74' 250 4 x 4 & towing?

[CSmith]

Hello Everyone,

I've been looking for a truck that will tow a newly acquired Bobcat & dump trailer. Being on a limited budget, my wife suggested I consider her (deseased) fathers old 74' 250, which he bought new some 35 years ago. My initial thought was that it couldn't handle the 10,000 lb load., but I wanted to find out for sure. I only travel short distances of 25 miles or less and it would mostly be with a lighter load of around 5 - 6,000 lbs. (trash only in the dump trailer).

Is it possible that with an equalizer hitch and air shocks this can be my new work truck? Or am I just dreaming.

Thanks for any help you can give.
Clayton

 

[1985 Ford F-150]

Itll more than handle it but if its got the 360 I would suggest swappin in a strong 390. Itll most likely have 4.10 gears in it so itll give ya the low end grunt ya need. Also what kind of trailer are we talkin about. Fifth wheel? Goose neck? Bumper pull?

 

[m78]

I would check the breaks. seems all these trucks have hard breaking issues. Even with trailer breaks .

 

[CSmith]

Thanks for the fast response Dan, that is what I was hoping to hear. The trailer is an old Foster bumper pull that weighs 3900 lbs empty, and has a high tongue weight. I really don't forsee towing the Bobcat that often, and I can be gentle on the old truck when I do.

I don't know much about the truck except that it's an automatic and has 68,000 miles on it.

Thanks again

 

[1985 Ford F-150]

No problem. Like Mark said id check the brakes along with the steering, wheel bearings and u joints. Now we know what kind of trailer your pullin youll need a class five reciever hitch and high quality drop hitch and ball.

 

[DNFXDLI]

Is it a regular cab?...I only have info from a 1979 book and it looks like a max of 6-7000 lb for conventional trailer towing.

 

[LEB Ben]

Man oh man...you'll be fine, as stated, it's not actually a matter of getting the thing going or hauling...it's more a matter of stopping that load. These trucks are beasts and can handle just about anything. There was once a time, I had 8k in the bed and 13k on a trailer at the same time...you'll be more than fine.

 

[1985 Ford F-150]

Ive had 10000 behind my 76 before we sold it and I was pullin up 6% grades. If ya dont want the back end to squat then id get some overload springs on the back. It would also be a good idea to get a trailer with brakes on it and have a brake controller in the truck.

 

[fatherdoug]

I bought a '74 F-250 in 1987 with a transplanted 390 that had been used to haul a really old four-horse trailer(with four horses) all over Montana. It did have 4.10 gears. The brakes were still in good shape(drums on all four corners if I remember right.) It did not have power steering but a set of popeye arms could steer it ok.

 

[CSmith]

You guy's rock!

This is exactly the information I was after - thank you all.

I've booked a one way bus ticket to Butte Mt. - leaving at 1:30 am Saturday and after changing the oil, checking all the fluids & tires, I'll drive her the 230 miles back home. It's sat for several years but my Mother-in-law said it started right up.

This site has got me fired up to not only learn more about the truck, but to also appreciate it. In the mean time I just want to get it home and start exploring. I'm sure I'll have lots of questions in the future, like how to tell what rear end it has in it, engine etc..

First thing I'll do is have it thoroughly checked over (with emphasis on the drive train & brakes), install a class V hitch - brake controller - all the wiring nesessary, and give towing a try.


One last question if I may -- how can I get an idea of it's value to compensate my Mother-in-Law? There are other family members involved and I'd like to be fair, while still staying within my budget. I will say that I've offered her $2,000 and she is more than happy with that, but if it truely is worth more I'd like her to get it, even if it means I don't buy it.

Thank you all again for your help,
Clayton

 

[LEB Ben]

Glad to see your vigor...as for the price...a truck that's been sitting that long...I usually wouldn't touch for anything more than $1500. But since you said it fired right up, I say the 2k is fair. If it's a rust bucket...I'd see if I could negotiate down to 1200 or so. But if the body is straight and doesn't appear to need any major overhauls...it sounds like it has the potential to be a 2-2500 truck.

 

[LEB Ben]

Oh yeah...one more thing...I'd highly suggest swapping any and all filters before you drive that thing home.

 

[1985 Ford F-150]

Thats what ere here for. Like Ben said replace all the filter on it and make sure that the fluids are all up. Also make sure that you can stop it in a hurry if need be. The rear end is most likely gonna be a dana 60 but if your lucky it might be a 70. Theres also people that can decipher you VIN number and tag to tell ya what the truck is and the rear axle.

 

[CSmith]

Good advice to change all the filters, - I'll try to have them with me when I get there. Are there any other filters other than Oil, Air & Gas that I should be aware of?

I had thought that 2000 was a fair price, but I got a bit worried when I started finding prices that are all over the place. Most of the higher prices I've seen for this era truck have been for restored vehicles. This one is just a plain old truck with a few rust spots (I'm told).

Oh yea, it is a regular cab, long bed also.

I'll try to get some pictures taken & uploaded next week. I'll get some pictures of his other cars as well, the man kept every car he ever owned. (everything else too)...

Thanks

 

[1985 Ford F-150]

Nope thats all the filters there are. Sounds like its in pretty good shape. Cant wait to see pics of it.

 

[LEB Ben]

Ummm...as for gas filters...there could be an inline filter and/or a screw in filter directly screwed in the carb on the front left bottom corner. If I were you, I'd also swap tranny fluid and filter...a 230 mile trip would toast that tranny if the fluid is old/bad. I'd also add a bottle of Stabil to the gas tank if there's any chance there is old gas in there.

 

[1985 Ford F-150]

Forgot it was an auto. It might also have a fuel pump with a canister that looks like a tomato can and it has a filter in there.

 

[countryboytn]

If I were you, I'd also swap tranny fluid and filter...a 230 mile trip would toast that tranny if the fluid is old/bad. I'd also add a bottle of Stabil to the gas tank if there's any chance there is old gas in there.

Exactly what I was thinking. The few minutes it takes you to check the fluid/filter could save the trans.


Also, I'd have atleast one, probably two or three, extra fuel filters. Never know when sloshing that gas around will cause somthing to stop up the filters..

(I know I changed three on my ol' truck in about 2 hours of running, and it sittin' on blocks in the driveway.)

 

[mtflat]

230 miles from Butte? Where do you live?

You'll have to know which engine and trans it has in order to buy filters and Ford was generous with a variety during this period.

I also agree your price is probably very fair.

 

[CSmith]

Hi Tim - I'm the other direction from Butte than you, I live in Billings.

I was wondering about getting the right filters. Since I won't have many tools with me I think I may be better off taking the truck into the local Ford dealer and having them change all the fluids & filters and give it a good look over. Otherwise I'll just purchase the filters there, after I can see what it takes. Are these filters readily available at local auto supply stores?

Thanks,
Clayton

230 miles from Butte? Where do you live?

You'll have to know which engine and trans it has in order to buy filters and Ford was generous with a variety during this period.

I also agree your price is probably very fair.