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Towing package for torinos |
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Billy C 
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Joined: 10-February-2010 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Status: Offline Points: 953 |
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 Topic: Towing package for torinosPosted: 04-November-2010 at 9:13AM |
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Does anyone know what kind of frame modifications Ford made to the 72+ Torinos to equip them for a towing package? This is what I read on Wiki, With the properly equiped torino, 6500lbs!!!! Thats a small truck towing capacity. who knows if it is even close to true. May or may not be a reliable source, thats why I popped the question... Would be a big help to hear anyones experience or expectations with using the Torino as a towing vehicle. I know this seems like a strange question because most of us on here are all about, 1. preserving/restoring these awesome cars, or 2. seeing how fast we can do the 1/4 in these awesome (heavy) cars.
Thanks -Billy
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-Billy Conturo
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GranTorinoSport
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Posted: 04-November-2010 at 9:42AM |
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The article probably is not correct.
I referenced back to several original brochures and data sheets I have, and for 72-79 mid-size it appears that the max towing capacity is 6000lbs max trailer load with a max 700 lb tongue weight. That would be with a Class III trailer hitch assembly which attaches directly to the frame in multiple places (the heavy duty style like I have on my F-250). Edited by GranTorinoSport - 04-November-2010 at 9:43AM |
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Billy C
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Posted: 04-November-2010 at 10:02AM |
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interesting info. Didn't even think to check the manual. Will have to see if I can find any other info on this in there.. just checked.. No real info. With a class III (I work at a fab shop during the week days, thats easy) do you think it could handle near that? what frame differences where there, if any? Getting the load moving wouldn't be a problem (74 460 mostly stock from a f350, C6, stock torino 3:25 open, custom made drive shaft), handling and stopping it on the other hand might??? Any thoughts on that.. Maybe I should just get an F-250
 . This is all hypothetical at the moment, towing with the torino has been a dream of mine for my night job.Thanks
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-Billy Conturo
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kversch
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Posted: 04-November-2010 at 11:04AM |
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I think towing with an Ranchero would be sweet. I would love to be able to tow my camper. My dream build is to take a 72 or 73 Ranchero and put the body on to a 4X4 Ranger or F150 frame and then stuff a 7.3L diesel under the hood, big stacks out the rear. with the ranger or f-150 frame jacking up the suspension would be cake then I can stuff some nasty tires under it!
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-kevin-
Brown 72 gran torino 351c 2v Black 73 GTS FB 302 Red 73 GTS FB 351C C6 trans 73 GTS FB Parted 73 torino 4dr, 302, FMX parted 97 F250 crew cab 7.3 diesel http://kverschtorino.blogspot.com/ |
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Ranchero72
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Posted: 04-November-2010 at 11:44AM |
Ok, I liked where you were going with this since I've got a Ranchero, but the whole thing about putting the body on a different frame and jacking it up makes me a little sick. I'd like to find out how much I could tow with mine as I've thought about doing some myself. |
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'72 Ford Ranchero 500
-351C C4 |
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kversch
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Posted: 04-November-2010 at 1:02PM |
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well the jacking up part and big tires is my 4x4 muder tractor pull side taking over lol, that would really only happen if i were to build it for off road play. My thought on the frame swap was only b/c I figure that would be the easiest way to make it a 4x4, and I know a 7.3L mounts up to a F-150 frame very easily.
I dont know something about it looks really cool. http://il.youtube.com/watch?v=vFvG_kJNh4U&feature=related |
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-kevin-
Brown 72 gran torino 351c 2v Black 73 GTS FB 302 Red 73 GTS FB 351C C6 trans 73 GTS FB Parted 73 torino 4dr, 302, FMX parted 97 F250 crew cab 7.3 diesel http://kverschtorino.blogspot.com/ |
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lynchster
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Posted: 04-November-2010 at 1:44PM |
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I'd have to check on my 79 Ranchero, but I know the rear of the frame rails on my 72 Sport are not boxed.
If they are not, I would probably consider boxing the rear rails and welding steel tube inserts for bolts to run through the frame so as not to crush the sides of rail bolting everything in.
Chuck
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Chuck
72 Gran Torino Sport 13 Taurus SHO "Mr Pig" |
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Billy C
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Posted: 04-November-2010 at 5:36PM |
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Ok, now we are talking.
