I think what I’m looking for versatility. I’m looking to build something that is good on fuel when unloaded, but capable of carrying loads up to 1500 pounds at a time. I did a search and it says the payload capacity of an 1996 F150 is 1,854 to 2,213 lbs. Is this inaccurate? Are there better options or modifications that may suit my needs for fuel economy and some work? F250s are more expensive than f150s in my area. I’m not yet sure if I want to shell out lots of $ on my first wood gasifier build out, but maybe it’s worth it??
1 Like
Isn’t the payload capacity of a 1996 f150 1,854 to 2,213 lbs? so should there really be any issues hauling heavier loads when the need arises?
1 Like
when you say swap the axle do you mean the whole complex of the axle or just the axle rod? if I’m not mistake the 1996 F150s have a payload capacity of 1,854 to 2,213 lbs. so shouldn’t that work for my needs? I just want better fuel economy when the truck is unloaded, but the versatility of carrying loads. I’m interested if you have any other options for donor trucks that may fit my needs, I’m sure there are many that I have not considered.
1 Like
5 Likes
I dont know how accurate google search is at times- Though not much room in the bed after gasifier stuff- i would think it would work or be a good test run truck to see if you want a bigger engine or just a light duty trailer hauler truck- im sure you could haul a car or truck home with it if needed-with dolly or light car hauling trailer- basic utillity truck-AS long as it has metal intake manifold- the plastic intake trucks not good- because wood gas trucks need the intake set a flame know and then do to the black soot build up; or it will light up on its own ware you dont want too see it smokeing- so they run the motor while lighting the intake soot- it burns out the soot and smokes quit a bit untill it cleans out the soot.
1 Like
Yes i remember the old 351 clevelend and windsors - dont know what years they still built those motors for what year trucks though.The big block trucks might be more fun just on wood- i got a 454 chevy 91 truck motor i might try in a 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton chevy on wood gas.
Good Morning.
O.K. Not google info but real facts:
So your found info on these h.d. F150’s is true.
Owning using one however the great difficulty is to get to the maximum weight possible is getting the front end of the truck to effectively loaded down.
Now I’ve found that takes getting at least 1200 pound forwards up right behind a single cab’s back.
“Space” half longer cabs you cannot do this. And 300-400 pound of the total load then used up in the construct of that added in-cab space.
I used mine in 2007 to clean up our rural farm property from a five years occupied collector-leaser guy. 171 mixed tires from minicar to big loaders tires. They were high stacked loads 50 mile each way to pay for the recyclers to take them. Loaded high forwards. Wide ratchet strapped down.
Then 15 high stacked loads to the big-hole-in-the-ground central collection transfer station.
Scaled weight IN, Then scales weight OUT. I loaded to 2000-2300 later weighed confirmed pounds.
25 miles each way. Too much on state highways. Never ONCE state patrol pulled over for hazardous loads hauling.
Loading just like previous full pallets loads of bags of concert mix; a full pallet of cinder blocks I had a second empty pallet used to push the loaded pallet clear up to the beds front.
Then. Crawled underneath checking for loads compression down to the rubber bumper over ride stops at each corner. I wanted two fingers clearance space all four corners.
For the last two years we been 60 miles moving from a three generations old dairy farm with two houses.
I needed than much more loading capacity, and keep dry accumulating, travel and days unloading protection.
So I got this instead:
Overloaded this 4600 pound rated cube-van?
Oh sure. But just once.
Moved three full cords of seasoned walnut firewood 23 county roads slow miles.
Had to be at least 9000 pounds. Loaded centered balanced just in front of the rear axle.
With a +/- 600 pound gasifier space taking up the premium space at the front of the bed you pre-commit lose half of the front axles loading max-use capability.
You cannot make this up over, or behind the rear axle loading without going into ass-end squatting.
Bad for driving safety.
Great for getting moving violation tickets.
Do as you will . . . .
That is the way to learn Life’s real useable facts.
Regards
Steve Unruh
6 Likes
NICE loading vehicle steve- I just hauled in 65 or 70 tires for 180 bucks or around 3 bucks a tire around here to get rid of old tires. That looks like manal labor for us older guys- those tires on the rims. They get to be pain, moveing around untill they get taken in though. I agree on the weight shift area- not much left on half ton pickups- after gasifier stuff all installed- trailer hauling is best option after gasifier insatalled when needed- thats why WAYNE KEITH called the dakota truck a run around vehicle-/car or a few hundred pounds of wood for medium distance travels.I see the dakota axel in my 99 dakota-not much bigger than an s10 rear axel- or looks a little smaller than a half ton chevy rear AXEL. YOU got me thinking now i will go check the GVWR stickers.THOUGH i bet after i weigh in my truck with gasifier and home built rear frame section- It will be dam near max with a couple hundred pounds of dried hardwood chunks.I would not want to slam into it with nice car.?
