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Ford f-450 good bad

F

farmer boy

Well-known Member
I'm sort of looking for a different truck and would prefer something without the engine/trans electronics. I came across a 1992 Ford F-450 diesel, reg cab, 5 speed that I sort of like. I really like the fact that it's a big heavy truck, and parts seem to be reasonable for it. I'm just wondering about any others problems it might have. (weak front end, etc) It has a 7.3 IDI NA and from what I've heard their good, just a little short on power compared to the newer stuff. I also would consider a 12V Dodge but the weaker front ends scare me off a bit. I want a manual trans and diesel but the Detroit 6.5 scares me off so GMC is out.
 
They are a good truck, rotors front and rear are identical. Good strong frame. Local tractor shop had one and hauled tractors weighing up to 12,000 lbs on the roll off deck he had on it. He eventually cut the pinion off the rear axle getting moving on some soft ground. I think its a Dana 130 or something like that.

Friend of mine had the same engine in his F350 srw and the 6.9 in their F350 drw. Not a lot of power for hills but they would overload them and it never complained. They don't like cold weather unless the glow plugs are in tip top shape. They just left them in the shop or plugged in.
 
I have a 93 F350 w/5speed and a 7.3 diesel NA. Pulling truck up to a certain limit and then thats all. You might check on the rear axle. Mind is a 4.11 and at the time could have gotten a 5.12. The 7.3 will get about 18mpg on the road empty and will drop down to 9-10mpg when loaded. At least that has been my story. When loaded, just watch the exhaust, if pouring smoke, then back the foot off some. You are wasting fuel. It will do what it will do and no need in stomping it. On hills, it will pull down and labor, but that is the nature of an NA diesel.
Both the F350 and F450 are fine trucks, the F450 is just a heavy built truck.
HTH
mb
 
Just before christmas, I bought a 90 F350 superduty, to pull my equipment- hay trailer. It has the 7.3 diesel, and 5 spd manual transmission. It crashed gears, going into reverse, and somewhat on the shift from 2nd to 3rd. I was told that it was clutch adjustment. After a new clutch package, including flywheel, the problem was still there, and found out that the syncros, in the 5spd were out. Tranny is a german made ZF that is very intemidating, for me to tear into! Have been told that they were a weak link. When I get rich, selling my calves I might have it fixed! Ive got twice it's worth in it now.
 
I believe your truck is called a F-Super Duty. It was sold as a Cab & Chassis only so Ford did not call it a F-450. I have an 89 F-Super Duty with the 7.3 and 5 speed ZF. It has 5.13 gears in the rear axle so it"s no speed demon but it will pull anything you can hook to it. It is a Dana 80 axle and gears are available all the way down to 3.31 or so if you want speed without revving the engine.

The 7.3 is nothing but a 6.9 with the cylinders bored .110" over size. This leaves very thin cylinder walls that are especially prone to pinhole leaks due to cavitation. Check the SCA level of the coolant to see if it has the special anti-cavitation additive in it.
Mine has 4 wheel disc brakes with a hydraboost (instead of vacuum) power system. The front axle is a solid I beam with nothing weak about it. It rides like a buckboard wagon.
 
The 350 isn't superduty back then but no matter. You can get the 5 spd ZF's quite easily used. They are a strong transmission if you keep them oiled and shift them right.

I'd love one of the hard to find newer 6 spd ZF-6 for my newer superduty.
 
An aquaintance has one and I believe the weight catagory required him to have DOT numbers and keep a log book. Going from memory here but something to check out.
 
I'm in Ontario so a few different rules. I'd have to get in saftied every year and an E-test every other so a F-250(gvw under 4500KG) would be better but for the right truck for the right money the super duty would be OK. Looking at the rules, if it's going to be over 4500 KG something without abs is also a bonus. (Cause apparantely abs doesn't have to be operational to pass inspection as of right now, but that is about to change)
 
I recently bought a 96 F-250 PowerStroke with a bad ZF-5 (grinding in 2nd and 3rd). I rebuilt it and it wasn't too bad of a job. Found the service manual for it online but was not the easiest to get parts for. Have you checked the oil in it yet? It requires synthetic Mercon V ATF. What took my trans out was someone had put 80W-90 gear oil in it which took out the synchros.
 
farmer boy, B-I-L has a 88,F-450 AKA Super duty with No # designation. 7.3 DSL, 5 speed, and 5:17 rear gears! It had a 12 ft flat bed on it. I could legally carry more wt that his 20 ft Gooseneck stock trailer. Great truck, not a speed burner with the 5:17 gears, but tough a nails. The reliability of the 7.3 is legendary enough said. But just in case,,, make sure the H20 Separator is not leaking a replacement is Ford Only either @ Ford or Motorcraft! Motorcraft is the cheaper way out....$800 Cost!
Hope this helps.
Later,
John A.
 


Both the ZF 5 and 6 speed are strong and have good ratio spread, especialy the 6 spd. Very few people are complaining about durability.I've had all manner of transmissions in pickups and in my opinion the ZF6 is the best trans.ever installed in a domestic pickup.
 

Truck should be an F-SuperDuty in 1992. It will have the parking brake on the tail shaft of the transmission as well....and as noted will ride like a buck board wagon.

I've driven the ZF-5 in a 460 gas job....it needed synchros as well...but it was a well used fleet truck..."hundreds" of drivers.

I have a ZF-6 in my F250...nice gear box!
 
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