 That video is out of control. Mine is a 72 Sport and I had a 73 Ranchero parts car and neither had fully boxed frame rails towards the end. The fully tubed frame construction ends about a foot or two before the end of the frame and becomes sort of a vertical "channel" (fab shop language). I was going to fab up my hitch with two steel angles running down the outsides cradling the "channel" all the way up to full tube and bolt from the sides and the bottom. Steel is surprisingly strong when implemented in a good design, I figure if the angle is all the way into the solid tube part it is actually helping reinforce the tail end. The only part I would be worried about is the force exerted downward from all that leverage on the not fully boxed tail end of the frame. I like the idea of the boxed frame stuff with the tube welded in but I really don't want to get under there with a welder now and screw up the $$$$$$ new paint and time I spent pulling the car down to frame and restoring it...See..  I also don't want to die from an accedent, or worse, wreck the car  .. Did those rear frame rails ever come boxed? Also the 7.3 Diesel was the original plan but I didn't know if i would be able to stuff it in there, then you got to worry about the tranny fitting under the hump, and then the rest of the drive train. I figured for my first "real" car project, keep it simple. My "night" job is running a sound company, I am the owner and lead engineer. Nothing really big but I have a good enough client base to keep me traveling around to bars, clubs, venues, parties, festivals, at a consistent pace. Right now I am hauling my entire PA rig around in a van, it works but it is not nearly as bad ass as showing up to the gig in a 72 Ford Gran Torino with a 7.3 TurboDiesel pulling a trailer with the sound equipment in it.  Just a little dream of mine. 70s Muscle Car + Heavy Duty Diesel + Pro Sound Equipment = guaranteed party. So a trailer is a , or a  ??? Say at 55mph max on highway with 4000lbs-5000lbs of total trailer+cargo weight. ... Still the questions remain, what kind of stopping power will I have?? Brand new front wheel hub assembly, rotors, pads, calipers, lines... New brake cylinders on the drums in back. How will it handle a trailer? Will I fly off the road? Moog Cargo control springs, Bilstein heavy duity shocks, new poly bushings. Any more thoughts or wiled ideas? I like where this is going so far. |
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-Billy Conturo
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stanman
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Posted: 04-November-2010 at 11:11PM |
Also, I agree with Lynchster about boxing in the rear frame rails and using inserts to prevent crushing. This method will add lots of strength but not much weight. You'll have to touch up the paint, but that's no big deal. The angle iron idea will work too but will add more weight and reduce your available tongue weight. Edited by stanman - 04-November-2010 at 11:17PM |
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76 cougar
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Posted: 04-November-2010 at 11:56PM |
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I plan on using my cougar to tow a small RV with matching paint and wheels. 460 and C6 should be no problem. Plan to weld some plate metal on the top of where the cross members attach to the side rails and beef up where the class 3 bolts up. Will use a trans cooler and the gear size in the back depend on if I use a gearvenders unit or not. Black car- black and silver rv- magmum 500 rims all the way around I'll love it.
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76 one owner Factory 460/moonroof cougar
1975 ford 2600 97 jeep TJ 96 jeep cherokee 2000 ford f350 |
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Regul8r
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Posted: 05-November-2010 at 1:25AM |
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the Torino can haul all the trailer you would ever need!
In the 70s/80s MANY of the horse community used the Torino and Caprice wagons to haul horse trailers with all the tack, gear, and people stuffed in and on the wagon.
Stopping... not an issue. I WOULD go with the bigger brakes though. I think there is a bigger rear brake on the rancheros than the stock gran torino.
I am looking to tow a custom small trailer with mine. Andy too!
BTW... I am really liking the Ford Blue Frame and suspension.
I was tossing between Black frame with blue or red suspension or all blue.
The motor is going to be Ford Blue with Aluminim/Silver accents.
Edited by cowboyupdjcarl - 05-November-2010 at 1:30AM |
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Carl Corey (Moderator/Event Coordinator) Contact ANYTIME!
1976 Ford Elite "Lola Mae" 97 Suzuki Intruder 1400 US Army Retired |
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Psquare75
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Posted: 05-November-2010 at 1:37AM |
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Trans cooler,
larger rear drums (11 x 2.5 was the optional size) decent gears enough power (!) Trailer brake controller if it bothers you that much, put 31 spline axles (they use a larger wheel bearing, rated for more weight). You'll be fine IMO. FWIW, the rear rails on my Cougar are boxed, and I'm fairly sure they were on my 76 Elite My Cougar is probably more suited for towing than my F100 (which when I look at them, appear the same drivetrain and chassis wise.) You guys have never seen a full size mid 70s Cadillac towing a 22 ft boat have you? (I have, seemed to go just fine). Edited by Psquare75 - 05-November-2010 at 1:38AM |
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Paul
77 XR7 460/C6/3.00:1 *SOLD* 78 XR7 523/C6/3.5:1 79 F100 460/TKO500/3.25:1 'I also have some left over potatoes-I understand you can generate electricity from them'- Foote500 |
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legend onirot
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Posted: 05-November-2010 at 2:06AM |
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the guy i bought my torino from used it in the 70s to haul a boat (dont know how big the boat was). he used an aftermarket bolt on hitch. he drilled holes in the bumper and the floor of the trunk. he probably stopped towing because the bolts in the trunk floor started cracking the metal. i will have to fix that i guess....
