Diesel opinions: '93 Ford F250, '87 Ford F350

[RobertN]

I had a '80 F250 4x4 with 400 v8, and '89 F250 4x4 with 351. Great truck. But, the best thing I did, was swap the IFS for a straight axle.

Look at those IFS 4x4's; frequently the front is sagged and the front tires are out of alignment, where the top of the tire is in, the bottom is out(caster/camber?). Even with the light 351, my truck did that. Had springs re-arched, did it again; swapped to straight axle then. Had springs rebuilt, never another problem as long as I owned it.

They turn awful. I was AMAZED at how much better that '80 F250 4x4 xcab turned with straight axle in it. It was much better in parking lots, and much much better 4-wheeling while hunting etc. It also seemed to handle the cab-over camper better when I had it on.

The IFS is a weaker hybrid. I broke an axle in the '80 F250 doing easy wheeling.

The IFS did ride a little better...

That '89 was a great truck Sold it with a little over 225,000 miles; it still ran great, and was in nice shape. Best thing I did was junk that IFS though.

The straight axle swap was a simple bolt in.

Yep, spot welds are often the fix ! Another buddy has an early PSD F250 4x4 - not sure how different that front end is from yours, but while he does maintain it, he also works the snot out of that truck - no issues with that front end.

 

[2458n]

That is why I had to have the 1 ton- straight front axle. Fuel injection [metal] lines are no longer carried by ford ,for the idi 7.3. I have the 89 and 96 model 4x4 350 duallies. Usually drive what is available. Company trucks are pretty worn out at 250,000. Doors do not close well , front end wanders ,and the glovebox is even worn out on most of the ones I drive @ work.

 

[Buckgnarly]

Best thing I ever did to my 89 7.3 F250 was scrap that HORRID TTB front axle for a dana 60 from a same year 350.

I did not even have the Dana 50 version of the TTB, it was the 44! Outer u joints were the same size as the Ranger Dana 35 TTB....sheared the driver side second time plowing with it.

 

[3930dave]

That is why I had to have the 1 ton- straight front axle. Fuel injection [metal] lines are no longer carried by ford ,for the idi 7.3. I have the 89 and 96 model 4x4 350 duallies. Usually drive what is available. Company trucks are pretty worn out at 250,000. Doors do not close well , front end wanders ,and the glovebox is even worn out on most of the ones I drive @ work.

Anybody know if these fuel lines are still carried by International, or aftermarket ?

AFAIK, Medium duty and up trucks run with straight front axles - hard to beat for strength. Various trade-offs are made on modern light duty trucks, mostly for going to the mall.

Rgds, D.

 

[94BULLITT]

Anybody know if these fuel lines are still carried by International, or aftermarket ?

AFAIK, Medium duty and up trucks run with straight front axles - hard to beat for strength. Various trade-offs are made on modern light duty trucks, mostly for going to the mall.

Rgds, D.

The newer Fords are straight axle.

 

[RobertN]

Don't take the TTB truck to the mall, unless you like making 12 point turns in to parking stalls.

Again, '89 did ride a little better with the IFS/TTB, but it was AMAZING how much better the turning radius was with the straight axle.

AFAIK, Medium duty and up trucks run with straight front axles - hard to beat for strength. Various trade-offs are made on modern light duty trucks, mostly for going to the mall.

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

I'm OK either way..... I'd sooner watch paint dry than go to a mall !

GVWRs are up, some of the newer "light" trucks are almost into the medium duty class of yesterday. Makes sense that some are back to straight axles.

Rgds, D.

 

[RobertN]

It made more of a difference for, out in the sticks going hunting and fishing. And, manuevering the horse trailer.

I'm OK either way..... I'd sooner watch paint dry than go to a mall !