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Tool Talk Discussion Forum

OT FORD 250

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lenray

07-22-2007 13:11:20




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I have the Ford 250 with the V-10 and it is used as my tow vehicle on far northern Canadian fishing trips.
I am an ole geezer at 6 ft. tall--This truck sits soooo high that I can't even reach half way into the truck bed to get stuff out. There is a large block on the axle making it sit higher.
You guys have seen these trucks.
Here is the question---can this truck be lowered and what does that do to the working of the truck if it can be done.
Thanks for any help.

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Greg Ballantyne

07-28-2007 08:27:05




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 Re: OT FORD 250 in reply to lenray, 07-22-2007 13:11:20  
I know why they're all high these days. It has to do with psychology and sales. It's all based on the "bigger is better" mentality and the "gut feel" most people have for riding higher down the road than other vehicles. It makes them "feel safe", even though statistically they are less safe. The Big Three have hired psychologists to figure all this out. Saw a TV documentary on the subject a few years back. They need that sort of edge to get people to spend so much on these 4x4 vehicles. They are their best profit margin sales, better than 60% profit on them if I remember correctly. None of this helps with your problem though. I used to have an F250, 1979, could get in & out of the bed fine. Now I have a Ranger, and the new F250's are too high. I'm 6'-2", and their still high.

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02XLT4X4

07-23-2007 06:36:24




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 Re: OT FORD 250 in reply to lenray, 07-22-2007 13:11:20  
Most Ford 4x4 trucks sit 2" higher in the front than 4x2 trucks. So they just stick those spacers in the rear to keep the rake so it will still sit level with a load on it. If you don't tow anything heavy you could just take them out and it should (depending on the condition of your springs) be roughly level without a load on it. You will probably need the u-bolts off of a 4x2 along with any other hardware that goes with them.

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John A.

07-22-2007 21:47:26




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 Re: OT FORD 250 in reply to lenray, 07-22-2007 13:11:20  
lenray, These taller trucks do make it difficult to get things out of the back. Down here in Texas most of us use the newer HD style running boards the ones made out of heavy steel tubing, either round or square tubeing and expanded metal. Like made by Ranch Hand Co the same Co that makes the majority of the front end bumper/grillguard combos we have down here. That is my suggestion to you. Do not get those cheap, Aluminum or tube style ones they will not last. Or perhaps a local welding shop or yourself could build a HD set and weld them to your frame anf make them really strong. Hope this helps.
Later,
John A.

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Stumpalump

07-22-2007 20:26:24




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 Re: OT FORD 250 in reply to lenray, 07-22-2007 13:11:20  
You can lower it by removing the blocks but you may need new u-bolts. I'm not sure how tall the ones are on your truck but I know that an inch of lift seems like a lot. I just raised a jeep in the rear 1 inch and it's all the difference in the world. You may need to find a block that is still a block but 2 inches shorter. 4X4 specialty shops stock them or just look for lift kit companys online. The drive line angle will change and you may get a slight vibration at certain speeds so I would recomend lowering only as much as you think you need. Remember an inch or two will seem like a lot. Removing a leaf out of the leaf pack is simple and will yield about an inch also and remember to check the tourqe of you u-bolts after you run it a while. Nappa stocks u-bolts if you need ones with more thread on them, they don't take to a tap very well.

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JOHN HARMON

07-22-2007 16:19:19




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 Re: OT FORD 250 in reply to lenray, 07-22-2007 13:11:20  
I think Tim Casbolt has the best advice for you. I too am looking for a 2WD Long Bed to replace my "89 F-250 2WD but they all seem to high at the rear. If I raise the heighth of the Frame any more I will have to raise my 5th Wheel Trailer heighth also otherwise it will be running uphill when hooked to most of the Trucks available . 4WD is way out of my Requirements. Looks to me like most of the 4WD I have looked at are all Short Bed with big Blocks between the Axle and the Truck Springs. 4Door,2 door.Ext.Cab. they are all the same with the ones I have looked at. Dealers say have your Trailer Springs installed on top and then it will be OK.I don't think so.

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Davis In SC

07-23-2007 19:36:46




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 Re: OT FORD 250 in reply to JOHN HARMON, 07-22-2007 16:19:19  
" If I raise the heighth of the Frame any more I will have to raise my 5th Wheel Trailer height also otherwise it will be running uphill when hooked to most of the Trucks available ."

I have seen a lot of damaged tailgates and tops of the bed damaged by goosnecks. When I had my trailer built, I had them to add 8 inches to the neckover height, to avoid that, since my truck is so tall (Dodge 3500 4x4).

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Bus Driver

07-22-2007 14:58:22




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 Re: OT FORD 250 in reply to lenray, 07-22-2007 13:11:20  
I have not looked at the latest models, but of the Big Three full size pickups, my last examination showed that the Chevrolet 2wd half-ton had the lowest load bed floor. The compact pickups probably are lower. Since I am now too old to vault over the side of the pickup as I once did, I grasp the bed side rail and use the top of the back tire as a step to get into the bed on my 4wd Ford.



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old art

07-22-2007 14:48:49




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 Re: OT FORD 250 in reply to lenray, 07-22-2007 13:11:20  
i would trade it off and get onelike i want. new or used there out there. some 4wheeler will like it to go out ad tear it up.



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Otto Mechanic

07-22-2007 14:02:11




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 Re: OT FORD 250 in reply to lenray, 07-22-2007 13:11:20  
I'm no help on your question but I've woundered why all these new trucks are set so high. Makes it very tuff to use as a work truck for the reason you mention, higher center of gravity won't help handling, don't think it helps the airodynamics either. Also why do they need such big tires, wasn't many years ago the big trucks used 10 by 20 tires now some of these pick ups have 20s on them.



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Ludwig

07-22-2007 15:16:55




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 Re: OT FORD 250 in reply to Otto Mechanic, 07-22-2007 14:02:11  
My buddy has a 1/2 ton Dodge and that thing is stupid high, trying to load a snowmobile into it is a major chore.
When we go places to get snowmobiles we take my old style Dakota, much lower bed height.



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pair-a-dice farm

07-22-2007 17:03:35




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 Re: OT FORD 250 in reply to Ludwig, 07-22-2007 15:16:55  
I've go a 2005 1500 dodge 4x4 and it is hard for me to reach over the bed also. I'm 6'2" and it has the smaller original tires on it. The bad thing is that if you are out in the pasture it will high center on almost nothing. City slicker engineers I guess.



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Tim Casbolt

07-22-2007 13:54:54




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 Re: OT FORD 250 in reply to lenray, 07-22-2007 13:11:20  
It can be done without losing towing capacity. There are many companies that offer lowering kits to do exactly what you want. And they charge money for their services. You might want to start by joining one of the many online chat groups for Ford truck enthusiasts and reading the information that has already been discussed about which kits work best, how much to spend, where to buy, etc.



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