81 Ford F-250

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81 Ford F-250

todd121
This is my initial thread on my 81 F-250. Its been in the family since at least the early 90s I don’t believe it was bought new but my dad bought it from a distant cousin and for as long as I can remember it was both slow and rusty. Im in the process of getting a space in the shop set up for it. It’s got rust problems and the motor needs a rebuild but everything else on this truck is pretty solid aside from some sloppy steering. It’s got the dana 44 hd up front and a Dana 60 limited slip in the rear, Warner T-18, and the old trusty Ford 300 straight 6. In all my infinite wisdom as a teenager I just painted over the rust with rust oleum. Now 10 years later im actually getting started on doing this truck the right way. It’s actually a Canadian build truck but I don’t have much/any info on it before dad bought it in the early 90s. It’s the one I learned to drive stick in and my personal favorite story about it is once when I was 4 or 5 my dad at it sold. According to him I didn’t stop crying until he called the guy back and had to undo the deal. Looking forward to sharing the process and progress and learning as much as I can from Yall.
"The Black Truck" 81 Ford F-250 HD 4x4 Long Bed, 300 IL6, Borg Warner T-18 4spd, Dana 60 limited slip rear, Dana 44 up front. Factory AC.
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Re: 81 Ford F-250

ArdWrknTrk
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Welcome Todd!  

We love stories like this.
 Jim,
Lil'Red is a '87 F250 HD, 4.10's, 1356 4x4, Zf-5, 3G, PMGR, Saginaw PS, desmogged with a Holley 80508 and Performer intake.
Too much other stuff to mention.
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Re: 81 Ford F-250

Gary Lewis
Administrator
Yes, that's a great story!  Looking for the next installment in the restoration story.  
Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

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Re: 81 Ford F-250

fords4life
In reply to this post by todd121
Welcome aboard!
1986 F-150 SC 2wd 4spd 302EFI Base Model all OEM motor/trans/emissions equipment.
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Re: 81 Ford F-250

todd121
In reply to this post by todd121
Thanks for the warm welcome yall. Im curious, the last time this old truck was running it would top out at about 45, is that common for these old 250 straight sixes, I know its got the granny gear 4 speed but I feel like it should at least be hitting 55/60.
"The Black Truck" 81 Ford F-250 HD 4x4 Long Bed, 300 IL6, Borg Warner T-18 4spd, Dana 60 limited slip rear, Dana 44 up front. Factory AC.
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Re: 81 Ford F-250

ArdWrknTrk
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I'd assume your truck has 4.10's?

What rpm are you turning on the highway?
Are these stock 235/85 R-16 tires?
 Jim,
Lil'Red is a '87 F250 HD, 4.10's, 1356 4x4, Zf-5, 3G, PMGR, Saginaw PS, desmogged with a Holley 80508 and Performer intake.
Too much other stuff to mention.
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Re: 81 Ford F-250

todd121
I actually don't have the gear ratios and it's been so long since it's been running I couldn't tell you the RPM. According to the reference on (https://www.blueovaltrucks.com/tech-articles/identify-your-ford-truck-axle-from-the-door-sticker/#:~:text=There%27s%20no%20question%2C%20the%20easiest,is%20for%20the%20Axle%20Code) it is a C7 Axl code, with a 3.54 gear ratio. Stock tire size
"The Black Truck" 81 Ford F-250 HD 4x4 Long Bed, 300 IL6, Borg Warner T-18 4spd, Dana 60 limited slip rear, Dana 44 up front. Factory AC.
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Re: 81 Ford F-250

taskswap
Well that sure looks familiar :)
--
1981 F-250 Custom. 6.6L V8, 4 barrel Holley carb, ARA aftermarket A/C.
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Re: 81 Ford F-250

ArdWrknTrk
Administrator
In reply to this post by todd121
With 3.54's and 1:1 in 4th you should easily reach 60 mph.
The 300 is more torque than top end but when my truck had a T-19 (same 1:1) and a much higher ratio rear I recall being around 3,000 at 65.

There is a calculator linked on this site.
 Jim,
Lil'Red is a '87 F250 HD, 4.10's, 1356 4x4, Zf-5, 3G, PMGR, Saginaw PS, desmogged with a Holley 80508 and Performer intake.
Too much other stuff to mention.
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Re: 81 Ford F-250

Gary Lewis
Administrator
Yep - Documentation/Driveline/Calculators.
Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

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Re: 81 Ford F-250

grumpin
In reply to this post by todd121
Welcome!
Dane
1986 F250HD SC XLT Lariat 4x4 460 C6-Sold
1992 Bronco XLT 4x4 351W E4OD
1998 GMC Sierra SLE K1500 350 4L60E
Arizona
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Re: 81 Ford F-250

todd121
In reply to this post by todd121
Oh forgot to add on this my zip is 30656 for the map
"The Black Truck" 81 Ford F-250 HD 4x4 Long Bed, 300 IL6, Borg Warner T-18 4spd, Dana 60 limited slip rear, Dana 44 up front. Factory AC.
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Re: 81 Ford F-250

Gary Lewis
Administrator
You are now on the map - hopefully in roughly the right spot.
Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI