Ford E450 vs E350 under a Class C
This also appears under a different post as well re: stretching Chassis. I'm looking for some more opinions / tech intelligence. We looked at a 31' Class C but rule it out in part because of some of w...
Forum Discussion
And it's a good thread.
Since the E150, E250, and E350 vans were discontinued, Ford made the E350 chassis with more E450 components and systems. This was done because of the severely reduced production numbers. What made them previously different has been reduced to a mere change in springs today, and a few other minors. This is actually beneficial for E350 owners because compared to years prior, the E350 today gets a wider stance, bigger brakes, and hydro-boost-brake instead of the conventional vacuum power brake booster like cars have. I believe the frame thickness is now the same between the E350 and E450, but I did not confirm it. I know my 2007 E350 steel frame is a tad bit thinner per the 2007 E-series spec sheet I found on-line.
In years past, the E350 had a more fuel efficient differential gear ratio, but the latest transmission with the extra gear, compensates for that nicely.
So if you are in the market for a new rig today, and you are considering a short E350-V10 & 55 gallon fuel tank, versus a short E450 with the same, the primary difference will be in the load capability, and almost no difference in the mechanicals.
Keep in-mind that "EXTRA excess capability" will yield a much rougher ride. If you already own a short E450 rig with extra excess capability yielding an unacceptably rough ride, take it to a truck suspension shop and have them remove one or two or three leaf springs per rear corner to get the ride softer without compromising your actual load requirement. The right shop can figure that out for you.
And for you with an E350 that barely handles your actual load, add one more leaf spring per rear corner to give you that edge.
I am on-the-fence over adding one rear leaf spring per rear corner on our 2007 E350 because our garage door clearance is of concern. Right now, when unloaded, we have only 1.5" between the a/c unit and the top of the door frame.
As seen in my signature picture, our original E350 front coil springs are significantly under-loaded which sets the front a bit high. I plan to replace them with one rating weaker to make our ride up front more enjoyable and also hope to lower it a bit. If the results also lower the a/c unit, then I will consider adding one more leaf spring in the rear. Once evaluated and determined to make an improvement, then comes new tires and a front wheel alignment. My new Moog springs are in-hand, ready for the swap.
After 12+ years owning our rig I am getting a little more daring experimenting with these things, customizing the spring ratings to better match our actual load along with a little extra margin tucked in there. I enjoy the challenge.
Since the E150, E250, and E350 vans were discontinued, Ford made the E350 chassis with more E450 components and systems. This was done because of the severely reduced production numbers. What made them previously different has been reduced to a mere change in springs today, and a few other minors. This is actually beneficial for E350 owners because compared to years prior, the E350 today gets a wider stance, bigger brakes, and hydro-boost-brake instead of the conventional vacuum power brake booster like cars have. I believe the frame thickness is now the same between the E350 and E450, but I did not confirm it. I know my 2007 E350 steel frame is a tad bit thinner per the 2007 E-series spec sheet I found on-line.
In years past, the E350 had a more fuel efficient differential gear ratio, but the latest transmission with the extra gear, compensates for that nicely.
So if you are in the market for a new rig today, and you are considering a short E350-V10 & 55 gallon fuel tank, versus a short E450 with the same, the primary difference will be in the load capability, and almost no difference in the mechanicals.
Keep in-mind that "EXTRA excess capability" will yield a much rougher ride. If you already own a short E450 rig with extra excess capability yielding an unacceptably rough ride, take it to a truck suspension shop and have them remove one or two or three leaf springs per rear corner to get the ride softer without compromising your actual load requirement. The right shop can figure that out for you.
And for you with an E350 that barely handles your actual load, add one more leaf spring per rear corner to give you that edge.
I am on-the-fence over adding one rear leaf spring per rear corner on our 2007 E350 because our garage door clearance is of concern. Right now, when unloaded, we have only 1.5" between the a/c unit and the top of the door frame.
As seen in my signature picture, our original E350 front coil springs are significantly under-loaded which sets the front a bit high. I plan to replace them with one rating weaker to make our ride up front more enjoyable and also hope to lower it a bit. If the results also lower the a/c unit, then I will consider adding one more leaf spring in the rear. Once evaluated and determined to make an improvement, then comes new tires and a front wheel alignment. My new Moog springs are in-hand, ready for the swap.
After 12+ years owning our rig I am getting a little more daring experimenting with these things, customizing the spring ratings to better match our actual load along with a little extra margin tucked in there. I enjoy the challenge.
