Tool Trailer for Handyman Service

[Ray Cecil]

So the max tow weight is 2000lbs for an automatic flareside!? That seems pretty low.

You have the 4spd w/OD now, right?

An NP435 swap might be what you're looking for...that's the work transmission if there ever was one.

That's why I've been asking what would be in the trailer. The tow ratings on the 4spd OD are really low. But with a C6 the ratings are much higher. And, while the NP435 ratings are low from Ford that's just 'cause it is a manual. But I'm with Cory - that's a work tranny and with its low first gear you can move anything.

Use the 1986 Towing Guide tab here: Documentation/Specifications/Towing.

Alright. So I have options. I need to increase towing capacity.

1. Buy a donor F250 with an Auto, 4x4, 300 six and Fuel Injection.

2. Upgrade intake to Offy, and fitech Fuel Injection, and add C6.

3. LS swap.

I am leaning towards option #2. Would be the easiest and probably the cheapest. I have a bud who can take the c6 and go through it for me to ensure its in good shape.

Maybe an add a leaf in the rear would help?

[Ray Cecil]

Alright. So I have options. I need to increase towing capacity.

1. Buy a donor F250 with an Auto, 4x4, 300 six and Fuel Injection.

2. Upgrade intake to Offy, and fitech Fuel Injection, and add C6.

3. LS swap.

I am leaning towards option #2. Would be the easiest and probably the cheapest. I have a bud who can take the c6 and go through it for me to ensure its in good shape.

Maybe an add a leaf in the rear would help?

Im bidding on ebay for an offenhauser dual port. If I win that, I will get the fitech. Once that is installed, I will get the automatic figured out.

[1986F150Six]

Im bidding on ebay for an offenhauser dual port. If I win that, I will get the fitech. Once that is installed, I will get the automatic figured out.

Ray,

Will the Dual Port [dual plane] intake work with the FI unit? The reason I ask is that there is an Offenhauser C manifold which is open and a 2 or 4 barrel carburetor can be oriented any direction. With the Dual Port, a 4 barrel carburetor is used and the primaries are nearest the valve cover. When others have used a 2 barrel with the Dual Port intake, an open 1" thick spacer has been used.

[Ray Cecil]

Ray,

Will the Dual Port [dual plane] intake work with the FI unit? The reason I ask is that there is an Offenhauser C manifold which is open and a 2 or 4 barrel carburetor can be oriented any direction. With the Dual Port, a 4 barrel carburetor is used and the primaries are nearest the valve cover. When others have used a 2 barrel with the Dual Port intake, an open 1" thick spacer has been used.

I dont see why it wouldnt work. AFAIK, there arent primaries and secondaries on the Fitech. I believe all 4 valves open simultaneously.

If I understand correctly, the dual port delivers air and fuel on 1 plane with a carbs primaries. This reduces running volume and increases velocity, improving torque. When WOT occurs and the secondaries open, the 2nd plane delivers additional fuel and air.

If the fitech works the way I think it does, and open all 4 valve at the same time, it effectively makes a dual port open, because both planes are delivering fuel and air all the time.

I will dig into the mechanics of the fitech a little more.

[FuzzFace2]

Ray,

Will the Dual Port [dual plane] intake work with the FI unit? The reason I ask is that there is an Offenhauser C manifold which is open and a 2 or 4 barrel carburetor can be oriented any direction. With the Dual Port, a 4 barrel carburetor is used and the primaries are nearest the valve cover. When others have used a 2 barrel with the Dual Port intake, an open 1" thick spacer has been used.

That was my thinking also on the DP intake, you want the open one.

BTW I don't think you will get that much more power from the 300 by going with the Offy, headers / EFI exh manifolds and EFI unit over the stock carb & EFI manifolds but that's me.

I love the way mine pulls with the stock carb, EFI manifolds and T18 transmission, its not a 460 but will get the job done. Its a back up to pull my car trailer.

Now I can see why you may want to go with the C6, you have it, can get it gone thru and ready to use cheap and it ups the tow cap of your truck.

We know the weak link right now is that SROD and some have hinted to go with the NP4xx? but if me and was going to swap to a stick I would go with the ZF5.

You get the low first gear for starting off with heavy loads, just like my T18 or a T19, but you get over drive. Only thing I don't know is how hard it will be to find a ZF5 with 4x4 trim?

