97 powerstroke?...feel free to rant..

[foolkiller]

my beloved truck was stolen awhile back and i've been looking at a couple options.



i just can't justify the price for a new dodge even though that's what i want. for that much money i can buy and set up an older truck pretty much exactly how i want and have money left over. i've narrowed my search down for the used truck market to two trucks.



~98 12valve or a 97 power stroke.



i know what to look for in a dodge.



both have been difficult to find in clean conditions with the options i want(especially the 12valver) but just over the last couple days i came across two 97 power strokes that are very appealing.



why i'm telling you all this? my basis for choosing the 97 ford is on the apparent happiness of folks i've met with that particular truck... one of which used to have a 99 just like my old beautiful baby that i miss with all of my heart..... i really don't know for sure what to lookout for.



i'm guessing many of you do know..... feel free to rant.



mandatory options are as follows



clean condition

preferably bone stock/very mild mods

less than 150k miles

auto trans

4wd

ac

light colored paint such as white, light grey, silver, or beige

no tacky interiors



environment the truck will experience as follows



very rare hauling... flat bed with a jeep about once a year

long empty trips with snowboards or mountain bikes

driver who just likes driving big trucks and making a little smoke



i wont be able to check this thread for replies for a day or two so apologies in advance for not answering questions right away.



your inputs are very appreciated, jeff

 

[foolkiller]

oh and as i understand "mandatory" upgrades for the ford are gonna be front suspension work, injectors, chip, exhaust, intercooler, t/c and valve body. am i correct?

 

[Dl5treez]

The '97 model is the best of the old bodystyle Fords, an F-350 being the best of that vintage, since in a 4x4 you get the leaf-sprung Dana 60 solid front axle.



Head over to The Diesel Stop www.thedieselstop.com and check out the '94-'97 forums. The guys on that part of the site are pretty cool, and are quick to help out with any specific questions.



The engines are more expensive to uprate than any Cummins and the E4OD automatic is a weak link just like the Dodge transmissions. The ZF 5 speed is hard on synchros but isn't too bad of a unit, all considered. The stock dual mass flywheel/clutch setup is an expensive assembly, but single-mass conversion kits, and stronger units, are readily available.



The stock axles and transfer case are plenty strong, and IMHO the rest of that vintage Ford is a fine unit---my personal opinion it's better than the same model-year Dodge.



The truck has quirks and any 'issues' pretty much have been located and fixes found for them.



I like my '97... ... for essential upgrades I would say first things first, replace the stock flat downpipe with a round unit and go with a 4" exhaust---the truck drives like it is 2,000 pounds lighter, no joke.





Dan-

 

[FFutch]

I have a 95 and a 97 here at work(F-450s) and they seem to hold up better than the 99 and newer at other locations. Actually the E-40-D is more reliable than the 4R-100's in the newer trucks from what I've seen. These trucks are service buckets and weigh in at 15,000 lbs +... . Doug

 

[Latenight6]

its too bad your in cali i can have you the perfect truck is actully belongs to my cousin i know you want lite colors but i have a mint dark green 1997 f350 gray gut fully loaded only has 84,000 bone stock no plow no rot only mods is the clear corners lites in front and it has the ford alum wheels but hey good luck.

 

[Cowpunk]

My best friends got a 97 stroker and my moms got a 96 12v. On a weekly basis we work with both the trucks side by side hauling 10,000 lbs. of hay bales per trip and I've been nothing but impressed with both trucks. The only problem was the strokers transmission blew up. And there is nothing more satisfying than towing a broken ford while towing 10,000 lbs of hay, just gives you that warm fuzzy feeling inside.

 

[Regcabguy]

Ttb

Foolkiller,try and get the F-350 as mentioned by prior member. It doesn't use the TTB (twin traction beam) that were common on the F-250's. I had that front end on my F-250 and it wandered like heck,constant correction necessary. Also get the supercab as those "church pew" posture control seats sucked. You may need to upgrade the brakes in that body style also as everyone sites the poor stopping power of those years before they received rear discs. Good looking trucks though and better paint and body integrity in my opinion. Best of luck.

 

[ThompsonS]

While we are shopping:



Im looking for a 94/95 IDI turbo, not the powerstroke.

F-350 supercab or crewcab, 4WD 5 speed.



Missed a 95 crewcab 4wd turbo for $6K a while back, wish I had jumped on it faster.

 

[OBendis]

We had some of those vintage powerstrokes for work trucks injectors,automatics,and front end parts didnt seem to hold up very well. Also guys who had fuel tanks in the back,the boxes would start to tear at the stake pockets in the front. Dont be fooled by the leaf springs up front there is only two slender looking things to give it a smooth ride. No wonder you couldnt keep a front end in them when worked like a 1ton is supposed to.

 

[MChildress]

You are going to have to find an early 94 to avoid the Powerstroke. The later 94's and up are Powerstrokes. I still have a 95 F350 and 97 F350 that I can't make my self part with. The 04. 5 Dodge has been giving them a break though.

 

[JGrefenstette]

which years where the E40D's in use. Also what was used before/after?

Was the dana 60 front only used in the 97 4x4's?

 

[Dl5treez]

which years where the E40D's in use. Also what was used before/after?

Was the dana 60 front only used in the 97 4x4's?

E4OD -- 1989... it's essentially a C6 with an overdrive pack added up front, and electronically controlled. Can be made to hold some huge power, though. Before the E4OD was the C6--they didn't use the AOD behind diesels. After was the R100, and now the 5 speed 'Torqshift' automatic.



Dana 60 solid front axle -- I know from '87-'97 they were in all the F350's. Older than that, not real sure. '80-'86 were goofy years for Ford, and earlier than that there weren't any diesels to speak of... .



After the bodystyle change in '99 MY the front axles are either solid Dana 50's (F250) or Dana 60's (F350)... . IIRC...



Basically, as far as OBS Ford diesels go, any F350 4x4 from 1987 to 1997 is guaranteed to have a reverse cut, high pinion, Dana 60 front axle. Some were kingpins and some were ball joints, but the rest is the same.

 

[JGrefenstette]

which year did they switch to the torqshift?

 

[Jong]

The Torqshift didn't come out until 2004 when the lovely 6. 0L came out... all 7. 3's were hooked to 4R100's basically. The E4OD ran until the mid 90's. Also, Ford gave up on kingpin front ends in 1992 and then went to ball joints like everyone else. I will say that the Dana 60 from a Ford up through 97 is close to indestructible, and easy to work on. Love those locking hubs and real wheel bearings!!!!

 

[JGrefenstette]

i got a buddy witha 96 stroker, would that be the E40D or the 4R100?

 

[Jong]

My '97 had a 4R100, I'm not sure what the '96 would have in it.

 

[COBRAJET]

My 96 PSD had an E40D in it. I thought the 4R100 was introduced when the 99's came out with the new body style.

 

[Dl5treez]

My 96 PSD had an E40D in it. I thought the 4R100 was introduced when the 99's came out with the new body style.

That is correct. The E4OD was the transmission until the bodystyle change. The two transmissions have a lot in common, though.

 

[MotleyCrueCab]

I would say that if you want a crew cab get the ford. If not go with the dodge. There both good trucks. My buddy just acquired a nice 97 350 and i am very impressed with it. He has intake, downpipe and straight exhaust, and a custom chip. On the tow setting it almost keeps up with my other friends 06 cummins with a crazy lary. But with any truck if you go with the auto and throw some power at it the transmission won't last. My two cents.



Mike

 

[1smoknC]

i must say i absolutely love my 97 f-350 Powerstroke. but like said before, if you want boatloads of info on fords, go to www.thedieselstop.com and you will find piles of info.