I am new to the forums and I have a 96 f150 4x4 with a 5 speed and a good ole 300 in it. I was just wondering if any of you know what is the most i can pull with the truck and if i can pull in 5th or only in 4th. If only in 4th can I drive 65 atleast? This might all sound kind of tarded but the truck just simply is a ****ing dog. It struggles to pull 2 quads up a 25 degree incline even in 4th. Any feedback would be appreciated.

thanks, Nate

 

i dont have a manual but havin that much trouble sounds kinda sad but again i dont have a manual
oh and welcome to the site

 

yeah, its pretty sad. I seriously dont really like the truck. The body is clean, no rust what so ever. I have had to sink a bunch of money into it already and i havent had it a year. New raidtaor, ball joints, all u joint on the front, radius arm brackets/bushings, tires cause the front was phucked up, cats, pretty much u name it. I just would really like to figure out this towing dilema i have.

 

hsve you tried just a lower gear
not to sound rude just sayin

 

yeah i have tried a lower gear, but the thing is that the 4.9 makes all its power down low so if you try to get the revs up good the power just signs off and makes the situation even worse. I am at a dead end for this problem. The clutch is not slipping or anything and nothing mechanical is froze up on the truck that would provide drag. I know they has to be some big 300 junkie on here that knows this trucks characteristics up and down.

 

Fellow 300 Junkie at your service!

To start. you will find the 300 loves to pull between 2,500-3,000RPMs for any gear its in. You have the 5spd, makes things easyer, more upgrades. i would suggest a few things

-Tune up. the 300 hates old gear, yes it will run but under stress your asking for something the engine cant give. Upgrade Plugs, coil, cap, wires ect. ect. Also keep an eye on the engine temp. 300's HATE heat. once they get hot they take forever to cool down and lose a ton of power while hot. Might even consider upgrading to a V8 Radiator. It also wouldnt hurt to upgrade your battery and power return supply (alternator).

-Tranny, you have the 5spd, you will find NAPA has a Wonderfull Stage 2 Pulling clutch made just for what you need. this will let the tranny grab better, better take off and up hill pulling.

-Rear end, im almost 100% sure you have a stock rear end, most likly the 3:55 gearing. Not a bad set up but its one tire fire, and hates up hill pulling. Upgrade it. 3:73, 4:10, whatever you can find. Keep in mind you have an 8.8 rear end in it.

Give some of this a try. yes i know its more money but you will be very happy with what the Old Ford will give in return!

-Way

 

thanks a bunch junkie. I have done a complete tune up. It has a dual capacity radiator in it. It also has a magnaflow exhaust. I believe your right with the clutch. Im sure it has a stock clutch in the beast. Do you have any idea how much it costs to get a clutch put in er. If its alot of money,how hard is it to install yourself?

 

Oh also some *** bag white trash mechanic told me ford never designed the motor to pull ****. Is he correct?

 

He's Dee Dee Dee, The 300 is one of the best Torque engines ford made. (as i see it anyway). That Mechanic you spoke with most likely hates ford...

The Clutch. Stage two runs you about $350ish with tax from Napa. Install cost i wouldnt know, i do all my own work.
-Support engine
-Remove 6 tranny bolts (tranny to engine bolts) 5/8's bolts
-Remove starter 9/16th bolts
-Remove two large 18mm nuts from tranny crossmember (Nuts mounting tranny in middle)
-Remove drive shaft(s) (1/2in nuts) NOTE: Carefull not to loose end caps of U-joints. also a good time to check to see if they need to be replaced.
-If your truck is 4x4, remove bolts holding 4wd shifter to transfer
-easyest i found is to pull the transfer off completely, makes things easyer to move. transfer splits at tranny mount. should be 8 or 9 1/2in bolts
-NOTE: Tranny shouldnt be in ANY gear at all durring this process!
-Remove your normal 5spd shifter, (3 star bolts just under your boot on the floor)
- Slide tranny back as much as you can.
-You should see the pressure plate. Remove it, 6 bolts 1/2in bolts
-your pressure plate and clutch will fall down WATCH OUT!
-Inspect flywheel for damage, chips, teeth missing, ect
-Replace clutch(use line up tool that comes with your new clutch.
-Bolt on Pressure plate.
and put everything back together
I would rate this a 6 out of 10 , 10 being hard as hell to do. 1 being easy as driving the truck haha.
Take your time, should take you 4-5 hours give or take depending on how well you turn a wrench. I learned how by myself im sure you wont have any issues with it. need anything just post here and i or one of the boys will be glad to answer your question im sure.

-Way

 

i am also new to this forum. biggreen96 is my lil bro and his truck is BADASS, minus having to put so much into it. you guys know how much those plastic mud fender flares cost?