Anybody got experience haulin wood with Ford 351w w/ auto trans

[Philbo]

I've been looking for a good 1 ton 4x4 5spd for wood hauling (personal and working on starting up small time selling) and have been having a hell of a time finding what I feel like I need for my budget (under $5k) As far as desirable motors for wood hauling, I've been honing in on the Ford 460 and idi 7.3, and less so the chevy 454. Too bad the Cummins 12v is normally way outta this $ range. A 1st gen W350 club cab would be right up my alley...

Limitations have been the need for a backseat for occasional family duty and 4x4. Found tons of single cabs and 2wd that would be perfect. Also would prefer a flatbed w/ stake pockets for general flexibility for hauling different stuff.

With that said, I came across a decent looking '95 F350 crew cab 4x4 with a nice looking flatbed on it for under $5k. 1 owner, low miles (under 100k), looks well taken care of, manual shift 4x4 and hubs (+ in my book), SRW is good and bad in my book. Good for snow/winter driving/off road wood getting. Worse for payload capacity and towing, but not really doing any heavy towing now and don't have a big trailer even if I could do it.

Only thing stopping me from going after it is the 351w and auto trans (I'm guessing the 4spd w/ OD) Am I crazy for not considering this truck because of that? Really the auto is stopping me more than the 351w. I'm working on figuring out if it has 3.55s or 4.10s, which will certainly sway it one way or the other (hoping for 4.10s)

Just some context, I live in the thick of the appalachians and will be using this truck primarily for wood hauling/delivery up and down and around all the hills, slopes, passes, hollars, etc and for that reason have really been wanting a 5spd, but told myself that if it was the right truck then an auto wouldn't been the end of the world...

Now I'm wondering what it would take to swap in a ZF5 when the 4spd auto craps itself after hauling 4k# of wood around every week?

Pic of the truck attached...Any thoughts?

 

[Whitespider]

Check the axle code on the VIN tag, located on the door... axle code 35 is 4.10 gearing, code 39 is 3.55... a letter in front of the code means it has the optional Traction-lock (limited slip) rear.

The transmission could be either the C6 (three speed) or the E4OD (electronic 4 speed w/overdrive)... simplest way to tell is look for the OD lock-out button on the end of the shift lever, if the button is there it's the E4OD. The transmission code on the VIN tag will also tell you... code G is the C6, code E is the E4OD. Both transmissions are about as bullet-proof as auto transmissions come. Personally I think the E4OD it the tougher of the two... but adding an auxiliary cooler to either will add a fair amount of protection and extend the life expectancy.

If it has the E4OD I'm not sure how the electronic engine control would like a manual transmission swap-out... it can be done, but there may be some issues to deal with.

*

 

[Big_Al]

My son has a 92 350 cc 4x4. Has a 460 with e4od and his tranny just crapped out this last summer, at 274k miles. Seems like a pretty tough transmission. He got it rebuilt with hd upgrades for around 2500.

 

[Philbo]

Well, it's an E4OD with 4.10 gears according to the door jamb.

Might have to check it out...

I've also found a low miles 93 dodge w350 dually club cab 5spd, really well maintained but can't get it for less than $7k, which is about right for these trucks. Sure would handle a big load of wood and a trailer better than the 351w and auto....decisions decisions...

 

[wadeclinton]

If it was me I would stay away from the E40D. If it got hot (anything over 225*) its dead. It may work, but for how long is the real question. I have the E40D in my 96" Powerstroke EX LWB 4X4 with 4:10 gears that I did a Dana 60 swap on. My tranny is with a HD torque converter, billet shafts, valves ETC... 5K is what it takes to get that tranny reliable. I'm currently collecting parts to do a 5 speed swap, if I can swing it I'll do a ZF6 swap. The 6 gears will be better for the local hills and mountains. I find I need to run in 4X4 low without the hubs in on the forest roads to keep everything moving slow enough for my comfort, and to save out the brakes. On the highway i can run 2wd and be ok. My brother has a single cab F350 4X4 with the Powerstroke and 5 speed and he can run slow in 2wd everywhere.
I live in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. I have 6000-7000' elevation changes to do with my loads. I haul quite a bit and I really don't like the way the auto tranny. Pictures for reference of the weight I do, so you can compare to what to what you envision doing. The truck only load is green Sugar Pine. The trailer load is partially dried Ponderosa Pine. The trailer is 18' with 4'side racks.

 

[Butch(OH)]

If you are set on a manual trans then wait for a truck so equipped to come along. Have you ever used the search deal on Autotrader? That being said the e4od will live as long as your right foot doesn't use the floorboard as a resting spot. My son has exactly what you are looking for but I dont think it could be pried away from him.
92 F-350 7.3 5 speed 4x4. It's the green one, red one is my 97 F-superduty. They are around, keep up the search.

 

[mn woodcutter]

I have a 1989 F-350 with the 351w and the C6 tranny with 4:10s. It will carry as much wood as you can stack in the back all the way up to the top of the cab and crawl out of a very steep ravine in the woods with no problems. Very tough truck and I don't need the mileage of a diesel or the added expense they require. I haven't done much towing with it so I can't say much on that. Love the trucks guys!

 

[Sawdust7]

Too bad the Cummins 12v is normally way outta this $ range

If you can find a decent Cummins Stage I or Stage II for a little more you will get your money back pretty quick in fuel mileage and the auto trans in them is actually better than the standard. I've got a 99 Stage II 1 ton DRW and I'm getting average 23 mpg highway. Aside from a new injector pump and tearing the whole front suspension out and rebuilding, it's been an issue free truck and I bought it at 6 months old.

