Author Topic: Ford superduty Tow rig in progress  (Read 28132 times)

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crazykooter

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Ford superduty Tow rig in progress
« on: Jan 21, 2011, 10:53:05 AM »
I picked up this 91 Ford superduty for free from my dad.  It had been sitting out at a storage area which was at a salt plant so its rusted pretty bad but I will be sand blasting it and coating everything well. I have the steel to build a 13ft flat bed on it, Which means I can drive my yota on the back of it.  No trailer so 70 mph np. :thumbs:
It looks like a piece of crap but its well worth it imo since the engine is the 7.3 diesel and the trans is rebuilt with less then 5k miles on it.  Runs really strong.  Just needs new doors and a seat to be really road worthy. Had a utility bed on it which is going to scrap soon.
Plan on throwing on some white paint.

Here is a pic of it in its current condition.  Will get more today.




wakkjobb

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Re: Ford superduty Tow rig in progress
« Reply #1 on: Jan 21, 2011, 05:47:19 PM »
Nice score; great price too. Is it turbo or n/a diesel? I have thought about flatbed tow-rig like that, good luck. What are you gonna use for ramps, Jeeps?  :yupyup:

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Re: Ford superduty Tow rig in progress
« Reply #2 on: Jan 21, 2011, 09:02:48 PM »
You may wnant to look into a mini kind of roll back instead of ramps and with it being a 350 you will probably have to look into a aluminum, but it looks like a good start.  I actually considered a roll back a while back then I found a hydraulic assist roll back equipment trailer for a good price so I went that way. 

Good Luck...

crazykooter [OP]

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Re: Ford superduty Tow rig in progress
« Reply #3 on: Jan 23, 2011, 10:46:06 AM »
Its actually a F-450 and I was just gonna built some 6 ft ramps for it.  I also plan on mounting a winch in case my truck wont run. 
It has a great running 7.3 non turbo diesel so power isnt gonna be an issue.  I also plan on putting air bags in the rear so I will be able to drop the height at least 6"s.  Tho I will have to remove some springs but the bags will be able to take 12500 lbs of load.  Prob. gonna mount one of my york compressors on the engine.  Should work out awesome as a rock crawler tow rig.  The nice thing is I pretty much have all the steel and parts to make it happen.

kbyers

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Re: Ford superduty Tow rig in progress
« Reply #4 on: Jan 29, 2011, 10:48:09 AM »
Great idea for a tow rig, and sweet price too. Cant wait to see progress on it

Phazertwo

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Re: Ford superduty Tow rig in progress
« Reply #5 on: Feb 07, 2011, 08:36:00 AM »
I have a 93 F250 with a 7.3 IDI.  I just put a turbo on it, and holy cow what a HUGE difference!

Anyway, I would check out your gear ratios. I have 4.10s and I am turning almost 2.5k RPMs to run 75.  I think the 450s had 4.56 so 75mpg might be at red line, not sure though.

Also, check out this website for ANYTHING you need for an IDI.
http://www.oilburners.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=34

And in case you wanna see what I did to my truck.
http://www.oilburners.net/forums/showthread.php?t=45035

Good luck with the truck!
PZ
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Phazertwo

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Re: Ford superduty Tow rig in progress
« Reply #6 on: Feb 16, 2011, 09:11:39 AM »
Any progress?
92 xtra cab, with some stuff...

...why buy when you can build?

crazykooter [OP]

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Re: Ford superduty Tow rig in progress
« Reply #7 on: Feb 16, 2011, 04:19:46 PM »
Ive been pretty busy last few weeks, so its just sitting there atm.  I am no big hurry to get the bed since I need to get new doors and a bench seat just to make it drivable.   If the rain lets of soon ill be heading to pick n pull to get the doors. 

crazykooter [OP]

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Re: Ford superduty Tow rig in progress
« Reply #8 on: Feb 20, 2011, 04:10:12 PM »
I went to pick n pull and picked up a seat and doors.  Both are in amazing shape for being in a 90 pickup.
I also made some temp mud flaps and rear lights.  Once bed is done im gonna put in LED 4" round lights.
I am gonna start building the bed tomorrow.  Tho I do need to get a new rear window.  Not sure if I am gonna get another slider or a solid one.