4 Likes
I used to plow snow with a 8 ft Western snow plow hanging on the front of a 1985 Ford Bronco. A lot of weight. I had a couple of these in the front suspension. https://www.amazon.com/Air-Lift-Dominator-2600lb-Bags/dp/B0077TJSZ0?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=A3S91KLNYNHAKD. Problem solved. Now I would use Coil overs.
1 Like
it seams like it’s in good working order. my friend is a mechanic and will take a look at it. the seller just came down to 1500, so that seams like a pretty sweet price!
1 Like
Yeah Kerem that is about the right price for that truck. An interesting thing about the 302, a 351 will bolt in it’s place with almost no modifications. It is the same bell housing bolt pattern, and the motor mounts may work also. You can also fit a 300 six in it which has a lot more torque than the 302.and is legendary for there durability. So, go ahead and gasify it, if it suits your need no problems just remember it is a light duty truck and is not suitable for hauling or pulling heavy loads. It is neither safe or good for the truck. Sure you might get away with it once or twice but the thing is you never know when it will fail you or cause an accident. Good luck with your build and I believe you know you are in the right place. By the way a charcoal gasifier is usually considerable lighter than a full wood gas rig…
3 Likes
I remember something like maybe only difference might have been each motor has to have there own flywheels- because of ballance- not much other difference like you say though. I wouldent be afraid to tow another truck that size home on a dolly-or light car trailer short distance say 30 miles on back roads though i would stay off the freeway when hauling. Done it many times,THOUGH i do feel better when i used my 3/4 ton truck for sure. A 3/4 ton dodge v10 would be one cool truck powered by wood.
2 Likes
Right you are Kevin, anytime you are doing something like that it demands constant care and attention. I towed a M-725 Kaiser military ambulance with a 1/2 ton Dodge van but it required an escort and slow speed and I did not tow it very far. I wish I still had that truck but it required a lot of work to make it road worthy or I should say highway worthy with it’s 5.56 rear end and six cylinder Tornado engine. It definitely needed regearing also. Do you know of anyone that has gasified a 300 Ford six? That engine has probably the best reputation of any American automotive engine as far as durability. I had one in a 1966 3/4 ton and hauled wood with it for some time. It was only running on 5 cylinders as number six had a hole in the piston about the size of a Mandarin orange. That truck would still pull but it sure smoked a lot, and used an excessive amount of oil. I finally put a 352 in it that was free, and that took care of that problem.
1 Like
ended up not getting the truck I was looking at. was way to leaky and it looked like someone had beed putting water in the coolant lines (rust). up to what year can you go with the f150s/f250s for wood gas conversion without major modification of the truck? I’d ideally like something with an airbag or two, which is why I’ve been avoiding the early 90s and before vehicles. thanks!
1 Like
I have not seen any older ford 300 6 cyl- Though my dad had a 1991 300 ford 6cyl that he used extensivly-i think he traded it in on a 6.2 chevy diesel- he piled a lot of miles on his 3/4 ton diesel-towing loads hauling scrap and towing his race car to race tracks around central michigan area. Just as he used the for 300 6 cyl–after he retired from gm.at age 56. and worked there 8 more rears then he had to to retire.
1 Like
SO far it looks like the dodge v10 is working good due to the fact that it self adjust for the wood gas timing- and the dakota 318-360 seems to work best with the port fuel injection- and the timing seems to be adjusting with the distributor timing adjustment. wood gas has different timeing than gosoline, so you may have to test and see if you can addjust for wood gas timing- if you decide to use other non proven vehicles.This Is only my best gess- not sure how new one dare go for wood gas conversion- no plastic intakes THOUGH.
IF you caint find a 93 to 96 dakota-- they built a RT dakota from 98 too 2003-that came stock from the factory with a 360 motor. that would be my next choice- or any 1997 to 2003 dakota with 318 or 360 engine- that way you have extra power left to pull medium size work trailer for construction work ECT. with very little petro needed at that weight to horse power ratio. And with wood fuel you loose 30 to 40 % or power you get from gasoline.
Fords from 1986-96 F 150s 4.9six 5.0 5.8 V8s very easy to convert. Some 96 are OBD2, no distributor.
1 Like
I’ve heard the 4.9 6s are pretty underpowered when converted to wood gas. what are the implications of that? sounds like it may not be the best choice
The 4.9s are good with a manual transmission, automatic not so good.
3 Likes