1991 Ford IDI engines/trucks for towing

ognend wrote:
I have an opportunity to get a 1991 F-350 SRW IDI truck, it is in good shape and I have some extra money to spend on fixing it up.

How are these for towing? I own a 2016 F-250 6.7L Ford and I already know that it will be night and day. However, I am the kind of person that does not fly when towing since I tow horses - when I am in that mode, I never go over 65mph- getting somewhere in a hurry is just not on my agenda, so long as I get there at some point and in one piece.

I know the old trucks are loud, the exhaust smells - but overall - can a truck like a 4x4 F-350 with an IDI engine from 1991 tow a, let's say 12,000 lbs gooseneck horse trailer that weighs 2500 or 3,000 lbs on the hitch?

I am not considering this truck for a primary tower, just a backup right now at least.

Thanks!

We had a 1992 F250 7.3. It had it's good and bad points.

Good:
- Awesome fuel economy 20-22empty and 12.8mpg towing a 9k 5er.
- Started easy in cold weather (even at 250k miles)
- Sold it at 265k miles and the couple were immediately headed cross country.

Bad:
- You aren't going to win any drag races.
- With no turbo, in the mountains it will get you up the hill but not very fast.
- With no exhaust brake, you get almost no engine braking.
- It has a really narrow power band (1600-1800rpm) outside that it really struggled.

If I recall correctly, at 9k we were at the official tow limits of the truck. 12k would be a big jump from there.

Flat land it's a good option if you get it at a good price (it is a 30yr old truck). Mountains, I would want a later model that at least has a turbo if not an exhaust brake.