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Stepping up my tow rig game

NDCjeepsmith said:
I'm not including truck, like yota was

V8 CJ 4k
LJ 5k
JKU 6k

I added over 1k pounds from curb weight on all those

PO of trailer said it was 4500, It's gotta be more but I'm waiting on info from manufacturer on that.
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Gotta include the truck. Weights from manufacturers don’t count.

Gotta fuck around if you’re going to find anything out. I say try it. I wouldn’t spend money on a leveling kit, late model bumpers, touchscreen radio, or a backup camera until you’d tried it at least once to see if any of this is going to be acceptable. Take that with a grain of salt though, because I wouldn’t spend money on any of that stuff for that truck anyway.

Change the fluids and run it. If you still like it I’d do downpipe, exhaust, big air filter, and gauges before any of that stuff you listed. Hydroboost out of an F-Superduty. Find a superduty rear axle with 4.10’s or 4.30’s and swap superduty front hubs and brakes like Arse said.
 
Nice looking truck. Your going to be working that thing but as long as you drive slowly and hopefully have 410s it will get the job done. I have. A single cab 99 mildly built and I slow to 45 up the big hills towing 16k lbs. If I get into it any more the turbo gets hot quick.
 
2big bronco said:
Nice looking truck. Your going to be working that thing but as long as you drive slowly and hopefully have 410s it will get the job done. I have. A single cab 99 mildly built and I slow to 45 up the big hills towing 16k lbs. If I get into it any more the turbo gets hot quick.
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And a super duty 7.3 is much more improved than an obs also :laughing:
 
The power wagon will probably have a better gvwr than the obs 7.3. The obs is cool, but a worse towing rig in every respect imo.

Go over some scales with the load you intend to trip on and get some real numbers. Then upgrade the cooling system, Intercooler setup (add one) and add an exhaust brake. Make sure those trailer brakes work well.
 
Ok. So some good info coming now.

I can get on board with intercooler and exhaust. That makes sense.

Are the pre SD 7.3s that much worse than the SD 7.3?
 
NDCjeepsmith said:
Ok. So some good info coming now.

I can get on board with intercooler and exhaust. That makes sense.

Are the pre SD 7.3s that much worse than the SD 7.3?
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Obs 7.3 has no intercooler, horrible downpipe, shittier turbo, much smaller injectors, smaller hpop and a mechanical lift pump.

So if you want decent power, you need to change all of that, but then you'll need a built trans, plus you still need to stop the thing :laughing:
 
You have the perfect truck to pull one rig all over hells half acre all the time, or 2 rigs across town a couple times a year. I love the way obs trucks look, but the super duty is the right truck for that.

2big goes great in his rclb super duty, but it has 4 wheel disc's, hydroboost, a 6 speed, factory intercooler, so from the factory its 2x the truck, then his engine is pretty upgraded

You need to start with something like that, or a 2nd gen dodge 12 valve 5 speed

Your e40d is a turd when it's in a 5.8 bronco pulling a camry on a u haul trailer

You're looking at serious upgrades to make that thing into something its not
 
Even just a bone stock 99-04 with a V10 or PSD and 5R100 is a HUGE upgrade over an OBS.

Hell, even a 99-04 with a 5.4 and 4R100 would be a pretty big improvement since you're going from a cab body/chassis designed in the late 70s to NVH/comfort standards that predate the advent of the "truck as a daily driver" to one designed in the mid 90s with the expectation of the truck as a daily driver.
 
NDCjeepsmith said:
Ok. So some good info coming now.

I can get on board with intercooler and exhaust. That makes sense.

Are the pre SD 7.3s that much worse than the SD 7.3?
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That much worse might not be fair.

They are just VERY primitive in function.
Most of the stuff we consider HD was not standard on these trucks.
Look at some pix of the intakes for example. This doesn't define the trucks just know they are not the same output as the same 7.3 in the 2002 truck. This equipment sizing carries over in all the systems, brakes, suspension powertrain.

