Stronger Frame?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Stronger Frame?
Why do you think one would be better than the other? The front axle is what you have to be concerned with the added weight.
John
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John
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66F100s Rule
In the cool still quiet of night you can hear chevies rusting away.
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Joined: Jul 2001
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Stronger Frame?
I am trying to decide if I am going to use the 79 body style or the 80+. I know someone who bent the frame on his blazer because of 44's and a big block and although I only plan to run 40's, I am leaning towards a 3/4 ton chassis because the weight of the cummins. I plan on running Dana 60's front and rear, getting custom springs built(to handle the weight of the diesel), which leaves the 1/2 ton frame as the weakest link.(which is why I was asking)The 79's frame is bigger physically, but the 80's frame is boxed and I was thinking if I boxed the 79's frame it might be strong enough to take the extra weight. I hope this all makes sense. Later.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Stronger Frame?
Dave as far as I know, and I have never seen anything different here, the chassis rails are the same on the 150 & 250. I have read here that the F350 rails are different. The FEs used in those 65-79 trucks weighed over 600 lbs. The 60s and extra springs that you related to in your second post, would suggest that you should be in good shape.
John
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[link:www.ford-trucks.net/users/jowilker|Club FTE since 01 01] My FTE Page
[link:www.ford-trucks.net/users/jowilker/NCFTE.html|NC Truck Owners] NC Ford Truck owners group
66F100s Rule
In the cool still quiet of night you can hear chevies rusting away.
John
jowilker
[link:www.ford-trucks.net/users/jowilker|Club FTE since 01 01] My FTE Page
[link:www.ford-trucks.net/users/jowilker/NCFTE.html|NC Truck Owners] NC Ford Truck owners group
66F100s Rule
In the cool still quiet of night you can hear chevies rusting away.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Benton County, MN
Stronger Frame?
This is what I have found out from my experience. The 78-79 4x4 1/2 tons had great frames as far as I am concerned but I think the only flaw is having the gearbox mounted on the outside of the frame rail without any other support. I had to fix my frame here because it cracked from a lot of previous owner abuse and neglect. But the extended cab 4x4 1/2 tons and 3/4 tons and up with leaf sprung front axles had the gearbox mounted on the inside of the frame rail where it was boxed. this was by far a better design. I know the 80 and up 1/2 ton trucks have the gearbox mounted on the inside where it is boxed but I do not know about the heavier trucks. No matter what I love my 78 though.
People who say it can't be done should not interrupt the person doing it.
People who say it can't be done should not interrupt the person doing it.
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Stronger Frame?
I have had my '77 F-150 4x4 since 1986 and my brother in law had a 77 F-250 4x4 with a GVWR of 8800 lbs. and I was up under them one day with tapemeasure ...comparing them side by side just to see the differences. The frame rails were the same....same guage, same holes...the same. The rear springs were the same. the crossmembers behind the cab were the same.
The differences were up front where his had leaves, mine coils...but the hole in the rails were there to mount the leaves on mine, or to convert his if one wanted. The crossmember under the motor was different because of the suspension.
I have also compared a F-350 4x4 (not dualie or) pickup....and though I didn't get to spend as long under it....the frame rails behind the cab didn't look any different. I didn't get to measure anything on it. All were 133" P-U trks (long bed).
Don't know about 80s but have been told they were a little lighter as manufacturers were getting weight conscious.....just what I have been told mind you.....
....and whatever you do, Have a Safe Trip!
The differences were up front where his had leaves, mine coils...but the hole in the rails were there to mount the leaves on mine, or to convert his if one wanted. The crossmember under the motor was different because of the suspension.
I have also compared a F-350 4x4 (not dualie or) pickup....and though I didn't get to spend as long under it....the frame rails behind the cab didn't look any different. I didn't get to measure anything on it. All were 133" P-U trks (long bed).
Don't know about 80s but have been told they were a little lighter as manufacturers were getting weight conscious.....just what I have been told mind you.....
....and whatever you do, Have a Safe Trip!
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Tuned
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 309
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From: michigan
Stronger Frame?
i've read this several times in the past about frames. the frames are thicker on a 1 ton compared to a half ton. what the exact thickness is i don't have right off hand. but there is a difference. ....