Back in the full size game (Powerstroke content)

[tip]

Well, after a brief hiatus from full size rigs, I'm back in one. I just traded my 1998 Cherokee for a 1995 F-250. Not really a Ford guy, but I couldn't pass up the deal. I went to check it out last Friday after emailing back and forth for about a week. A good buddy of mine is the head Ford tech at the local dealership, so I had him come along when I went to check it out. He gave me the thumbs up, so I swapped titles and drove it home.

I gotta say I'm loving the truck so far. I really thought I would get into the Jeep thing more, but it just didn't fit my needs and became unpractical. Bottom line is I like to have a bed to put 'stuff' in (i.e. firewood, dogs, etc.) without worrying about getting it dirty.

Specs:
1995 F250 4x4
7.3 Powerstroke
209K miles
5 speed
4" lift
35" Toyo MTs
4" exhaust
Warn hubs
tons of brand new stuff, including a clutch, glow plugs, cooling system
Base model (manual windows, no headliner, no carpet, etc)

The lift and tires on it aren't really my thing, so I will probably end up swapping the suspension out for something closer to stock. For wheels, I'd like to get something OEM, but nothing is really sticking out yet. Any ideas? And I still have my RTT, so I'll have to figure out where to put it. On top of canopy maybe? Tube rack?

My old Cherokee, will miss her:

 

[bftank]

looks like a sweet truck, lots of possibilities there. i don't know how much looking around you have done on here for similar setups but there are quite a few. welcome to the club!

 

[locrwln]

Nice score, just good solid trucks, well except for the whole TTB thing.

Fords TTB *twin traction beam* first showed up on the 1980 model
Ford 1/2 ton truck line. Ford credits a fella at Ford engeneering
named "Rupert B Tard" for the concept and design of the TTB.
Although it is widely understood that this design was a copywrite
swindle if there ever was one, but Bolens, makers of fine
garden/lawn tractors was not interested in pursuing any legal
action stating in a press release "it sucked actually let them
have it,we couldn't get them to mow a straight line" (of interest
Bolens admits the idea of their front suspension was garnered
from a blueprint they latter learned was redrawn by a fella that
worked in the mail room after he had spilled his coffee on the
original and didn't want to get in trouble)

How does it work: The TTB as Ford built it is a interesting
suspension..first off one would like to point out that apparently
they designed it to bend/move alot like a limp pasta noodle for
Ride quality. So what we have is a axle that is two
pieces...designed to flex considerably and move through a arch to
promote nice Caddilac type ride in a truck. Now thinking about
this one must ask themselves...why build a suspension to
move....THEN as you do that, also design it so any time it does
actually move it causes other issues? Apparently they realized
that if they limmited how much the front flexed, they would have
also cured the problems associated with it flexing. Much like a
reverse engineered straight axle..you could simulate what
happened here very easily with household tools if a understanding
required looking at a scale model.

Model exercise: Take a straight axle Dana 44 and sawzall or torch
the axle in half about 2/3 of the axle length being one piece,
and the remaining 1/3 the other. Now bolt on a barn hinge to
facilitate ataching the two axle halves. This should give you a
rough concept of the engeneering involved here and why Ford
choose to keep it from moving *as much as possible* in the actual
production built trucks.

The simple design of the TTB also required a interesting dillema
when it came to steering it. After all a tie rod can't be built
of flexable plastic or something simular...and a tie rod that
changes length was out..so without the technology for these two
possible solutions to the need for flexable steering it was found
that if they created enough links and connections in the
steering...the natural slop would allow it to function if they
kept it once again from traveling more than a few inches.

Memo from Ford test driver: It exhibits a want to be driven like
a hay wagon...with constant correction and high attention to
direction it sure does ride nice.

After many differant solutions were tried a think tank at Ford
concluded that the correct way to market this axle was to seek
the Gray Haired ladies and gents who were past fighter pilots and
pin ball wizards thus a market segment in retired seniors with
incredable reflexes, and excellant hand eye cordination were
sought to buy these trucks.

Over view: The above basically explains what the goal of Ford was
regarding the TTB suspension design and some history behind it.
One must marvel at the goals achieved as well as the engeneering
required to build an axle with such a deviance from what was the
industry standard.