OBS 94-1999
s-l1600.jpg


Versus the 2000+ super duty intake plenum
s-l1600.png
 
OP, I don’t know you but we are inferring a lot about your expected level of comfort from what you’ve said so far in this thread. If you do decide the quarter century old relic from a simpler time is too cramped and unrefined for your sensibilities half the guys in here would be willing to make an offer on it.
 
Meh, at the cost of diesel vs gas, and the comfort diff, Id tow with the power wagon and hit every gas station along the way. I have owned an OBS truck....no way I would take that step back. Not to mention the that even tho its goose, that is a long trailer for 130" wheelbase.
 
Gbkeith said:
OP, I don’t know you but we are inferring a lot about your expected level of comfort from what you’ve said so far in this thread. If you do decide the quarter century old relic from a simpler time is too cramped and unrefined for your sensibilities half the guys in here would be willing to make an offer on it.
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I'm fine with the comfort, amenities I'd like a couple. The "looks" updates I wanted cause I think OBSs are ugly.

I also thought wrong as to the 7.3 being at least close to the SD. Does make sense tho cause the first gen Cummins without an intercooler is kinda the same way.

I've got very little dealings and knowledge when it comes to diesels.

So sounds like I need to look for and should have started with a 2nd gen whether it's ford or dodge, either way.
 
I used to have a 35' bumper pull trailer. towed two jeeps, maybe 3 TJs if I wanted to try (and if they didn't have the gay stinger bumpers).

the bumper pull trailer by itself was right at 5,000lbs, and is triple axle (6k gawr, totalling 18k gcawr). I weighed over 20,000lbs, typically 22,000lbs to 24,000lbs.

plan your route

comply any signs stating no trucks/trailers

watch your rear axle weight as you're SRW

adjust the gooseneck height to keep the trailer level

it's not a race!

take your time

leave plenty of room ahead of you

ignore any idiots on the merge ramp, you're not required to yield to them

take wide turns

make your turns from the outside lane if its a multiple-lanes turn

OBS' brakes SUCK. Abuse trailer's brakes and engine-brake (install tcc lock up switch) as much as you can. Unless you love brake fade and the violent shudder warped rotors....

it's NOT A RACE!
 
I'll probably do a few things to this and use a couple times to see what it's like. Wheels/tires, probably intercooler, and exhaust upgrade... since an exhaust upgrade is a good one to do what about an exhaust brake? Those good idea or not on this thing?

I'll keep an eye for a cheap SD 4 series rear end too.

In mean time if somebody offers a good price where I'm making a dent into a newer model price range then I'll let it go.

Pretty sure but I gotta double check the trailer is both axles brake so that helps too
 
Intercooler isn't exactly an easy project, although I did it before there were kits everywhere.

You can turn the ebpv into an exhaust brake, but it won't do anything without a tc lockup.


I'll try phrase my point a little differently. If you're looking for something you can throw a few mods on it a weekend and pull 20k lbs around no problem, I don't think that truck is it. If you want a project and really think you'll be closer to 20k gross, it may be decent.thats how I've looked at mine. I like the truck, so I've been making little changes to make it tow and ride better. Even getting it for cheap, I probably would have been money ahead buying something more modern :laughing:

Also, how is a single cab going to work pulling 2 jeeps as far as passengers?
 
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I'm a lone wolf. The buddy can find his own way if I'm hauling his. If I take my two it's either as a back up, one for the hard shit, the other to enjoy easier stuff, or one for me, one for my brother, and he has a family so they'd be in another vehicle anyhow.

Or my other lone wolf buddies which would just me two in the cab.

I agree it sounds money and time ahead to look at a better rig. But I'll do a little , test it, and look for a trade or sell and get a 2nd gen
 
I have to agree with all of the above on the OBS Ford. Those things are demanding some tall prices though. I would think you could flip that not be too far from a 300k mile Dodge in 3rd or 4th gen. They would tow circles around it IMO.

Leveling kits and big tires just make towing worse IMO.
 
Id give the old hemi a shot before I bought a whole extra rig. Even if you're a little slow up the hills, brakes and chassis wise you are way ahead of an older rig.

I'm also going to say a a mid 00s or newer gas rig is going to be better bang for the buck than an over priced early 00s diesel. V10 ford or dodge, or 8.1 gm. Or even a 6.2 ford if you want to spend a little more.
 
