using OLD pickup truck to tow..what 2 prep?

[Bounce19712]

hi folks! I bought a boat without having a proper tow vehicle.

I'm thinking my DOdge D100 powercustom 1976 pick'em up truck may do the job...it's full time 4 wheel drive, automatic with a small block in it...unsure of size....

but it's not in great shape....

what can I do to prepare her for towing my 5000lb boat?

water temp gauge, tranny cooler install?

any ideas or experienced suggestions?

my v6 toyota '01 tundra 3.4 liter, i fear, is not up to towing up to lake powell from Flagstaff....but the Dodge would be scary as well...

 

[Subliminal]

Re: using OLD pickup truck to tow..what 2 prep?

What kind of shape is the ol' Dodge in?

You'd want it in good mechanical shape. You'd want to check over:

Engine Tune (plugs, wires, etc)
Brake system (properly adjusted, good shape, good fluid)
Transmission (shifts good? Fluid level proper, etc)
Suspension (Ball Joints, Tie Rods, front end tight enough)
Electrical (all lights work, blinkers, etc).
Driveline (u-joints greased and tight, good working order, fluid in rear end up to snuff)?

Not sure how long of a drive that is...how often do you drive this truck? Do you feel confident in it on road trips when it's not towing?

My 91 Dodge is very similar in a lot of ways, as Dodge pretty much had the same setup for a million years, and I'm confident enough in it to drive it 1000 miles round trip, but I've sure checked over a lot of the truck and I drive with a goodly amount of tools, too).

The LAST thing you want is to break down when towing.

d

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: using OLD pickup truck to tow..what 2 prep?

How many miles are on the ole Dodge? probably a 318 or possibly a 360. My dodge is a 318 and I use it to tow thousands of miles each year. Not a total power house by any stretch but its what I have and it does the job. For me Powell is about 325 miles each way, been there 3 times this year and the same many years past. Everything Subliminal mentioned is right on que as well as hooking the boat up to it and see how the susp. handles it. If you had to do a bunch of upgrades to the susp just to get it to be safe might want to look around. I know coming from Utah there are many stretches of my drive that would be horrific places to break down on. The front end would be MY starting point as a full time 4x4 system that is 35 years old has the potential to be mighty unsafe. Not saying it is but I would NEED to know it was all good before I went with it. Then work your way back from there, tranny cooler is a must, change trans fluid and screen. Once everything is in order use it to tow a bit closer to home to see how she does then make your decision from there.

 

[Bounce19712]

Re: using OLD pickup truck to tow..what 2 prep?

good info..thanks...

I'll have to get back to ya on engine size....

and all I know about the front end currently is that it functions...i.e.: the front wheels spin/have power to them....

but I'll definitely be towing the boat locally to get into a groove as far as checking everything out...

the dodge has been used as a snow plow for a gas station owner across town for years...speedo shows 80,000 I think I recall.....so maybe 1 or 200 thousand miles?

I had it checked out when I bought it recently....and had everything greased, new plugs, belts, hoses....

it was setup for towing something...because it has that electric brake sender unit mounted under the steering wheel...the thing that lights up when you step on the brakes?

my trail rite trailer has surge brakes that do not work.

perhaps an upgrade on the trailer to match the Dodge?

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: using OLD pickup truck to tow..what 2 prep?

On your last sentence - I'm assuming you are talking about upgrading the brakes to electric to match the electric controller on the Dodge - if so, don't. Fix the surge brakes. Biggest reason - electric and water don't mix. 90 some percent of all boat trailers with brakes are surge brakes. The remaining ones are electric over hydraulic (think big trailers). You don't want electric brakes getting dunked repeatedly. Surge brakes are relatively simple, and aren't fazed by water.

As for the Dodge - I had a 79 D250 PowerWagon with the 318 and would pull anything with it - but I also rebuilt it from the ground up. As the other posters said, it's all about maintenance, and your comfort level with working on it. For me, I wish I had it back again. If it did breakdown on the side of the road, a hand full of tools was all that was needed to fix it. With my current truck (03 Silverado 2500HD), I'd need a few hours just to get to where the problem might be, then proably need a computer to help diagnose it.

