Super Truck issue 250 vrs 350 running gear differences?

[Lone Ranger]

OK, Lone Ranger wants a Super Truck for Australia..... F-450 and bigger are just not here and a full import after the Government and everyone else gets through taking you with the conversion makes them (Dodge Cummins, Duramax, or bigger F Series) about $110,000 and up A$ or sort of $80,000 plus, American $$$....

So, am thinking of building a SuperTruck out of my F-250... I regret selling my 1993 F-350 as it was a custom Dual Cab CC 4x4 7.3 Diesel with Dually rear... Dumb move to have sold it, in hind site...

SOOO.... What is the real difference if I build a Dually CC, Increasing the air bags over the springs in rear, making a say F-350 to F-450 set up for Fifth Wheel?? Is it just a bigger rear end? And bigger rear wheel drum brakes for the Dually? This was the only difference in running gear is I think my F-350 had a Dana 80 equivalent rear end... The stock one and stock brakes OK for F-350-450, 6 Quarterhorse 30' Gooseneck sort of a job?

What do you think Ford Guru Marc, or Others, I value your Opinions... Transmission and Transfer case the same? Easy, just $, to upgrade engine HP and to upgrade tow pack the tranny, how about TC? Drivelines and u-joints big enough? Any thoughts?

Not that I want to do it, but we have little choice here.... I want one of those larger SuperDuty trucks... but it is a long way from possible here... and big bucks and about a six month hassle even IF possible...

Appreciate your comments, Thank you...

Little Island problems here in OZ... Ha:

[mschn99]

the 450-550 chassis are way different. Bigger diff, bigger springs with differnt shackle mounting points, heavier frames and aft axle fuel tanks on most......they are a totally beefed up version of the superduty, and a conversion would not be easy.......

[Lone Ranger]

OK, so what about the 350 variations? 30' gooseneck with 6 horses should be within the 350 range... What are the differences there, driveline? Transfer Case? anything?

Thanks Marc...

[fordnut85]

What year is your 250?? I have seen guys set a 88-96 cab on top of a 99 and up F-450/F-550 chassis. Another option is ford actually made a F-Superduty BEFORE 1998, it was pretty much the same as a 350 but with beefier axles (10 lug i think) and if my rememberer is working they had a GVW of 12k. don't quote me on any of this since it's all off the top of my head lol. I'm sure Marc can shed a little more light on the f-superduty thing

[mschn99]

only difference betwen a 250 and 350 worth mentioning is the leaf springs...its a pretty easy conversion....

Most single rear wheel 250's and 350's have ford 10.5" rear ends, while the duelley 350's have dana 80's......converting to a 350, evena duelly would be a doable thing...

[Lone Ranger]

Thank you Marc and FordNut85, my F-250 is a 2003 Fordnut, and they are all the same here, 2001 to 2006, the last of them.

My F-350 was a CC single 4x4 and I converted it to Gooseneck Dually, with a Dual rear wheel kit and 6 alloy Mags, and a wide utility bed... Now looking to build the updated model since I sold the righteous ride about 5 years ago....

Now, out of the 2003, and for say about a 12,000 lb 30' Gooseneck load.... Before I start, since it is only a F-250, wondering about the weak points, if there are any like driveline or u-joints or TC... That sort of thing.. Marc, springs are easy, I have chassis mount air bags over, I will just go to 1.2 tonne air bag upgrade each side, and run on air pressure -Light to Heavy..

Just wondered if there were any other weak points, wheel bearings, axles, u-joints, Transfer case output shaft or something like that ?????

Regards from Australia, come on down, beer is on me... Actually it is winter here, a nice red wine will do....

And my Daughter just one NRHA Reining Horse Youth Champion of Australia at the Sydney Olympic Equestrian Centre... !!! W00000000 H000000!!!!!!

The Lone Ranger is not just boots and hats after all.. Ha!

[mschn99]

everything is the same exept the rear diff and springs. There are two different types of yokes on the rear diffs which do take two different drivelines, but the Tcase and trans are the same.....

[fordnut85]

I have seen some of the adapters to make a single rear wheel a dually and I have to say I don't like them. Once you put the adapter on you are moving the load center of the wheel to the centerline of the outside wheel bearing, and this puts more of a strain on the wheel bearings than if it was in the center of the wheel bearings. Second of all, all that pressure is put on the factory wheel studs pulling them outwards. Long story short it is MUCH better (in my opinion) to swap the rear out for a dually rear. Just my 2 cents!!!

[Lone Ranger]

Originally Posted by fordnut85

I have seen some of the adapters to make a single rear wheel a dually and I have to say I don't like them. Once you put the adapter on you are moving the load center of the wheel to the centerline of the outside wheel bearing, and this puts more of a strain on the wheel bearings than if it was in the center of the wheel bearings. Second of all, all that pressure is put on the factory wheel studs pulling them outwards. Long story short it is MUCH better (in my opinion) to swap the rear out for a dually rear. Just my 2 cents!!!

FordNut, Thank you and that was my Opinion as well...

However, I have to say that I did it on my F-350, and with a 29' Gooseneck, and rough terrain, and did not have any problems..... Now I only had it about a year after I did it, but.... I appreciate your point of view, and if I can find a dually in a wrecker with the same gear ratio, it is worth doing it that way and probably about the same $ as the kits are not cheap here..

Thank you, LR in Oz.....

[randalst]

hey guys i had a plan kinda like yours lone ranger about converting 250 to 350 what i was planning on doing was replacing the 2" blocks for the 4" blocks that the f350s have so i can have more clearance for my 5" exhaust. what do you guys think i need in order to do this also is this a good idea. do i need special tools ect......