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Tool Talk Discussion Forum

1978 Ford 1 Ton

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Jeremy Brault

10-13-2003 18:18:34




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I have a 1978 Ford 1 Ton pickup with a flatbed on it. It has a 400 with a 4 speed in it. I was just wondering if you guys have one of these, and or have seen any one use it to pull a gooseneck trailer. I am wondering how it pulls the trailer. Is it underpowered, or is it fine? I bought it to pull a 30ft. triple axle, triple beam gooseneck trailer, with three tractors on it. Do you think it will have plenty of power to pull it?
Thanks.
Jeremy

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Rick

10-15-2003 17:16:25




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 Re: 1978 Ford 1 Ton in reply to Jeremy Brault, 10-13-2003 18:18:34  
I tryed with a ford f 250 with the 400 . I pulled a 30 foot trailer. It would pull great empty. under load , forget it. I went to a ford F350 diesel for a 4 speed. 55 miles a hour and under it did ok, loss power on hills. I sold that one and went to a f700 diesel. Now i can fly over the hills with a full load . The down side is the fuel miliage, 7 GPM loaded or unloaded. Rick

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Jeremy Brault

10-15-2003 06:38:08




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 Re: 1978 Ford 1 Ton in reply to Jeremy Brault, 10-13-2003 18:18:34  
I found a 460 for it. Will that be alittle better. Were they a good pulling engine. I may only pull about 10-15000 lbs. on it



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Stick

10-16-2003 13:07:32




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 Re: Re: 1978 Ford 1 Ton in reply to Jeremy Brault, 10-15-2003 06:38:08  
I pull a bit over 10,000 with a 460 and a 5 speed (in 4th) in a 1 ton crew cab dually 4X4 with a really heavy welding body and a diesel powered welder and O/A tanks etc..... ..truck alone weighs 14,000 lbs. I still get 12-13MP(imperial)G fully loaded, so about 9-10 US, but then I seldom run much over 55MPH. You guys must be pulling at Indy racetrack speeds! I must admit I prefer the daddy in law's new diesel 1 ton for tugging. Still gets mileage in the low 20's pulling, and about double the power it seems, and it can run at 75 if I want to, though I think it's ridiculously dangerous and I don't.

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Dave

10-15-2003 14:46:52




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 Re: Re: 1978 Ford 1 Ton in reply to Jeremy Brault, 10-15-2003 06:38:08  
A 460 will bring that truck to life. A lot different than trying to pull with a 400. Just don't plan on passing too many gas stations with it =)



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CWL

10-15-2003 10:40:30




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 Re: Re: 1978 Ford 1 Ton in reply to Jeremy Brault, 10-15-2003 06:38:08  
Jeremy, I would guess that your 30' triple axle trailer alone will weigh 5000lb or more. My 20' weighs a little over 4000lb. Or did you mean that the load on the trailer would be 10-15000lb.



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bob ny

10-15-2003 07:22:00




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 Re: Re: 1978 Ford 1 Ton in reply to Jeremy Brault, 10-15-2003 06:38:08  
i would tow with a 460 any day to a 400.



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MapleStone

10-15-2003 06:37:33




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 Re: 1978 Ford 1 Ton in reply to Jeremy Brault, 10-13-2003 18:18:34  
I don't have much to add as I never handled a trailer load that large with the 76 one ton we had. But I would like to say that you have a nice truck there and if you fix her up it would really look great pullin antique tractors.

Post a picture of your truck if you can.



