Taking a trailer to pick up tomorrow at lunch. Spent about 2 hrs playing with it today, but 3 issues kept me from driving home.So for $400 I got a truck with 151,000 miles, a 5.8L, almost no rust underneath, with 2 minor body panel rust sites. Rust shown below is the worst I can find anywhere





I've 6 of the 1980-1996 1/2 ton body styles. This will be my first F-250 in this body style. Anything else to look out for on the F-250?


Plans include a nice pressure wash to get the paint splatter off, then a bumper to bumper pass through with:
1. new fluids in all orifices
2. bushings as required
3. front axle u-joint replacements and rebuild/replace manual hubs
4. fiberglass repair of the rusted cab corner
5. DIY lift kit and 33's
6. ????

thx for looking, and it feels good to be back in a Ford after a brief hiatus

 

Do you have any questions in particular? Seems like you've already found most of the big issues. I can't think of any problems in particular for the F-250s.

 

I've never had the TTB with leafs before.

Never had the 5.8 either. she idles smooth and no bucking/surge when gassed

Basically I haven't had a OBS Ford since 2006, so I'm a bit out of the loop. Luckily this F-250 doesn't have those F'ing radius arms. I need to source the center drop bracket for the TTB so I can do an AAL or RSK up front and get some altitude

 

5.8 is pretty much the same as the 5.0. It's a reliable engine that's pretty simple. Fuel injection and emissions components are also identica

 

got a set of "ok" tires today, and brought her home. sorry for the Chevy, but only tow vehicle I had. Can't wait to tear into her tomorrow

 

There are mixed feelings on the leaf spring TTB. Most say it's the worst front end Ford used in that era, with a terrible ride that gets worse with a lift. But a significant minority think it rides better than the solid Dana 60 and does respond well to the right lift. Personally I only have experience with unlifted F-250s. I don't think they ride very well, but I can't say if they're better or worse than an F-350.

I heard that originally no manufacturer recommended an RSK for the leaf sprung TTB, but more recently have offered it. There seems to be speculation that it was only offered now to avoid losing potential customers, even though it's still a bad idea. I have no idea if that's true or not, I only suggest you look into an RSK on a TTB before spending your money.

'89F2urd is a guy on here who has a pretty good opinion of the leaf sprung TTB, and experience lifting it. There are probably others as well, but they would be the people you most want to hear from about how to lift it.

 

Here is the "look" I'm after. Just enough room to fit either 33" or 35" with no rubbing. That's my old 2002 X on 35's


Yeah, now after a little reading, I can see RSK not being ideal on a TTB.

Typically I do shackles and AAL to lift. Probably do 1 AAL and a 2" drop bracket this time. Depends, not sure how much lift it'll give me. I got almost 3" with the Excursion doing this

 

Not really. Looks like you got a good deal.