When PU's were work trucks

[mcmxi]

There are no trucks built with a solid live axle anymore. My Jeep Wrangler is the only vehicle I’m aware of that is still offered like that.

So Ford's F350/F450 front suspension consisting of a mono beam with coil springs and rear solid axle with leaf springs isn't equivalent to a solid live axle arrangement that I have on my F250, Jeep TJ and M1078? I'm under the impression that other than coil springs up front compared to leaf springs, there's no difference between the solid live axle on my '02 F250 and a '24 F250/F350/F450.

Mono beam is just Ford's marketing gimmick for a sold front axle ... at least, that's my current understanding.

I did a fair amount of work on an ex-gf's Dodge truck that had a car like independent front suspension and not a real tow/working truck suspension. It was always problematic and I hated having to fix things for her on that piece of junk.

 

[mcmxi]

I had no idea they still use a solid front axle and leaf springs? Other than maybe a dump truck I wouldn't want anything but independent suspension, at least on the front.

Not me. I'll take a solid axle up front since I'm more concerned about longevity and reliability towing big trailers, rather than car-like handling. Coil springs up front are ok since they typically reduce the turning radius, and they do offer more articulation up front compared to leaf springs.

I have solid axles in my '98 Jeep TJ with coil springs all around which work great on challenging trails and obstacles, without the inherent weaknesses of independent suspensions.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

I hear a lot of complaints on the independent front suspension, but I've had ZERO issues with mine, and it's worked pretty hard.

 

[jyoutz]

So Ford's F350/F450 front suspension consisting of a mono beam with coil springs and rear solid axle with leaf springs isn't equivalent to a solid live axle arrangement that I have on my F250, Jeep TJ and M1078? I'm under the impression that other than coil springs up front compared to leaf springs, there's no difference between the solid live axle on my '02 F250 and a '24 F250/F350/F450.

Mono beam is just Ford's marketing gimmick for a sold front axle ... at least, that's my current understanding.

I did a fair amount of work on an ex-gf's Dodge truck that had a car like independent front suspension and not a real tow/working truck suspension. It was always problematic and I hated having to fix things for her on that piece of junk.

I was referring to 3/4 and half ton trucks. I don’t know what they put in the 1 ton plus trucks. My 2007 2500 Dodge 4x4 with Cummins diesel has never given me a bit of front end trouble.

 

[jyoutz]

I hear a lot of complaints on the independent front suspension, but I've had ZERO issues with mine, and it's worked pretty hard.

Really the only real advantage to solid front axles is for those who do serious rock climbing like some of the Jeep Wrangler people do. I’m very happy to not have to visit the chiropractor after a day of driving the old solid axle 3/4 ton trucks off road, like I used to do constantly. Some days I would do over 100 miles on forest roads and skid trails. And my back felt it.

 

[mcmxi]

Really the only real advantage to solid front axles is for those who do serious rock climbing like some of the Jeep Wrangler people do. I’m very happy to not have to visit the chiropractor after a day of driving the old solid axle 3/4 ton trucks off road, like I used to do constantly. Some days I would do over 100 miles on forest roads and skid trails. And my back felt it.

My '02 F250 with a solid front axle is as smooth as can be. I've done many 600+ mile trips in a day without issue. I don't off road it since my need is mostly towing but I have driven trails with it without issue. Solid front axles are more durable than independent for more than just off roading. That's why they're ubiquitous in the bigger trucks. The Super Duty line has them across the board.

Dodge Ram trucks are well known for having front end issues related to the car like suspension that they use. They ride and steer well, but that comes at a price when you shove in a big engine and have all of that weight up front.

This is my reality having owned and worked on many trucks over the years. Your reality is obviously different.

 

[jyoutz]

My '02 F250 with a solid front axle is as smooth as can be. I've done many 600+ mile trips in a day without issue. I don't off road it since my need is mostly towing but I have driven trails with it without issue. Solid front axles are more durable than independent for more than just off roading. That's why they're ubiquitous in the bigger trucks. The Super Duty line has them across the board.

Dodge Ram trucks are well known for having front end issues related to the car like suspension that they use. They ride and steer well, but that comes at a price when you shove in a big engine and have all of that weight up front.

This is my reality having owned and worked on many trucks over the years. Your reality is obviously different.

600 miles on a highway is easier than 100 miles off road. My agency had fleets of the solid axle trucks in the 1990/2000s. Rough riding offroad. All brands. As for Dodge trucks, maybe you are referring to the half tons. My 2500 has a heavy Cummins engine and the front end has been rock solid for the past 160k miles.

 

[mcmxi]

600 miles on a highway is easier than 100 miles off road. My agency had fleets of the solid axle trucks in the 1990/2000s. Rough riding offroad. All brands. As for Dodge trucks, maybe you are referring to the half tons. My 2500 has a heavy Cummins engine and the front end has been rock solid for the past 160k miles.

I get it. If I were mostly driving trails and rough roads I'd probably be complaining about the ride. Yes, the Dodge Ram 1/2 ton is famously bad up front and that's what I was referring to. I've owned more than a few 1/2 ton, gas powered trucks over the years, mostly Fords, but also one Toyota, and these days I would need to win or be gifted such a thing since I have no desire to own those again.

