224282

Well times have been very hard, and I am very broke, so my wife and I decided that maybe we should use the old truck to tow scrap vehicles. My truck is a 1994 Ford F150 XL, 4.9L TBI, M5R2 Transmission, and a 3.31 rear.

I live in the Appalachian mountains, and my question is, can this truck tow a 17-20ft trailer with a 2000-3500 pound car loaded on it, or should I consider an axle swap?

I do not have much experience with towing in the mountains, so that is why I ask. Thanks in advance for the responses.

smokeywren

WELCOME! to F150forum.


My F-150 specs don't go back earlier than 1997. But for 1997 model year the heaviest loaded trailer the F-150 4x2 with less than 3.55 axle ratio could drag was 2,000 pounds. With 3.55 axle the tow rating climbed to 3,500 pounds with manual tranny and over 6,000 pounds with automagic tranny. With 4x4, subtract 400 pounds for max trailer weight.


I'll bet your '94 4.9 is no stronger than the '97 4.6L V8. So if "M5R2" is a stick shift tranny, then don't try to tow a 5,000-pound loaded trailer. However, if M5R2 is some sort of automagic tranny, then the tow rating is plenty for you to tow that rig if you don't haul much weight in the truck.

johndeerefarmer

Here are the specs off of my old '92

1992 FORD F150 351W V8 200HP 300 ft/lb 3.55 rear axle
approx 7200 lbs towing capability 11mpg city/ 15 mpg hwy

jkenprice1

The 4.9 is a truck motor, with lots of low end torque. The tranny has a granny gear 1st and 5th is overdrive. I wouldn't be the fastest rig, but it should get you there. I'd be more concerned about stopping in the mountains.

BRUTE448

my how times have changed!!

Velosprout

This depends also on the condition of the truck. Looking at the rust under my 1993, there's no way I am going to try to tow anything with it.

224282

I appreciate all the responses. I am pretty mechanically inclined and I have been learning about drivetrain work, and I thought about swapping my M5OD/M5R2 5-speed out for either a ZF-Sp5 or a C6 (Leaning more towards the C6), and maybe trying to put 3.55, 3.77, or 4.11 gears in my 8.8" Diff (Not sure yet), but I know there is only so much you can do with a 4x2 half-ton truck.

I am just so stuck financially. My back is broke in 3 places, I'm close to being paralyzed, I can't work a job, because they can't accommodate my disabilities, and I have nothing to fall back on. I was just hoping to have a truck strong enough to take cars to the scrap yard to try and support my family.

If anyone can tell me anything I can do to my truck or have any ideas, please tell me, because I am desperate. I don't get a Social Security Disability check, and I only live on $2,000 to $4,000 per year, which is hard for me to come by. I just want to provide a better future for my family.

I use to have a car, but I bought this truck for $600 and got it running really well for only $300, then I sold my car for $1700. I just feel stuck and don't know what to do. I was hoping that this truck could do more.

jkenprice1

Before you spend money on modifications, I' try a test drive to see how your truck performs as is.

jkenprice1

If you need more power, then do a differential swap.

smokeywren

Not the entire diff - just the ring gear and pinion parts inside the diff.


About $210 for the generic parts to go to a 4.11 axle ratio. More for Ford OEM parts or name-brand aftermarket parts. 4.11 ratio should be plenty to drag a 6,000-pounds trailer with your F-150. Here's one source:
http://www.ringpinion.com/b2c/Produc...rce=DiffWizard