Help with f-truck knowledge - Ford Forums

Turbo_EA · 11-30-2004, 04:58

Hi guys, I'm an experienced Fally owner but I'm looking to buy an F-Truck. I am lookin for something that can tow a car ona trailer comfortably. What is the difference between the F-100, F-150.....? How are they on reliability and parts availability? Any advice would be muchly appreciated.

Cheers, Waity.

outback_ute · 12-01-2004, 01:04

The name was changed from F100 to F150 in the mid eighties (as far as I know) so the difference would be older or newer. Reliability depends on condition and maintenance, they are pretty basic. Parts availability - Ford make millions of them, a lot made their way out to Oz as well - parts ARE available!

Presumably you're not looking to spend a heap of dough on one, my advice would be to look around until you find one for the right $ that a) is in good condition and b) has the setup you want. There are plenty out there.

masters24 · 12-01-2004, 05:03

I was under the impression that a F100 was 1 tonne, F150 was 1.5 tonne etc... I may be wrong, please let me know if i am....

Cheers...

outback_ute · 12-01-2004, 06:08

Have you ever seen a F100 from 1988 or newer? In any case I believe originally the F100 was "1/2 tonne", F200 1 tonne, etc (that is, back in the 50s) ie half what the model number was. I remember seeing a road test of an F150 4x4 (351W 5sp) in Modern Motor in about 1989-90, the load capacity was something like 1200kg (not sure about towing though), and now the F250 payload is 12-1500kg depending on model.

masters24 · 12-01-2004, 06:18

taa for that, it was just an ond thought lingering in the mind

chevypower · 12-02-2004, 17:42

Ford, Chevy and Dodge in the US have numbers for their trucks that represent increases in payload limit and load limit on the towball.

eg: Ford F150, Chevy 1500 and Dodge 1500 has a half tonne down limit on the tow ball
Ford F250, Chevy and Dodge 2500 have 3/4 tonne limit on the towball
F350 and Chevy &Dodge 3500 have a full tonne limit on the ball

The down limit on the ball is always much less than their payload and towing capacity.

Payload varies between them because they come in so many configurations which affect the payload rating (single, supercab and crewcab)

But as an estimate, an F150 would carry a tonne on the back, an F250 would carry approx 1.5 tonne and an F350 would carry 2 tonne. a single cab F350 with dual rear wheels would carry a lot more than that.

outback_ute · 12-02-2004, 22:25

Thanks for clearing that up chevypower I had wondered about the 1/2 tonne terminology. My previous idea was based on the 50s when supercabs etc had not been invented haha, not even 4x4 versions for that matter too.

Turbo_EA · 12-03-2004, 19:53

Hi guys thanks for your help. Gives me a better idea of what I'm lookin at.

89F150 · 12-05-2004, 01:48

As long as the engine and tranny is in pretty decent condition, you shouldn't have to many problems with what ever F series you find. They all tow pretty decent loads. Reliability all depends on how well it was maintained and how it is treated. My 89 F150 with 5.0L 5 spd manual easily pulls a tandem with E series falcon and a half tonne of gear in the tray.