Ford Truck experts..I need your help fast!!

[Big Sky]

Here's the scoop. Need fast advice whether I should purchase this F150 truck. Details:
1992, F150 4x2 (former work truck for transporting small tires),
4.9 L EFI, I-6 engine. Gear ratio is 3.08 so book says..Max GCWR is both 8,000 lbs and 9,000 lbs. (not sure what this means with 2 different weights). Corresponding Trailer weights are either 0-2,000 lbs and 2,000-5,000 lbs respectively. The truck has decent body and only 57,000 miles. Is this a good buy at $3,000? Would like to use this for awhile pulling a boat the size of a Lund Pro-V 1775 or Ranger 617. Thanks for your help!!

[REW]

I just checked Kelly Blue book for the truck that you list.
The price is certainly fair, if the body etc. is ok.

I assume that you mean with the i-6 that this is the 4.9 liter 6 cylinder engine? You don't indicate if this is a manual or automatic engine? I assume that it is automatic.
If this is the 6 cylinder, this truck is going to be a smidge light on power

Check out the Kelly link as follows for pricing information.
You have to use these figures with a grain of salt. I think that in general the figures that you get from Kelly are on the high side, but you decide:

http://www.kbb.com/kb/ki.dll/kw.kc.ud?kbb;038288&;t&35&10;12&

This is a good truck. My only concern would be the power. This might particularly be a problem if you plan on doing any mountain towing.

Take care

REW

[drizz]

I pull a 1660 with the same engine and it's pretty gutless. I had the truck before the boat, but I wouldn't buy another one. It's O.K. for nearby landings, but if your gonna get out on the highway in traffic you'll kick yourself everytime. Find something with a V-8.

[Big Sky]

Forgot to mention it is a V-6 automatic. I know this isn't my dream truck, just a solution to be able to buy a new boat now and have the transportation to haul it. Otherwise it is 20k for boat and 30k for a new truck. I was hoping this the cheapest way to go for now, yet still have something to pull for only $3 grand. Thanks for helping!!

[Boatnut]

Big Sky,
I dont have tow ratings for vehicles that far back BUT, in 1996, Fords 150 4x2 with a 4.2 v-6 had a rating of 5,800 pounds BUT that required among other things, a 3.55:1 axle ratio. The 3.08 axle is not gonna cut it, especially if you tow in any hills.
A tow package is recommended also.
Not sure why they list two GCWR's but the GCWR is the weight of the truck, passengers, luggage etc. PLUS the weight of the boat, trailer, fuel, batteries gear etc.
Mike(boatnut)

[jimbo2]

I pull my Tyee 5.3 with my 89 ford F150 2 wheel, mine is a 5 litre(302 v8). Not gutless, but real close to it. It has a 5 speed stick with highway gears, so I'm sure thats alot of it. Like the other guys said, if its close to home, fine. You might get frustrated on a long haul.
take your time!

[Hans]

It will pull your boat, and $3K is a good price given the low mileage.

But that 6-banger coupled with the "mileage minder" rear-end gear ratio is gonna be challenged in the hills and headwinds.

Hey, it will get you to the lake and back -- if that's what you need, and can tolerate the lack of snap, it sounds like a fit.

Hans

[cmb]

what? Hans, you are not recomending he purchase a V8 or a diesil? are you going soft on me? I thought your theory was that you needed a 3/4-1 ton truck to tow anything! next you will tell him it is ok to use the factory bumper hitch!(or a cheap bolt on "Kmart special")

<just razing you a little> :-)

[Captain Dan Kelly]

i can solve your problem buy a new chevy hd with the duramx diesel best running truck on the road today.