Alighnment specs:

Caster: Changes every foot it drives *when adjusting read Fords
special bullitan on personal mental health for the line mechanic"

Camber: Specs here very with each truck and side to side on the
same truck " Ford Service bullitan #21548 TTB Alighnment:
dictates the following procedure. " Pretend to adjust,charge
accordingly and smile and nodd and tell the tructh " tiz as good
as it gets"

Toe: To adjust this you must have a ridged platform..no wind, and
please do not use a actual alighnment machine. A limp string and
scotch tape being a better plan. Also something as simple as the
earths gravitational pull can affect the toe settings. When a
final adjustment is complete... do NOT move the truck or all your
work will be for naught *Again consult Fords special bullitan on
personal mental health for the line mechanic"

;-) "


Jack

 

[lllateralus]

How does the engine run with that mileage on it?

Nice truck, by the way. That Cherokee was cool too!

 

[tip]

Engine runs great, plenty of power!

 

[bftank]

jack, you make me laugh.n:victory:

so tip does it actually have the ttb or has someone already swapped it out for a dana 60?

 

[greasyfingers]

Nice truck, I love the OBS PSDs. I agree the TTB sucks and OBS Dana 60s are pricey. I would sugest stock Alcoa wheels , they are forged and made in America. Looking forward to see more pics and what you do with it.

 

[locrwln]

jack, you make me laugh.n:victory:

so tip does it actually have the ttb or has someone already swapped it out for a dana 60?

I try, that is one of my favorite descriptions of a TTB.

I would definitely keep your eyes open for a 60. You don't need the strength per se, but the reliablility improvement is big. A friend of mine just went through the chore of rebuilding his f250 ttb front. It took a while and required a lot of money/parts. His was worn out and needed a lot more than the average, but still...

Jack

 

[cnynrat]

Nice truck. We have a 99 F350 with the 7.3l Powerstroke. Love that engine!

 

[DuvaFX4]

That is great truck! You couldn't have gotten a better trade. I would say for the RTT make a Rack that mounts on the bed rails and mount the RTT on top so you will still have full bed storage. There is a few guys on here I have seen with that setup and it looks great!

 

[tip]

so tip does it actually have the ttb or has someone already swapped it out for a dana 60?

Nice truck, I love the OBS PSDs. I agree the TTB sucks and OBS Dana 60s are pricey. I would sugest stock Alcoa wheels , they are forged and made in America. Looking forward to see more pics and what you do with it.

I try, that is one of my favorite descriptions of a TTB.

I would definitely keep your eyes open for a 60. You don't need the strength per se, but the reliablility improvement is big. A friend of mine just went through the chore of rebuilding his f250 ttb front. It took a while and required a lot of money/parts. His was worn out and needed a lot more than the average, but still...

Haha, yeah that was pretty good. Yes, it has the TTB. 60's are $$$, but I'll be keeping my eyes open, like I always do. Not really high on my priority list, as the TTB will be fine for my needs. Having a buddy at Ford doesn't hurt either. Thanks for the wheel suggestion, are these the ones you're referring to? If they are, I didn't know they were Alcoas, that's bad as$!

Nice truck. We have a 99 F350 with the 7.3l Powerstroke. Love that engine!

Thanks! I've always admired the 7.3, but never owned one. Most of my friends have 7.3's.

That is great truck! You couldn't have gotten a better trade. I would say for the RTT make a Rack that mounts on the bed rails and mount the RTT on top so you will still have full bed storage. There is a few guys on here I have seen with that setup and it looks great!

Thanks! Good idea with the RTT, Ill have to search for some pics.


Anybody have pictures of a bed mounted RTT on a full size? I've seen them on Tacoma's and Ranger's, but that's about it.

 

[tip]

I've also thought about the steel wheels. Can't find a picture of a truck with them, but I know I've seen some

 

[redthies]

The ones on the white 250 are the factory alloys. I am in the process of tracking down a F250 or F350 of the 92-97 era. If it has a more stockish tire with stock wheel set I will get in touch with you. I wouldn't be opposed to the Toyos. I am only a short drive north of you... I think your truck is gorgeous! And I don't even really like blue!

 

[greasyfingers]

Thanks for the wheel suggestion, are these the ones you're referring to? If they are, I didn't know they were Alcoas, that's bad as$!

Yup those are Alcoas

 

[bftank]

ford steelies, stock suspension, and 315/75/r16 bfg at's. rubbed the front bumper when turning so i took it off for awhile.