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Yhottys · 03-18-2010, 11:34 AM

Hello Streamers!

We just bought a 1970 Ford Ranchero with a 351 Cleveland and are about to drive it to Phoenix to give it to Murray's dad for his birthday this weekend. (He owned one back in the day.) We purchased it from the gentleman who managed the boat yard where our boat was on the hard for seventy-six days last year, who received it from his uncle who owned it for 38 years.

We have no information about its towing capacity. We posted on a Ford Forum but were not able to find any salient information.

So can this tow our 1961 Bambi without any modifications to the frame other than adding a tow hitch? Do we dare to dream that it could tow our 1976 Caravanner?

Any insight would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

**moosetags** · 03-18-2010, 11:54 AM

That's a very nice looking Ranchero. I have owned and rebuilt antique cars since high school, and I would be extremely cautious about towing a 3000+# trailer with that Ranchero. The Cleveland has more than enough power to pull the small Airstream. It's the suspension and the transmission that I would be concerned about. I'm not sure that they could handle the load without some modification.

Brian

wkerfoot · 03-18-2010, 12:03 PM

Yhottys,

Yes and probably. If an automatic, you will need a transmission cooler and perhaps a larger radiator in addition to the hitch.

But then I tow with a 1977 Lincoln and a 1973 Powerwagon.

Bill

Yhottys · 03-18-2010, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moosetags

That's a very nice looking Ranchero. I have owned and rebuilt antique cars since high school, and I would be extremely cautious about towing a 3000+# trailer with that Ranchero. The Cleveland has more than enough power to pull the small Airstream. It's the suspension and the transmission that I would be concerned about. I'm not sure that they could handle the load without some modification.

Brian

Thanks for your thoughts Brian. We really appreciate your insight.

All the best,

Ganaraska · 03-18-2010, 04:28 PM

A lot depends on how much towing you want to do. If you plan to drive it slowly to a local Camporee or vintage car meet for the weekend that is different from say a coast to coast trip on the interstate.

The Bambi should be fine. Possibly the Caravanner too if you take it easy.

In any case you need to make sure everything is in top shape, new rad hoses, possibly a new rad, trans cooler, service the transmission, brakes good, new shocks, etc.

Should be OK if you are halfway sensible. Get a good hitch and give it a try.

Road Ruler · 03-18-2010, 06:39 PM

I think Ganaraska is on the money.

Back in the 70's vehicles with a similar nature were towing dual axle Airstreams all over the country.

With the help of modern technology the project could go very well.

ticki2 · 03-18-2010, 06:54 PM

What does it have for axle gearing . That will help determine how much strain will be on the transmission . Another weak spot wil be the brakes. The Caravanner might be pushing it . Good luck

purman · 03-18-2010, 07:38 PM

Man, that thing is a 70's. You can tow just about anything with it. ( if you would like to)

seriously, it would probably tow it. but if it's hot or going up hills you will probably over heat. extra coolers are a must for any 70's vehicle. even my 3/4 ton 75 dodge gets a little hot...

r carl · 03-18-2010, 07:43 PM

The ranchero was based off a station wagon so its got a frame similar to a half ton pickup. It probably has a C6 transmission and it has a 9 inch rear end. It wont even know the bambi is behind it...

vswingfield · 03-18-2010, 08:56 PM

My brother bought a 1971 Ranchero with a 351 Cleveland and towing package. The towing package was popular because it had a lower ratio rear end and heavy duty cooling. Having said that, the Cleveland would not be my pick of a towing engine. The 351 Windsor would be my pick. The Windsor has small ports and is designed to deliver low-end power like you need when towing. The Cleveland has huge ports and is designed for high revolutions.

In my opinion, the best use for that Ranchero would be to take it out and look for guys in SS396s and Corvettes.

The one you found looks like a beaut! My brother's is in a barn on his property in northeast Arkansas, but hasn't run in many years. And looks it.

OB Bambi · 03-18-2010, 09:06 PM

Sorry to bend this tread, but I couldn't help but notice those original plates. Don't let them go.
Randy Bowman

Yhottys · 03-18-2010, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vswingfield

In my opinion, the best use for that Ranchero would be to take it out and look for guys in SS396s and Corvettes.

