I am having a hard time deciding between an '01 ORP F150 or LD F250 (7700 F150). The reason I like the F250 is because it comes with 16" wheels, the 5.4L standard, the better tranny, heavier duty frame and axles, and 3.73 gearing. I want to run a 4" lift with 33's. My question is about the stiffness of the suspension. Has anyone off-roaded with the F250LD? Is the suspension too stiff? My style off off-roading is mostly desert back country and OHVPs here in So Cal. Mostly it is in washes, poorly maintianed roads, and some small rutted or rocky areas that need 4-lo. Thanks in advance, any info would be appreciated.

--Sean

 

D.S.,

I changed my shocks on mine, because the factory ones were too BOUNCY and SOFT. There were times when offroading my *** would come off the seat. I felt I wasn't in control; also, SEVERE axle wrap (especially in the rain). I think the factory shocks are more intended for towing rather than offroading.

Just to warn you if you do choose to go with the F250 LD (7700 F150) they come with 7-lug wheels. I don't know who's the idiot at Ford who decided on 7-lugs. But anyway, it is hard to find aftermarket ones, but there are a few left. Weld and I believe Eagle dicontinued making them, but American Racing still does.

But overall, I love it and it has given me no problems yet after 21k miles.

Good luck on your choice.
Bill

------------------
1999 F250 LD S/C XLT 4x4
5.4L, 3.73, 4R100 trans.
Flowmaster 40 "DF" series, K&N, Superchip, Rancho RSX shocks, Stull billet grille, 2-PIAA Pro80XT's (120W), 2-KC Daylighters (150W)
265/70 R17 BFG AT KO's on 17x8 American Racing Atlas rims
Kenwood 7007 CD, Alpine 3342 Signal Processor, Alpine MRV-F353 5Ch. Amp, Pioneer TS-A6865 3-way speakers, MTX Thunderforms. CompuStar alarm/autostart.



[This message has been edited by Jupiterak (edited 08-26-2000).]

 

I have a 98 F25 LD and it does very well off road. It all depends on how you set it up. On mine the front torsion bars are cranked up to level the truck. I also run 285/75/16 BFG's for added traction. Little rougher ride than the F150 but more truck like. The gas mileage is terrible but thats not why I bought this vehicle. Hope you join our group of F250 LD's we seem to be in the minority.

Jupiterak is right about the wheels but 265's or even 285's do fit on the stock rims.

------------------
98 F250 LD 5.4 dual exhaust, K&N, Big tires

 

Yeah, I am lucky, the style of American Racing rim that I like, the Baja, is made for the 7 luggers. What's the biggest tires you guys have on your stock rims? I think they are 7" wide, I've seen some guys on here run 34" with the stock 17x7 on the ORP. Also, do the same torsion bar adjustments work for the F250LD? And is the suspension height the same? (minus tires of course). Do you guys have any pics you could post?

Thanks,

--Sean

------------------
Happy Off-Roading!
Huntington Beach, CA
Soon to have '01 ORP
Administrator www.clubsi.com
RIP: '94 Ranger Splash S/C 4.0L 4x4 Auto

 

If you go with the Baja's; get the 16" rims. There's a bigger selection in tires than finding 17" tires. I got the 265's and I think they're too skinny.
My "LD" sits alittle higher than my neighbor's 2000 F150 4x4. And the torsion bars are the same as the F150's too.
I plan on putting studded 265's on the factory rims for winter time. I believe they are 16x7, but there is a few LD owners who have 285's on them as well. I did crank the torsion bars about two full turns and it raised it about 3/4 of an inch.


------------------
1999 F250 LD S/C XLT 4x4
5.4L, 3.73, 4R100 trans.
Flowmaster 40 "DF" series, K&N, Superchip, Rancho RSX shocks, Stull billet grille, 2-PIAA Pro80XT's (120W), 2-KC Daylighters (150W)
265/70 R17 BFG AT KO's on 17x8 American Racing Atlas rims
Kenwood 7007 CD, Alpine 3342 Signal Processor, Alpine MRV-F353 5Ch. Amp, Pioneer TS-A6865 3-way speakers, MTX Thunderforms. CompuStar alarm/autostart.



[This message has been edited by Jupiterak (edited 08-27-2000).]

 

Nice to see some other F250 LD's out here. Jupiterak, how do you like the rsx's? I'd like to change out my shocks now at 50K. I do mostly highway and hauling my camper.

