fordgirl4by4
Registered User
Our weekend trip to our remote Mountain property was a nightmare PULL! Loaded trailer weighing 9600lbs with a IhC 2504 tractor, 1989 F350 2wd srw CC truck with a low mileage 460 and c6 with 4.10 gears and every trailer pulling option, even air bags, weighing 8600lbs without driver.
Reason for this truck vs my IDI's were most are 3.55 gears, and my daily driver 4wd srw cc na6.9 zf5 4.10 wouldnt even move the load outta the hill in front of my house on a test pull.
We did 30mph and got 5.7mpg with this 460 truck pulling three BAD BAD BAD mountain passes from our house in Northern Wa, over SR20 in the north Cascades, Rainy pass, washington pass, and Loup loup pass on SR20 and then a pull outta Tonasket from 900ft to 3600ft in 14 miles. All two lane road with limited pull offs, NO services, and 20-30mph curves the whole way. And on the verge of overheating the whole way at 40-60 degree temps. And a brake master cylinder that got mushy on return trip limiting braking, causing us to run in 1st gear down 6-7% grades at 4500rpms
The question? Will a 6.9 studded with ATS factory turbo, new pump, bb codes or better pull this load or more during summer months often? I need to make this run monthly or more at 60-100 degree temps, with limited services and limited pull off spots. Speed is not a big concern but reliable performance is, this will be a ZF5 with factory dual mass or south bend clutch. Can I stop or slow this load down grades with a diesel?
Should I just buy a newer diesel? It was a scary trip I dont want to repeat, I have lots of 6.9/7.3 truck but am SEVERELY concerned now, seeing a 460 wont do it.
Reason for this truck vs my IDI's were most are 3.55 gears, and my daily driver 4wd srw cc na6.9 zf5 4.10 wouldnt even move the load outta the hill in front of my house on a test pull.
We did 30mph and got 5.7mpg with this 460 truck pulling three BAD BAD BAD mountain passes from our house in Northern Wa, over SR20 in the north Cascades, Rainy pass, washington pass, and Loup loup pass on SR20 and then a pull outta Tonasket from 900ft to 3600ft in 14 miles. All two lane road with limited pull offs, NO services, and 20-30mph curves the whole way. And on the verge of overheating the whole way at 40-60 degree temps. And a brake master cylinder that got mushy on return trip limiting braking, causing us to run in 1st gear down 6-7% grades at 4500rpms
The question? Will a 6.9 studded with ATS factory turbo, new pump, bb codes or better pull this load or more during summer months often? I need to make this run monthly or more at 60-100 degree temps, with limited services and limited pull off spots. Speed is not a big concern but reliable performance is, this will be a ZF5 with factory dual mass or south bend clutch. Can I stop or slow this load down grades with a diesel?
Should I just buy a newer diesel? It was a scary trip I dont want to repeat, I have lots of 6.9/7.3 truck but am SEVERELY concerned now, seeing a 460 wont do it.