A few months ago, I bought a (very) used '96 F-250 HD 4x4 PSD. I've had nothing but headaches with it, and some of that is to be expected. It had a plastic bedliner in it, and I really should have checked first to see what kind of damage it was hiding, namely, four busted out stake pockets, two busted out corners at the top front corners of the bed, and numerous holes drilled for attachment points, also busted out. I took it to a friend to weld all this mess back together again so I could actually put things in the bed and tie them down, and he did a nice job. He complained about how thin the metal was, though...never seen any sheetmetal that thin. In fact, he had just done some welding on his sons CHEVY CAR of the same vintage, and it was much thicker stuff. Maybe thats why all those attachment points busted out in the first place.
I happened to be driving down the road this morning, and saw my trucks larger twin parked by the side of the road, for sale. It was a 350, crew cab (really could use two more doors), same paint job, same PSD, same 5speedOD, and I got out to take a look. As I went around to the back, I noticed it had the same busted off trim panel that used to cover half the tailgate, and the same busted out bed corners and stake pockets, welded together much sloppier than my own. I walked away quickly. BUILT FORD TOUGH? I don't know. Do they use any heavier metal on those Super Duties? I've read elsewhere that the tailgates are made of tinfoil.

 

I can walk on my bed rail and watch the outside of the bed bow out. I am a 220 pound guy but that is rediculous. I dropped a peice of fire wood in the back and it dented the floor down a little bit. I did have a Dodge van hit my tailgate. Kind of turned into it getting into a parking spot when my tailgate was down. tore up the side of the minny van. didn't barely do any thing to my tailgate though. They do need to use heavier materials on these trucks. At least on the bed. Its a truck. Ohh well.....

Justin
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/displaythumbnail.php?&photoid=9313&.jpg
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2002 F-350 SC LB 4X4 6SPD PSD. 3.73 gears. 2.5" leviling kit. K&N air filter. Rhino lined Bed. Prodigy trailer brake controler. 35x12.5x16.5 BFG A/T. 16.5x10 ultra wheels. pop up gooseneck hitch and firestone airbag spring helpers. Reese fifth wheel hitch for my new toy hauler. Superchips microtuner.

My imagenary friend thinks you have a mental problem

 

my trailer (gooseneck) came down on the bed floor and the coupler dented the bed floor severly. then turned the tailgate into a u. the bed was undented alittle by jacking up from underneith with a 4x4.

 

Presently I get anywhere between 8 and 11 MPG. Honestly I wouldn't want to feed it if it were any heavier! While I do generally agree that they are fairly 'flimzy' compared to earlier model years there are those who would beat the out of the vehicle no matter what the metal content! Just my couple pennies...


DaleL

'02 F250XL 4x4 5.4L Auto 4:10 Reg cab LB WORK TRUCK!

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 19-Dec-02 AT 09:56 PM (EST)]Let's see where to start. The spark plugs blowout because Ford only used six threads on the plugs, which would mean the heads are nice and thin. (Aluminum Light) Next we have a front bumper that weighs only 40lbs. (Just bought mine on evil bay, again light) The tail gate crumbles at the least abuse, tinny (again light) A 220 man walks on the bed rails and the sides of the box bow out. (one more time tinny and light) Drop firewood into the bed and the metal bends (light once more) I have just one little question, What the heck weighs so much, my truck weighs in at 6,500lbs?[br] It must have the heaviest damn windshield ever made! :-staun

 

>What the heck weighs so much, my truck weighs in at 6,500lbs?

It's all the mud and clay that's caked on the underside!!!

Jon
1989 F-150 XL- 4x4, 302, M50D
1995 Bronco Eddie Bauer- 351W, E40D

 

>... I have just one little question, What the heck
>weighs so much, my truck weighs in at 6,500lbs?

A lead foot!

Matt

2002, F250 SD, SC, 8' Bed, V10, 3.73 LS, Arizona Beige, ICI Stainless Step Bars, Truxedo Tonneau, Prodigy Brake Control, Flowmaster 40

 

You should have got the ESOF, the switch is way lighter than all those levers.

Waxy

 

>You should have got the ESOF, the switch is way lighter than
>all those levers.
>
>
Waxy,
Wanna start he ESOF debate again.... Nah, like beating a dead horse, it still won't work!

 

 

It is too bad that they don't make them like they did 40-50 years ago but I still love my truck. It would be so to have my SD made from the same steel that was used in the 50's and 60's.

2000 F350SDXLT,SRW,RC,5spd man,V10, Front Leveling Kit,4.30 gears, 285/75/16 Wild Country, Moon Roof, Tinted Windows, Blacked out Tails

 

Even the 70's. My '86 is fairly tough compared to the '96, but my friends '77 is a tank. Sheetmeatl, anyway. I have to say, the chassis and drivetrain is every bit as tough as it needs to be. Maybe they could just built thicker bed floors and rails, oh and a stronger tailgate.