old school tow rig debate

ncjeeper76

ncjeeper76

Active Member
Joined
Jun 4, 2006
Location
Climax NC
I have two trucks one of which. I want to make into knock around truck and a tow rig for my CJ time to time, maybe once a month. One is a 73 Ford F-100 2wd with a 360 V8 and a 3 speed tranny needs valve stem seals($10) and a clutch soon. Then a few upgrades like power steering and brakes. The other is a 81 Dodge D150 with a 318 and a TF 727 tranny so far it needs a carb rebuild and a total brake rebuild and both window regs replaced along with a few odds and ends just wondering which would be the better tow rig. Along with any short falls of those two trucks. Im sure there are plenty. Let the Ford vs Dodge wars begin :popcorn:
thanks
Jason
 
I know w/ the ford.....all the 3/4-1 ton stuff can bolt right under it (front i-beam-out & rear dana 60) easily for bigger brakes. My buddy tows his gooseneck trailer w/ his '76 F-100 w/ a 302 & a 3-speed (hauls 4x4s all over & it's all stock).

Like anything, it's all up to you & waht you want.

D.
 
My ex tow rig had a 460. With all the mountains around here that wasn't enough and I had to upgrade to a Diesel. I tow a 6000lb Bronco. A CJ would have been easy, but my point is you will want more power.
 
I'd go with the older Ford. Just because of lot of crap was built in the 80's as that's when the EPA was really starting to force things.

For the money, doc is right on...drop in axles off something later. Discs, etc. 3 speed is fine, I don't tow in o/d anyway.

Plus, the '73 will be out of the state inspection requirement in a couple of years. Not that you want to have unsafe equipment, but it saves you the hassle (and a whopping ten bucks) every year.

Which has the most wheelbase?
 
Thanks for all the info guys. I know I will want more power down the road ,but power =$$. This is just something to do till I something newer. As far as the wheelbase I would say they are close both are long beds
 
I'd go with the Ford. Upgrade the axles, later on the engine.
I do have a 460 and love it. Was towing with a J truck with a 304. Towed good, but towed slow.
Brakes is first upgrade on either. Also recommend you have brakes on both axles or your trailer.
 
Well I guess the other question to go with this is....

are you going to tow with them they way they are ?? or are you willing to swap in axles, engines , etc?

just trying to figure out if you want are opinion to tow the way they are set up now or are you willing to do upgrades to them???
 
well I am planning on replacing that truck with a newer one down the road. So I would like to do enough to to make it a good work truck and tow rig. I figure power brakes,power steering with trailer brakes Keep it 1/2 for now unless I run into a killer deal on the parts to upgrade. I'm kinda liking the old school tow rig and CJ idea. Should get some :wtf: :D
 
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