Buying a 4x4 Screw...need advice

[henry4rd]

I am looking at new and used trucks...gonna get a F-150 4x4 Screw... Can you guys please help me learn the ins/outs of the 4wd systems ford has used from 2000 to date... I know lots of changes have been made over the years but can't sort potential buys by year model when I don't know what features were good/bad and what years were better/worse...etc... Back in the day... f-150 4x4s had solid front axles... I know in 2009 they have IFS... What happened and when is a mystery to me... Any help is greatly appreciated... Thanks...

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[4.2trimble]

Originally Posted by henry4rd

I am looking at new and used trucks...gonna get a F-150 4x4 Screw...

Can you guys please help me learn the ins/outs of the 4wd systems ford has used from 2000 to date...

I know lots of changes have been made over the years but can't sort potential buys by year model when I don't know what features were good/bad and what years were better/worse...etc...

Back in the day... f-150 4x4s had solid front axles...

I know in 2009 they have IFS...

What happened and when is a mystery to me...

Any help is greatly appreciated...

Thanks...

The 97-03 F150's use a torsion bar based front suspension. Its not really great on anything. Better than fords twin traction beam though.

The 04+ uses struts much better design all around. IMO

The t-case is a Borg Warner 4406, the rear differential unless changed or specially ordered has 3.55 or 3.73 gearing. The front axle on all 4x4 models is a 8.8R the r is for reverse rotation. Then rear axle is either a 8.8 or 9.75

The 9.75 only came in trucks with the 5.4L motor.

i believe a 2002 Screw 5.4L 4x4 would be a good buy. Alot of options for power, lifts, and other accesories.

Fabtech makes the bet lift for these trucks which is a 6" lift and will clear 35's
Performance Accessories makes a great body lift that will also clear 35's with slight frame rubbage.

both combined you can clear 38's

Im not gonna sugar coat it the truck is not a offroad king but it will surprise you if equiped correctly.

you mentioned solid front axle... my 99 has D60 front and rear but i swapped them in for better offoad strength.

[henry4rd]

Thank you...

So only 04 and later will have IFS right...

I should say that this will be the DD/family/work-wagon... lol...

I go off road a lot...tow in bad weather in the mountains...etc etc..

However, I won't use it for hard core 4-wheeln... I have a Rhino for that...

So I am not gonna lift it...will likely have 30-32" tires...

Plan on installing a Truetrac in the rear of what ever I get and maybe and E-locker in the front...

All I really want is to have excellent traction on pavement in all conditions...especially icy mountain roads...good towing and hill climbing (on road)...

AND... not get stuck very easily on muddy/snowy/icy forest roads...OR sand washes...

Basically, I use it to tow my Rhino to places to go wheeln...and like to take the dogs out in the snow off-pavement...

So I want to make the best investment for the next 5 years (used)...and if I get a new truck it has to last 10 years...

I am new so the sig hasn't appeared but I drive a 2000 150/7700 Scab now...bought it new...has 99k miles on it...sick and tired of not having 4wd as I have been stuck too many times to count and have come close to spending the night on the side of the road in a snow storm several times because 4wd was required...even with chains...lol...

So I want a very good street truck that will tow well in all conditions and not get stuck on mild mud/snow/sand...

I already knew I would prefer an 04+ for other considerations but it looks like the 4wd/suspension is superior too...

Only thing is they are hard to find in exactly what I want a price that makes sense when you look at what you can get in an 09 for 30k right now...

[4.2trimble]

nah ford stopped the solid axles in the 80's and went to IFS.

My truck is on custom suspension
97-03 F150's are torsion bar based IFS

the 04+ is strut based. IFS

Honestly what you are askin for id seriously look into like a 06-08 they are nice trucks. amd you can get some good prices.

have you ever thought of getting out of the F150 class? Ive got a truck that sounds right up your lane. my dads got one its a sick truck. its an 2005 Dodge PowerWagon they are really capable towing rigs (not like a diesel but great 1 ton) It comes stock with 4.56's BFG TA KO's and alot of functions that make towing trailers offroad alot easier.