[fred]

take captain dans advice.if you can get one. ford thinks there the best out there right now. thats why there redoing there power stroke. and the chevy is very quite

[Joe]

I have owned old Ford trucks for many years and abused them all.6cyl to big V-8s. automatics to standards.the only reason i have gone threw 6 of them is becouse i love to run them hard in the bush. I would end up with large front end problems and large dents all over .Rather than fix them i would buy another and do the same. I have yet to come across any towing probems and ive towed all across Ontario many times over the years to fish . when it got slugish going up hill ,id go in the slow lane and do the speed limit no problem.my last truck was a 1992 F-150 4x4 with a 5 liter automatic in it with gears like yours.It was great but it was harder on fuel and when i was nt towing my boat it still cost a lot to drive around town.In my opinion the truck your looking at sounds like you have the power and the towing capacity to do what you want no problem.If your concernd about slowing down when going up hill ,dont be, drop it down from drive to 2nd or from overdrive to drive depending on what transmition you have until you reach the top of the hill or mountain then put it back ..Its safe to do at highway speeds with out damaging anything.Check the manual and you will see im right.>>>>>>P.S be sure the front end and the roters are in good shape,there costly to repair even if you do it your self. good fishing Joe

[cmb]

why in the ##### would someone need a Diesil to pull a small boat?
I have seen this mentality time and time again on the board, why?
I could understand your reccomendation if say- he did a lot of highway driving, had a large travel or work trailer to tow, and was looking for a vehicle to tow his heavy 24+ foot long big water boat-and was asking for advise on the best NEW vehicle to purchase. but he is not!

I am glad you have (or wish you had) a big diesil truck but please check your 2year old ego at the door and have a reality check.

seems you know so much about the GM HD, are they built on the same chasis as the standard GM pickup or are they, like Ford, built on a seperate stronger and more rigid platform?

[bob oh]

I agree, why would anyone tell him to buy an expensive truck when he said he couldn't afford it. Bragging or rubbing it in ???

Bob

[mmillelacs]

first of all the 4.9 liter is a straight 6 (inline) not a v-6. I think its a very good engine and with that kind of mileage on the truck and price you have a good buy. I have pretty much that same vehicle but my complaint is the poor gas mileage when towing. I think you really do have the power to pull the lund but i think that ranger may be quite a bit heavier. Either way with the automatic transmission i would definately invest in a transmission cooler. Statistically, this is probably fords mosttrouble free engine they have produced to date. (in my humble opinion)

[Hans]

The 2500, 2500HD, 3500, etc., are all built on a completely different platform than the 1500 series.

Different frames, different sheet metal, different engines/trannies/rear ends, same radios and seats.

Hans

[Rats]

I also had a 1992 Ford Truck with a 4.9 6 cyl. 4 speed manual It was a good truck. It pulled by 17 1/2 foot boat just fine. I also pulled a 21 foot 5th wheel travel trailer. It didn't do to bad, but you need to lower you expectations a little if you tow with a 6 cyl. My biggest problem was the gas milage. I only got about 15 MPG not towing if I kept off the gas and a lot less at 65 to 70. I got any where from 7 to 12 MPG when towing.

I now have a 98 F150 with a 5.4 and an auto. I get 15 to 16 MPG on the highway at 65-70. It tows better than my old 4.9 but I miss the manual when towing. (I got the auto so my wife and daughter could drive it)

In talking with lots of Ford owners, in the older engines, the 300 6 cyl (4.9) and the 351 V8 were the best Ford engines. The 302 and the 460 had a lot more problems. I don't think you can go wrong with a straight 6 Ford, except for maybe the fuel costs.

[cmb]

thanks Hans, Just curious if they followed Fords lead. It should be interesting to see how much competition will force imprivement on these great trucks. Ford/GM- Who cares!

[Big Sky]

I test drove the truck today. Drove like a truck, but I expected that for the age. My only concerns are that I know nothing about vehicle mechanics and what certain parts are. With that being said, when I looked under the vehicle, there was some fluid underneath the transmission casing (don’t laugh if I say this stuff wrong), under the front of the truck (possibly oil leak), and on top of the engine where you add oil it seems that the metal cap (? Work with me) that connects to the engine is rusting at all around the edges. This is a stupid question cuz none of you can see this, but am I looking at potentially big $$ repairs or possibly just needs some new gaskets. Thanks again for everybody helping me on this!!!

[OOC]

BigSky,I am auto tech.who owned an '89 F-150 with a 4.9 5-speed manual and 3.08 gears.The 4.9 is strong and when equipped with a manual trans.you'll have enough power.I towed a ProV1700dlx with mine and the only problem was,with the 3.08 open,traction at the launch.Have a pro.look at the truck regarding general condition.You will invest some money on any used vehicle.