Difference between a 3/4 and 1 ton truck

BigClay

BigClay

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I was having a discussion with a buddy and wanted to get NC4x4's input.

What is the difference between a 3/4 ton and a single wheel 1 ton truck? For discussion purposes i am talking about 90s style trucks.
 
1/4 ton





Larger frame? Stiffer rear springs?
 
The obvious smartassitude delivered already, so no useful reply except 2500 usually got semifloat rear 1 ton got full floater, and of course the superduty 1 tons got the upgraded steering
 
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Only 3500s come in duallys.
 
The brodozer tax goes up to the next bracket? FWIW between my 1997 2500 Ram and the 1999 3500 was the spring pack and that's it. Brakes, axles, driveshafts were all the same. Dana 60 front Dana 80 rear. Actually had the same coils up front but had another couple leafs in the rear. Nothing I'd say made it overly qualified to jump a 1/4 ton.
 
skyhighZJ said:
The brodozer tax goes up to the next bracket? FWIW between my 1997 2500 Ram and the 1999 3500 was the spring pack and that's it. Brakes, axles, driveshafts were all the same. Dana 60 front Dana 80 rear. Actually had the same coils up front but had another couple leafs in the rear. Nothing I'd say made it overly qualified to jump a 1/4 ton.
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This is exactly what started our discussion. My 96 dodge has a dana 60/80 combo and he said that was the same as a 1 ton but i said there was different suspension
 
Can it also be possible that the 2500's differ from the 3500's in that the 3500's come standard with a hydroboost system and the 2500's don't? That's all dependent on gas vs. diesel, but I'm thinking the 2500's had a vacuum booster with a gas engine and the 3500's had the hydraulic booster. I don't know, just spitballing.
 
termitebuffet said:
I wonder if the actual weights of a 2500 vs a 3500 , equipped the same would shed light on frame weight etc .....
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My 01 f250 and my 99 dad's f350 are similar in weight I think mine is alittle heavier but it's also an auto and power windows and locks other than that they are the same


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I believe on the OBS Ford's the frames were the same, the differences were front axle and driveshaft, taller blocks on the rear axle, and different cab/box configurations. Maybe others but that's all I can think of.


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XJsavage said:
Only 3500s come in duallys.
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That's not true...F350's come in dually as well :flipoff2:

OK technicality but still :p

Also the difference in F350SRW and F350DRW is the SRW used a Sterling 10.5 and 4" rear blocks. The DRW uses a Dana 80 and 2-1/2" blocks
 
So would there be any strengthening of the frame between the two?
 
Doubt it.

People always say that "The frame is stronger", but as a manufacturer, it seems that you would be better off designing both classes to the same spec for parts availability reasons.
 
I don't know about the obs Ford, but the 99- at least 04 superduty trucks the only difference between the srw 350 and the 250 was the badges and the rear lift blocks depending on options.

A 250 with a snow plow package would have heavier front springs than a 350 without for example. Frames were the same.

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Strictly talking 57-97 Fords here, but you'll usually see the difference in the gvrw. That's generally the difference in spring ratings, brake set up, front axle (although most years the 1 ton front was optional on the 3/4) and frame modulus.

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Tim C said:
I don't know about the obs Ford, but the 99- at least 04 superduty trucks the only difference between the srw 350 and the 250 was the badges and the rear lift blocks depending on options.

A 250 with a snow plow package would have heavier front springs than a 350 without for example. Frames were the same.

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I thought the 250s had the front 50 and the 350s had 60s.
 
McCracken said:
I thought the 250s had the front 50 and the 350s had 60s.
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After 03 all trucks had a 60. I've personally seen two 350s with a 50 front too. I'm not sure what the 50 / 60 requirements were.

Edit: the excursion kept a 50 front til it quit in 05

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Keep in mind that if you're talking about a 8000 GVWR gas motor 2wd 3/4t vs the same MY 8800 GVWR diesel 4wd, there will be significant differences... maybe even more so that if you're comparing a diesel 4wd 3/4t to a diesel 4wd 1t dually. That's where most of the differences in axles (semi vs FF), brakes, etc will show up.
 
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