4x4 vs 2wd
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4x4 vs 2wd
I'm considering getting either an f250 super cab long bed or f350 crew cab long bed. Whichever will be diesel (probably the 6.9) manual tranny and 4x4. My concern is ive seen a greater percentage of 4x4 for these years broken down than 2wd. Is this a fact? Is there certain things I should look for? Can this be avoided with regular maintenance?Do they lift easy? (To put bigger wheels on). It will be more of a daily driver but I love on a farm in the foothills and my 2wd just don't cut it. I'll appreciate all your input! I like the look of these years but would I be better off looking for one from the '90's? I know this is a lot of questions but I'd like all the info I can learn! Thanks y'all!
Cargo Master
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From: NJ
There's nothing extra to "break down" on a 4x4 truck except the transfer case. 80-86 trucks all have an NP208. It's weak, but when they fail you lose output to the front. I've run them full of mud and water and also dry and never had a break down.
BW1356 trucks used on the later trucks are generally regarded as stronger. These cases have an internal oil pump instead of splash lubrication. The pump stay arm wears through the case and spins free, the pump stops pumping and bearing failure ensues. It's a simple fix to enlarge the area the pump stay arm attached to the case and should be done to every BW1356, particularly high mile cases.
BW1356 trucks used on the later trucks are generally regarded as stronger. These cases have an internal oil pump instead of splash lubrication. The pump stay arm wears through the case and spins free, the pump stops pumping and bearing failure ensues. It's a simple fix to enlarge the area the pump stay arm attached to the case and should be done to every BW1356, particularly high mile cases.
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Yes, make sure all the tires are the same size. Having the wrong size tires will cause issues in your transfer case (chain slipping cogs, etc)
Yes
Lift kits for very old vehicles will likely be a custom job unless you steal parts off a junkyard find.
This depends on your capability and knowledge level. Newer vehicles have lots of electronics and other newer tech. Older vehicles (imho) are easier to work on because the concepts are simpler.
FTE Legend
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The f250HD's and F350's in the 85 and 86 years came with BW1345's, which is a stronger case than the NP208.
Anyway, there's the transfer case, the front diff, and the front drive shaft and axle's u-joints to consider for 4wd vehicles.
Anyway, there's the transfer case, the front diff, and the front drive shaft and axle's u-joints to consider for 4wd vehicles.
Cargo Master
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From: NJ
I've had two 86 F-250 (unsure if HD, both 8800 GVWR) and one 86 F-350. All had NP208 cases. Doesn't mean none came with 1345 cases though.
FTE Legend
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This page shows the t-cases that came on them: Transfer Cases - ???Gary's Garagemahal, and the 1345 came on many of them.
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Cargo Master
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Interesting chart, but I can't figure from it what the criteria was for which transfer case a truck got though it does mention wheelbase, transmission, and axle ratio. Madpogue, what are the exact specs of your truck?
My three:
'86 F-250 RCLB SRW 8800 GVWR 351w/C6/4.10
'86 F-250 SCLB SRW 8800 GVWR 351w/C6/3.55
'86 F-350 CCLB SRW 9200 GVWR 6.9/C6/3.55
My three:
'86 F-250 RCLB SRW 8800 GVWR 351w/C6/4.10
'86 F-250 SCLB SRW 8800 GVWR 351w/C6/3.55
'86 F-350 CCLB SRW 9200 GVWR 6.9/C6/3.55
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edit: And at least in 1985 you could only get the 302 in the F-250 and could only get the diesel in the F-250HD.
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My 1986 F350 crew cab 4x4 6.9/T19 truck came with the Borg Warner 1345. The 1982 F150 regular cab 4x4 4.9/NP435 truck that I bought as a drive train donor for my '81 also has the BW1345 transfer case. I see it all the time in the junkyard under bullnose 4x4's. It was very common. It has the same oil pump flange issue as the 1356 but it's not hard to remedy.
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I had a 208 in my old 80 and never had any trouble with it. Anything will break if it's abused, but I haven't heard of any chronic problems with the 208.
4x4 trucks will be more eat up with rust, because they are driven in the winter. They are also treated worse and driven off road more than the 2wd trucks. So sure you will find more problems with them, they were not treated as nice as the 2wd trucks. If you find a crewcab, that situation is usually worse. Back when they were made no one bought them except people that needed them, like construction crews, grounds crews, etc. So most of the early ones had a rough life. Back then a truck was bought to be used and not pampered like they are now. Now a pickup is more of a people mover than a tool to be used to do work.
4x4 trucks will be more eat up with rust, because they are driven in the winter. They are also treated worse and driven off road more than the 2wd trucks. So sure you will find more problems with them, they were not treated as nice as the 2wd trucks. If you find a crewcab, that situation is usually worse. Back when they were made no one bought them except people that needed them, like construction crews, grounds crews, etc. So most of the early ones had a rough life. Back then a truck was bought to be used and not pampered like they are now. Now a pickup is more of a people mover than a tool to be used to do work.
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That makes sense of my observation franklen2! Another thought, I recently moved to the Carolina's from Texas, does all the hills, snow, and mountains in this region affect wear in certain areas of the trucks that I need to pay special attention too. Texas being flat and dry I saw a lot more 30+ year trucks there than I do here. Thanks for all the info and advice so far!
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CA emissions may be an issue for you.
A lot of these older trucks no longer have functional emissions (and may have been removed). In some states you have to have the factory emissions control devices in place and working to pass inspection. See California Smog Check | DMV.org
A lot of these older trucks no longer have functional emissions (and may have been removed). In some states you have to have the factory emissions control devices in place and working to pass inspection. See California Smog Check | DMV.org