Ford
F-250
'87-'91: 3/4 ton (8,800 lb GVWR max)
Engines available:
1987: 6.9L IDI - TTB IFS
1987-'91: 7.3 L (445 CID) International Harvester IDI diesel V8 - TTB IFS
'92-'96/97: F-250: 3/4 ton (8,500 lb GVWR max) (HD model got 9,000 GVWR max)
Engines available:
7.3 L Diesel V8 1992–94 IDI - TTB IFS
7.3 L Diesel V8 1992.5–94 IDI Turbo - TTB IFS
7.3 L Diesel V8 1994–97 DI Turbo, Powerstroke - TTB IFS
SUPERDUTY '97-: F-250s finally got the solid front axles that the F-350 had (dana 50 and 60)
in 1997, the 4wd 250s got the solid front axle and ditched the TTB.
F-350
8th Generation('87-91)
Rear antilock brakes were now standard,. The manual transmission was revised with five speeds in 1988, and the flareside box was dropped.
In 1988, the 6.9 L (420 CID) diesel V8 was replaced with a 7.3 L (445 CID) International Harvester IDI diesel V8.
Automatic locking hubs were added to the F-150 in 1989, and for the rest in 1991.
1980 to 1996, Ford offered a four-wheel-drive swing arm independent front suspension called Twin-Traction Beam, or TTB.
Radius arms and coil springs were still used on the F-150's, while the four-wheel-drive F-250s and F-350s got leaf springs. The F-250s received TTB Dana 50 axles and the F-350s got a solid axle Dana 60. The 5.0 L (302 CID) truck also had an optional "Touch Drive" electronic transfer case.
The "F-Super Duty" (as the fender emblems stated) models appeared from 1987 to 1997. They were basically F-450s built as an "incomplete vehicle" (chassis cab) due to the fact that there was no bed installed and an aftermarket bed (specific to its future use) was added after the truck's initial build date. It came with dual fuel tanks with a dash-mounted toggle switch to switch between each tank while using only the one fuel gauge. It came with a PTO (Power Take-Off) used to power attachments (like winches or a dump bed) from the transmission. They were rated at about 15,000 lb (6,800 kg) GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating). They came with either the standard 7.5 L (460 CID) gas V8 or the optional 7.3 L (445 CID) diesel V8. All wheels were 10-lug with DRW (Dual Rear Wheels). This model should not be confused with the "Super Duty" commercial line of trucks starting with the 1999 model year.
The models are:
F-150: 1/2 ton (6,250 lb GVWR max)
F-250: 3/4 ton (8,800 lb GVWR max)
F-350: 1 ton (11,000 lb GVWR max)
F-Super Duty: 1 ton plus (15,000 lb GVWR max)
Engine Years
6.9 L Diesel V8 1987 IDI
7.3 L Diesel V8 1987–91 IDI
9th Generation ('92-96/97)
The 1992 truck received a new aerodynamic-looking front end, a new dashboard, and the Flareside bed returned.
The 1994 models brought several changes, including a driver's-side airbag, "CHMSL" third brake light, brake-shift interlock and CFC-free air conditioning. New options in 1994 included remote keyless entry with alarm, a compact disc player fitted into the regular stereo system, and a power driver's seat.
Models:
F-150: 1/2 ton (6,100 lb GVWR max)
F-250: 3/4 ton (8,500 lb GVWR max)
F-250 HD: 1992–1997 Heavy Duty 3/4 ton (9,000 GVWR max)
F-350: 1 ton (10,000 lb GVWR max)
F-Super Duty: 1 ton plus (15,000 lb GVWR max)
7.3 L Diesel V8 1992–94 185 hp (138 kW) 360 lb·ft (490 N·m) IDI
7.3 L Diesel V8 1992.5–94 190 hp (140 kW) 390 lb·ft (530 N·m) IDI Turbo
7.3 L Diesel V8 1994–97 235 hp (175 kW) 525 lb·ft (712 N·m) DI Turbo, Powerstroke
The 7.5 L and diesel engines were not available on the F-150
10th Generation ('97-'04)
To build anticipation for the redesigned truck, the 1997 model was released in January 1996 with the first ad campaigns airing during Super Bowl XXX. Because of the radical styling, Ford predicted that traditional truck buyers wouldn't receive the radical and car-like 1997 too well, so it continued to produce and sell the previous 1996 model alongside the redesigned 1997 model for a few months.
