4 wheel drive front end

[JRS]

The owner of my company has been wanting to purchase me a new truck for several years. I spec'd a Dodge out, got some prices and forwarded them to him. He checked around and spoke with a Ford guy from his church. He was told the engine was good but the front end wouldn't stay under the truck. I would like to counter that: 1) the new design 4wd front end holds up better 2) I would be leaving the ride height and tire size stock 3) only ocassionaly going off-road at the job sites. (Nothing serious) Are these legitimate points? I have never owned a 4wd, but have read a lot about the death wobble in the older models. Is this a problem with the newer trucks? I would like to give legitimate answers to his question, no offense to the owner but he's not a car guy. Yes, the salesman at his church wants to sell a Ford, but please don't bash the make here.

 

[Grizzly]

Not all Dodge 4WD trucks have issues with the front end. I never had an issue with my 95 4WD, which I had for 10 years, nor have I had an issue with my 05. The guy at the church does have one thing right, Cummins is a better engine. I'm sure Ford has as many issues with front end as any other truck.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

My 2004 went 148k before rebuilding the front end. Other than that, just had it aligned and drove it without any issues or uneven tire wear.



Big lift kits and lack of maintanence will destroy any brand.

 

[craiggo]

Don't let him tell you the Ford's don't have a death wobble. My 2006 had a terrible problem. Go to thedieselstop.com and do a search for "Death Wobble" and you'll see what I'm talking about (at least with the Dodge there was a fix).

Good luck.

 

[Grizzly]

Don't let him tell you the Ford's don't have a death wobble. My 2006 had a terrible problem. Go to thedieselstop.com and do a search for "Death Wobble" and you'll see what I'm talking about (at least with the Dodge there was a fix).



Good luck.

I agree, I had an F250 gasser that had a lot of front end trouble and it wasn't even a 4WD.

 

[rscurtis]

The front end in the Ford will definitely last longer. Not much wear occurs when sitting on the side of the road or riding on the back of a flatbed.

 

[Grizzly]

The front end in the Ford will definitely last longer. Not much wear occurs when sitting on the side of the road or riding on the back of a flatbed.

Now that was funny. :-laf

 

[JRS]

Thanks guys for the input. And thanks for keeping the Ford bashing to a min. I did not point out to my boss that the F-550 work truck we purchased had both heads crack on the 6. 0 litre engine at 120,000 miles and cost the company $7,000 to repair. That same money will repair a lot of front ends.

 

[JRS]

Oh, and glad I didn't the worn out line that "Ford owns Cummins"!

 

[Matt400]

He was told the engine was good but the front end wouldn't stay under the truck.

Last I checked mine was still there at 60K and my sons is still there at 110K, not many miles yet but I am sure you will find plenty here with tons more and the front ends are still there.



If I ever thought about hanging my neck out there for a Ford (with a diesel) it would be the 2011 and no less. I like Fords and have owned their gas trucks over the years. Speaking from the service sector I see consumers spend more on under hood service & repair with the Ford/IH combo vs the Dodge/Cummins combo.

 

[Jim W]

I have own 4X4 trucks since 1974, when I bought my first Jeep. The Jeep was a 1974 Cherokee with a straight front axle very similar to the Dodge we drive today. This truck after 40,000 miles of on road and off road drive exhibit the famous death wobble while crossing railroad tracks and driving on IL. highways after winter. All I did was replace the front steering stabilizer and was good to go. I have had to replace my front steering stabilizer on every 4X4 truck I have own at some time. This is a wear item that needs to be service just like any other part on your truck. Like your shocks and brakes the stabilizer will wear out.

This is the only item that I ever had to replace on the front axle assembly. I even had to replace one on my Ford Explore. First and only one for me.

 

[craiggo]

The front end in the Ford will definitely last longer. Not much wear occurs when sitting on the side of the road or riding on the back of a flatbed.

Which is exactly why they bought mine back and it's getting replaced with a Dodge... errr Ram!



"I don't care who you are, that was funny"

 

[opjohnny]

I don't think you could go wrong with the 2010 and increased GAWR on the front. If only they used anti-seize when they assembled the truck for the rust belt !

John