How can I find out what the specifics of my truck are? I would like to find out the rear end size and well as the front diff. Also what exactly is changed for my truck to make it a HD instead of the LD?

Thanks for any help.

Mike J.

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1997 F-250 HD (old style) Supercab 4x4 w/ 7.5l 460. Jacobs Electronics Ceramic 2000 plug wires, Side-gapped Autolite plugs,Synthetic Oil, K&N air filter,Cab/Clearence lights,Tonneau cover and bedliner are my only upgrades so far.

 

I was just thinking of the same thing, about the differences Mike!!!

AS I am sure you know, the axle ratio is posted on the door post. The front axle on 3/4 ton's are the DANA 44HD IFS, the only difference I know is that the 3/4tons are leaf clad instead of coil like my F-150. Also, if you have a 3:55 gear in the rear, your front would be 3:54, and if you have a 4:11, your front axle would be 4:10. I think the rear axle is a Sterling 10.75, or maybe a Dana 60? I am not absolutely positive on those specs. I know the Superduties have a Dana 50 front and a dana 60 rear or a Sterling 10.25.

Of course not only those, but usually a 3/4 ton has a stronger frame, more leafs in the rear, and most hd equippment, like HD electical and etc. Also usually 3/4tons have bigger brakes and etc!

As far as Transfer cases are, My 89 is a Borg-Warner 13-56(manual shift. auto hubs) My Haynes manual says that any F-series after 1992 uses the BW13-56, Also, later F-series uses a Electronic speedo, with no cable, and the mount is on the Transfer case.
I have a REAL HARD TIME getting my truck into and outof Four low, Does your truck have autohubs or manual locking?

[This message has been edited by Pastmaster (edited 01-05-2000).]

 

They are Autolockers with the manual shift lever. I was skeptical of the autohubs. I've always had manuals. But these are working fine. I know my rear end is larger than the standard F-250. It is absolutly huge. I have the 3.55 gears. And yes I have leaf's all the way around. My truck sits higher than the non HD's also. I have parked next to others and noticed this.

I am getting ready to replace the brake shoes on the rear. I will know the size of the drums after this weekend. One other difference is the body style. The 97 LD F-250 has the same body style of the 97 F-150, where my HD 250 is the same style as the 96 F-250.

Also my tire size is 235/85-16 and I have 8 lugs per wheel.


Mike J.

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1997 F-250 HD (old style) Supercab 4x4 w/ 7.5l 460. Jacobs Electronics Ceramic 2000 plug wires, Side-gapped Autolite plugs,Synthetic Oil, K&N air filter,Cab/Clearence lights,Tonneau cover and bedliner are my only upgrades so far.


[This message has been edited by mjordan44 (edited 01-05-2000).]

 

Basically Mike, in 1997 Ford was emptying the parts bin to build 3/4tons. 1997's also Said "Heavy Duty" and others did not. They are Very nice trucks, I have several relatives with 3/4tons and 1-tons SRW, with 460 and psd's. They are REally Rough ridding, but they'll get the job done, without a complaint!

Also, Ford dint have a Heavy duty 3/4ton in 1998, the Superduties were brought out in the late spring of 98

 

Thanks for the info Pastmaster. I am learning more as I go along. I purchased this truck in October so I am still in the research and learning stages.

Mike J.

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1997 F-250 HD (old style) Supercab 4x4 w/ 7.5l 460. Jacobs Electronics Ceramic 2000 plug wires, Side-gapped Autolite plugs,Synthetic Oil, K&N air filter,Cab/Clearence lights,Tonneau cover and bedliner are my only upgrades so far.

 

Thats how you do it Mike!!! Teh 1980-1997 F-series are my favorite trucks, probably because I know alot about them, and grew up around em. They have already proven they're abilities. I wouldn't worry about your truck, you can pull a house to a gas station without it breakin a sweat!

I guy I know has a 1993 2wd F-250 w/460 auto, and he pulls a huge camper with it, the truck only has about 30k on it, and he told me it gets 9mpg either loaded or unloaded, and he's 73 years old, so you know he babies it. So your doing good for a 4x4!

 

The difference between a 250 and a 250 HD is the the GVW, a 250 has a GVW of 8600lbs, a 250 HD has a GVW of 9200lbs.

 

Thanks for the info Pastmaster and Rich. I have checked the GVW and it is 9200. I have owned a few Ford trucks in the past this was the replacement for my 1980 F-150. I am very familar with the F-series myself. At least from the stand point of all my fathers trucks. I have helped maintain them on my parents farm. I actually learned to drive in my fathers 1969 F-100 (no F-150's at that time) and his 1971 F-250.

