I like the TTB for normal driving conditions, but a solid front axle has a
Better control feel, steering wise, on rough, loose surface roads.
I do like TTB, but a SAS is planned for my 96 Bronco.

The technology was great for it's time, 17 years or so, but
Everything changed in the truck design arena.

Coil spings on a suspension is by far the best solution in many ways.
From manufacturing, packaging, ride and aftermarket.

As far as alignment goes, I am sure proper maintenance is needed
On any type of suspension.

 

Sorry, that last sentence came out wrong, I meant they should have stuck with a solid axle for the 250 instead of trying to modify the TTB for heavy duty use.

 

Of course you are because TTB is stolen alien technology from area 51, ask the govt, if they deny it that makes it true. My crappy TTB cracked outboard of the diff carrier and up the front. 520k miles and a 9' snowplow have nothing to do with it.

Speaking as to the loaded / unloaded alignment, the by the book chart from Ford as to alignment is far different from the typical shop alignment machine guide. The Ford book starts with taking chassis measurements as to axle to frame heights, then your alignment is set according to that. On my 250, I added an extra front leaf to help with snowplow chores but my suspension travel is pretty nil, hefting up a 9' Fisher only drops the front end 3/4 inch and lifting the wheels off the ground only increases the height between snubber and spring by just under an inch. Ride is awful but its a work truck. If your front end is squatting hugely when loading up a plow it would seem you need higher rate springs.

 

I don't have any complaints with the TTB's. I've had one, well actually several beginning in 1995. My current one is my 97 F250HD, it's been problem free, the ride is much better than my F350 4x4, same body style, (92-96). Never any alignment, ball joint issues of any type. The front tires are "lean" free. It's been a good truck, and although it's never had a plow on it several others have without incident. They are a little more involved to lift, but thats why I buy 250's, 350's, they are high enough for me as they come from the factory..... No hate here!

 

Lifting is easy, say you want to add a 2 inch lift, level the chassis with a regular construction level, remove front TTB axle halves from the frame brackets, scribe a plumb line up from the bolt hole center line to the top of the bracket, weld in a 2 inch spacer. All of course if you're a competent welder and get a good supply of structural steel. My extended brackets are getting old but still in perfect shape.

 

I posed this question a couple of years ago on this site and got similar results to what I am seeing in this thread. The general comments are hate for TTB but when you get down to it there really isn't much wrong with coil sprung TTB. If you lift them make sure you get the extended radius arms to get good wheel travel.

 

The people who flame TTB don't understand it or can't align it or both. TIB/TTB is what makes a Ford a Ford.

 

and here is the hole to your theory.
if the truck is empty, the alignment is one way. if you have 1,200 lbs of portland in the back it is another way.

with a Dana 60 you do not have to worry about your front end alignment being out and tearing up your tires 4-5 times a day depending on how it is loaded.

 

Like I said, this is going to be a problem with ANY truck that has IFS in the front. But how often are you carrying 1200# of load in your truck and for how many miles?

 

My load varies quite a bit normally say 75% its under 400# gas cans and home center runs

about 20% is between 2500 and 3000 pounds and 5% would
be about 4000 pounds with the GN trailer or slide in 2yd sand spreader. I don't see any abnormal front tire wear.

 

at least 50% of the time my trucks were loaded with over 1200 lbs.
and the average run was 600-700 miles one way.

 

Tom, is that a 250 or 350? My front end doesn't seem to change based on rear end loading. Either my truck is overly stiff with just one extra front spring or yours is super lively. I think my rate is high as the total travel seems to be 4 inches. Even with the 8' bed filled to overflowing with stone dust, the front never compressed any measurable amount, the rear quite a bit even with air lifts.

 

i only had one F-250, the 89. i had nothing but trouble with it till i put the D-60 under it.
all the rest were F-350's except for my 88 superduty.

 

im hauling far more than 1200 lbs regularly with my 250hd.those are my "light loads" in my fuel economy reports.
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i have her sprung appropriately in the back so the front isn't altered unless im hauling "heavy" (2.5-3 ton.)

so iv no issues with tire ware unless it's my fault.
i ran her a little bit when i first got it and it needed an alignment.
then i ran it for a little bit after replacing ball joints and inner tie rods before i had time to take her in.
this finally did in the used tires i put it on at first.
now dummy me,instead of replacing the outer tie rod ends at the same time,i tried to get by.only because i didn't think of it at the time for some dumb reason,and no one carries MOOG around.anyway i just replaced those the other day,so iv got to act quick and take her back in.
i have a local shop that puts smack on the $!! i mean perfect!
ahh well.i'll have to give him extra business this year i guess lol.
any rate,besides the original 17 yr old ball joints/tie rod ends,iv had no issues.
but of course the truck is still new to me.just a couple yrs now.
the chop on my front tires right now,is only due to my negligence,and i know this.
when your busy though........
anyway,iv always been a fan of the TTB.
if you need to load up heavy,then you should have the springs for it out back regardless if there's a 60 or 50/44 up front so she never points to the sky lol.

i don't plow all that much.just a few drives.but man,last winter we sure had a lot of the stuff.
she was a plow truck before i bought her too.so i suppose knowing this,im not sure i didn't just go through the whole front end first thing and line it up and be done with it.plenty of other stuff i had to do i guess lol.
im not rotating as often as i should be either (for a D50 or D60) and i need to keep this is mind a bit better.

its not a bad axle.for me its a must.it sits 2" lower than a D60 this means increased fuel economy and a lower sitting truck all the way around,so i can load the back end without braking my back (even still it's a chore lol)
like everything,maintenance is the key.
if your primary work is off roading,want a toy lifted up the air with big tires to look cool,ride comfort doesn't mean as much to you,or plow full time in the winter.yeah id likely have a D60 sitting under mine too.
since it's not,it's TTB gladly for me (and i kid you not, had i found a 350 to start with,it would have received the D50 to bring it down.)

 

Then perhaps IFS is not for you, just like a Camry would not be.