I'm in the process of buying a truck ('94-96 F150) and have a pop-up camper, weight around 2500 lbs, which engine/transmission set would be best to tow with, i'm leaning towards 300ci and manual tranny for fuel economy, any info would be appreciated.
Thanks

 

Put axle code in your hunt. Look yourself or have anyone you email look for the Axle code on the driver door jam. As important as the rest of choices you may want.

 

A 300 six 5spd will be able to handle it, just make sure suspension is up to the task and maybe a set of 3.55 or 4.10 gears will help.

 

The stock ratios are 2.73, 3.08 (I have), 3.55, 3.73, and 4.10. Dunno codes off hand (Accept mine which is axle code 18), but they are easily found searching. Between 3.55 and 4.10 is what you'll want.

The 300 has better torque than the 302 V8. Or get the 351 V8. But, as far as I understand it, the 300 is bullet proof and runs a looooong time. Ford even put the 300 in dump trucks with only a different header put on to give you an idea of how good the 300 is with loads.

 

H9 axle code is the 3.55 limited slip rear end.

I'd go with the 5L motor and manual trans. I was getting 14mpg fully loaded and a blown head gasket which to me means there's more available in the fuel economy. You will never be disappointed with the availability of parts for the v8 or the extra ability to tow when you need it over the straight 6.

 

x2

the straight 6 only has good power up to around 30-35 mph, which is around where the 302/351 start kicking in. the 5 speed is good, id recommend the automatic if you got the 96 since it is a heavier duty transmission then the pre 96s my friend hauled a camper around in his 87 f150 extended cab shortbed, all he did was put overloads on the back. he had the 302, 4sp auto non OD and 3.55 non limited slip.

here are axle codes
12 - 2.73 non-limited slip (f150)
19 — 3.55 non-limited slip (Econoline, F-150)
18 — 3.08 non-limited slip (F-150)
17 — 3.31 non-limited slip (Econoline)
H8 - 3.08 limited slip (f150)
H9 — 3.55 limited slip (F-150, F-250)
B6 — 3.73 limited slip (F-150, F-250)
24 — 3.73 (Econoline)
32 — 4.10 (Econoline)
35 — 4.09 (Econoline)
34 — 3.73 (Econoline)
39 — 3.55 (Econoline)
52 — 4.10 (Econoline)
56 — 4.10 (Econoline)
81 — 4.63 (Econoline)
27 — 3.31 non-limited slip (F-250)
26 — 3.73 non-limited slip (F-250)
41 — 3.27 non-limited slip (Explorer/Mountaineer)
45 — 3.55 non-limited slip (Explorer/Mountaineer)
46 — 3.73 non-limited slip (Explorer/Mountaineer)
42 — 4.10 non-limited slip (Explorer/Mountaineer)
D1 — 3.27 limited slip (Explorer/Mountaineer)
D4 — 3.73 limited slip (Explorer/Mountaineer)
D2 — 4.10 limited slip (Explorer/Mountaineer)
84 — 3.45 non-limited slip (Ranger)
86 — 3.73 non-limited slip (Ranger)
87 — 4.10 non-limited slip (Ranger)
89 — 4.56 non-limited slip (Ranger)
F6 — 3.73 limited slip (Ranger)
F7 — 4.10 limited slip (Ranger)
92 — 3.08 non-limited slip (Ranger)
R5 — 3.55 limited slip (Ranger)
91 — 3.27 non-limited slip (Ranger)
96 — 3.73 non-limited slip (Ranger)
R6 — 3.73 limited slip (Ranger)"