1991 Ford IDI engines/trucks for towing

ognend wrote:
From what I can tell, you can also put an aftermarket turbo on these. Not sure if you gain a lot from doing so, but there is that too...

Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences/knowledge. I think I am going to go and take a look/test drive.

It could be a good reliable work truck, but you keep throwing in the heavy towing duty that you want to accomplish with the truck and this isn't the truck to do that unless you like going REAL slow...especially now that you're hauling in the pseudo mountains and not board flat sea level.

If you want 1980s performance, it may be your truck. If you actually want to get somewhere, it is not.
1. I don't recall auto or manual. undocumented 30 year old auto = potential $$ and it is not a good choice for towing with an underpowered old low rpm diesel.
2. Now you're talking about pressing an OLD truck into heavy service (you don't like the 6.7 issues, want some old iron to replace it with etc etc)
3. You mention learning how to turn a wrench with this truck. Great idea and goal. Not a great idea to learn on the side of the highway pulling a grade with your horses in the Blueridge mtns.

If you actually want a capable/reliable, simple tow pig and are set on going backwards 20-30 years in technology to circumvent the "issues" with new trucks (why folks always think the grass used to be greener is beyond me, but, whatever floats your boat), then find you a 2nd Gen Dodge. 12V or 24V manual trans. Pay a few bucks extra to get a nice one with decent miles and well maintained.
Then it's an easy job to get 21st century power and relatively good drive train (NV4500 or NV5600) in a simple, easy to understand and repair type of truck.

Or step up to a mid 90s Power stroke, manual trans. Same deal and they will fetch a premium for the same reasons as the Dodge.
Any pre turbo Corn-binders (Ford/IH) or 6.5 Detroits (GM) are not worth it for real work duty.

JMO