Cab and Chassis versus pickup

[BigOne]

I've been looking over the 2005 brochure I just got sent to me from Ford.

In it the front suspension for the 350 - 550 super duty pickup trucks is shown as coil springs with monobeam on the 4x4.

In the Cab and Chassis section it shows the front suspension as leaf springs with monobeam azle on the the 4x4.

Anyone know if this is actually correct?

If so, I would go cab and chassis and add a work box or tow deck to get the heavier duty front suspension as the coils are proving to be useless on these rigs.

Thanks for your help.

[someday]

misprint, 250-550 all have coils for 2wd (twin i-beam 250-350, solid axle 450-550) and 4wd (solid axle)

[SmokeyWren]

Yep, the chassis cabs have the same front suspension as the pickups. The chassis cab order guides call it "New wide-axle twin-coil mono-beam..." on both the 4x2s and 4x4s.

But I suspect you're wrong about the toughness of the coil spring front suspension. That prejudice originated from the old purist rock-crawlers piloting Jeep CJs up the rocks. A SuperDuty ain't no CJ, regardless of the front spring type. But the new front suspension is plenty strong for what a heavy-duty pickup is meant for - towing a heavy trailer across the country. Try that with your CJ. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

[BigOne]

SmokeyWren:

Thanks for the reply.

I had suspected it might be a misprint.

As for the coils versus leafs issue my point of view is from the following.

I've owned a Ford F250 or larger 4x4, continually, since 1977. I've also had Landcruiser Diesels and older Jeeps all with leaf spring front ends. Sticking with the Fords, I've always had a HD winch bumper and winch on the front. For many years I also ran a snowplow (personal use) but now that I live on the Wet Coast, I have no need for that.

The F series 2005 trucks that are used commercially here in town have been experiencing abnormal spring sag so far. I have a friend who runs a fleet of F350 - F550 utility trucks and all the 05's have had the front springs replaced. These trucks have HD winch bumpers and 16,500lb capacity winches, some also ran snow plows for use in the mountains this past winter. Half way through the season, he pulled the 05's off plow duty and only used the older '99 - '03 leaf spring trucks.

What he ran into was the spring clearance dropping to less than 1" between the axle and the bumper stop. This was even after the plows were taken off. When he first took them in the shop simply put on shorter stops! Then the springs were replaced. Two have sagged again and he is taking them back in.

I do not doubt that the coils work fine for towing and are probably even better than leafs, allowing a smoother ride and more wheel cut for a better turning circle. However, as I use my truck for more than just towing, I have some concerns about the coils.

Maybe they will get this issue sorted out soon. I figure I'll have to get rid of my '03 before the warranty runs out as it is just having way too many problems that Ford can't/won't address.

I had heard a rumour that the '07 might actually be coming out earlier in '06. Maybe things will be worked out with the front ends by then. That is of course if my current truck doesn't die before that.

Thanks again for the reply.

[Dr.Evil]

ALL springs sag eventually. My '96 has never had a plow, winch, been over-loaded....and there's only about an inch of clearance between the bump stops & springs..... Maybe there was 1-1/2" at most when the truck was brand new. The only complaint I've seen on '05 front springs turned out the Guy had a plow twice as heavy as what was recommended. 16K winch must be heavy too, and in combination with a plow.... I know back when My truck was built FMC didn't recommend plows on diesel trucks at all. Too much front end weight plus the fear of water ingestion into the engine.
Thing I personally like about coil springs is they very rarely EVER crack or break which leaf springs are prone to do.
Far as Your question regarding C/C versus pickup..... I'm seriously thinking along those lines for My next truck too. But by the time I get all the "Toys" like the hoist, PTO, hyd. winch, etc. etc. it sure won't be cheap.

[DirtFarmer]

Back when I bought my '01, the cab and chassis trucks had a heavier rear spring pack than the pickups. The cab/chassis had 10 springs with an overload and the pickups had four or five springs. Even the SRW cab/chassis had that very thick spring pack - prolly overkill for a SRW!

Don't know if this is still the case, but if so, it might be the extra incentive to go the cab/chassis route.

Best,

Mark

[SmokeyWren]

[ QUOTE ]
Don't know if this is still the case, but if so, it might be the extra incentive to go the cab/chassis route.


[/ QUOTE ]

It's still the case.

He didn't ask about rear suspension, but the chassis cabs are a lot heftier than the pickups.

F-350 SRW pickup has 6 leaves rated at 7000 pounds, while F-350 SRW CC has 10 leafs rated at 7,280 pounds.

F-350 DRW pickup has 6 leaves rated at 9,000 pounds, while F-350 DRW CC has 12 leaves rated at 9750 pounds.

F-450 has 11 leaves rated at 12,000 pounds.

F-550 has 11 leaves rated at 13,660 pounds.

[BigOne]

Thanks for the rear spring information SmokeyWren.

I had not asked though as I already knew about the rears. The reason I was questioning about the front springs was that when I pointed out to the fleet salesman at the local dealership in the brochure that it still showed leaf springs on the front he couldn't tell me yes or no.

So I figured, as usual, this was the place to get the info.

This '03 is really ticking me off but I'm thinking it might be a mistake to jump into a '06 when the '07 is supposed to have lots of new stuff.

Then of course my '03 was a first year truck for the 6.0 and has been the worst Ford I've ever owned. In fact the worst vehicle of any type I've ever owned.

So time will tell, but I do think I might be looking at the Cab Chassis idea next time.