I might be flamed for that but honestly i dont care its a great truck. You can get for a pretty sweet price.

[minimonster17]

ARB makes an e-locker for the front 8.8 IFS reverse axle. the tru-trac is an excellent choice for the rear.

the torsion bar suspension on the 97-03 F-150 is fully independent with the torsion bars as the main load bearing springs. 04+ F-150's use a coilover based IFS that is a better suspension, and consequently, there are better lift options out there.

if you really like this supercrew, go for it. there are enough accessories out there for the 97-03 F-150 to make it capable as a fullsize offroad rig, even as an IFS one.

forgot to mention a few things: the 97-03 uses shift forks in the front axle as means to shifting in 4WD. the front axle turns in 2WD, but no power is applied to it. the 04-08 uses IWE's. this system does not allow the front axle to rotate in 2WD. it is prone to a lot of problems, however.

[henry4rd]

have you ever thought of getting out of the F150 class?

NO! lol...thanks for the kind thoughts, if anything I would go the other way...actually I am...scaling back from the hd 1/2ton to a 4wd 1/2ton...sticking with ford all the way...no flaming...I am a recovering chevy/toyota owner and been on the blue oval wagon since 2001...

Pardon my ignorance...when I said IFS what I really meant was a-arms w/ cv joints...similiar to my rhino...

Honestly what you are askin for id seriously look into like a 06-08 they are nice trucks. amd you can get some good prices.

Not good enough prices...

Everything I find suitable in an 06+ is well over $20k...I can get a great 09 for a little over 30K...I saw a perfect (for me) 06... 35k miles... $24k...for another 8k I can have an even more perfect 09... with no miles... full warranty...

the 04-08 uses IWE's. this system does not allow the front axle to rotate in 2WD. it is prone to a lot of problems, however.

So it sounds like you guys are saying the newer is nicer...but the older is simpler and more reliable... yes/no...

I can relate to it... the suspension on my rhino is great... drive axles break and cv boots rip all the time...constant pita... lol...

Thanks for the help...

Please don't stop... I want to know everything...get as many opinions from off roaders as possible...

[newmandl]

IMO, if you can afford it, I would go with new. You get the newest and latest features. But that is just one opinion.

You should be able to get a quality 06 for under $20K. I saw a nice one the other day.

[minimonster17]

the 97-03 F-150 utilizes a fully independent front suspension with torsion bars used as the main load bearing springs. each side has upper and lower control arms, tie rod ends, a steering knuckle, cv shafts, and a sway bar endlink.

one advantage of the torsion bar suspension is that the preload level is adjustable, enabling one to crank the bars up, and increase the stance. this puts the cv shafts and ball joints at a more stressful angle though. if you do not crank up the torsion bars, you should not face the problems of torn boots, and snapped cv shafts.

[4.2trimble]

either truck will work for you in stock form for towing, even with mild oversized tires.

either way the truck will work for you. different suspensions the 04-08's ride better on and offroad have fully boxed frames and slightly more power.

If i was you thats what id get. 05+

[4wd150]

my 2000 does great for me. either 97-03 or 04/05 and up are great trucks! when i go out fishing theres some mudholes i have to go thru to get back there and my truck stock with 33s does great!

[drenal]

Originally Posted by 4wd150

when i go out fishing theres some mudholes i have to go thru to get back there and my truck stock with 33s does great!

when are we going fishing,i went with a 02 first year they made the fx4 i think,plus i like that front end better.

[4wd150]

haha i go out at some lakes privately owned by the farm i work on. well i think my front end and an 02 is the same basically. the older ones 97,98 had different bumpers/grilles i think

[06yz250f]

one of my friends will sell you his 05 w/ 8" of lift and 35's (basically brand new) for way under 20k.

i bought my 07 screw 4x4 for 25k OTD if your paying nearly that for a 3 year old truck your getting ripped.

[fatscew]

i have a 01 4x4 screw and it does fine for me off road. i never have had any problems. And what i liked best was that i could tuck 33s fine at stock hight. and as far as towing i havent had a problem there either.