Originally Posted by BigBlockF350 (Post 13539755)

Yup, I've got overloads. I've never actually gotten the overloads to even touch even with about 3700lbs in the bed.

Maybe yours sags slightly more because the rear spring packs are slightly different from the F-250 to F-350. Yours is also a 7th generation truck if that makes any difference in springs (probably not, but I'm not certain).

Don't think I'd want coil overs. Do you have any pics of yours?

Originally Posted by 1985 6.9 IDI (Post 13539803)

I'm new here so I'm still learning the whole uploading pictures thing but I can probably get a few the next time I go home

Originally Posted by BigBlockF350 (Post 13539818)

Okay cool. Can't have your truck at school? Ouch

Originally Posted by 1985 6.9 IDI (Post 13539870)

LOL well I want it here but Im dreading it on the interstate for 2.5 hours cause its (A) a 6.9 diesel (B) a 4 speed without overdrive and (C) has true duals on it and is loud enough to wake the dead haha... I will probably drive it soon though... lotta chevy boys that need an attitude adjustment down here.

Originally Posted by BigBlockF350 (Post 13539992)

Sounds like my truck except you've got a 6.9. I'd love a diesel like that. Maybe with overdrive though nice they're not exactly high-revvers.

I've got a C6 (automatic 3-speed without OD), and with my 37s and 4.56 gears it revs about 2300 RPM at 55 MPH and about 2750 RPM at 65 MPH. I used to run 33" tires with the 4.56 gears, and that was a bit crazy. It would get off the line light lightning if you could keep traction (traction on hard acceleration was an issue up to about 30 MPH, lol). The downside was that it was turning 2650 RPMs at 55 MPH and 3100 RPM at 65 MPH. I ran several 3 hour trips without stopping running at about 65 MPH, and the engine seemed to do fine even with the high revs. Averaged about 10.8 MPG on those trips which isn't too bad for a carbureted 460 running at 3100 RPMS.

I can see where highway RPMs may not be as good with your diesel since it probably likes the ~2000 RPM range for cruising. Those old IDI diesels with an overdrive transmission are GREAT on fuel mileage. I know of a guy who regularly averages 23-24 MPG running at 55 MPH. I think the truck has 3.55 gears too which is also good for MPGs, but not great for hauling.

Originally Posted by 1985 6.9 IDI (Post 13540566)

So you can relate to I'm saying lol... I also have 3:55s, but I don't have a tach so I have no idea what its really running at. I can pull off 16 mpg around town driving normal so I can't complain.

Originally Posted by BigBlockF350 (Post 13540731)

I wouldn't worry about running the highway if you have 3.55s. If you have stock size tires then thats about 2200 RPM at 55 MPH and 2600 RPM at 65 MPH. If your tires are bigger than stock, those numbers are lower.

Originally Posted by 1985 6.9 IDI (Post 13541267)

Ok thanks for the advice, I have 33s so I should be alright

Originally Posted by F0RR35T (Post 13541492)

I have a 7.3L diesel with 3.55 gearing and 35" BFG AT KOs. Before the tires I had worn out 32s and ran about 2500 rpm at an indicated 55 mph getting about 16 mpg. After the switch to 35s I run about 2300 rpm at an indicated 55 mph and I'm getting close to 20 mpg, 18 mpg with a motorcycle or two in the back. Also, the "55 mph" indicated with bigger tires in my case is closer to 65 mph. Note that all these mpg guesstimates are based on highway figures.. 90% of the driving I do is cruising at 2300 rpm.

To sum up my findings since switching to 35s.. Not only do I get better mpg and higher speed, I'm putting less stress on the engine because I don't rev as much. With all the driving I do I save about 20 a week in gas with the bigger tires. That means each tire pays for itself in a little over 3 months, balanced and installed.

I hope this might help someone out! If I made any sense that is.. :-X18

Originally Posted by BigBlockF350 (Post 13541504)

Makes sense. I'd love to find a good IDI truck and set it up like that. I'll probably end up getting a ranger as a second truck though...25 MPG highway on gasoline (~20% cheaper than diesel where I am) in a Ranger is hard to argue with.

Originally Posted by 1985 6.9 IDI (Post 13541543)

Get a car and get in the 30s :-jammin

Originally Posted by F0RR35T (Post 13541568)

But then you'd have to drive a car... ha!

Originally Posted by F0RR35T (Post 13541568)

I would like to get a newer ranger with a 5 speed for a daily driver though.. 2 wheel drive as well. (Never thought I'd say that!) Times are rough..

Originally Posted by BigBlockF350 (Post 13541614)

Exactly what I'd like. Probably a 3.0 V6 or maybe even a 4-cylinder (not sure if I'd take the tradeoff in power vs MPG...). Wouldn't mind doing a small lift on a Ranger and slightly bigger tires (maybe 31s)

Originally Posted by F0RR35T (Post 13543944)

Yeah , it's like a mini truck for when you can't drive your big truck! :-X04

Originally Posted by Redneckfordf2502002 (Post 13547769)

Isn't your truck a 460 now and before a 351? Wouldn't the radiator make a difference then? I am trying to remember if that was your truck or not.
Trav

Originally Posted by Redneckfordf2502002 (Post 13547922)

oh ok then because when I looked at our 89 F250 351s radiator it looked smaller then our 89 F350 460 or are previous 93 F250 460s radiator so I wasn't sure.
Trav

Originally Posted by BigBlockF350 (Post 13548075)

Difference between F250 and F350 maybe? Or possibly the difference between 4x4 and 2x4? Or maybe one of them was swapped out at some point. It's the same according to all of my local parts stores.

Originally Posted by ArdWrknTrk (Post 13553633)

Pretty sure regular cooling 460 is 18 Qts and super cooling is 22.
An extra gallon in the system.

Originally Posted by Redneckfordf2502002 (Post 13561265)

Collin a little while ago you painted your tail lights I like the look but not that dark. When you paint it is that as dark as it gets or does it get lighter.
Trav

Originally Posted by Redneckfordf2502002 (Post 13561299)

thanks I was just asking as I was thinking about going with the smoked look on my trucks headlights and tail lights along with do a custom third brake light on it and to me that was a little to dark. Again thanks for the help.
Trav

Originally Posted by Redneckfordf2502002 (Post 13561343)

Oh I will be able to see at night I have a chrome brush guard that is going on it that will have tons of lights (probably 2 driving and 2 fogs) plus the lights in the grille like your set up). I saw hutch17 do it on his 87 F250 and it looked good I will have to ask him what his light output is compared to before (his was a tint not a paint like yours). Plus I am upgrading bulbs to brighter ones then stock. I wish I could find a clear style turn signal front and smoke it slightly but I can't find one I see them all the time though.
Trav

Originally Posted by Redneckfordf2502002 (Post 13561603)

Ya if you go to hutch17s build thread he has it in there he painted his truck from tan to red you may have seen it.

Here is a link to the pics he had. Post#107 https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-thread-8.html It says later on in the posting that he doesn't see a difference in lighting.
Trav