Older F-250 Any Good?

[AZCaptain]

Hey there,

I have the oppurtunity to buy an older, late 80's, Ford F-250. Its a single cab, long bed 4x4. It has the 460 with a 4sd manual trans in it. I wouldnt favor the 460, but I will have to pull my fifth wheel around from time to time. With the fifth wheel I am undecided an on how to accomplish the camping portion of the rig, either a pop up, or make a removable rack for a roof top tent maybe?

How do these rigs work for building an expedition truck?
How much fuel capacity does it have with the dual tanks?
I know fuel mileage wont be great, I am thinking 12mpg'ish?
Are the easy to lift? What size tires work with what lift?
What is the biggest tire wheel combo you can use stock?
Does anybody still make heavy duty bumpers for these trucks?

Anybody have pics of their's?

I am sure I will have more questions, but this shoulkd get the ball rolling, thanks for the help!!

 

[Rot Box]

Being that there aren't too many 80-early 90's Fords here feel free to check out the link in my signature. My 91 (nothing too special by any means) is built on that same basic platform--in fact all F250's 80-97 are all very similar to each other drivetrain/chassis wise.

I'll keep it short: A stock 460 those years will NEVER impress you or surprise you with power output or fuel economy-period. It is the most powerful engine option those years, but that is not saying much especially by today's standards. The transmission (likely the T-19) is very stout and so is the rear axle if it is the full floater Sterling. Depending on year the front axle could be the IFS D44 TTB or the IFS D50 TTB. The 50 was a much better option imo. That said all TTB axles are known for eating ball joints, rod ends and U-joints alive and often times they have been beyond neglected on used trucks so plan on that. I would not lift a truck with that front axle that could just be me. My F350 (solid front axle) fits 255/85's just fine and I'm sure a 250 would as well. 285's will work with a little trimming...

The thing that this truck has going for it is how common they were, how popular they where and how simple they are. Replacement parts are everywhere! Imo they make killer expo/work trucks :bike_rider: Buckstop makes some cool bumpers as well.

 

[bftank]

I can fit 35's on my 94 with no problems. Pretty sure it is stock suspension wise. Has been a reliable rig so far. 10 Mpg seems realistic for a 460. Some have done better but I wouldn't plan on it right off the bat. If balljoints are bad on the ttb replace with a dana 60. This is a bolt in for an f250. Will give you some lift as well.

 

[Regcabguy]

In 1988 EFI came in with the 460's and transformed the engine. Reliability went way up along with power. That being said,they gulped gas. Braking was compromised by rear drums.

The F-350 was the only way to go with the solid Dana 60 axle up front.

Avoid like the plague the pre-EFI Fords with the TTB Dana 44 like I regrettfully suffered with.

 

[AZCaptain]

Awesome to know on eating all the joints!! I am not sure what is in this truck yet running gear wise, I am going to go look at it tonight and try to get info off of a glovebox tag maybe? Its not running right now, which I am 99% positive its the fuel pump since there is no gas getting to the carb. I am assuming its a fuel pump mounted on the frame rail since it has dual tanks?

Thanks for all the help! keep it coming!

P.S. I like that pic in the first reply!

 

[SteveG]

Hey there,

I have the oppurtunity to buy an older, late 80's, Ford F-250. Its a single cab, long bed 4x4. It has the 460 with a 4sd manual trans in it. I wouldnt favor the 460, but I will have to pull my fifth wheel around from time to time. With the fifth wheel I am undecided an on how to accomplish the camping portion of the rig, either a pop up, or make a removable rack for a roof top tent maybe?

How do these rigs work for building an expedition truck?
How much fuel capacity does it have with the dual tanks?
I know fuel mileage wont be great, I am thinking 12mpg'ish?
Are the easy to lift? What size tires work with what lift?
What is the biggest tire wheel combo you can use stock?
Does anybody still make heavy duty bumpers for these trucks?

Anybody have pics of their's?

I am sure I will have more questions, but this shoulkd get the ball rolling, thanks for the help!!

Take a look at the following link... one of the most soft-spoken but completely bad *** F250's ever. This truck will Take you just about anywhere. Comfortably and FAST.

http://www.gofastbroncos.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=864

Depending on year the front axle could be the IFS D44 TTB or the IFS D50 TTB. The 50 was a much better option imo. That said all TTB axles are known for eating ball joints, rod ends and U-joints alive and often times they have been beyond neglected on used trucks so plan on that. I would not lift a truck with that front axle that could just be me.

The D50 is definitely stronger and better suited for a 3/4 ton truck than the D44HD. The TTB axles are not necessarily any harder on ball joints than their solid axle counterparts. Install GOOD ball joints, keep them greased and they will last.

"Lifting" these front ends is OK but it has to be done right and prepped correctly. You need to be sure to have bump stops and limit straps as needed to prevent binding and clearance issues. Really, though, this should be done with any off-road suspension. The cross-over axle-joint is the weak link in these front ends especially when compared to a solid axle. But, for an "Overland" application, it should hold up well. The "BajaF250" linked above does plenty of running in 4wd without issues and I can assure you he drives that thing HARD.

The same goes for steering components. The TTB only has steering issues when there are steering bind problems due to lack of prep.

 

[AZCaptain]

WOW!! I think I just wet myself, that F250 on gofastbroncos.com is pretty sweet! A lot more then I am wanting to currently do, but that type of build is a strong potential in the distant future. Right now I just want simplicity. I am living at Lake Powell right now and just dont have the ability to fabricate stuff right now. I will def have dreams about it though!

 

[MakersTeleMark]

Spend hundreds of nights in my '89 F250 and it treated me very well over many years.

Just put it up on CL yesterday.

Very easy to work on as well.

 

[SteveG]

Yeah, the BajaF250 is just plain fantastic. If you just glance at it, it looks like an old man truck. Get closer and look at the details and you'll the see all the go-fast goodies and the hundreds and hundreds of hours that have gone into it. It's a really, really well thought out and sorted truck.

 

[DT75FLH]

Ive owned 2 460's. both got 8-10 ish on mpg. usually 8 when I drove:bike_rider:

 

[AZCaptain]

Its funny all the different feedback you get when it comes to tires and what fits and what doesnt. As far as gas mileage goes, I will drive like an old man, even though I am 27 lol. Also on the gas mileage thing, I am already in Bullfrog Ut, about the middle of Lake Powell, so I am already close to A LOT of good places to go. I really want a Landcruiser, but I figure with the F250 I will get the same MPG and have a full camper in the back.

 

[BCHauler]

One of the best reasons to get the old Ford is cost. Cheap to buy, parts are plentiful, available everywhere (in North America), parts are cheap (compared to imports and new vehicles), half of the country owned one at some point so there is lots of knowledge, easy to upgrade different components like axles.

 

[Sock Puppet]

I had an '89 F-250 with a 460. I seem to remember getting 12MPG whether empty or moderately loaded.

 

[geocrasher]

I'm looking at a diesel 87 F250 with a D50 ttb in the front (partial swap actually) and a 5 speed. The current owner says he gets around 18mpg around town which is cool with me! Its going to take me some time to save the money for it though. I just got divorced and am trying hard to get back on my feet. Once I have the money for it, I am going to drive it as-is. I have an idea for a slide out camper type of setup with a tent on top, just something simple. We'll see how it goes.

 

[lllateralus]

just my opinion, but the current owner is probably fudging that quite a bit. (18 sounds so much better than ...14 or 15)

All I am saying is, don't bank on it.