'05 Diesel pickup independent comparison test

_RaT_ · Aug 23, 2005

Re: \'05 Diesel pickup independent comparison test

....but now I see they are pulling trailers apart. 

I have not seen that even though I frequently make the trip up to the mountains in Tahoe, maximum elevation of 9800'. I have yet to drive a Chevy up the hill but have driven a 01 Ford F350 flatbed with a diesel and automatic and a 04 Dodge 3500 2WD with 6 speed manual and diesel. Both were good for pulling a trailer. Neither of them were capable of "blowing by" folks like they were standing still. I don't pull much of anything anymore, my trailer tearing apart needs have never been that excessive, good thing too since both times the trailers were borrowed. Of course, these were quality trailers, so maybe that had something to do with it.

RedRocker · Aug 23, 2005

Re: \'05 Diesel pickup independent comparison test

Seemed pretty fair to me, I'm glad I haven't run into that cat though. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

getut · Aug 23, 2005

Re: \'05 Diesel pickup independent comparison test

I don't classify ANY truck test as valid that uses "ride quality" as one of the criteria. To someone who wants a real truck, capable of doing real work and wants the truck to be as absolutely durable as possible (the truest measure of a truck), ride quality is best left as something the mother in law complains about as she rides in the back with the dog.

Soccer moms care about ride quality. Independent front suspensions don't belong on a truck that is designed primarily for work. They reduce longevity and increase complexity.

I was actually leaning toward a Chevy Duramax as my next diesel, but after reading they have went over to the dark side of appeasing soccer moms instead of delivering the absolutely most durable vehicle they possibly could, I guess I'll have to look elsewhere.

I realize the article is a gag.. but dang that tears me up. Ride quality.. bah humbug /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

PBinWA · Aug 23, 2005

Re: \'05 Diesel pickup independent comparison test

Aren't they all independent front suspension now? I think the Ford F250/350 are now independent front suspension too.

From the Ford site:

( Twin I-Beam with coil springs and stabilizer bar (4x2), Twin-coil monobeam with coil springs and stabilizer bar (4x4) )

Anyone know what the last year was for the front leaf springs on the Super Duty's?

HGM · Aug 23, 2005

Re: \'05 Diesel pickup independent comparison test

I dont recall dates but the F-250 has been TTB since the 1980 model as far as I can remember. The solid front w/leaves was a 350 & ^ standard.
Being a Frod guy, and fully understanding the "soccer mom" craze, I would deny the suspension on the Super Duty has gone to please them. Other aspects maybe, but I feel confident in claiming they are still a truck.

PBinWA · Aug 23, 2005

Re: \'05 Diesel pickup independent comparison test

Hmm . . . my 1999 F250 SD has front leaf springs. So it must have been a recent change. I know Excursions were the first with front coil suspension but just recently noticed the change in the new F250/350 models.

RobertN · Aug 23, 2005

Re: \'05 Diesel pickup independent comparison test

The 80's and early 90's F250's had TTB suspension with leaf springs. Terrible, terrible combination. The TTB placed not only up/down stress on the spring, but a radial stress too. That radial stress is caused, as the wheel moves up and down, the axle pivots near the center of the truck, so the wheel moves in an arc as it does up/down.

That radial stress just tears up leaf springs. Both my '80 and '89 F250 had issues with the springs sagging because of that radial stress. Even after having the springs rearched, and an extra leaf added, they sagged shortly after. The spring shop said it was very common on those trucks. I notice it all the time on older F250's. Look at the front tires on a '80's F250 from the front of the truck; they will be tilted inward at the top.

I pulled the IFS out of my '89 F250, and put a straight axle in. It was a pretty simple bolt up scenario. It was the best thing I ever did on that truck! I did lose a little ride quality, but the springs held up perfectly, and it worked much better off road. Seemed to handle better when I had the cabover camper loaded too.

I would never go back to a 4x4 with IFS. The coil setup on my Dodge works well with the straight axle.

I would guess that a coil spring setup would work with the Ford style IFS. The coil spring should handle the radial stresses much better. It seemed to work well in the F150's and Rangers for years.

fyi, the 80's F350's could be had IFS too.

RobertN · Aug 23, 2005

Re: \'05 Diesel pickup independent comparison test

The Ford site says the F250 4x4 is ( Twin-coil monobeam with coil springs and stabilizer bar (4x4) ) So, it is a similar setup to what Dodge has been using. Or, for Ford pursit, like the early Bronco's used.

johnday · Aug 23, 2005

Re: \'05 Diesel pickup independent comparison test

I believe Ford always had a monbeam 4x4 axle and leaf springs till sometime in the 80's, then changed over to the girlie IFS with coils on the 150's, and leaf springs on the 250's on up, except for the 7700GVW with the 150 body in the mid 90's. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif Thank God they went back to the monobeam and leaves in the SuperDudes, /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif for a while. Ford got dumb again, or appeased the soccer parents, that don't need a truck anyway, in 2005 when they put manlygirl coils back on. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gifI just hope they haven't screwed up a good truck with that suspension. The IFS with leaf springs was a nightmare on the '97 250HD I had. 31000k on it, and on it's second set of front tires. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif On the SuperDudes I've had, I've mangaged over 55k on the tires /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif.

HGM · Aug 23, 2005

Re: \'05 Diesel pickup independent comparison test

yes, like Johnday said, they changed to coils in '05. The whole front end was changed, sounds like for the better, even the steering linkage is about an 1-1/2" in diameter. For years the 250's had the TTB w/leaf springs like was also mentioned. Then I believe in '99 when the SD came out they went to the Dana 60 solid front axle with leaf springs. So with all the GM guys saying "ours rides better" they gave in. It's been like that forever.