F250 / Superduty Ground Clearance Question

[theMec]

Did someone mention portal axles? Here's how the icelandic do it. Portals and 54" tires. Note how they keep the center of gravity low by doing other mods than simply lifting the truck.

More pics --> here <--

Sorry it's not a Ford but you get the idea ..

 

[Nitromethane43]

I think a 6" lift with 35's is maxed out. My 5" lift is not really tall enough for my 35's.

Louie

That's odd I have never had a Ford SD, but it seems they they should be able to clear 35" tires with little to no life due to their factory height, unless the wheel wells are very small. Currently 35" tires fit my stock height 2wd Dodge Ram, and only 4" of lift is required on an IFS Chevy.

With factory wheels 37" should fit with little modifications on your current setup.

Were you loosing traction in the front or rear, maybe adding weight in the back will help you get through some more snow?

 

[alaskantinbender]

That's odd I have never had a Ford SD, but it seems they they should be able to clear 35" tires with little to no life due to their factory height, unless the wheel wells are very small. Currently 35" tires fit my stock height 2wd Dodge Ram, and only 4" of lift is required on an IFS Chevy.

The larger tires do fit newer fords with little to no lift. The addition of coil springs in 2005 changed the ford super duty line dramatically.
My 2005 F350 has 35 inch tires and looks to have room for 38's.
As a side note the Mercedes engineers used coil springs years ago in the heavy trucks. My 1976 unimog 404 rides great in the rough stuff. The portal axels and coil springs on all 4 corners give it tremendous ground clearance and flex.:wings:



Regards,

Jim

 

[4Rescue]

Dave,

I will try to help out with why you are confused...The 05 you drove was a 2005 Ford SD with a Coil spring set up. The Coil spring set up on the 05 and up Ford SD are more lift friendly. Just a coil spacer and you can run 35's on the street. And even on stock rim and off set because there is no leaf spring to get into the way when turned all the way to the right. Off road, still not so good but doable.

The 1st post is about a 2004. All 99-04 Ford SD have solid axe leaf springs. The front axle is Dana 50 from 99-late 01 and Dana 60 from 2002 to 04. Although some 2002's from the Mexico plant were Dana 50's. The 99-04 Ford SD F 250 AND F 350 have the same suspensions!! The only thing Ford did was add a 1 7/8" block to the rear of a F 350 to make it look like you got your extra $800 you paid for the 350 over the 250. They are the same truck, just badges on the fender and 1 7/8" rear block. This makes the 250 a very good deal. Fords dirty little secret!!

Louie

AHH! That explains it. That truck rode great, and I loved the 6spd manual with the Diesel, it was a hot-rod. The older suspensions sould pretty lame IMO. Thanks for the info mate.

Cheers

Dave

 

[Bella PSD]

The older suspensions sould pretty lame IMO. Thanks for the info mate.

Cheers

Dave

Not sure how a Truck built with solid Dana 60 axles, leaf sprung and lock outs could be considered “lame”? That set up is far from lame and is what most owners wish they could get from the factory in their trucks!

Louie

 

[alaskantinbender]

Not sure how a Truck built with solid Dana 60 axles, leaf sprung and lock outs could be considered “lame”? That set up is far from lame and is what most owners wish they could get from the factory in their trucks!

Louie

Not lame at all. In fact looking at several build-ups on the forum that’s what seems to be a popular goal. Lighter trucks built up to be similar to a F250 if not F350. The biggest difference is the overall size of the truck. The fuel mileage seems to even work out to be similar. I appreciate the newer coil springs with added clearance and flex, however many still prefer the leaves.

Regards,

Jim

 

[4Rescue]

Not sure how a Truck built with solid Dana 60 axles, leaf sprung and lock outs could be considered “lame”? That set up is far from lame and is what most owners wish they could get from the factory in their trucks!

Louie

I was more refering to the use of blocks to "lift" the truck to make it apear more heavy duty. I agree, the parts are all there, they sound like they just need a good set of leaves instead of the blocks.

The D50 IS lame though, I have 2 budy's who went through the hassle of trying to gear and lock them only later break the R/P on one adn bend an axle tube on the other. FS trucks deserve FS drive trains.