------------------
'98 F250 LD, 4x4, 4.6, 3.73,Superchip, K&N FIPK, Granatelli MAFS, Borla Cat Back Twin SS Out-The-Back, Bosch +4's, Michelin 265/75/16 E ATX M/S, Rear Lift Bags
HIPER 130/110W Superwhites, Edelbrock WTB

 

jupiterak,nice truck I haven't forgotten about posting a picture for you,I've been working 6-10 hour days so I've been a little tired.I did just order the smittybilt bumper guard with the hella black optic lights and stone guards got a good deal with the 1/3 off coupon from carparts.com.Can't wait to put them on.Also the BFG's 285/75/16's are awesome I like the ride more and more everyday.I do gotta change the shocks I also cranked up my torsion bars but almost 5 full turns didn't like the ride so cranked em back down.I think the ford factory bra would look awesome on your truck I've got one on a red truck it would look nice on the white,if you do purchase one go to www.downs ford its cheaper than at the icollection.There is a photo of a white truck with the bra on it just do a search on bra's you'll find it.

------------------
99 F250 XLT LD 4X4 S/C,5.4,3.73 Limited slip,Bright red clearcoat ,4whl abs,remote start w/keyless entry and alarm,chrome rims,tinted,westin nerf bars,factory tonneau,superchip,K&NGen II fipk,pioneer in dash cd,pioneer amp,infinity kappas all around,Lund front runner bug sheild.Gibson split rear,stull SS grilles.

 

I might be wrong but I was told that Ford was not going to make the LD F250 after 99 so i don't think that there are even a 2000 model. I might be wrong but this is what I was told when I bought my 99

------------------
1999 F150 Bright Red Extended Cab 4x4 Off Road, With Gray Interior, 5.4L, 3.73 Gears,

Add On's for now!
Access Tunnel Cover
Stainless Steel Nerf Bars
Stainless Steel Rocker Pannels
Putco Bed Rails
Clear Turn Signals
Flowmaster Exhaust
Lund Bug Guard
Painted Vent Shades
Painted Taillight Covers
Painted X-Cab Covers
Superchip (in and loveing it)
Airaid FIPK
Red Stering Wheel Cover
Pionneer CD Deck

Wish List: F1 Ram Air Hood, Tinted Side Windows, Wiper Crawl, Viser, Supercharger, NOS, ETC...

 

MN99F150, They still exist, but you have to get the (7700) pkg. on the F150. Then you'll get the stronger suspension, trans, 5.4L, and those dumb 7-lug wheels, but with just the F150 badge.

Ksonger, I love the RSX's; very firm ride. I got them when they had the "buy 3-get 1 free" deal. I did have to wait 6 weeks to get them (B.O.) from Summit.

Barlitz, thanks. Whenever you get the chance, I'd still like to see what the 285's look like on a F250. I've been looking for studded 285's, but seem they don't exist, unless I have them drill holes in the tires. So I might just go for the 265's.
My next toy is going to be a grille guard. I want the Manik one in stainless, but spending $750+ on the grille and another hundred or so on more lights?? I'm still thinking about it. Here's a pic of the stainless one.


Bill


[This message has been edited by Jupiterak (edited 08-28-2000).]

 

Thanks for the info Jupiterak and everyone else. Your truck looks very nice. I'd also like to see any other F-250LD pictures if you guys have them, especially bigger tires on stock rims. The other thing I forgot to mention was that I rarely carry a load and don't necessarily need the hauling/towing capacity of the F-250LD. What I am interested the most in is the wheel size, gearing (beacuse I'll be running bigger meats), heavier duty componants for off-roading and the standard 5.4L. I priced out an ORP vs. 7700 and they come with in a couple hundred dollars of eachother on invoice, so price is not a problem. I guess my two concerns are the ability of the stock axle to articulate off-road (and the front end also), and the ride unladen. I am buying a truck almost for the primary purpose of personal transportation (this will be my daily driver) and off-roading. I test drove an ORP and the ride was firm, but nice and controlled. If I got the F-250 LD, I would replace the shocks right away with Bilsteins. Do think that the F-250LD would fit my needs? Thanks again,

--Sean

------------------
Happy Off-Roading!
Huntington Beach, CA
Soon to have '01 ORP
Administrator www.clubsi.com
RIP: '94 Ranger Splash S/C 4.0L 4x4 Auto

 

O I did not know that the are still making them so all it is now is hd F150 right.

------------------
1999 F150 Bright Red Extended Cab 4x4 Off Road, With Gray Interior, 5.4L, 3.73 Gears,

Add On's for now!
Access Tunnel Cover
Stainless Steel Nerf Bars
Stainless Steel Rocker Pannels
Putco Bed Rails
Clear Turn Signals
Flowmaster Exhaust
Lund Bug Guard
Painted Vent Shades
Painted Taillight Covers
Painted X-Cab Covers
Superchip (in and loveing it)
Airaid FIPK
Red Stering Wheel Cover
Pionneer CD Deck

Wish List: F1 Ram Air Hood, Tinted Side Windows, Wiper Crawl, Viser, Supercharger, NOS, ETC...