I just was not familiar with this new of truck. I have noticed other 97 F-250's that look just like the 97 F-150. This is why I was asking the main differences. I also notice how hugh my rear end is. I will count the bolts tomorrow. I am no that used to working on drivetrains. Mainly starters , water pumps , brakes and a few timing chains. Thanks for the info.

Mike J.

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1997 F-250 HD (old style) Supercab 4x4 w/ 7.5l 460. Jacobs Electronics Ceramic 2000 plug wires, Side-gapped Autolite plugs,Synthetic Oil, K&N air filter,Cab/Clearence lights,Tonneau cover and bedliner are my only upgrades so far.


[This message has been edited by mjordan44 (edited 01-10-2000).]

 

If you have the HD, the rear end is probably the 10.25 sterling. When I bought my PSD I did alot of comparing between the 460 and PSD trucks.

my .02 cents

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97 F-250HD,PSD,reg cab,XL,4.10LS

 

Hey mj- remember i told you i was getting the jacobs ignition for my truck. here's the results-mpg went from 17 to 19 around town and 19 to 21.5 on the road. BIG difference in throttle response.just had xmssn rebuilt last week so I hope mpg will increase more.( tranny was veeery sloppy-195+k miles)I ordered it from summit THROUGH jacobs electronics. They have a set up on their page to e-mail customer service and they will call you. The rep stated that this was better b/c they have a record of my purchase in their computer.He actually suggested the pro-street pack over the mile-master b/c it(milemast.) is intended for motorhomes,heavyduty trucks that do alot of towing,etc.. He advised ordering it from summit for price diff. also $385=tx.from summit-$425=tx.from jacobs.This came with plug wires also(not ceramic)since you have those already it might be cheaper.I think you will be impressed very quickly.I felt it was worth the money.let me know if you have any more questions.-nomad

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92flareside 302-5speed
k&nfilter,march underdrive pulleys,flex-a-lite fan,heddman headers w/ true dual exhaust
tjacobs@iamerica.net
[This message has been edited by nomad (edited 01-11-2000).]

[This message has been edited by nomad (edited 01-11-2000).]

 

Hello Nomad,

Did you end up with the pro-street? I am looking to complete my system over the next month. I will be looking forward to the types of gains that you have experienced.

I am very happy with just the plug wires, they actually made a throttle response difference immediately.

How was the installation? Any major troublespots? Also do you have/plan a superchip?

Thanks for the info
Mike J.

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1997 F-250 HD (old style) Supercab 4x4 w/ 7.5l 460. Jacobs Electronics Ceramic 2000 plug wires, Side-gapped Autolite plugs,Synthetic Oil, K&N air filter,Cab/Clearence lights,Tonneau cover and bedliner are my only upgrades so far.

 

Mike J.- yes I ended up with the pro-street package.this included the plug wires(which you have)the ultra coil,and the pro-street ignition box. Installation took a total of about 2hrs. this was in most part due to figuring out where to mount it and installing new plugs. It will install anywhere like they claim. the only trouble (minor) was to find a way to route the wires from the ultra coil to the pro street pack away from the engine.I have the coil mounted on the drivers' side zip-tied to the fuse box and the pro street pack on the pass. side by my spare jack. I routed the wires that connect the two around the back firewall zip-tieing it to the a/c line.The directions were pretty simple to follow.The only problem you might have is your spark plugs.Jacobs electronics recommends only copper core plugs and no split or altered ones (ie.-splitfires or any platinum electrodes).Since I really don't know what side-gapping is I cant say if that affects you or not.I CURRENTLY don't have plans for a superchip as my next upgrade is 3.55 gears with a limited slip,but I do plan to get one.I did ask the customer service rep about the system and a chip working together and he said that there would be no problems.

happy to lend a hand.
nomad

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92flareside 302-5speed
k&nfilter,march underdrive pulleys,flex-a-lite fan,heddman headers w/series 40 flowmasters, true dual exhaust,jacobs electronics pro-street ign. system,drop-in bed liner,diamond plate truckbox,cobra 29classic CB with 200w linear tjacobs@iamerica.net

 

How does the Jacobs ignition compare to, say, an MSD ignition and Blaster coil?

Thanks,

Mike

 

I know this is an olde thread, but I just got a 1997 F250 HD 4x4 7.3 PSD.
It has the tow package with the heavy duty bumper...want to know if I can tow my 4800 lb trailer with this and not have to add a receiver hitch.
It has three bolts thru the bracket into the frame. Thanks