ExPo -- Help me pick!

[Buliwyf]

Buliwyf- Do the Ford "Triton" gas engines (5.4, ?, V10) still spit out spark plugs on a semi-regular basis? I know the older ones were prone to that. We have a "V9" in our shop right now. I know a heli-coil kit or similar will fix the problem but it isn't a fun job to do. Have they changed/modified the heads on the newer Tritons?

As for unit bearings, most trucks equipped with them have after market kits available to convert them to conventional wheel bearings. The kits are not cheap, but similar in price to the unit bearings they replace. If you like a truck that has units, just keep in mind the kit option when your bearings fail.

The older 2v Fords need the plugs torqued and installed properly, the sooner you can pull them and get fresh plugs installed properly, the better. There are many shade tree mechanics that shouldn't be allowed near aluminum heads, especially the early Ford heads.

The 3v Fords have a problem with plugs that can't be removed. Any decent Ford dealer can fix these easy. Napa has a tool kit to extract them now. If the threads in the head get damaged, there are "Zerosert" kits that allow you to cut new threads and install a steel insert. A borescope and air compressor is needed. Don't even need to remove the heads.

With either engine, if you can find a competant Ford Master Technician, problem solved.

 

[snoxxy]

Thanks again for all the input !!
I was looking at my options here from what you have suggested.
I have a few questions.
What kind of MPG can one expect from the Triton motors?
was there a 94.5 to 97 F350 SRW Crew Cab Short Bed Power Stroke?? ( I can't find this )
for the 12Valve cummins guys ( I looked at the 97 again ) on the extended cab, do the extended cab doors open ?
Who has the better frame?? Ford or Dodge? ( I.E. less frame deflection during flex )
Thanks in advance

Phil

 

[EXP-T100]

"was there a 94.5 to 97 F350 SRW Crew Cab Short Bed Power Stroke?? ( I can't find this )"
yes they did make SRW crew cabs 350's but they are highly sought after (my favorite truck right there)
http://www.commercialtrucktrader.com/find/listing/Ford-F-350 Crew Cab-102352335

"for the 12Valve cummins guys ( I looked at the 97 again ) on the extended cab, do the extended cab doors open ?"
yes starting in 1998.5 and newer

"Who has the better frame?? Ford or Dodge? ( I.E. less frame deflection during flex )"
for what yearish? now a day they are both very strong with not that much deflection. The older trucks will have more deflection but nothing to bad, you will see more in a long bed. Not sure who had the better frame.

Josh

 

[redthies]

92-97 F350s never came as a shortbox. F250s did, but the front Dana 50 sucks. Swap in a Dana 60 and you got the shortbox 350.

Dodge had four doors in early 98, with the 12 valve Cummins. Add a five speed and you have the holy grail of Dodges. 98.5 brought the 24 valve ISB engine with it's weak lift pump, #53 blocks that crack and fail, but nice chip-able power.

Frames are strong on both these trucks.

 

[snoxxy]

Thanks to the both of you !
So I guess now it is deciding whether or not I F250 and do a axle swap, a F350 and just have a long bed, or just go with the cummins.
I lean toward the Dodge simply for the motor. I like the idea of a 5 speed.
That Ford you linked Josh is pretty awesome I must say !
How is the interior on the Dodges compared to Ford? Off-Road capability ?
I understand with enough money you can make anything crawl the rocks like a mountain goat.. but lets put some equal terms on this... Bolt on Lift kit, max of 37" tires 1 locker installed. Lets hear some opinions now.

 

[Saiyan66]

For the year range that you are looking at (94-97), the F-250's are going to have the funky twin traction beam front end. It is a Dana 44 diff I believe (correct me if im wrong there). So the swap to a Dana 60 would be almost mandatory due to the complexity of the TTB front end. It is a very easy swap however and the axles should be pretty common. Between the Dodge and Ford of these years the Dodge should flex better off road due to its coil sprung front end, and there are VERY high quality lift kits available (Thuren) for the Dodge if you decide to go that far. Both the Ford and Dodge of these years have large wheel wells so fitting big tires is a relatively easy thing if you go with wheels that have a close to factory backspace. The interior of the Dodge looks nicer than the Ford through this year range, but as far as durability and rattles are concerned I can't comment. I do believe there is a very nice Dodge 24v for sale in the expedition vehicles section of this website, so if you want to get some visual ideas that might be a place to start. Actually it is a very nice truck and if you aren't against a road trip to CA you might consider it.