There's a really nice low mileage '22 F350 6.7L Super Duty Platinum for sale near me with all of the features I'd want and it's one of my favorite colors too, but I'm not ready to pay $75k at the moment. It's probably a good thing since in a couple of years I'd really like to get into an F450 Super Duty with an aluminum flat bed or similar. I regularly check local listings as well as my favorite dealer in CA for used trucks, and if the perfect one pops up, I will have some thinking to do.

As for trails, I'll stick with my Jeep TJ with its Rubicon Express upgraded suspension system and 4.56 gears.

 

[Botamon]

There are no trucks built with a solid live axle anymore. My Jeep Wrangler is the only vehicle I’m aware of that is still offered like that.

ALL 2500 - 3500 - 4500 and 5500 series 4x4 Ram trucks are solid front axle, as are all 4x4 Ford F250 and up. Still the most durable setup.

 

[Botamon]

I hear a lot of complaints on the independent front suspension, but I've had ZERO issues with mine, and it's worked pretty hard.

Depends on the conditions the truck has to put up with. If the trucks is used on good roads then yes, the independent front suspension does just fine and for sure handles better and rides better...and never has to worry about "death wobble"!

I worked at a mine most of my life. Mine trucks run 24/7 in mud (all roads are heavily watered to keep down dust). The mine tried GM trucks for a few years but gave up on them...had to change out all front end components almost yearly because the mud would get into all those pivot points and eat them up. During the winter the mud would build up and freeze around the CV boots and rip them out.

Here in northern Nevada, when I visit the various ranches/farms and see the trucks they drive I estimate 60% of them use Dodge/Ram pickups and the rest Fords. Very few GM heavy duty pickups. Only exception would be the southeastern Oregon area where it is almost exclusively Ford. But that's because the only dealer in many, many miles is Ford.

 

[jyoutz]

ALL 2500 - 3500 - 4500 and 5500 series 4x4 Ram trucks are solid front axle, as are all 4x4 Ford F250 and up. Still the most durable setup.

You are correct. I know my 2007 is a solid front axle, but thought the newer ones had changed. I know mine has coil springs on front and that helps a lot compared to the older trucks with solid front axles and front leaf springs. Those trucks rode so rough that the body sheet metal would develop cracks.

 

[jyoutz]

I get it. If I were mostly driving trails and rough roads I'd probably be complaining about the ride. Yes, the Dodge Ram 1/2 ton is famously bad up front and that's what I was referring to. I've owned more than a few 1/2 ton, gas powered trucks over the years, mostly Fords, but also one Toyota, and these days I would need to win or be gifted such a thing since I have no desire to own those again.

There's a really nice low mileage '22 F350 6.7L Super Duty Platinum for sale near me with all of the features I'd want and it's one of my favorite colors too, but I'm not ready to pay $75k at the moment. It's probably a good thing since in a couple of years I'd really like to get into an F450 Super Duty with an aluminum flat bed or similar. I regularly check local listings as well as my favorite dealer in CA for used trucks, and if the perfect one pops up, I will have some thinking to do.

As for trails, I'll stick with my Jeep TJ with its Rubicon Express upgraded suspension system and 4.56 gears.

I likewise have a Jeep Wrangler and also a Dodge 2500 Cummins diesel 4x4. Love the Jeep and its my DD.

 

[GrassLakeRon]

My 21 f350 was ordered with roll up windows.....it's a work truck. As for independent front 4 wheel drive, my brother has to be rebuild his Chevy's every couple of years.....my Dana super 60, never.

 

[lugbolt]

View attachment 132801

i used to have that exact truck when I was younger. Believe me, it is NOT going to pull a plow in the Arkansas (or Nebraska....) dirt, at least not with the discs or tines in the ground doing regular plow stuff that we normally did with a plow. Aint enough traction. Not in 4wd, certainly not in 2wd. Pulled it out of the mud/dirt quite a few times trying though.

The good thing about that truck was that it had a 454, which is easily and somewhat inexpensively upgraded to 496 and in some cases 505". Toss a set of heads on it and supporting mods, and 700hp is no problem at all. Mine wasn't "that" stout but maybe 550 or so. 496. Couldn't keep it together for long but it ran well when it ran. Downside to the design of the engine, when you lose a roller lifter, it usually takes out the block. Roller lifters weren't that great in those day. Much better now, kind of rare for a failure these days. I bet I had 4 or 5 blocks sitting in the shed at all times, but back then they were free and / or dirt cheap. Them days is gone. Almost money ahead now to just get a dart or GMPP block.

 

[mcmxi]

i used to have that exact truck when I was younger. Believe me, it is NOT going to pull a plow in the Arkansas (or Nebraska....) dirt, at least not with the discs or tines in the ground doing regular plow stuff that we normally did with a plow. Aint enough traction. Not in 4wd, certainly not in 2wd. Pulled it out of the mud/dirt quite a few times trying though.

That's what I thought and why I said in an earlier post that it was just a marketing gimmick. It's still a cool photo though.