I was wondering if anyone knew if there were any frame differences between th F100 vs. 250 or 350? I know other parts interchange but in the ways of gvw, (besides springs and axles) what are the differences between the trucks?

 

I might be off the wall on this one but some one will correct me.


I think that the hieght of the frame rails were taller then the F-100s ( i think i might be wrong)

 

My understanding is that the F250 and 350 frames were made from thicker steel. Read it somewhere, but don't recall where.

On a slightly related note, it appears many crew cabs (250 or 350) also got an additional steel plate welded to the outside of the frame (from behind the front wheels to just in front of the rear suspension).

 

Interesting, It is my understanding that the 150 & 250 are the same with the 350 being thicker. The truth lies somewhere in between.


Anything in particular you are wanting to do.

John

 

I have a 1969 F100 with a 390 cid and a c6. I absolutely love the truck but it doesnt suit my purpose when it come to hauling stuff. I heat my house with wood and on several occasions I had to turn down firewood that was given to me because it would have taken too many trips to get it all. The most I've hauled in it was about a 1/3 of a cord of wood. (full bed up to the rail) The rear bumper about drug on the ground and sitting in the drivers seat i felt like i was star gazing! LOL! I have 6 leafs on the rear axle and air shocks(4 leafs and 2 helpers) and the rear axle is a #17 which the manual says is rated for 3300 pounds. Truck GVW is 5000. The rear spring shackles are different between the F100 and larger trucks so a simple spring swap may not be so simple. Basically I don't want to go through the trouble of installing new springs and shackles, a new rear axle only to find out my frame is made up of aluminum foil compared to other trucks! I appreciate anything you guys can come up with.

 

If those rear springs are '69 OEM original they are weak. Get new springs 1st then maybe air bags.No clue here on those frames.

 

From visiting the junkyards there appears no thickness difference between the frames. Basically 3/16. I have seen that plate welded to the outside of the frame though. There is a F-350 dual wheel reg. cab at the local junkyard that I believe is a 1972. I am going to go out and measure the frame sectional height and see what differences there are.

 

I found this on another ford truck site...

"F250 frames were made of heavier steel than the F100s, by about .030". The F100 frame is .171" thick (app. 7-gauge steel) whereas the F250 frame is .200" thick (app. 5-gauge steel). "

Tim

 

Kris, I don't think you need to be as concerned about frame as the springs under it. I have had over 5000 pounds in the bed of a F100 several times.

Maybe tow a trailer in with you and put a little less in the bed and more in the trailer.

John

 

68-72 F250 springs will bolt right up to any 68-72 F100, because I did it with my 72 after wearing the original springs out with carrying 4 loads of hay averaging 4000 lbs. 67 springs are slightly different. It worked real well carrying firewood filled up to the top of a camper shell. The 9 inch works almost as well as a Dana 60.

 

I have never had my '70 f100 next to a f250 so as to get a good comparison but , just having looked at both spring hangers I always thought they were very diffrent. I too would benifit from heavier duty springs in the back...How about the front coil springs, they too are heavier duty I'm sure..Will they also fit a f100 ? Thanks,Mark.

 

I appreciate all the info you guys have gotten me!

 

I like the trailer idea to increase the payload. Mainly because the truck can pull more then it can carry and maybe slightly easier on the truck with good trailer brakes. I have trailers and the load can be left on the trailer leaving the truck freed up for other jobs. Trailers can also be rented only when needed untill a good deal comes up on a used trailer. When done with the trailer most of the money can be recovered by selling it.

 

I seem to remember the issue of f100 vs f250 frames has come up before in this forum. As I recall the consensus was that the frames were identical.....

 

the 67-72 F250 frames are thicker than the F100 frames. the F100 frames mic out to .025-.040 thinner steel.

the 73-up F100 frames were made the same thickness as the f250 frames.

if the concensus is they are the same, the concensus is WRONG.