hello, I'm looking to pick up an old truck to drive and play with and have some fun with. Preferably looking for a 1967 to 1975 to avoid the smog crap we have here in California.I plan on driving it regularly because I like to drive in a truck, it is one of the most comfortable vehicles for me to drive in but I've only owned newer trucks. Question is, what are the real differences in ride quality on an F 100 or an F 250 or an F 350? Are the F 350s of the early seventies as harsh of a ride as a brand new F 350? I won't be towing very often but if the ride is fairly similar it opens up my options on what I can buy.

 

stock, an F350 will ride harsher than a newer 1 ton IMO. unless you plan on doing some serious $$$ upgrading with custom springs, the rear needs the most help for sure. the F350's are nice in that they have the biggest duty brakes, strongest frames, and biggest axles of the bunch.

an F100/150 is a nice riding truck, F250s are ok too. the biggest hindrance is the crappy shocks most of these trucks have. either way, what you are asking is highly subjective.

 

All of 'em ride like an upholstered park bench unless ya get some modern seats.

 

You can't really draw a comparison between these trucks and the modern truck, it's apples and oranges.
The F100/150 will have the softest ride of the bunch but don't expect to tow much of a load. Unless you're going to do a lot of heavy duty towing I would avoid the F350 and get an F250.
I like HIO's analogy of a park bench. That's pretty much what to expect from one of these old trucks.
If you're going to stay mostly on paved roads, then the ride probably doesn't really matter that much.

 

An newer seat is definitely on the list of upgrades. Bought my first truck mid-eighties, have owned several since then, all half-tons.

I want this truck to be my daily driver for my normal commute (30-40 minutes, mostly freeway) I have another daily driver to use for longer commutes when concerned about mileage. The smog laws in cali really impinge on us here, but a pre 76 model is exempt, so I want to capitalize on that and find a 67-75. Used to be drawn to 67-69s, but lately more drawn to 73-75s.

I don't have a boat these days or a camper so won't be pulling anything. At times it will be used like a truck and the bed will be loaded with whatever, but most of the time it will just be me, maybe the wife, driving around in the city or down the highway. No bucket seats, bench only. Lately, I have seen a lot of 73 and later F350's for sale. Another benefit of the F350 is most have a 460 motor, which is also really appealing to me. Not worried about mileage, have something else to drive when needed, so would love to soup it up a bit, play with it and have fun.

So in the end, I will likely upgrade the interior, including the seat. I don't need an F350 for towing but would like a 460, and don't mind a bit of choppiness while driving as long as its not too bad. I really need to just to drive one but not many are close by. I don't mind going a few hundred miles to buy one or even buying from farther away and shipping it to me, but its been hard to find something that checks all the boxes close by and that is why I am reaching out to others that have spent time behing the wheel of a 73-75 F350.......Thanks

 

If ride is what you are most interested in definitely go with an F150. Leaf sprung front ends dont lend themselves to comfort unless you spend ALOT of money. And still wont equal the ride quality.

 

F350 wouldn't have a 460 until post 75 if I am not mistaken. 75 and older should have a 390. Don't expect more than 10 mpg (best I've ever gotten was 12).
The stock ride is horrible. Seriously. Unless you have 1000 lbs in the bed, it probably won't move more than an inch or two when you hit a bump, and if you are driving around Southern Candycornia's awesome freeways, you will need to find a good dentist because all your fillings are gonna fall out...I have a 77 F350. stock, it rode terrible, but now that I've completely gone through the suspension and have more into that than I paid for the truck, it's tolerable.

For what you want, I'd just look for a nice F150.

 

My f150 doesn't ride bad at all. The bigger bumps will sens you into the ceiling, but i blame that on a 6" lift.

It sounds like an f100-250 would suit you well. But, buy what you can find in the best condition for the money.

I also love the factory seat. I find it more comfortable than new ones actually. Very soft and springy for the rougher suspension. Most new seats just dont look quite right in a dent to me.

 

I like my F100 . Rides good , the seat fits my bad back . My 2014 3/4 ton work truck ... ( GMC ) rides like an old mushy land yacht Caddy compared to my 78 . Apples and oranges ..... The lighter Fords will have a "better" ride .

 

The wheelbase plays a role as well. More distance front to rear often translates into a smoother ride. Maybe something to do with driving over surfaces completely before the rear axle follows. Whether an early Bronco or a smart car, short wheelbase = choppy ride. My 78 supercab rides like a caddy compared to my old 79 swb. Both 2wd. And my truck cruises hwy speeds not unlike my dads old Grand Marquis. Like a boat, but a tall one with a high center of gravity

 

A lot of f350's after 75 have 400s, what most of them if not all are missing is sway bars. I took a set out of a 1990 cube van and put them on my 78 f350, 400 4spd dually dump truck w 160" wheelbase. Was a bit of work but it sure woke up the handling abilities. F 350's need to have thier suspensions well maintained or you'll find that they lose power, fuel economy and handling real fast.

 

Had a 76 hiboy and the ride wasn't that bad, a 78 f150 with great ride. Also had a 95 f150 with a even better ride, all of the above were standard cabs. Now I have a 95 F350 extended cab drw and the ride is horrible, I hook the camper to it with about 800 lbs on the hitch and it makes no difference. Probably one of the worst mistakes I've made, wish I'd have gotten a F250, wife will not ride in the 350 unless we are going to camp.

 

Yep ... +1

 

I have a 79 F150 4x4 shorty that rides good but alittle bouncy when hitting bumps! I have 33" BFG's with a 3 1/2" lift with rancho shocks on it....AND I have a 79 F350 4x4 SC and it rides like a caddy!! You really can't believe the smooth ride that it has, again rancho shocks with 33's and 2" lift.

Agree with "SupercabTJ"

 

I laughed when I saw this thread, because I have been wondering if I will even like the way my F350 SC drives when I finally get it out on the road. I took possession of mine way back in May, and have been puttering on it in my spare time. It will finally be roadworthy this month, and I will see if it has that "Caddy" ride, or if I will need to have new fillings put in my teeth.



David