How much can a 1986 F150 with a 300 L6 engine haul/tow? I would like to know this before purchasing. It has an automatic transmission.

 

http://www.boatingmag.com/ford/?year...&submit=Submit

I could only go back as far as '91 but should give you an idea. Years ago when my grandpa owned the local elevator they had a late 80's or real early 90's (square front) F250 with a I6 in it and used it for delivering anhydrous tanks for years. Not a powerhouse but i'd take a I6 anyday over the old 5.0. Got rid of the '91 (had a 5.8L) so I have no manual to look through, but I can't even find a payload # on the dr sticker in my '98. Still havn't found the user manual for the '98 to see if it may be listed in there somewhere. I still don't understand why the size of the engine (outside of the engines actual weight) has anything to do with payload/towing capacity of a vehicle. All the engine does is change how fast you can go. Its the makup of the rest of the vehicle that handles the load. See if you can compare the driveline & suspension to the 5.0's & 5.8's of the day.

 

Ive had 3200 pounds in my bed before. Im sure it wasnt good for it but it hauled it about 4 miles no sweat. Stopping was an adventure. I have a np435 granny 4spd

 

The old 300 six was a great engine with quite a bit of low-end torque, even more than the 302 and 305's of the same era. I had four different trucks with 300's over the years (one an '86 F-250 auto) and all would haul anything I put in or behind them. I had 18' Bayliner I/O boat, 2 place enclosed trailer with 2 snowmobiles inside, 20' self contained Prowler Camper, and 18' Coleman Pop-up Camper to tow over the years. Beds FULL of fire wood were no problem either.

 

CORRECTION: Truck has a 4-speed manual transmission, not an automatic.

 

I don't think the owners manual will say exactly. There are too many options. I will have to find my manual but I am pretty sure it says to check the door sticker...

 

I have a friend that runs a trailer rental place (like the ones behind semis) he has I think an 89 f150 with 300 ci six 4-spd that he uses to move them around the yard. says it will handle them better than his 2000 gmc 1500 with v8.

 

Mine is an L6 300 with the manual NP435 transmission. I recently replaced the rear leaf springs. Each rated at 1850 LBs. I can say that I have had over 3000 Lbs in the bed. Agreed no sweat for truck drive train. Braking as said needs to be pre-planned.

In town truck gets crappy mileage. Maybe 10MPG. On highway though it is close to 20 maybe a little more. Best $800.00 purchase I've ever made. If it is in great shape I would not hesitate to pull the trigger on the purchase.








P.S. My brother has a 92 L6 300 with an automatic in it. He has put like 20K miles on his since he has owned it. He has never even looked at the dipstick let alone changed the oil. The things starts EVERY time! Mine sees maintanence.

 

Here's the pics of the truck. Truck is XLT Lariat.

 

Sweet! Buy it!