Hi all. Does anybody kno of any changes in an f350's frame, suspesion, or driveline (Excluding engines of course) that would make a 1997 more preferable over a 1993? Im lookin at a 1993 cab and chassis for plowing and possible fummins job but am in no hurry. I was wondering if there is any reason to hold out for a later model 96 0r 97 obs F350.

 

93 has no 3rd brake light
97 does.

same axles, frame and body.
DIESEL ZF5s in 93 were the s42 which have a HIGH 1st and reverse. The 97 have a s47 which have a low 1st and reverse.

Major difference between the engines if diesel. Gassers are almost identical

 

^ there ya go. If it's gas it doesn't much matter, if it's diesel then a 94.5-97 would have the very desirable powerstroke, '93 and '94 had the option of a turbocharger on the 7.3l idi diesel, before that the IDI was naturally aspirated. Both the IDI and the PSD are long-lasting engines however some people seem to think the old NA diesels and even the turbo'd IDI are worth the same as a powerstroke.

 

how would a 93 "turbo diesel" compare to a 95powerstroke?

 

On paper the IDI TD has just a little less power than the 460. I used to work for a guy that had a '94 F350 TD 4x4 and he would regularly pull an enclosed snowmobile trailer wither 4-6 sleds inside and he was happy with it. I don't have the numbers in front of me but the PSD had a decent amount more power.

 

a 93 turbo IDI with minor modifications is about equal to a stock first gen powerstroke.

 

93 idi turbo 190hp
94-97 powerstroke 225hp

 

thanks for the help, when did they change the frames...in 86?

 

Frames were pretty much the same from 82-91. Then in 92 they changed the front frame hones for the bumper mount

 

considering how much more simplistic the old idi was,not a great difference once turbocharged with a banks turbo,or the factory turbo's crushed dp replaced for a larger more free flowing one.
non emissions,non electronically controlled makes for such an easy engine to diagnose and work on.
the key to getting one of these engines to run properly is to tune them up properly.the ip and injectors are medium ware items on this old gal,and often neglected by owners,so your left with an engine that has a hard enough time moving itself, let alone moving a load too.so if you ever buy one,budget in a new fuel system first.
they're not as easily modded from factory like the PSD is though.
the old school idi trucks are nothing you want to buy imho for a "fun" truck.
they are super reliable heavy duty workaholics.they're a true legend for simplicity and reliability.a few enthusiasts have invested thousands to make them perform much more like modern diesels however.
one member here is pushing more than 350 ponies at the back wheels with well over 600 ft lbs of nuts to the ground!
i however,am more than satisfied with a stock '93 n/a, turned banks turbo for all my work duties......but with diesel fuel prices insane,i drive and would drive any modern diesel engine the same way,and not really notice any more power levels as i drive like granny and require less than the idi can toss out 95% + (it's probably closer to 99%) of the time anyway.