LOL! Or pretty girls!

We hope Dad likes it-it's a surprise. We plan on meeting him for breakfast, parking the Ranchero behind the restaurant, and handing him a small gift-wrapped box with the keys in it.

It may bring back all those great polyester, leisure suit memories.

ROBERTSUNRUS · 03-18-2010, 09:21 PM

Hi, a few things from memory about the Ranchero/Torino/Country Squire. The 351 Cleveland will have no problem towing, but you might want to add some ballast in the bed. The 351 Cleveland 4V has very large intake ports and is followed by a C-6 transmission. The 351 Cleveland 2V has small intake ports and is followed with a a C-4 transmission. I believe all Rancheros had a 9" differential and the other models had a 8" differential with the 2-V / C-4 option. During this time frame, Cougars with a 351 Cleveland 4-V also had the C-6, but the 2-V engines had the FMX transmission.

Disclaimer: this information is from ancient history and may not be exactly correct, but close. Also this information plus a $5.00 bill might buy you either a cup of coffee or a bag of pop-corn.

overlander63 · 03-18-2010, 10:12 PM

Back in the day, I had a 1972 Montego with a 351Cleveland and FMX. It was very good for the purpose I had it, but I seem to remember an issue towing with the FMX. I also had a Gran Torino wagon with a 351 Cleveland and a C4, I towed a 22 foot Holiday Rambler travel trailer all over the Mid South with with it with no trouble, other than having to always be looking for a gas station.

The wagon had something like a 3.03 rear ratio. You can find the ratio of the rear end on the Ranchero by looking at the tag on one of the carrier bolts, it'll have 3 numbers on it, like "303".
If the car has over 60,000 miles on it, and it has not been done yet, expect the timing chain to come undone soon. It's not like the newer cars that shreds the engine if it happens, you just replace it and keep driving.

It would certainly tow your Bambi with no problem, and you could probably tow the Caravanner with a few "extras" like a transmission cooler, good frame mount receiver, and brake controller.

Road Ruler · 03-19-2010, 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yhottys

LOL! Or pretty girls!

We hope Dad likes it-it's a surprise. We plan on meeting him for breakfast, parking the Ranchero behind the restaurant, and handing him a small gift-wrapped box with the keys in it.

Sweet!.... sure would like to be a fly on the wall for that moment.

Mikethefixit · 03-19-2010, 08:24 AM

I DONT SEE A Problem. I think with a proper Weight Distribution hitch installed it should do just fine with the Bambi. However I like others would be a little concerned with the trans,so adding a trans cooler and maybe a larger radiator would probabley be a good idea.
I also would love to see the look on his face when he gets the keys to that beauty.

Yhottys · 03-19-2010, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wkerfoot

Yhottys,

Yes and probably. If an automatic, you will need a transmission cooler and perhaps a larger radiator in addition to the hitch.

But then I tow with a 1977 Lincoln and a 1973 Powerwagon.

Bill

Bill,

Thanks so much for the advice and encouraging words. We'll keep them in mind.

Gemma and Murray

P.s. We like your avatar and the great VAC article on your double door Liner!

wkerfoot · 03-19-2010, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yhottys

Bill,

Thanks so much for the advice and encouraging words. We'll keep them in mind.

Gemma and Murray

P.s. We like your avatar and the great VAC article on your double door Liner!

Gemma and Murray,

You are welcome, the picture was taken at the Badwater parking area in Death Valley NP. We plan on taking the Liner to the RMVAC rally this August.

Bill

toddster · 03-19-2010, 08:18 PM

That is one sweet 1970 Ranchero. I am a big fan of the 351 Cleveland.. My brother has a 1972 Pantera with a 351C and my first car, a 1970 Mach1 Mustang, shares that same wonderful engine from Cleveland. Yes, I still have the Mach1 after all these years, but it is currently hibernating in my garage waiting for me to finish the restoration. Here's a picture from the mid-80s when the Mach1 was in its prime: