I really don't think newer trucks could handle alot of abuse. I was looking at the chassis and truck bed and they are really thin. Older trucks look more rigid and stronger.

 

Im not so sure now that ford is using a fully boxed frame.

 

No recall notices with an old truck. These new trucks are designed to keep the driver somewhat safe in case of accident, so that probably comes into play with frame design. Check out some of the truck flex comparison videos on you tube.

 

The frames of newer trucks are far stiffer and stronger than old trucks. I just replaced my 78 Ford frame with a 97 Dodge frame and there's really no comparison, and the past 15 years have only led to further improvements.

 

These old fords have some of the most flex I have ever seen. Get them in a uneven situation and your doors wont open, the bed will smash the cab. There isnt even a comparison to the new trucks. I have a 2013 f150 and I would chose to use that to haul a heavier trailer with it vs my 75 f250. 4 wheel disk brakes, built in trailer brake, the frame is fully boxed, cross members that go through the frame and fully welded. The rearend is damn near the size of my dana 60. Technology has come a long way and so has how metals are being used and the strength of them. Just because something isn't half inch plate doesn't mean its weak.

 

lurch you are from pittsburgh, right?

 

little north of pittsburgh, beaver county

 

Drop something heavy in the bed.. New truck bed will cave in vs old truck bed.. My 2011 f350's sheet metal is so thin compared to my two older trucks.. The bed on the 2011 is dented up so badly looks like baseball sized hail hit it..maybe the frame and the drivetrain is better on the new ones.. But the sheet metal is horribly thin and dents very easily..

 

I agree with that mebe2k, Have seen new trucks with the frame ripped through the truck bed floor. That all comes down to weight reduction for fuel mileage and what not. What comes to the alumunim f150, its thinner, lighter, stronger.

 

I am south near washington....


onto the topic at hand....frames/suspension of newer trucks far better than the older ones.

 

The sheet metal on these old trucks will dent and bend if drop something heavy onto them as well. (I never understood that comparison.) The bed on my 78 and 86 f150's are full of dents and wavy floors from years of service. After all that is what a truck is for. The best way to protect your trucks bed from that happening is to go with a good heavy thick spray in liner. And even they have their limitations.

 

The bed on my 78 has a few dents and wear marks . The bed on my 81 Chevy ( after 400 K miles ) was not much worse . The 08 gmc at work ... the bed looks like crap , and the tailgate is warped because I set an Allison transmission on it .... I see many newer trucks , with much less use , showing much more sheet metal damage .

 

I would say the body's and interior on newer trucks are a lot less forgiving. I've had a 1000 lb Cummins and a 700 lb lathe on my tailgate with no ill effects. Do that on a newer truck, I'd bet you would be shopping for a new tailgate. That's beside the point that new trucks are made out of maybe 22ga steel. We're getting into beer can territory on these newer rigs.

I'm not saying the new frames are not tougher, I have nothing to compare it to. I'm just not sold on frame flex and stiffness being a standard of toughness. I would rather my frame flex a little with a load then break because it's just too stiff.

 

old fords: super strong body work. Pretty tough frames too.

New trucks: super strong frames. And plastic.



You have to compare apples to apples. look at the rating tag. X rated truck will have just as strong of a frame as the next x rated one, no matter when it was made.

A 40 year old f350 will have a weaker frame than your new one, but also be weaker than the 40 year old f600 frame.

 

The older full sized beds sure hold a lot more stuff. I used to put a topper on them, load up a bunch of firewood and camping gear, ice chests and still have room to sleep inside if I didn't feel like putting up a tent. Not a chance with the puny beds these days like the Ranger, or even 150s.