Phazertwo

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Re: Ford superduty Tow rig in progress
« Reply #9 on: Feb 20, 2011, 09:01:19 PM »
Looking good!

PZ
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83 Crawler

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Re: Ford superduty Tow rig in progress
« Reply #10 on: Feb 20, 2011, 09:14:47 PM »
 :eye: i spy a bunch of first gens in the back ground

crazykooter [OP]

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Re: Ford superduty Tow rig in progress
« Reply #11 on: Feb 21, 2011, 07:03:02 AM »
Ya there is 3 here.  The green and blue one are going to scrap soon.  So my 79 will be the only one left.

crazykooter [OP]

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Re: Ford superduty Tow rig in progress
« Reply #12 on: Feb 27, 2011, 08:20:13 AM »
Heres a few pics of what work ive done.  I am kind of stuck at this point since I dont have the steel I need to for cross pieces.






83 Crawler

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Re: Ford superduty Tow rig in progress
« Reply #13 on: Feb 27, 2011, 08:26:41 AM »
Ya there is 3 here.  The green and blue one are going to scrap soon.  So my 79 will be the only one left.


thats sad  :rivers:

crazykooter [OP]

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Re: Ford superduty Tow rig in progress
« Reply #14 on: Mar 04, 2011, 05:05:22 PM »
here is a few pics of where the bed is.  Ive actually finished welding the dove tail and supports.  Just didnt get pics yet.  I need to weld in cross supports on each side.  Once thats done and we finish welding in the tilt mechanism, I will be plating the whole bed.  Should work very well as a dump bed and a car hauler.  This bed is soo over built its insane.  It should be done by the end of this weekend.   :thumbs: :crossed:











minicrawlin

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Re: Ford superduty Tow rig in progress
« Reply #15 on: Mar 04, 2011, 05:12:56 PM »
nice work man, i wanna see how this turns out its a cool idea you dont see enough of!
the rocks Rock in South D SON!

crazykooter [OP]

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Re: Ford superduty Tow rig in progress
« Reply #16 on: Mar 05, 2011, 03:43:32 PM »
Here are a few more pics.  Second one shows bed pretty much done besides some more welding.  I ran out of wire earlier so I wont be able to finish the welds until monday. 
I also need to pick up some LED 3" round lights for the brakes and reverse. 




crazykooter [OP]

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Re: Ford superduty Tow rig in progress
« Reply #17 on: Mar 08, 2011, 03:48:31 PM »
Got the hydraulics working and bed tilts good.  Ram leaks a little but I will have it repacked later.  The pic ive posted when its tilted is not fully up.    I made the dove tail too steep.  I had it like it is since I wasnt planning on putting a tilt bed in.  Either or I think it will work out fine.  Not too bad of a setup since all the steel was free.  Truck rides well with just the bed on it.  I have yet to load and test drive it with my truck on there.  I know I will be able to put atleast 3 tons of weight on the back and still be legal and have truck handle it well. 
Ill get some pics up tomorrow when I load my rig on it. 






minicrawlin

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Re: Ford superduty Tow rig in progress
« Reply #18 on: Mar 08, 2011, 05:34:33 PM »
Nice man good work! thats pretty sweet all that steel was free, cant beat that! ha ha
Looks good!
the rocks Rock in South D SON!

locked 4x4

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Re: Ford superduty Tow rig in progress
« Reply #19 on: Mar 08, 2011, 05:35:55 PM »
This thing is sweet.  How much do you think the bed weighs on this?

Phazertwo

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Re: Ford superduty Tow rig in progress
« Reply #20 on: Mar 08, 2011, 08:03:06 PM »
Cant wait to see it with the rig on it!!
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Goldrush

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Re: Ford superduty Tow rig in progress
« Reply #21 on: Mar 08, 2011, 09:08:57 PM »
swweet! lookin good!
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crazykooter [OP]

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Re: Ford superduty Tow rig in progress
« Reply #22 on: Mar 08, 2011, 10:35:38 PM »
This thing is sweet.  How much do you think the bed weighs on this?
My best guess on the beds weight is around 1500 or less.  It looks like it would be more but I did a little math on it. 
The rear gvrw is 11000 pounds, The gross weight of my truck is 2800 pounds.  Just a rough guess I should be able to carry around 7800 pounds on the bed itself.
Tho I still will be building a headache rack and making side boards for it.  The whole reason for the tilt bed is to be able to haul scrap and garbage.
I am think the side boards will be bout 12"s all the time and be able to run full sheets of plywood for dump runs.
I am getting low on steel so that might have to weight awhile.

The bad thing for me atm is I need to have my radiator redone and make a new exhaust.  Old one was soo rusted it fell apart.
I am broke till next month so I wont be able to get the radiator done till then. 

Phazertwo

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Re: Ford superduty Tow rig in progress
« Reply #23 on: Mar 09, 2011, 06:45:25 AM »
Where do you live I have an entire exhaust from the manifolds back off my 7.3 NA just sitting in my back yard in usable shape. You can have it! I am in Denver.

PZ
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...why buy when you can build?

crazykooter [OP]

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Re: Ford superduty Tow rig in progress
« Reply #24 on: Mar 09, 2011, 11:41:33 AM »
Damn too far away.  It would have made my day.    Ill just save for the pipe and have my buddy let me use his exhaust bender. Thank you for offering it tho.  its why I love this forum.  A lot of good peeps on here.

Phazertwo

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Re: Ford superduty Tow rig in progress
« Reply #25 on: Mar 09, 2011, 11:56:55 AM »
lol I was just hoping to not have to load it up and haul it to the scrap yard!

PZ
92 xtra cab, with some stuff...

...why buy when you can build?

crazykooter [OP]

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Re: Ford superduty Tow rig in progress
« Reply #26 on: Mar 09, 2011, 06:19:37 PM »
Here is a few loaded pics.  Still REALLY need to get a headache rack built.  I measured loaded and unloaded height and the rear settles 2"s and barely touches overloads.
Its too muddy out here for me to be able to drive up without ramps.  Im sure if I was aired down to 9 psi it would make it up.




Phazertwo

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Re: Ford superduty Tow rig in progress
« Reply #27 on: Mar 09, 2011, 07:25:16 PM »
Headach rack FOR SURE! I really really like this. I will be very interested to see what kinda of mileage you get out of this set up.  So you know how old the injection pump, and the injectors are?

PZ

PS here is my latest upgrade!!
:burnout:
92 xtra cab, with some stuff...

...why buy when you can build?

crazykooter [OP]

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Re: Ford superduty Tow rig in progress
« Reply #28 on: Mar 10, 2011, 08:20:01 AM »
I wish I could afford a turbo for this rig but thats 1200-1500 used which isnt gonna happen.  I drove the truck around 60 miles a few days ago and I used a little over a 1/8th of a tank.  Till I do a fill up and then refill after trip will I have a clue on mpg.  Im thinking it should get around 17-18 mpg loaded on freeway.
The injection pump is working great and the injectors im sure are a little worn.  Thankfully these are the pre powerstroke injectors which means they are MUCH cheaper.
Heading out now to finish wiring in the tail lights and mount license plate so it doesnt get torn off. 

79yota4x

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Re: Ford superduty Tow rig in progress
« Reply #29 on: Mar 10, 2011, 09:47:56 AM »
this thing is cool , how does it drive on the road top heavy?
Get oN iT anD Stay on iT
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