The regular F-250 (light duty) was basically an F-150 with the same body panels but with heavy duty axles and suspension, along with 7 lug wheels. Additionally, the F-250 Light Duty also offered a load leveling rear suspension system. The F-250 HD (Heavy Duty) was in the same series as the F-350. With the arrival of the all new 1999 "Super Duty" series in early 1998, the standard F-250 ('light duty'), F-250HD (Heavy Duty), & F-350 line was totally dropped and the F-250 (light duty), which was a temporary model from the start, became the "7700" package for the F-150 (noted on the tailgate emblem).
1999–2003 Ford F-150 SuperCab long bed
Completely new, more efficient engines were offered beginning in 1997. A 4.2 L OHV V6, based on Ford's 3.8 L Essex V6, replaced the 4.9 L OHV I6, while 4.6 and 5.4 liter SOHC V8s replaced the 5.0 and 5.8 liter OHV V8s, also the 7.5 liter big block V8 was replaced by the 6.8 liter V10 for the super duty models respectively. The 4.6 and 5.4 liter V8s were marketed under the name "Triton" and mark the first use of Ford's Modular Single Overhead Cam (SOHC) engines in the F-Series pickups.
A wide variety of body options were available: regular cab and SuperCab, standard or flareside boxes, and short and long beds. In 2001 the SuperCrew cab was introduced with four full-size doors. In 2002, an FX4 model was introduced which came with skid plates,a carbon steel frame, Rancho shock absorbers, and specific 17" aluminum wheels along with more standard features that were optional on XLT.
11th ('04-08)
12th ('09-today)
f-350
MPG ________________
Known Issues:
Years for IDI
Years for PSD
Cavitation issues
F250 – ’97 and up got the solid front axle.
4-door years
Notes:
1980 - 1996, Ford offered a four-wheel-drive swing arm independent front suspension called Twin-Traction Beam, or TTB on the f150 and f250
All of the super dutys have a solid axle. Super dutys were intruduced in 1998 as a 1999 model year. Most of the super dutys use a solid dana 50 up front. It looks identical to the dana 60 until you tear it down. All of the 1997 and older f-350's had a dana 60 in them.
Ford started to use the solid D60 again in 85.5 and ALL F350's used it up to 97. All F250's in the 90's used the TTB D50 and it is a very strong axle, but the problem lies in its design. If there is any misalignment tires will wear funny and there are many more components compared to the solid beam. I don't think the front end is a deal breaker by any means, but few shops know how to properly align one these days. Swapping in a D60 in these trucks is very easy if you find one from a 85.5-97 donor--the newer style that came in the Super Duty's are different.
I belive only half tons got air bags in 94. My 96 f-250 does not.
Dana 60 in the F350 changed from a kingpin to a ball joint in 1992.
You stated that the light duty f-250(7lug truck) in 1997 has load leveling suspension?
Never seen that before. I know some of the expeditions got that bs.
I will add that no F250's (OBS) up to (and including) 97 models received the front dana 60 axle. It wasn't until the 99 model year (released in 98) with the new Super Duty body style when the F250's finally got the solid beam front axle D50. Although the design changed a lot the F350's always kept the solid D60. Some Super Duty F250's (99 and later) have popped up with the D60 but for the most part they came with the Solid D50.
Another point of interest is that the factory turbocharged IDI diesel trucks (93-94) produced more power than the Powerstrokes when they first came out. Ford marketing division didn't want to down play the release of the Powerstroke so they rated the IDI-T as having only 15 more horsepower than the naturally aspirated IDI which is a complete joke
Depending on gearing, transmission and engine health both turbocharged and non-turbocharged IDI diesels and 7.3 Powerstrokes should get around 16mpg unloaded and as high as the low 20's unloaded as a good rule of thumb but there are exceptions.
Excursion
http://www.youtube.com/user/powerstrokehelp
