81 Ford F-250

[todd121]

This is my initial thread on my 81 F-250. Its been in the family since at least the early 90s I don’t believe it was bought new but my dad bought it from a distant cousin and for as long as I can remember it was both slow and rusty. Im in the process of getting a space in the shop set up for it. It’s got rust problems and the motor needs a rebuild but everything else on this truck is pretty solid aside from some sloppy steering. It’s got the dana 44 hd up front and a Dana 60 limited slip in the rear, Warner T-18, and the old trusty Ford 300 straight 6. In all my infinite wisdom as a teenager I just painted over the rust with rust oleum. Now 10 years later im actually getting started on doing this truck the right way. It’s actually a Canadian build truck but I don’t have much/any info on it before dad bought it in the early 90s. It’s the one I learned to drive stick in and my personal favorite story about it is once when I was 4 or 5 my dad at it sold. According to him I didn’t stop crying until he called the guy back and had to undo the deal. Looking forward to sharing the process and progress and learning as much as I can from Yall.

[ArdWrknTrk]

Welcome Todd!  

We love stories like this.

[Gary Lewis]

Yes, that's a great story!  Looking for the next installment in the restoration story.  

[fords4life]

Welcome aboard!

[todd121]

Thanks for the warm welcome yall. Im curious, the last time this old truck was running it would top out at about 45, is that common for these old 250 straight sixes, I know its got the granny gear 4 speed but I feel like it should at least be hitting 55/60.

[ArdWrknTrk]

I'd assume your truck has 4.10's?

What rpm are you turning on the highway?
Are these stock 235/85 R-16 tires?

[todd121]

I actually don't have the gear ratios and it's been so long since it's been running I couldn't tell you the RPM. According to the reference on (https://www.blueovaltrucks.com/tech-articles/identify-your-ford-truck-axle-from-the-door-sticker/#:~:text=There%27s%20no%20question%2C%20the%20easiest,is%20for%20the%20Axle%20Code) it is a C7 Axl code, with a 3.54 gear ratio. Stock tire size

[taskswap]

Well that sure looks familiar :)

[ArdWrknTrk]

With 3.54's and 1:1 in 4th you should easily reach 60 mph.
The 300 is more torque than top end but when my truck had a T-19 (same 1:1) and a much higher ratio rear I recall being around 3,000 at 65.

There is a calculator linked on this site.

[Gary Lewis]

Yep - Documentation/Driveline/Calculators.

[grumpin]

Welcome!

[todd121]

Oh forgot to add on this my zip is 30656 for the map

[Gary Lewis]

You are now on the map - hopefully in roughly the right spot.