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Regul8r
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Posted: 05-November-2010 at 2:51AM |
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With the Roll Bar and supports going in my car I'll just tie in some supports. Too Easy?
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Carl Corey (Moderator/Event Coordinator) Contact ANYTIME!
1976 Ford Elite "Lola Mae" 97 Suzuki Intruder 1400 US Army Retired |
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Billy C
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Posted: 05-November-2010 at 3:12AM |
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Thanks a lot everyone.. Good info, Much needed. Looks like some welding will have to be the cure. Not to bad. Will post pictures of my progress. Gotta pull the gas tank again anyway to get the seals and fuel sending unit replaced.
Thanks again
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-Billy Conturo
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Psquare75
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Posted: 05-November-2010 at 3:23AM |
That's a cheap hitch. a real Class III/IV hitch will ONLY go through the frame. Those hitches that bolt to the rear bumper are garbage. |
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Paul
77 XR7 460/C6/3.00:1 *SOLD* 78 XR7 523/C6/3.5:1 79 F100 460/TKO500/3.25:1 'I also have some left over potatoes-I understand you can generate electricity from them'- Foote500 |
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Ranchero72
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Posted: 05-November-2010 at 5:29AM |
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I've seen dealership brochures of the 72 Ranchero pulling a horse trailer and my rear frame rails aren't boxed. My best guess would be that it wouldn't have any trouble pulling and boxing the frame rails would only benefit you.
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'72 Ford Ranchero 500
-351C C4 |
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GranTorinoSport
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Posted: 23-April-2014 at 4:27AM |
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little jimmy,
Re-opened this topic. There was an effort some time back to batch close old topics and save some disk space (we are actually running out of disk space here if you can believe it). It was not intended to halt discussion on any given topic, just a space savings effort. |
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Scott Eklund
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72FordGTS
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Posted: 23-April-2014 at 8:41AM |
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Just for reference, I wrote most of the Wiki Torino article a number of years ago. What's written there is correct as per the 1972 sales guide I have for Torinos. There were two packages, Class II and Class III. One was good for 3500lbs (required 351-2V or larger) the other 6000 lbs (required 400-2V or larger). The heavier package included a HD frame, but I am not sure what that was? Ford literature states that station wagons had HD frames standard, so maybe one can compare a sedan to frame for comparison. Perhaps it had to do with the gauge of steel used to make the frame?
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Vince
1972 Ford GTS Sportsroof - Survivor, One Family car GTS.org Admin |
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little jimmy
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Posted: 23-April-2014 at 9:49AM |
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Thanks. I won't be towing anything large, so thankfully I won't need a heavy duty frame.
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unlovedford
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Posted: 23-April-2014 at 10:05AM |
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I have a Ranchero frame out and a GTS frame out. Wagons do have the HD frame as standard, and I would think that Rancheros would as well - being that they share so many similarities with the wagon frames.
I pulled my car trailer with my Squire 1 time to move it. Trailer is 18 feet long, heavy wood board floor, "I" beam channels. Used to haul heavy equipment before I traded for it. I would guess it weighs around 3,000 pounds empty. The wagon really knew it was back there during starting off, stopping and hitting expansion joints on the road. Cruising smoothly was fine, but that is the case with anything. Hooking it to my Titan makes for a vast difference, of course. Point is, I honestly do not think these cars are designed to haul anything over 3,500 pounds without potential side effects. I know what the manual says, but I'd not risk hurting one of these, as 3/4 ton trucks can be very cheap to purchase used ($1,500 will get you a good older model). $1,500 would not go far fixing a Tweaked Torino. 
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Joe
1972 Mom's Squire Wagon 1972 Torino Wagon 1976 Torino 1968 Cougar XR7-First batch 1972 Torino 460 1989 BroncoII/Jeeps/Titanimous Popeye and Brutus (Rams) |
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GTW
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Posted: 23-April-2014 at 10:28AM |
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Yup, used to haul only a small utility trailer with our wagon, no towing package (stock 3,500 lb. rating)
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Griffin
1973 Gran Torino station wagon 1972 Gran Torino 4 Door 1976 Gran Torino station wagon 1971 Maverick 2 Door |
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kversch wrote: