i heard that the rear block on a 97 f 350 is one inch bigger then the 250 is this true and if i find a 350 block will it go on my 250?

 

They are actually almost 2 inch higher. Yes the 350 block will fit a 250 but you will need longer u-bolts to make it work. You may also need to shim the driveshaft carrier bearing down a 1/4 to 1/2 inch too. But I would do the blocks then see if you have any new vibrations, if you do then lower the bearing.

 

I wonder if 350 blocks and u-bolts will make an even truck if matched with an add a leaf front spring from say, Rancho or similiar. That would be a cheap and easy lift and I don't need to shim carrier as I don't have one.

 

Yep they would work well with an add a leaf front truck. My 95 was a 250 with add a leaf up front and it sat too level. Depending on how I parked it almost sagged in the back from the looks of it. So I added some height to the rear springs and it worked out great. It wasn't a 350 block but it was about and inch or 1.5 inch addition. When I did that I also added the rear over load springs and frame perches. But the u-bolts ran me $60 to have them made. but I think you could find them cheaper if you looked around a bit.

Here is a pics with front leveled and rear stock


here is a pics with leveled front and the rear and 1.5 higher than stock.


its hard to see the difference because of the way the truck is sitting in both pics plus the weight of the topper doesn't help but the second pic is higher than stock.

 

Nice looking. It sits higher but doesn't look like a lift kit. Couldn't you use u-bolts from a 350. That is if you had a yard around with them in it?

 

you could use the 350 bolts but the truck I got the overloads from was an 80's with lots of rust. I also think Ford said the u-bolt are discontinued so I had them made since the premade ones from Napa and carquest did seem like the measurement were right. But once I installed everything I had plenty of thread extra.

 

neal isnt your truckan extended cab? it should have the bearing? or is it a short bed? i am confused now, its been a long day

 

Neal's is extended cab shorty so its about the same length as a reg cab long box.

 

That is right Tim. Although don't the standard cab long bed have a carrier? That is what I think is odd. If that is true.

 

I am not sure. Haven't been under on in a long time.

 

IIRC when I bought mine that is what I saw but then again that was 10 years ago and many frosty's ago.

 

std cab long beds do not have bearings

 

Thanx for clearing that up joe.