 

[Bounce19712]

Re: using OLD pickup truck to tow..what 2 prep?

thanks...I will repair the surge brakes....

and the electric brake module in the dodge will serve as a comfort light.

right now I'm looking at a leaky valve cover gasket that has a new gasket already....tried tightening the bolt closest to the problem spot but no luck yet...I was going to get some forma-gasket and apply liberal amounts after looking closer at the problem.

the motor gets hot and the exhaust manifold smokes right under the leaky spot...can't tell how much is leaking...but it must be a small amount or I would have some serious smoke...

 

[Subliminal]

Re: using OLD pickup truck to tow..what 2 prep?

Well, when you redo it, put all the bolts in finger tight, then go around with a socket and tighten them up a little bit, all the way around, then tighten them all the way a third time. Best way to do it in my experience.

 

[rbh]

Re: using OLD pickup truck to tow..what 2 prep?

D100, is that the light 1/2 ton???
I believe it would be in your best interest to get a set of manual hubs for the front end and save yourself some gas and lots of front end work if it is constantly locked into 4x4.

and when you pull the valve covers off, turn them over and tap out the dimples were the bolts go through flat.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: using OLD pickup truck to tow..what 2 prep?

the motor gets hot

As in, it overheats? If so, that's something that needs to be fixed. You don't want to have overheating problems on that stretch of road, 2-3 hours with little to no services in between. Pulling 5000# up some of those steep grades will test your cooling system and if it's not up to snuff you're in for problems.

I 2nd adding a tranny cooler, changing the trans fluid and filter. Also the engine oil & filter and differential gear lube if it hasn't been done recently.

Test it out on the interstate, climbing up a couple of those steep/long grades outside of Flag, before trying the 3 hour trip up to Page.

You should also check out the trailer wheel bearings and tires, those can ruin a trip just as quick as a vehicle break down.

 

[Bounce19712]

Re: using OLD pickup truck to tow..what 2 prep?

motor does not overheat per the oem temp gauge...

manual hubs huh? I'll have to look into those...any ideas for a starting search point? Google?

I looked to see if it already has a tranny cooler but did not see anything....someone mentioned it may be built into the radiator itself? I will get underneath this time and look harder...

great advice on the tightening valve cover...was that tighten in clockwise/cc or bounce around to opposite sides like tire lugs? sounds like clockwise/cc

buddy bearings have mixed greases and one of them is really runny...looks like some snotty marvel Mystery oil...lol....... and I'll need to R&R the grease....on all four tires to be safe...

do I have to pack them/ remove or can I just pump through the zirk fitting with new grease?

I'm real happy with all yer help...found a new forum home

 

[yorab]

Re: using OLD pickup truck to tow..what 2 prep?

Check the general condition of the frame/hitch/structural members!

I just towed my 2000# boat from my dad's place to my place on Monday. I actually tried to leave my dad's place on Sunday evening but the hitch broke when I pulled out of his garage. I had to wait til Monday to get it replaced. 1995 Ford F-150. Bad rust underneath near the back. The thinnner side plates that connect the hitch's main cross member to the mounting plates gave out when I came out of the garage and down a 1 foot steep slope. Of course the engine and brakes must be strong enough to pull and to stop, but the structure must also be strong enough.

 

[rbh]

Re: using OLD pickup truck to tow..what 2 prep?

Try WARN hubs, great selection.

 

[Bounce19712]

Re: using OLD pickup truck to tow..what 2 prep?

thanks! I'll look at Warn hubs...

also the engine is a Waren 400

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: using OLD pickup truck to tow..what 2 prep?

I could be wrong, but never heard of that motor. Should be a 318 or 360 if it's a v8 (assuming it's original). Either motor was good stuff - my 79 Powerwagon had a built 318 putting just over 400 HP to the wheels.

Again, a good tune up (filter and fluid change, belts, hoses, plugs, wires, cap, and rotor; brakes and tires), a few spare parts and tools, and I'd chance it. Then again, I have worked on vehicles on the side of the road and just considered it part of the adventure. You're mileage may vary.

 

[Dave1251]

Re: using OLD pickup truck to tow..what 2 prep?

If the truck has the original engine, the fifth position in the vin number is the engine size. The engine offerings were the 225 Slant Six one-barrel (B-code), 225 Slant Six two-barrel (C-code), 318 (E-code), 360 (F- code), and low-deck 400 big-block (H-code).

As for towing 5,000 lbs trailer with a 35 year old truck that has been used for snow plowing is close to a death wish in my mind. It?s not a matter of can the truck get load moving down the road, but what happens when you need to stop in an emergency. The front suspension must be shot. The spring, bushing and shocks take a beating from the load of the plow over the years. Also you are looking at 35 year old brake technology.

