why the TTB hate?
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,845
Likes: 1
From: Montague, NJ
why the TTB hate?
i know im probably gonna get flamed for this, but why does everyone hate the TTB exactly? the only thing i didnt like about it is the mounting points on the frame, but i found this and it kinda made me rethink the whole TTB thing. it looks pretty beefy here. granted its not stock, but the beefed up beams and beefed up mounts look pretty good.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,408
Likes: 0
From: Trenton, MI
I hate them because I can't keep alignment.
Reason I use for plow and haul heavy load.
Let say 500 pound in bed it will screw alignment. Image 3,000 pound in bed it doesn't look good. CHEW outer's tread quicker. It look like this.
Heavy load front tires go up \ / and steering go / \
no load | | and steering | |
Heavy load on front end with plow it down / \ and steering go \ /
That why I stick with solid axle no deal with chewed tires everyday.
Reason I use for plow and haul heavy load.
Let say 500 pound in bed it will screw alignment. Image 3,000 pound in bed it doesn't look good. CHEW outer's tread quicker. It look like this.
Heavy load front tires go up \ / and steering go / \
no load | | and steering | |
Heavy load on front end with plow it down / \ and steering go \ /
That why I stick with solid axle no deal with chewed tires everyday.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,171
Likes: 20
From: Denton, TX
That pic shows some rather heavily modified items. Most of the heavily modified TTB suspensions are great for lots of travel for dessert racer types.
But why can't it be simpler for basic truck duty? I am a new TTB owner and am still scratching my head over the leaf spring addition to the TTB. It's like Ford bailed on a good idea half ways through the design process and scabbed in some leaf springs to solve some sort of problem.
I've read that the rear leaf spring bracket and the 2 wheel drive radius arm bracket share the same frame holes. Put on some coil spring buckets from a 2 wheel drive truck and figure out a simple way to attach the radius arms to the TTB assemblies and the leaf springs can simply disappear.
Has anyone tried this?
But why can't it be simpler for basic truck duty? I am a new TTB owner and am still scratching my head over the leaf spring addition to the TTB. It's like Ford bailed on a good idea half ways through the design process and scabbed in some leaf springs to solve some sort of problem.
I've read that the rear leaf spring bracket and the 2 wheel drive radius arm bracket share the same frame holes. Put on some coil spring buckets from a 2 wheel drive truck and figure out a simple way to attach the radius arms to the TTB assemblies and the leaf springs can simply disappear.
Has anyone tried this?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,690
Likes: 32
From: Delhi, Iowa
That pic shows some rather heavily modified items. Most of the heavily modified TTB suspensions are great for lots of travel for dessert racer types.
But why can't it be simpler for basic truck duty? I am a new TTB owner and am still scratching my head over the leaf spring addition to the TTB. It's like Ford bailed on a good idea half ways through the design process and scabbed in some leaf springs to solve some sort of problem.
I've read that the rear leaf spring bracket and the 2 wheel drive radius arm bracket share the same frame holes. Put on some coil spring buckets from a 2 wheel drive truck and figure out a simple way to attach the radius arms to the TTB assemblies and the leaf springs can simply disappear.
Has anyone tried this?
But why can't it be simpler for basic truck duty? I am a new TTB owner and am still scratching my head over the leaf spring addition to the TTB. It's like Ford bailed on a good idea half ways through the design process and scabbed in some leaf springs to solve some sort of problem.
I've read that the rear leaf spring bracket and the 2 wheel drive radius arm bracket share the same frame holes. Put on some coil spring buckets from a 2 wheel drive truck and figure out a simple way to attach the radius arms to the TTB assemblies and the leaf springs can simply disappear.
Has anyone tried this?
Trending Topics
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,250
Likes: 1
For the guys who vary between no load and very heavy loads, it's impossible to align the tires to not cause excessive wear on either the inside or outsides of the tires.
For guys who want to offroad, it comes down to the relative difficulty in lifting a TTB compared to a solid axle truck; also, the TTB has a more limited selection of lockers available compared to the Dana 60.
I think a lot of it comes down to the "horror stories" about trying to get the TTB setup correctly aligned. I've never had any issues with my alignment but I've read plenty of people complain about shops continually not being able to align the truck correctly (usually because they aren't getting the necessary camber bushings).
For guys who want to offroad, it comes down to the relative difficulty in lifting a TTB compared to a solid axle truck; also, the TTB has a more limited selection of lockers available compared to the Dana 60.
I think a lot of it comes down to the "horror stories" about trying to get the TTB setup correctly aligned. I've never had any issues with my alignment but I've read plenty of people complain about shops continually not being able to align the truck correctly (usually because they aren't getting the necessary camber bushings).
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 923
Likes: 1
From: North Central MA
I don't care for ( but have and use) TTB for the broken housings. Plow enough of them and you will know what im talking about. Snappo ... The housings were once 500 from ford but now you cant get them -=new=-. I have two on hand for when the current one under my truck breaks. I don't believe in welding them back up but its common practice for many of the plow guys here. After my extras are used I plan for a new plow rig F-350 + Or a new chubby... Cost will dictate that move when it happens.
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,554
Likes: 5,590
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
i could not keep the front tires on my 89 F-250 diesel TTB truck. when the front axle housing snapped the third year i had it i put a D-60 in it.
every other truck i bought was a 350 or superduty.
every other truck i bought was a 350 or superduty.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
I've had both the coil-sprung TTB and leaf setups. I never had a problem with the coil (F150), they moved like they should have. The leaf sprung TTBs are a different beast. Its my opinion that Ford dropped the ball on that one. there is such limited flex in the leaf setup that the bushings get trashed and the shackles/hangers get stressed. I had a F250 with a 6" and a 7.3 and with that setup it was a nightmare. I have pictures of my hangers somwhere. Both were severely cracked and i ended up having to have my drop bracket welded up twice because of cracks as well.
More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 592
Likes: 0
From: Heber, UT
The main reason most people dislike them is getting them aligned, especially if they are lifted. It took Les Schwab 4 tries to get my truck aligned. The main issue is that they were being lazy and didn't want to break free/use any of the alignment cams on the lift bracket and extended radius arms. Close enough was not good enough for me. If you can find a good alignment technician with lots of experience with these trucks than you have no problem. The other issue is that ford should have stuck with the D60 solid axle in the 250 and not tried to modify the TTB for it, especially the diesel trucks.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,966
Likes: 595
From: Greater Austin, Texas
Well now I gotta agree the leaf spring TTB looks stupid. I was only talking about the coil sprung TTB. Why Ford elected to go with leafs on the F250 TTB I will never know. If I had one I would convert it to coils using F150 parts so it can articulate like it is supposed to.
Now, with regards to plows, any IFS is going to give you problems with tire wear and component wear. I wouldn't want IFS on my tow truck, either. However, for the other 99% of truck users, IFS is better.
I don't wanna hear of alignment problems in "normal" use. That problem lies with your alignment shop. I have put some 750K miles on TTB/TIB Fords and I have *never* had an alignment problem. This is most likely because I do my own - most alignment guys these days are glorified tire changers.
I don't believe there is such a thing.
Now, with regards to plows, any IFS is going to give you problems with tire wear and component wear. I wouldn't want IFS on my tow truck, either. However, for the other 99% of truck users, IFS is better.
I don't wanna hear of alignment problems in "normal" use. That problem lies with your alignment shop. I have put some 750K miles on TTB/TIB Fords and I have *never* had an alignment problem. This is most likely because I do my own - most alignment guys these days are glorified tire changers.
Turnkyle, do you mean use a Dana 60 TTB?