.0! Somwhere around 8-10mpg around town with or without a trailer & 12-13 mpg highway with no trailer....... there again its 4x4 & crew. & at the same time I wouldn't own a ford of the same truck so..... (not downing the ford just had bad luck) good luck with the serch. I would sale mine if I could get close to your price range....
 
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