 

[Philbo]

Thinking pretty hard about the '93 W350. Just need to wrap my head around all that will be needed to keep it running well. I'd rather have too much engine and better MPG, than the other way around...

 

[zogger]

Thinking pretty hard about the '93 W350. Just need to wrap my head around all that will be needed to keep it running well. I'd rather have too much engine and better MPG, than the other way around...

Going up and down mountains, it was my experience in the past, you need twice as much truck as you think you need, and don't overload it.

My boss has an F450 7.3 powerstroke, to me, that would be a minimum bulk firewood truck, to use it and not wear it out with too much weight. Firewood is *heavy stuff*.

I cruise CL a lot, and I keep seeing this, there's not a whole lotta price difference between regular pickups and something much stouter. F450, 60 series chevy, etc.

 

[bigplow]

I would go with the dodge you will not regret it unless you use the back seat alot then go with a 98 or newer dodge anything older and there are no back doors but that 1st gen would be a great work truck and if you need mor power you can adjust the pump and timing alittle and still be reliable I had one but I would make sure it has 4.10 gears it will be better on it with that much weight the ford would be a great truck but I would rather have the 5spd and I would put my 12 valve in it

 

[Philbo]

The w350 has 3.54 gears. Rebuilt Getrag 5spd in '06 right before current owner got it.

I'll be using the backseat for carseats occasionally, but not a primary concern at this point to not have 3rd/4th door. I will have to make or find a rear bench seat for the little 'uns.

Did you have a 1st gen? If so, what can I expect from the front end suspension in terms of maintenance, reliability, and rebuild with a 93 w/ 160k?

 

[Alan Smith]

IF the price it right for the ford get it

 

[A.S.Woodchucker]

I have a 1997 f250HD, 460 AT 4x4 w/3.73 gears, I put an ez dumper insert and I hauls as much as you can fit in it fine, I do take it out of OD when it is loaded or pulling a trailer, everyday driving a whopping 9 mile a gallon!!! the only thing that I have had problems with is the pass side exh manifold, the rear cyl keeps backing out bolts and blowing gasket, I had it milled and still didn't fix the problem (it was warped). might just buy a new one the next time it blows. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one of these older f series trucks

 

[513yj]

Well, it's an E4OD with 4.10 gears according to the door jamb.

Might have to check it out...

I've also found a low miles 93 dodge w350 dually club cab 5spd, really well maintained but can't get it for less than $7k, which is about right for these trucks.

Seems a little high for a 93 unless it has under 90K miles or so. I'd consider a 94-98 in the dodge if you are wanting to go cummins. Still the 12V but it has a nv4500 5spd which is a better trans than the older getrag as well as the 2nd gen cummins is better than the first in my opinion. The only thing about the 4500 is you have to lock the 5th gear nut or there will be problems.

 

[Sawdust7]

If it's in good shape then that's a great price. That is if it has the Cummins. My 99 is still valued at around 16,000. There was a guy who had one advertised for 18,000 with 140g on it and it was a 2500. One bonus for that early of model is the simplicity compared to newer models. One thing I wouldn't do is buy any of the Cummins from 07 up. Seems the EPA decided they know better than Dodge and Cummins on what needs to be on the engines. I hear the mileage went South when they were required to put all that emissions crap on them. So what's the point? Mileage down and consumption (pollution) up.

Here is a forum I've been subscribed to for years and these guys are a great source of info on the Dodge Turbo Diesels.
http://www.dieseltruckresource.com/dev/

 

[Mtthwvn]

I have an 85 f250 with the 351 and C6 with 4.10 gears. It's a beast of a firewood/farm truck. Just today I went to the top of the ridge with it and brought down two loads of logs hanging a foot past the bed and stacked almost above the cab. For what I do with it, it's perfect.

 

[mn woodcutter]

I have an 85 f250 with the 351 and C6 with 4.10 gears. It's a beast of a firewood/farm truck. Just today I went to the top of the ridge with it and brought down two loads of logs hanging a foot past the bed and stacked almost above the cab. For what I do with it, it's perfect.

Exactly! If you are looking for a good truck to get into the woods and haul out some wood then get the Ford. If you are looking to pull large loads and put on some miles then by all means get the dodge cummins. I love the 1st gen W250 srw with the extended cab. Too bad they rust out so bad around here!

 

[bigplow]

I had a 1st gen cummins and I loved it front suspension is easy to work on and much simpler than the 2nd gen put a flaming river steering shaft in it and you will have no probs I have a 2nd gen 24v now and the creature comforts are better and the rear doors opening are a must for me wish it was a 12v but not really a big deal for me 4.10s quad cab dually does what I ask of it and more I am a ford guy at heart but wantd the cummins will put my 12v in one someday

 

[Sawdust7]

I had a 1st gen cummins and I loved it front suspension is easy to work on and much simpler than the 2nd gen put a flaming river steering shaft in it and you will have no probs I have a 2nd gen 24v now and the creature comforts are better and the rear doors opening are a must for me wish it was a 12v but not really a big deal for me 4.10s quad cab dually does what I ask of it and more I am a ford guy at heart but wantd the cummins

will put my 12v in one someday

That reminded me of a guys post on Dieseltruckresource.com who was asking about a fuel pressure issue. Someone told him a lift pump pressure gauge is a must if he wants that VP-44 IP to last. He replied back saying that was not an option since the Cummins was out in the middle of a farm field churning an irrigation pump. I laughed my but off because I always wondered what happened to the Cummins after the truck fell off. I do know that mine is going to outlast me. My daughter told me "I get it next Daddy". Geeez, nothing like a daughters love!???