Hey guys....

I NEVER come here (I have a 2000), but I'm interested in a 1994-1997 which may or may not be for sale. Extended cab powerstroke 4X4 long bed specifically.

It's a F250. My question is, what's the difference between the F250 and F350? For that series (1994-1997) Extra leaf? What?

I'm looking for a long-bed and would pretty much strictly be a work truck....pulling a boat.....carrying a slide-in camper........Firewood and other hauling....etc. I'm LOOKING for a F350........but if it's a simple matter to boost the rear springs, etc.......The F250 might be worth looking at. For a frame of reference, the campers I'm looking at would be 3000 + pounds.

My truck's fine for most things......I've always regretted not getting a long bed though........You can put a LOT more camper on a longbed than on a short bed.

Thanks

 

Rear springs are the same, 350 has bigger blocks giving more clearance, big difference is the front axle, 250 uses Dana 50 TTB axle, 350 uses Dana 60 straight tube axle, everyone prefers the 350 axle. Less bushings, more load carrying capacity, holds alignment better, less moving parts, etc. Many people swap the 350 axle into their 250s. The 350 may have a stronger (thicker) frame too..... idk about that though.

 

^Thats the main difference. Fairly sure the frames have no difference. I did read some of this and that about frame differences, but as far as I know its a myth; frames were the same.

 

Yea I haven't seen much difference in the frames of the 250s vs 350s I've worked on... now there is a difference between the 150s and the 250s/350s

 

So the rears are virtually the same except for the blocks/clearance....but the front axle is entirely different......

Doh! Anyone you know done this? Changing the front axles? If nothing else, sounds a LOT more expensive than changing the rear springs!!!

Would you guys be comfortable carrying a 3000 to 3500-lb slide-in camper off road on a F250 longbed with all the F250 axles and springs......and MAYBE with an airbag system on the rear? (I happen to have airbags installed on my current truck).

 

Usually the 350s will have an overload spring in there as well. You will be fine with a 250 and the camper, but yes you will need bags with that much weight. Throw in an add a leaf on both sides too if you want for 100 bucks, No need if you are going to bag it though.

The D60 swap is very easy and straight forward. All you need for the swap is the axle, front leafs, steering linkage, and trac bar and mount from the donor truck. Usually salvage yards sell it all as a unit since its fairly common for people to do the swap. The cost for the swap is simply the cost of the setup from the yard...and if you plan on rebuilding the axle while you have it out, which is what I would suggest. Total cost will run 1000-1500 to purchase and R&R the axle with QUALITY parts. It all depends what you can find one for. Heck they go from 600-1400 around here due to the rockcrawling and Jeep guys in this state.

 

the 87 to 91 F250 4X4 trucks have a big tag on the door pillar above the warranty tag that reads "not for use with slide in camper".
i would imagine the 92 to 97 F250 4X4's had it too.

 

Rear end is the same. Frame is identical too. No difference at all. You never know what springs are on the rear for sure, ford put whatever they had handy on the 250. Mine had an overload spring factory.


Nothing wrong with the 50 IF its in good shape. Ya, the 60 is better, but the 50 works fine.


I wouldn't worry 1 bit about a 3000lb camper in the bed with a set of bags on it. Even if it has overloads that is too much without bags or bigger springs imo.

 

My 250 does not have a "no camper" label.

From all I read, other than the D60 versus D50, spring rates and the bed lengths, the frame and everything else is the same.

EXCEPT.........

The 350 has higher factory GVWR numbers than the 250. Though they can mechanically be made to be the same physically, there may be legalities (insurance, licensing, liabilities in case of an accident) that you cannot change with a wrench. And some here have tried to get their 250 re-registered as a 350 (some states have specific laws about GVWR and legal loads) with no success.

Certainly not suggesting that you change your course of action. Just helping you proceed knowledgably.

 

Seriously?


Why?????


Hell.....I remember my Dad's '71 Dodge with a camper.......


I've never seen that warning on any truck.....although a manufacturer will upgrade to a 'camper package'........


From our own FTE:


https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...r-package.html

 

no idea. all i know is that my 86 and' 88, and both 89 F-250 4X4's at the body shop all had that warning in the "B" pillar above the warranty sticker, and all the other 4X4 F-250's of that 87-91 body style that came through the body shop for repair had it also.
something about the camper making it too top heavy and prone to roll over.

 

C.y.a. for ford most likely.legal dept stuff. But setting one up correctly for that purpose would be important.

 

They make campers for dang near any truck now, Tom. Easy enough to match.....even without added supports and stuff. If you've got the center of gravity right (i.e.......don't put a camper meant for an 8' bed on a 6' bed....yeah....we've all seen that.....) and you're not 'over-budget' on the weight thingee....you'll be fine. Airbags are an added bonus. I carried a camper without one for awhile.......worked fine except on the rougher ground with that added left-to-right bouncing........THAT'S where you have to be careful.

 

I'm thinking you are correct here.....

 

My 87 f-150 didn't have that sticker. Guess I was ok then right