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CWL

10-14-2003 06:35:35




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 Re: 1978 Ford 1 Ton in reply to Jeremy Brault, 10-13-2003 18:18:34  
I just got out of my '77 Ford 1 ton dually with the same motor and trans. It has a 373 rear gear which is a little high for heavy trailer pulling, but a good all around compromise. The motor is built pretty stout with a large rv cam and a holley 750 cfm carb. I am a little different than a lot of people as I prefer a vacuum secondary carb so I have a 3310. It is mounted on a edelbrock performer manifold. Nothing special, but a lot better than the factory 2 barrel. The cam that I put in it doesn't really come to life until the rpm gets above 1500. This cost me some lugging power, but that is what that granny low is for. I didn't put headers on it as I am not a strong believer in them on pickups, but it does have dual exhaust. The fuel economy is not the best as it only gets about 10 mpg empty, but unless it's really loaded down the mileage doesn't drop much. That should give you a good idea as to where I'm coming from, and what I'm dealing with for a truck. Now for your question. With my truck that trailer could be pulled at highway speed okay. It will take a little ways to get up to speed so don't pull out in front of any semis. Steep hills would slow it down some. The fuel economy won't be great either, look into a set of dual tanks for long trips. I pull a 20' flat trailer and a 24' stock trailer. With the stock trailer about half full it pulls like it's empty. Full you can tell there's weight, but it still runs out good. It all boils down to how often you will pull this trailer loaded and how far. If you like the truck and are willing to work with it can be done okay. As was already mentioned a 460 will give you more lugging power in hills and with heavy loads. It is a bigger motor with more power, but will generally use more fuel. My opinion: I love my truck. If I was going to pull a load like your talking about very far, very often, I would end up with a diesel, or invest the money into my truck to put an after market 2-speed and lower gears in it. You will just have to try it for yourself and see what you think.
CWL

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Gary in TX

10-14-2003 06:30:32




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 Re: 1978 Ford 1 Ton in reply to Jeremy Brault, 10-13-2003 18:18:34  
Jeremy,
First off make no mistake about it, I am not a Ford person at all. I have had 2 and I will never own another. I do respect those who do own them however just as I expect others to respect my choice. Its still fun to kid each other about our truck likes though.
Sounds like you have a decent truck to do about half of what you have listed to do. Not being a die hard Ford person I would say go ahead and trade it off on a 1 ton diesel. I have a friend who has a powerstroke and he loves it. I also have a friend who has a Dodge 3/4 ton and also another friend who has a Dodge 1 ton 4x4. They are real happy with theirs as well. I personally am a GM person, I have mostly had GM and have not had any major problems to date. I'm in a 98 GMC 3/4 ton extended cab now and looking for a 1 ton diesel for a work truck. I have a cousin that worked for a dealership and he did tell me too only look into the 6.5L in a used truck. Anyhow, good luck on your choice, whatever it may be but from my stand point don't try to load that truck up with the load you listed or you may actually be FoundOnRoadDead, just kidding!

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26Red- Swap in a Diesel!

10-17-2003 11:18:22




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 Re: Re: 1978 Ford 1 Ton in reply to Gary in TX, 10-14-2003 06:30:32  
Check this site out..

Link



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mike

10-13-2003 22:08:13




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 Re: 1978 Ford 1 Ton in reply to Jeremy Brault, 10-13-2003 18:18:34  
the late 400 had retarded cam timing 8deg i believe you need to change to a good aftermarket cam gear and chain as far as have to have a diesel BS I have diesels and would never go back but 400 pulls good if set up right good luck mike



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Joie Andrew

10-13-2003 22:02:31




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 Re: 1978 Ford 1 Ton in reply to Jeremy Brault, 10-13-2003 18:18:34  
the 400 is a very heavy low hp engine. You could swap in a 460, not much difference in weight, a lot more pulling power. You can use the same transmission, I'm not sure about the frame engine mounts. This is what I run in my 78 Ford 1 ton wrecker. It will pull the load, but with 4:10 gears for pulling, you will only get about 3 to 5 miles per gallon. My Powerstroke Diesel will pull more, easier & get at least 10-12 miles to the gallon & run faster. Good luck

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Glenn - WV

10-13-2003 19:47:19




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 Re: 1978 Ford 1 Ton in reply to Jeremy Brault, 10-13-2003 18:18:34  
You need a diesel to pull that kind of a load. 400 most likely won't cut it.



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Dave

10-13-2003 18:54:20




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 Re: 1978 Ford 1 Ton in reply to Jeremy Brault, 10-13-2003 18:18:34  
You won't have to worry about any speeding tickets, That is for sure.



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anthony

10-13-2003 20:56:27




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 Re: Re: 1978 Ford 1 Ton in reply to Dave, 10-13-2003 18:54:20  
i would consider putting headers and high flow mufflers on it and synthetic oil will keep it cool.....a holley 750 cfm double pumper wouldnt hurt either.



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