The C6 will need a kick down rod and what I seen posted can be hard to find the parts to work with a factory 300 and then you want to go EFI too? I don't know if a cable setup will work or not? Maybe ask your buddy?

I know you said the wife would kill you but I thing a F250 long bed would be the way to go.

You can put 8' ply wood / sheet rock in the bed laying down, longer boards for the gate down. Add a rack and you can then carry longer boards and ladders, and if you want still pull a trailer.

I know a van will not be a 4x4 but all tools etc. can be locked up inside out of weather and sight.

Will carry long boards and add a rack up top even longer boards than the P/U could carry.

How often would you be using the 4x4 when working? No work outside in snow on decks or siding. Anything inside I would think could wait till the roads are clear.

4x4 P/U you could add a plow and do plowing in the winter but that adds wear to the truck.

My head is spinning so I know yours is.

Good luck

Dave ----

[Rembrant]

Only thing I don't know is how hard it will be to find a ZF5 with 4x4 trim?

Finding a 4x4 ZF5 with the SBF bellhousing is the hard part. It is my understanding that they are somewhat rare and decent used ones are expensive.

Reamer has one in his Flareside...I'm sure he could tell us what they're worth.

I thought the 460/diesel ZF5 was much more common, but maybe Gary can comment on that.

Plus, with Ray's truck being an '82, there'd be a fair amount of extras required to install a hydraulic clutch transmission.

Still, anything is possible...

On a later Bull with factory hydraulic clutch, it's an easier swap for sure.

 

[Ray Cecil]

Only thing I don't know is how hard it will be to find a ZF5 with 4x4 trim?

Finding a 4x4 ZF5 with the SBF bellhousing is the hard part. It is my understanding that they are somewhat rare and decent used ones are expensive.

Reamer has one in his Flareside...I'm sure he could tell us what they're worth.

I thought the 460/diesel ZF5 was much more common, but maybe Gary can comment on that.

Plus, with Ray's truck being an '82, there'd be a fair amount of extras required to install a hydraulic clutch transmission.

Still, anything is possible...

On a later Bull with factory hydraulic clutch, it's an easier swap for sure.

I want an auto not only for extra towing, but for the ease of operation.

There is no way I wont see a performance increase with an offy and 4 barrel FI setup over the stock carb. I put a header on it and saw significant increase.

I want a trailer because I just want to use the truck. I dont want to drive around dads silverado anymore, it needs a full go through.

If I may request, please lets not get into a carb vs FI debate here....thats a dead horse.

[FuzzFace2]

I want an auto not only for extra towing, but for the ease of operation.

There is no way I wont see a performance increase with an offy and 4 barrel FI setup over the stock carb. I put a header on it and saw significant increase.

I want a trailer because I just want to use the truck. I dont want to drive around dads silverado anymore, it needs a full go through.

If I may request, please lets not get into a carb vs FI debate here....thats a dead horse.

I was thinking if just starting out on this new "path" why spend the money on EFI when you have a working carb and for what return?

Same with the trucks, was looking at what "I" think would work best and why.

You doing dump runs with this trailer or is the junk being thrown in the bed of the truck for the dump run?

Sometimes someone will see something and a light bulb will go off and say "why did I not think of that"

Dave ----

[FuzzFace2]

Only thing I don't know is how hard it will be to find a ZF5 with 4x4 trim?

Finding a 4x4 ZF5 with the SBF bellhousing is the hard part. It is my understanding that they are somewhat rare and decent used ones are expensive.

Reamer has one in his Flareside...I'm sure he could tell us what they're worth.

I thought the 460/diesel ZF5 was much more common, but maybe Gary can comment on that.

Plus, with Ray's truck being an '82, there'd be a fair amount of extras required to install a hydraulic clutch transmission.

Still, anything is possible...

On a later Bull with factory hydraulic clutch, it's an easier swap for sure.

Mine being an 81 and 4x2 I would need to do the same work for the clutch and I am starting to look for the needed parts for the SB ZF5 swap as I don't want to rebuild the T18 in my truck.

Dave ----

[Rembrant]

Mine being an 81 and 4x2 I would need to do the same work for the clutch and I am starting to look for the needed parts for the SB ZF5 swap as I don't want to rebuild the T18 in my truck.

Dave ----

Dave,

I have a pedal set out of a hydraulic manual trans truck that you are welcome to have. The cost of shipping them might put them out of reach, but if you have any trouble finding a set let me know. I think you can do a PM through the forum.