I'm in a pickle. I've got a 1995 F-150 with the 5.0 engine and auto trans I bought new. For many years this engine was fine (power or really lack of). Now, not so much. When I hook up the trailer with my small tractor it hardly makes it up the slightest hill. I don't want to get another truck as this one is my go-to ride.
Any suggestions as to what I could do to help with some added hp without breaking the bank. At 70 years old or I don't need speed just some hump getting her up hills with a little load.
Thanks so much for any advice you may have to help my truck.

Thanks,
Rick

 

How many miles?

Has it ever been tuned up? Fuel Filter changed?

 

Oh yea, I keep it in very good working order. I change oil and filter every 3000-3500 miles. Tune it up about every 15000 miles. I keep this truck in great shape not only looks but maintenance also.

 

Oh boy, those motors were pretty weak.
How heavy is the tractor/trailer combination? It doesn't take much to make that truck a slug.

Stock tire size of 235/75 or 265/75? It has a the 3.55 rear or 4.10? Or 3.08 if it is 2wd?

Any idea if the exhaust could be clogged?
If you pull the pcv line from the air box, it is gunky? PCV line is the small tube, about 1" diameter that went into the side of the airbox I think....there is a spring retainer clip inside the airbox for that tube.

 

Trailer and tractor about 3000lbs
265/75
3.08 is 2wd
I will investigate the exhaust tomorrow
I will pull the pcv line tomorrow

Thanks so much

 

Was this an "all of a sudden" or a "gradual decline" in performance?

 

I've just, in the past year or so started using it to pull a trailer. It's never had the proper power with the trailer hooked up.

 

Is 265/75-15 stock for your 1995 2wd? I thougth those came standard with 225/75-15.
My 4x4 was 235/75-15. An optional package for 4x4 included 265-75-15. I could not get a 3.08 in a 4x4 back in the day.

A 3.08, with the 265 tire option you list (if not stock) is a very high gear and pulling 3,000lbs is going to be a struggle, mostly just trying to get it moving. I've hauled a heavy boat a couple times back then and it would be okay on highway, but not if I was against a head wind. Even worse to get the load moving from a stop.

I had the 302 V8, 3.55 gears and 32" tires. That's marginally larger than the 265 OEM option but my computer was programmed for the 3.55 gear with 29" tires (stock). By time I changed my tire size it would have been similar to a 3.08, except for the engine mapping that was messed up due to larger tire.

Without actually driving it, it's difficult to accurately access -but it almost sounds like with the size tire and rear end along with a 3,000lbish trailer, it may just be the best it will get.

 

IIRC my '95, same truck as yours, had its catalytic converter fail and it was gradual. I fixed that and it made a world of difference in the power.

,

 

I'm doing the catalytic converter replacement this weekend.
I truly appreciate everyone's suggestions.

Thanks,
Rick