I was under the impression the 83-86 Ford f350 duallys never came in 4x4. I'm looking at possibly picking up a new work beater and its an 86 f350 4x4 dually with a service bed on it. Almost looks like a nine footer so maybe it's a cab and chassy?
460/t19. Be a good potential for 6.9 swap if the 460 craps out. Already have a motor on stand by that's low miles on a rebuild.

Any input on if any of these duallys were 4x4 would be appreciated. It's got the Dana 60 front axle too, although I prefer the ride of a ttb. I'll try and see if she's just got adapters or something next time I get a chance to look at it.

 

IIRC the OBS C&Cs could be had as dually 4x4s. Not sure if that applies back to the slantnose era. The VIN should tell you whether it's a C&C or a pickup. With the service body, it's sounding like it's a C&C truck.

 

Im not sure C&C were 4x4 either, as i recal, most ambulance and fire trucks, even the C&C flavor were conversions if they were 4x4. I could be mistaken though.

 

cab chassis were available in 4X4. pickups were 2 wheel only.

 

1979: First year F350's were available with 4WD

1980: First year F350's with DRW's were available w/a pickup bed.

1983: First year 460's available with 4WD & a M/T

 

What you may also see is a spacer-conversion - basically a 2" or so chunk of aluminum which bolts to the wheel hub and has a set of studs in it for the wheels; it just spaces the flange on both sides out far enough for a set of offset dually rims to fit.

This *could* be a problem as you would be putting extra force on the wheel bearing... but the wheel bearing in the Sterling 10.25" full-floating rear axles(used in a lot of IDI-powered trucks, not sure about the early years) is extremely large and can handle the extra strain easily.

My understanding is that factory-dually rear axles have the same bearing, just slightly longer to not need the spacer.

 

I haven't had a chance to look at it again but if it is running spacers they are the cast iron versions. I have a set of these on standby if. I ever feel like buying six tires.

I would agree that the rear axle can handle the extra stress. The front end on a dana 60 would probably be fine too rather than a 44/44hdttb/50ttb

I'll try and snag the vin and see what exactly it decodes to.

 

5th/6th/7th digits of the VIN: F36 = F350 4WD Pickup / F38 = F350 4WD Cab & Chassis.

 

Thanks a million!