Not sure of the GVW for your truck, but the D100 with 2 wheel drive and the 440 engine it was only 10,000 lbs at the most.

 

[642mx]

Re: using OLD pickup truck to tow..what 2 prep?

Why not use the Tundra? Its not going to pull real strong with a 6 cylinder, but I believe the 6 cyl (Gen 1) Tundra's where rated to pull 5000 lbs and the V8 Tundra was rated to pull 7000 lbs (the only difference in the trucks where the motors).

I'd rather take my chances with a 6 cylinder Toyota.... rather than a Dodge that was made before I was born... just my 2 cents.

 

[bigdee]

Re: using OLD pickup truck to tow..what 2 prep?

Why not use the Tundra? Its not going to pull real strong with a 6 cylinder, but I believe the 6 cyl (Gen 1) Tundra's where rated to pull 5000 lbs and the V8 Tundra was rated to pull 7000 lbs (the only difference in the trucks where the motors).

I'd rather take my chances with a 6 cylinder Toyota.... rather than a Dodge that was made before I was born... just my 2 cents.

I was thinking the same way. In fact I would consider selling the Dodge and put the money into upgrading the Toyota

 

[Bounce19712]

Re: using OLD pickup truck to tow..what 2 prep?

If the truck has the original engine, the fifth position in the vin number is the engine size. The engine offerings were the 225 Slant Six one-barrel (B-code), 225 Slant Six two-barrel (C-code), 318 (E-code), 360 (F- code), and low-deck 400 big-block (H-code).

As for towing 5,000 lbs trailer with a 35 year old truck that has been used for snow plowing is close to a death wish in my mind. It?s not a matter of can the truck get load moving down the road, but what happens when you need to stop in an emergency. The front suspension must be shot. The spring, bushing and shocks take a beating from the load of the plow over the years. Also you are looking at 35 year old brake technology.

Not sure of the GVW for your truck, but the D100 with 2 wheel drive and the 440 engine it was only 10,000 lbs at the most.

First digit:
D - 2WD
W - 4WD

Second digit:
1 - 100 Series 1/2 ton
2 - 200 Series 3/4ton
3 - 300 Series 1ton

Third digit:
2 - crew cab & chassis
3 - reg cab/utiline
4 - reg cab/sweptline
5 - crew cab/utiline
6 - crew cab/sweptline
7 - clubcab/sweptline
8 - clubcab & chassis
9 - clubcab/utiline)

Fourth digit:
A - 6000lbs or less
B - 6000lbs + in earlier yrs
J - 6001 - 8500 lbs
K - 8501 - 10000 lbs
C - 10001-14000 lbs

Fifth digit:
B - 225 - 1v
C - 225 - 2v
D - 440
E - 318
F - 360 - 2v
G - 318
H - 243 diesel
J - 400
K - 360 - 2v
T - 360 - 4v

Sixth digit:
2 - 1972
3 - 1973
4 - 1974
5 - 1975
6 - 1976
7 - 1977
8 - 1978
9 - 1979
0 or A - 1980)

Seventh digit:
C - Jefferson
J & K - Windsor
T & S - Warren


my VIN: W14BJ6S23306x

 

[Bounce19712]

Re: using OLD pickup truck to tow..what 2 prep?

Why not use the Tundra? Its not going to pull real strong with a 6 cylinder, but I believe the 6 cyl (Gen 1) Tundra's where rated to pull 5000 lbs and the V8 Tundra was rated to pull 7000 lbs (the only difference in the trucks where the motors).

I'd rather take my chances with a 6 cylinder Toyota.... rather than a Dodge that was made before I was born... just my 2 cents.

the gross weight for my tundra is 9000#

that would put me at that weight empty....

I'm willing to try to pull it up a boat ramp...but not sure if it'll make it.

 

[Subliminal]

Re: using OLD pickup truck to tow..what 2 prep?

I was thinking the same way. In fact I would consider selling the Dodge and put the money into upgrading the Toyota

I'd be more inclined to sell the Toyota and put the money into the Dodge. I can't imagine a time where I'd walk out of my office and look up to see my Tundra sitting in the parking lot and say, 'My truck is badass'. That Dodge, on the other hand, has some potential.