For several months I've been trying to buy a local 1982 F350, unfortunately this has fallen through.

I'm looking now at the possibility of shipping an F250 across to New Zealand.
Regulations here require any L/H drive vehicle to be converted to R/H if the manufacturer's GVM rating (vehicle weight + payload) exceeds 3500kg.

Can someone give me the GVM figures for both the Light & Heavy duty versions of the 80-86, 2WD F250's?

What were the significant differences between the two - chassis, axles, general durability etc? Were any years particularly better or worse?

Thanks very much

 

I think you are after the GVWR Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.Ford did make a F-250 light duty with a 6900lb GVWR but it was weak. Most F-250 trucks had a 8100lb GVWR and the F-350 trucks had 10,000LB GVWR.

 

Thanks for the fast reply.
What were the weaknesses in the L/D version?

 

The frame, brakes and axles. They were almost the same as a F-150.

 

The HD version would suit me perfectly, but it's just over the weight limit. A R/H conversion would cost around $10,000 - out of the question

Thanks again - back to the drawing board!

 

According to my '83 Ford Light Truck Specifications Book the Non-Heavy Duty (4X2) F250's came in GVWR's of 6,500, 6,900, 7,300 and 7,900 lbs. The F350's were all 8,700 or above. The GVWR should be printed on a sticker attached to the driver's side door frame.

 

The 7300lb version would meet the criteria & not need a conversion, but how light are the construction & mechanicals on these?

 

I really don't know but I'd guess that if it has 8-lug wheels/axles it would be fine. Depends on what you want to do and how much you want to haul

 

My 80 F250 2wd camper special had a GVWR of 7650 with a Dana 60 semi-floating axle. It looks like lots of variables.

 

Hi Ken
If you want to purchase locale (Dunedin), I have a 1984 F250 4x4, cab & 1/2, 6.9L Diesel that I would consider selling. Very good condition! Mint deck, only 100K miles etc.
gary.mcneill@stonebow.otago.ac.nz

 

In the 80-86 Ford F series the only difference in GVW was the rear ends & springs. The Frames are the same. Ford Made a what was called a light F250. It had 8 lugs but wasn't a full floater rear end. The rest used Full floater rear ends. Then they built an F250 with the basic 1 ton suspensions, these came with the diesel option.

 

How common are the lighter duty versions?

I've been watching Craigslist (on the west coast, because of shipping out of LA), but so far all have had the high GVWR.

An extended cab, 2WD, 4-sp manual, 351W under 7700lb GVWR, would be ideal - but they don't seem common

 

The extended cab is going to aggravate the GVW rating, since that's going to make the truck heavier.

 

What about in the L/D with those options but single cab?

How common were the L/D generally?

 

Kermmydog

I've found a 7300lb GVWR F250 for sale. Are the mechanicals (other than rear axle) also the same as the heavy GVWR trucks.

Thanks