History lesson
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,701
Likes: 6
My take on this is because they really didn't make that many 4x4s anyway back then. Sure, they are around, but back then people didn't use trucks for 4 wheeling like now. If you talk to most older folks, they will tell you that they just put on chains if they needed extra traction.
I think since the 350 was made to haul, they didn't see the market for a 4wd since it would be mostly driving on roads where 4wd would not be needed.
I think since the 350 was made to haul, they didn't see the market for a 4wd since it would be mostly driving on roads where 4wd would not be needed.
Junior User
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
If you count the tires being driven/being supplied power then every dally was full time four wheel drive.
I would assume that it is because extra 4x4 stuff adds weight to a truck designed to pull trailers, thus lowering total net payload.
Which is what I was told about those monsters they were making in the mid 2000s. (F700 with a pick up truck bed) supposedly they were made to pull thosehuge 40'+ fith wheel campers and horse trailers. None of them were factory 4x4. That was almost 100k option added on in a ford approved custom/upfit shop someplace out west.
I would assume that it is because extra 4x4 stuff adds weight to a truck designed to pull trailers, thus lowering total net payload.
Which is what I was told about those monsters they were making in the mid 2000s. (F700 with a pick up truck bed) supposedly they were made to pull thosehuge 40'+ fith wheel campers and horse trailers. None of them were factory 4x4. That was almost 100k option added on in a ford approved custom/upfit shop someplace out west.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,326
Likes: 48
From: Middle TN
At the time there were 2 companies that were making conversions for many years.
They made conversions for F-350 and up to about an F-750.
Ford knew how many they converted and the profit in each conversion and decided to stay out of it until the demand increased.
A few ford dealers sold these large 4x4s and added another mark-up that made them a little pricey.
Most were bought by utility companies and large farms.
They were used hard and few still exist.
They can be spotted easily as most had the front differential chunk on the passenger side like chebbys.
The F350 sit very high so the front axle will clear the front 2wd crossmember.
I even saw one F350 with a GM Corp. front axle (no inspection plate) (not a Dana).
They made conversions for F-350 and up to about an F-750.
Ford knew how many they converted and the profit in each conversion and decided to stay out of it until the demand increased.
A few ford dealers sold these large 4x4s and added another mark-up that made them a little pricey.
Most were bought by utility companies and large farms.
They were used hard and few still exist.
They can be spotted easily as most had the front differential chunk on the passenger side like chebbys.
The F350 sit very high so the front axle will clear the front 2wd crossmember.
I even saw one F350 with a GM Corp. front axle (no inspection plate) (not a Dana).
MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,386
Likes: 35
From: Austin, TX
At any given time, the options offered by any manufacturer come down to the market. If there's not enough demand for something, the manufacturer won't make it. If enough people will pay for it, the manufacturer will figure out a way to make it. I think Ted has a pretty solid explanation of why people wouldn't have been willing to pay for this particular topic. And since people wouldn't have wanted it, Ford didn't make it. Why did Ford start making the Super Cab? Because Dodge tried it, and Ford saw that people were buying it. It is bad business practice to not build to what the market demands.
The answer to any question along the lines of "why didn't so and so make X" is because not enough people were willing to pay for X to justify the expense.
I think Toyota Prius is an awful idea, but people obviously want them, so Toyota would be stupid not to manufacture them.
The answer to any question along the lines of "why didn't so and so make X" is because not enough people were willing to pay for X to justify the expense.
I think Toyota Prius is an awful idea, but people obviously want them, so Toyota would be stupid not to manufacture them.
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