250 vs. 350

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I did a search in the archives, and I didn't really find much on the subject.



I am not trying to see which one is better, but to actually find out what the physical differences between the 250 and 350 models.



So far, all I know is that 250 is SRW, and 350 is DRW. I also know that the 350 has beefier rear brakes.



What other differences are there?
 
Heavier rear axle (Dana 80 instead of 70) and more rear springs? Other than that I think they are the same - at least that's my understanding. (Of course, I'm probably completely wrong on this :rolleyes: :) )
 
Right, 1st gens had the dana 60/70 axles. Also some of the 350's had single rear wheel as well... . something I didn't know till someone on here pointed that out.



Bob.
 
And just to confuse the issue a little more... . I think some of the 250s came thru with 1 ton axles... . mine did anyway.
 
CB,



If I had know the differences prior to my last purchase, I'd have stayed with a 250. The wheels are the biggest difference. The lugnuts are flat surfaced, and need to be centered on the hub with 4 coned lugnuts prior to putting the flats back on. If not, you might end up with some serious front end wobble. I had my fronts off and back on twice prior to finding this out. The first time, I lucked out and got them just right. Second time around I thought I'd bent a rim.



And the torque on the lugnuts is pretty heavy duty. I didn't have an impact wrench the first time and I had to use a breaker bar with 1 1/16" socket and a 4 foot cheater pipe to get them off.



I had plans for hauling my tractor around for my business, and soon after getting the 350, I changed businesses.



Just my $. 02
 
I could have sworn I saw some posts a while back indicating that there were some frame differences as well -- does anybody remember that, or am I hallucinating? (won't be the first time . . . ) :)
 
As far as I know the frames, front axles, drivetrain, etc. are all the same on a W-250 and W-350. The D70 on a dual wheel W-350 is wider than that of a W-250. That allows enough room for the dual wheels to fit under the bed and the fenders. The only SRW W-350's I have seen are of the non-intercooled variety, so pre 1991. 5. I have a friend with a early 1991 W-350 SRW and we compared it to my W-250. Not one difference in the suspension or anything else could be found. The only difference between my W-250 and 350 is the fact the W-350 has duals on the rear. Hope this isn't too confusing.



Jeremy
 
new theory?

I've wondered about this before. I was tire shopping recently and while I've always bought Load Range 'E' tires for my 250's, I noticed the doorjamb sticker on my D250 seems to indicate the factory installed/recommended tires are Load Range 'D'



Presumably, the factory installed tires on a 350 are Load Range 'E'? That right there would make a difference in the rating...



Andy
 
Just ran outside and checked my door sticker... . load range D

GVWR is 8510

And while we're on the subject, when I go steel factory rim hunting in boneyards many of the Dodge rims don't fit because the center hole is a little too small.

??

Jay
 
There is a real sharp 93 W350 SRW standard cab CTD running around my neck of the woods. His rear axle looks identical to mine.



CB- do you have a factory service manual? There is enough info in there on the different combinations to make your head hurt and I'm sure it doesn't cover all of what rolled out of the factory.



Jay
 
AS far as I know, the stock tire size was 215/85-16, and I have only ever seen them in a D range.



DKasper-

There is a guy around Calhan that has a 91 Intercooled W250 with I believe 5" frame rails. I had never seen it in a CTD Ram; most had been the beefier 8" rails, and would not have believed it if I hadnt seen it myself.



Case500D-

If there is a difference in the width of the axles, it is within a couple inches. The 250s I've had took the same drums, wheel cylinders, other brake hardware, had about the same space between the spring and backing plate. Converting to 3" brakes involved buying 3" shoes, nothing more. I even put a dually wheel up on the hub, and there is room under the fender for it. Notice when you look at it from the back (at least mine were this way), the drum sticks in about 2" inside the line of the wheel/ tire. The 250s have smaller bearings and seals on rear. Never touched the front axle of either one, so cant tell you much about the front.

Daniel
 
Hi DPuckett You are right about the 6" frame rails on the pre `92 trucks. My `91 (intercooled) has such a frame. As a result the `91 and earlier trucks sit a lower. also the `91 and earlier have no wiring harness for the tachometer. The intercooled `91 has the 21cm turbo housing. A good web site to confirm what turbo you may have is the Holset site. I`m a new guy here. A very interesting web site. Greg
 
I have a 91 SWR w350, It has been a great truck, I've had a banks power pack on it since abouit 60000 miles and still runs strong at 150000. I have to respring ate front I think and I am looking for the block spacers the factory put in some of the newer fist gens. Mine sits way low in the back and My son is about to get his license so he will be driving it. He says it looks weak? Does anyone know where I can dind a apir of those blocks. I think the brakes are much bigger on the 350 front and rear. Mine is only a 8600 GVW so it rides pretty good but also stops good with the larger brakes. I also have a 2001 HO 6 speed that I drive most of the time but I still like driving around town in the old 91. It lugs like a tractor. Great truck.
 
Another difference between the 250/ 350 is the 250 is a LOT smoother riding.



GGott-

I got rid of the worn out stock turbo a long time ago. Good reason to get a pyrometer- pump had been cranked on, but no pyro, hot shutdowns; led to a worn thrust bearing and God knows what else- about 1/16" endplay. Still spooled to 28psi, though. I never looked at my 91 250, but my 350 has the 8" rails, and the 8 stiff springs to compliment it. :rolleyes:



DThibault-

I dont know about the blocks you speak of, but my D350 sits 3" higher in the front than Mom's D350. Only difference is a year. Makes me think my truck had new springs recently.



Daniel
 
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