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  Jan. 4, 2011 8:40 p.m. Buzz Killington HalfDork

  I'm thinking of selling my (dearly loved) RX-8 in favor of an R-package Miotter and a cheap tow vehicle (and hopefully some cash left over).

  I've always liked the early-mid 90s F-150s and they seem to be cheap, simple and reliable. i found a '93 regular-cab 4.9L (tranny, driveline, mileage not listed) near me; no price, but i can't imagine it would be more than $2500 or so for an automatic 4x4.

  I've heard the 4.9L is a great engine; the '93 was rated at 145hp/265tq, which seems like enough grunt for a miata on an open trailer.

  thoughts? would a V8 (302 or 351) be necessary? is there any way to avoid the horrifyingly ubiquitous red interior? is the auto trans up to haulin' duty?

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  Jan. 4, 2011 9:24 p.m. neon4891 SuperDork

  I <3 300/6

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  Jan. 4, 2011 9:35 p.m. Toyman01 SuperDork

  The 300 is a good engine. You can't kill them. They tow very well. I have pulled 9000# behind a F150 with that engine without any problems. Gas mileage sucks though.

  I'd rather have the 4.2 V6 given the choice. Almost as much torque at 252 and an extra 50+ hp at 202. Much better fuel mileage than the 300. I get in the 16-17 mpg range out of my work van on average and have seen over 20. A lot of truck guys turn up there nose at them, but they are really a great engine.

  A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing.

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  Jan. 4, 2011 10:19 p.m. stealthfighter1 Reader

  i had an 88 4wd 5spd long bed ,and i loved it and i'm not even a real hardcore ford guy. it was an awesome little truck , i towed all kinds of cars with it, and even pulled a mistubishi fuso out of a ditch with it.

  78'280z/86 starion/91' 240sx

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  Jan. 5, 2011 5:00 a.m. Mikey52_1 HalfDork

  jonusb is selling CANOE

  Mike

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  Jan. 5, 2011 7:23 a.m. Streetwiseguy HalfDork

  They are old and crude and a bit leaky, but I'd probably tow with a 4.9 before a 5.0. If its cheap and runs decent, go for it. Around here, its tough to find a Ford truck that old with a box not rusted off.

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  Jan. 5, 2011 7:32 a.m. belteshazzar SuperDork

  4.9's are a good excuse to get the truck for cheap, since some people turn their noses up at them. I certainly wouldn't go looking for one, but there's nothing wrong with them.

  Kinda the same story as finding a GMT400 with a 305. Lotta people would not be interested, but they'll get the job done (slowly).

  spending money I don't have to buy parts I don't need to impress people I don't know

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  Jan. 5, 2011 7:45 a.m. alstevens New Reader

  Had a '95 F-150 that I bought new. Put 260K on it and only had to change the water pump. Regular oil changes and used 1/2 qt in 3000miles. Got 20 mpg when not towing. I used it for towing boats. The truck rusted around it though.

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  Jan. 5, 2011 3:37 p.m. Xceler8x SuperDork

  Dad had one years ago. An 85 Bronco with the granny gear 4 speed. It would tow just about anything. 25 ft boat. Stuck trucks in the sand in the Outer Banks. He traded it to a neighbor with 250k on it. The neighbor used it to tow his bigger boat! The neighbor traded it to a painter to paint his house. That's the last I heard of it.

  It was not fast but ran forever.

  You are what you do, when it counts.

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  Jan. 5, 2011 5:22 p.m. integraguy Dork

  My father had one of these with 2 wheel drive, an early '80s, I think. Considering "on paper" they don't seem powerful or sophisticated, they do pull well.

  I do know 1 or 2 guys with the "later" V6 (I think Ford even offered the F with the 3.8 for a short time, back when you could still get an F-100) and they run okay...but on other websites they have developed a rep for being money pits.

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