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O/T...welcome back! Been a long time since I've seen you post on the board.

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X 2.

Was wondering just the other day where you got off to.

My first new vehicle was a '74 PW, followed by a '75, then a '78. I put 10" white-spoke wheels and 12-15s (remember those?) on the '78 and had trouble keeping the lugs tight on the front. After replacing the studs (and wheels), I got in the habit of checking them at least once a week. Never had that problem on my '79 PW (10" chrome spokes & 33-12.50s).


Tim

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It becomes apparent that you have never had a similar equipped big block truck if you think a 318 will pull with it.
Modern Magnums with modern transmissions might be a different story, and traction along with a few other things may equal out the playing field, but an LA 318 will not out pull a similar equipped big block truck. When you pull a heavy load at more then 20 mph, the difference is as clear as day and night.

But all that said, don't discount the 318 just because its a 318. Gene

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It becomes apparent that you have never had a similar equipped big block truck if you think a 318 will pull with it.
Modern Magnums with modern transmissions might be a different story, and traction along with a few other things may equal out the playing field, but an LA 318 will not out pull a similar equipped big block truck. When you pull a heavy load at more then 20 mph, the difference is as clear as day and night.

But all that said, don't discount the 318 just because its a 318. Gene

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I had a similar truck with a 400 a few years ago, while I have had this 318 truck the entire time (at the same time), and the 318 will pull right alongside ANYTHING at low speeds. High speeds (over 20 mph)? IDK, never pulled stuff like that, only heavy loads under 20mph...

JS

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It becomes apparent that you have never had a similar equipped big block truck if you think a 318 will pull with it.
Modern Magnums with modern transmissions might be a different story, and traction along with a few other things may equal out the playing field, but an LA 318 will not out pull a similar equipped big block truck. When you pull a heavy load at more then 20 mph, the difference is as clear as day and night.

But all that said, don't discount the 318 just because its a 318. Gene

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I had a similar truck with a 400 a few years ago, while I have had this 318 truck the entire time (at the same time), and the 318 will pull right alongside ANYTHING at low speeds. High speeds (over 20 mph)? IDK, never pulled stuff like that, only heavy loads under 20mph...

JS

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I promise if you hook a car trailer with a car on it and drag it through the hills along the west side of northern IL, at highway speeds, there will be little doubt of the differences between a big block truck and a small block truck.

The op stated an occasional trailer towing, most would assume that would mean pulling a trailer between towns on the highway at 55+, not between farms @ 15 mph. Between farms @ 15 mph, a properly geared slant 6 will probably get the job done, but pull that truck onto the highway and run with traffic is a different story, it might get the job done, but it won't be fun. Gene

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Well I 've towed over the rockies lots and my 92 318 Magnum had more nuts than my mid 70's big blocks that I towed with. All stock trucks, all bought new and in good condition.
This 76 440 truck got about 5 MPG on a trip through the mountains just towing a single axle U-haul, not even a car trailer and it was sweating heavy doing it.

Sheldon

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Well I 've towed over the rockies lots and my 92 318 Magnum had more nuts than my mid 70's big blocks that I towed with. All stock trucks, all bought new and in good condition.
This 76 440 truck got about 5 MPG on a trip through the mountains just towing a single axle U-haul, not even a car trailer and it was sweating heavy doing it.

Sheldon

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Well lets do apples to apples. Not a EFI later model to a 70's low compression carbed motor.
Try a 92 454 Chevy to your 92 318 and see how it goes.
Or a 75 440 to a 75 318.
This thread is about early 70's trucks so why are you throwing in your 92 and then late model diesel?

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Cause he thinks his two cents counts for a dime.

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Recently, I have been considering buying a Pickup Truck. I have two V8 CJ 5's Jeeps and a nice M416 Military Jeep Trailer, but at times it would be nice to drive over 55 MPH on the freeway (speed limit when towing a trailer).

Also, it would be nice to have an acceptable tow-vehicle that could manage trailers larger than my M416 Jeep trailer. Thinking about towing a car-trailer occasionally and there might be a Flat Bottom drag boat in my future.

Was considering a '72 thru '75 Dodge 4x4 PowerWagon. First, I kind of like the Fuselage styling of those years, and Second and more importantly, '75 and earlier does not require Smog Inspections, so I can add any engine or performance modifications I would want.

P.S.: I know that 4x4's are not Ideal for towing, but I figure it should still work out.

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The guys have run down all the differences. I say look for one that is fairly clean and have at it. The lack of smog check is huge for you and I think any power or MPG concerns can be dealt with over time with a rebuild or just small changes like headers, carb and intake plus tuning. It's never going to knock down modern MPG, but you can help it some.

I see NICE trucks listed in OR all the time. Might be worth watching CL up there and see what pops up.