Service box install

ClifFord · Oct 2, 2019

Ok. I have a 94 f350 7.3idi 4x4 with 4.10 single rear, and a 97 f350 7.3ps 2x4 3.55 dually with a service bed on it. Will the 94 hold the service bed? I know the suspension is alot tuffer on the 94. It sits about 4" taller that the dually on stock suspension. The dually also has 3 helper springs in the rear. There is also a slide in camper that has been fit to the service bed. So will the 94 F350 hold the service bed and the camper, or should it stay on the dually?
I don't really need 2 trucks. I'd like it all to be on my 4x4. And the camper won't be carried that often. I have heard that singles will blow tires under the weight.
The service bed weighs 1150#,
And the camper weighs 2500? ( +, - ).

Will it be worth making my all around live in shop truck, or just dress up the the dually and play with the 4x4?

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1992 idi 73 · Oct 2, 2019

Before my F-250 was my truck it was my Grandpa's farm truck and it had a 1,100 pound bale bed on it and would get absolutely thrashed on. Now it had rubber overrides on the rear suspension that saved the rear leafs, but that truck took over 2 tons of bales on the back just fine on a 3/4 ton frame and 1 ton axle. The old Ford frames can take and absolute pounding without breaking so you should be in the clear. My grandpa also have never had and an issue of single wheels blowing tires that are overloaded but he always buys good tires so there is probably a correlation. I would say never get rid of a good old Ford but if you have too keep the cleanest truck out of the two. Just my two bits of advise.

Clb · Oct 2, 2019

Check the rear half of the frame under the bed mounts...
Width, wheel\axle arch, suspension pickup points, frame horn length.

u2slow · Oct 2, 2019

Pickups have a 38" wide frame, and less than 5' between the back of the cab and the axle.

Cab & chassis have 34" wide frame and 5' or 7' cab/axle dimension.

If your dually is a cab & chassis.... it won't be an easy swap.

ClifFord · Oct 2, 2019

Both are 38" wide, and 5' cab to axle. But the 94 4x4 srw has alot of extra welded cross members and supports for the hideaway kingpin.
And has the same bed mount positions. But the 4x4 has the extra 4 bolts for the kingpin.

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u2slow · Oct 2, 2019

ClifFord said:
Both are 38" wide, and 5' cab to axle. But the 94 4x4 srw has alot of extra welded cross members and supports for the hideaway kingpin.

Pickup frames are 4" less than 5' cab/axle.

If they're both the same, you shouldn't have any issues, other than the extra stuff being in the way.

SRW diffs are quite narrow. AFAIK, the dually diffs have a stronger housing. Pick your axle and tires to ensure you can pack the weight you want.

ClifFord · Oct 2, 2019

That was another thing. It's on 33's stock. (285/75r16). Running nitto terra grapplers. E ratted. Wanted to put some 35's on. (315/75r16) all of those have higher than E rate. It's so nose heavy, it just digs straight down. I want more footing and more agressive tread.

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u2slow · Oct 2, 2019

Heh. I moved up to 315/75R16 for the weight rating too... 3860# each I think? Any time I load the truck up good, I seem to be in the 1.5-2ton range... :sly

ClifFord · Oct 2, 2019

u2slow said:
Heh. I moved up to 315/75R16 for the weight rating too... 3860# each I think? Any time I load the truck up good, I seem to be in the 1.5-2ton range...

What year is yours? Did you have to lift it any? Even with the 285 I have a ton of clearance.

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u2slow · Oct 2, 2019

My '95 F350 and '93 W250 fit 9.00R16 Michelins without lift. I lifted both and got 8" wide wheels before going to 315/75R16s.

Garbage_Mechan · Oct 2, 2019

If I were you ( but not considering unmentioned things such as mileage, condition and recent repairs plus personal preference ) I would make the 97 a 4x4. Less work than swapping boxes. The other option is if your 4x4 truck is the one then just put a dually rearend under it if the lack of duals is an issue.

ClifFord · Oct 3, 2019

The shop truck is the 97 powerstroke dually, and it's a base with some rot. And the rear is 3.55 gear. The 94 IDI T, IS THE 4X4 with 4.10 gear rear. And 6 bolts and some taillights are a hell of alot easier than a 4x4 transplant. I'm not worried about the work, just the weight. Bed swap is easy. And I want to keep my IDI XLT 4X4.

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u2slow · Oct 3, 2019

The 10.25" SRW will take the weight. If you notice, the rear GAWR is 6084#.... exactly the sum of two stock tires. Coincidence? De-rate much? Lol

EDIT: A wider axle may be preferable though, for stability. The SRW tracks roughly the same path as the inside DRWs.

ClifFord · Oct 3, 2019

The dually is 10" wider than my IDI, AND THE 2nd tire sticks out 5" each side from the tool box. So the bed will match the width damn near perfect. And if I get the 315s they will add 1.5" per side. This shows a comparison with just the 33" tires.

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u2slow · Oct 3, 2019

That's sweet you already have a 'narrow' service body. :Thumbs Up

Service box install

ClifFord

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1992 idi 73

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