Here is a link to the one for sale here: http://www.expeditionportal.com/for...-Ram-24-valve-Cummins-Diesel-expedition-ready

 

[snoxxy]

Wow that thing is almost perfect a bit to much lift and the tires are a smidge to big! But other than that its just about right. Problem is I am not looking to purchase right now, but I do appreciate you looking! this is a few months down the road.

 

[Ponyracer]

Don't be too scared of the 3rd gens with the unit bearings. My 07 just turned 100K and there still going strong with no troubles. (knocks on wood) They are far from the best design but there easy to change and I would surely rather have an 07 with unit bearings than a 2nd gen with out and with that craptastic interior and suicide doors. Either truck you pic will work very well for what you want, 1-2-3 gen cummins, 7.3l fords. I think it comes down to the deal, the doors, and what truck you like the feel of better.

As far as the gas vs diesel debate, yes there is def pros and cons to each. Now that I own a diesel I will never go back to a gas truck but the gas engines are becoming more efficient, there cheaper, service is cheaper (cummins is 3 gallons of oil), they make good power, and could def tow 8K easily. The down side? Lower torque, shorter lifespan, THIRSTY when towing or driving for that matter, (my 07, 21 hand calc at 70 mph, 15.6 pulling a 9K trailer at 75 mph!!Gets 18 mpg in town)(gas? neighbors 3/4 chevy 6.0, 14 mpg on the highway empty, 8 mpg when towing 8K)

It all comes down to you man, I would set some search paramiters, say, 4x must have, 4 doors must have etc, and go take some test drives. All the trucks your thinking of are EVERYWHERE on your local CL. In the end it all comes down to what feels right for you, after all, your the one that will have to live with it.

 

[snoxxy]

That is an awesome reply right there !!! Thanks so much Ponyracer !!

 

[redthies]

It still amazes me from time to time, but there is a bunch of quality people here on ExPo. The amount of good info and advice is a welcome change from some of the other forums. Snoxxy, you have narrowed your search down to two really good choices for adventure and heavy hauling duties. I have owned 3 94-2000 Dodges, 2 05 Dodges, and 3 F350s and 1 F250 in the 92-97 era. I currently drive a 97 F350 crewcab diesel. I love it. It is not really an "off-roader", but I use it in rough terrain on a daily basis for work. It has 269,000 on it, and still runs and drives very well. The blue one linked in Texas is awesome! If you are a couple of months away from your purchase, start driving some examples of each truck on your short list. Go and have some fun torturing your local used car salesmen. I will finish up by saying that in my opinion, the Dodges will make a slightly better off road rig. The coil suspension up front is easier to set up for it. It WILL require more maintenance than the leaf sprung Fords. The Fords probably have an edge in durability. The rare F250 shortbox crew with a solid front axel swap will be a great choice too.

Please keep us posted on your search. We'd like to see what you choose, and even some of the contenders!

 

[warrpath4x4]

the 98.5 is actually a 24 valve not a 12 valve.

the unit bearings on the 3rd gens can also be swapped out for dana 60 knuckles with cone bearings.

 

[redthies]

the 98.5 is actually a 24 valve not a 12 valve.

the unit bearings on the 3rd gens can also be swapped out for dana 60 knuckles with cone bearings.

Covered in posts #14 and #19...

 

[warrpath4x4]

Covered in posts #14 and #19...

i was refering to post #18 "for the 12Valve cummins guys ( I looked at the 97 again ) on the extended cab, do the extended cab doors open ?"
yes starting in 1998.5 and newer"

 

[redthies]

Gotcha!

 

[snoxxy]

I really appreciate all the inputs guys ! I wish you guys lived closer so I could check your rigs out!