I’m currently pulling a skid loader at 11k with Tri axle gooseneck weighing 7.5k. Using my 5 speed 97 dodge 2500. It’s no speed demon but gets the job done. On good road can run 65-70 comfortably. I’ve been looking at 97 f250 4x4 with automatic and 92 f250 4x4 with auto. Would either of these compare to the dodge? I’ve tried autos with older dodges and had bad luck. My mechanic says the ford autos are lot tougher. I don’t mind slowing down to 60-65. Will run where it feels comfortable and can stop. Have brakes on all 3 trailer axles.
Newbie to Ford’s with questions on hauling
- Thread starter TonyMc76
- Start date
XOLATEM
Full Access Member
That is a 7.3 early powerstroke with a newer-version of the E4OD.
It is computer controlled (the engine)(and the trans) and a different animal than the earlier Ford diesel...('87-'94).
That is a NA IDI 7.3 and the computer for the transmission was deemed to be not optimal and a new shift and pressure strategy for the trans was updated in 1995...along with a slightly higher-capacity pump.
If more power is what you want...on the '92 you would need to add a turbo....
...optimizing the IP and injectors would go along with that...
On the '97 you would need to make sure any teething problems were already worked out...that is...if you want to start using it right away.
If you have the money and time...you could buy one and sort it out before you start depending on it...
What kind of skid steer are you towing..? and...what attachments do you usually carry along..?
u2slow
bilge rat
Asking for trouble. The PSD nor automatics age as gracefully as the 12valve/5spd powertrain.
I’ve got kubota 95-2 and 97-2. Brush grapple, tree puller, shredder.
It's hard to argue against a traditional inline 6 cylinder diesel.
Other than the arguable superiority of the Ford trucks themselves, what you speak of would be a true downgrade in powertrain. Don’t get me wrong, many people have had good luck with the 7.3 IDIs and PSDs, but there are plenty of people that haven’t. The 5.9 Cummins is a superior engine.
Really any automatic of that era isn’t particularly great behind a diesel, at least compared to modern truck transmissions. Both the NV4500 and ZF5 5 speed manuals are pretty good transmissions though. Lots of people seem to prefer the NV4500 but I am the black sheep who prefers the ZF5.
5.9 Cummins swapped OBS Ford truck would of course be the best of both worlds, but that’s not cheap, or particularly easy…
Really any automatic of that era isn’t particularly great behind a diesel, at least compared to modern truck transmissions. Both the NV4500 and ZF5 5 speed manuals are pretty good transmissions though. Lots of people seem to prefer the NV4500 but I am the black sheep who prefers the ZF5.
5.9 Cummins swapped OBS Ford truck would of course be the best of both worlds, but that’s not cheap, or particularly easy…
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