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I'm not even considering a gasser unless I get a newer wagon. My problem with the wagon is I wheel it just as much. I'm too attached to the CJ with how it's set up to cut it up to do tons and 40s which is why I got an LJ.

I don't have a worry towing that with the wagon but I know it'll be taxing on it and I get avg 9 mpg towing one jeep so I can only imagine about 4 max with two.
 
NDCjeepsmith said:
I'm not even considering a gasser unless I get a newer wagon. My problem with the wagon is I wheel it just as much. I'm too attached to the CJ with how it's set up to cut it up to do tons and 40s which is why I got an LJ.

I don't have a worry towing that with the wagon but I know it'll be taxing on it and I get avg 9 mpg towing one jeep so I can only imagine about 4 max with two.
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Just because it's a diesel, doesn't mean it will magically tow better than a gas rig. My wife's 2.7 ecoboost will spank the shit out of my lightly modded obs 7.3. I'd imagine your hemi will also.

A V10 or 8.1 rig will probably out pull that 7.3 unless you really add some power. But the speed up the hills isn't the concern, it's the shit brakes and old transmission.

So $6k for the truck, $6k in mods and you get 12mpg of more expensive fuel. How long will it take to pay that difference off?

My rough math says at 24k miles you break even :flipoff2: also, I don't think it will actually get 4mpg, probably just a little worse than a single rig.

Taxing your truck I understand, it's definitely on the heavy side for that rig.:laughing:

If you're stuck on diesel, find and mdt and throw a gooseneck ball on it. It will be slow too, but you'll never hurt it.
 
NDCjeepsmith said:
I'm not even considering a gasser unless I get a newer wagon. My problem with the wagon is I wheel it just as much. I'm too attached to the CJ with how it's set up to cut it up to do tons and 40s which is why I got an LJ.

I don't have a worry towing that with the wagon but I know it'll be taxing on it and I get avg 9 mpg towing one jeep so I can only imagine about 4 max with two.
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The mileage towing with what you already own is irrelevant. Any money you save on fuel isn’t going to make up for the thousands you spend on another truck. Saving wear and tear on your prized dodge may be valid. Economics of buying slightly less fuel while spending money on another vehicle is not.
 
Projectjunkie said:
I'd help my friends move a dead body, but I'm not gonna drag their toys all over the damn place just cuz I'm a nice guy:laughing:
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Maybe if his wife had a pair of hot twin sisters needed a ride too.

For that matter, with what we know from this thread about OP’s “tastes,” there’s a good chance his buddy is his “buddy.” And that’s ok, because it means more chicks for dudes who like OBS Fords and don’t immediately feel a need to put a leveling kit on a two wheel drive F250.
 
Take a long ride in the ford. I wanted one for the longest time for a tow pig, then rode in one.

After an hour my knees were killing me. The position of the floors caused it vs newer trucks with taller seating. It was a sad realization.

I would recommend a dull rear wheel truck for the load you speak of. The stability and tire control w
 
Gravy said:
Take a long ride in the ford. I wanted one for the longest time for a tow pig, then rode in one.

After an hour my knees were killing me. The position of the floors caused it vs newer trucks with taller seating. It was a sad realization.

I would recommend a dull rear wheel truck for the load you speak of. The stability and tire control w
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Not following you here. I have put about 140k miles on my crew cab and put at least a few thousand on a single cab obs and brick nose at my old work. Noise and ride leave something to be desired, but never thought anything was drastically different with seating position from a new truck :confused:
 
YotaAtieToo said:
Not following you here. I have put about 140k miles on my crew cab and put at least a few thousand on a single cab obs and brick nose at my old work. Noise and ride leave something to be desired, but never thought anything was drastically different with seating position from a new truck :confused:
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I'm sure everyone has a different perspective but it was a dream killer for me. It was a crew cab also and could not get comfortable.

BTW, my first wheeling trips were in dads reg cab 90s idi non turbo towing a cj7 up Monteagle hill for the Rosser Round Up At 25mph :smokin:
 
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