I am looking at a '87 International S1800 dump truck. It has a N/A 7.3 for the engine. The truck is also 4WD so no split rear end. The owner said the top speed for the truck is 55-60mph. The good sides seem to be the low miles at 31,000, no rust, and appears to be in excellent condition. My concern is if the 7.3 is enough engine for the truck. I can deal with the low speed but would rather not loose too much every time I go up a hill loaded. I was thinking maybe to run it as is this summer then in the winter add a turbo and intercooler. what are you guys thoughts on a truck like this for towing around 6 tons or, carrying 5 tons in the bed. Will the engine be a dog with that kind of weight or will the gearing be adequate to make up for the lack of power. IT is a 5 speed manual. Thanks in advance for any insight you guys can pass along.
dump truck opinions
- Thread starter tnmtn
- Start date
It will be slow, and you will be holding up traffic going up a hill. Seems everyone has forgotten this is how it always was with big trucks in the earlier years. Being in that chassis will not make this engine any faster than it is in a pickup. But the engine can handle it all day long, you will just have to have patience if you get it.
I remember driving this setup in one of those huge u-haul trucks. It was the biggest one I could rent, and I had my whole house packed inside it. It moved right along, but you couldn't rush it. It had a 5 speed also.
I remember driving this setup in one of those huge u-haul trucks. It was the biggest one I could rent, and I had my whole house packed inside it. It moved right along, but you couldn't rush it. It had a 5 speed also.
FORDF250HDXLT
The life of an Indian is like the wings of the air
you know how i look at it?...............if you can haul the world in a single trip,then what's the rush anyway?
with the low gearing,it's like riding a bike.you select the lower gears when coming to a hill.you have to "rev" faster lol but your leg muscles won't be straining.it won't make you peddle up the hill at a faster speed,but reduce stress on you.same applies to the lower towing type gears of big trucks.the strain is off the trans/engine and the gears help work the load.it doesn't make the truck faster,but when you can carry so much at once,and get so much more work done than a pickup,then even if your driving slower,your still working faster.
pull over and let people by before the hills.no big deal.
with the low gearing,it's like riding a bike.you select the lower gears when coming to a hill.you have to "rev" faster lol but your leg muscles won't be straining.it won't make you peddle up the hill at a faster speed,but reduce stress on you.same applies to the lower towing type gears of big trucks.the strain is off the trans/engine and the gears help work the load.it doesn't make the truck faster,but when you can carry so much at once,and get so much more work done than a pickup,then even if your driving slower,your still working faster.
pull over and let people by before the hills.no big deal.
ToughOldFord
The Cold Glow-Plug
I wonder why the engine was replaced at such a low mileage?
ToughOldFord
The Cold Glow-Plug
Shouldn't be, '87 was the last year for the 6.9, the 7.3 wasn't released until the next year. Unless it was installed in the heavy trucks a year earlier which I doubt.
Maybe the seller doesn't know what he has or it's an '88 sold in '87?
79jasper
Chickenhawk
But gearing will play a big role.
Obviously won't be fast, but may not feel like dragging an elephant through mud.
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