What would you choose 3.55 gears vs Turning radius

AnEv942 wrote:
Just Curious- our 01 leaf sprung Ford takes a mile to turn- but Ive never had issue unless trying to make a U turn? (I dont like to jump curbs with camper on).
I thouhgt that was one of the advantages and reason for changing front suspension of the newer Fords- tighter turning radius.

Ford has 3 types of steering,
Leaf sprung trucks, old body style or SD, that turn like the titanic.

Coil sprung trucks that turn great in comparison to the leaf sprung trucks.

And f450 f550, that make the coil sprung f350/250 feel like they turn like leaf sprung trucks.

Tighter turning is also great for being able to jack knife a trailer and make tight maneuvers with less room around you.

Just Curious- our 01 leaf sprung Ford takes a mile to turn- but Ive never had issue unless trying to make a U turn? (I dont like to jump curbs with camper on).
I thouhgt that was one of the advantages and reason for changing front suspension of the newer Fords- tighter turning radius.

Here is a question relevant to the subject: What parts are different on the wide track front axle?

I haven't explored this in depth yet, but it appears that one could convert (I'm talking here about 2 WD). The axle, radius arms, hubs, perhaps brakes, springs, perhaps steering box and links would need to be changed. Those could all come from a wrecked donor, though they'd be rare. The fenders would need to me modified. It might be done for $3000?

I've contemplated this for my F350 2WD. There are two reasons for it: the turning radius obviously, but also it makes fitting air suspension to the front much simpler.

Buzzcut1 wrote:
Only thing that would hold me back on a 450 would be registration Fees and would my insurance company insure it as a private vehicle

Better carefully check your state laws.
In CA vehicle of 15k or more GWVR is exempt from smog, but require engine replacement every 15 years or trip to scrap yard.
That most likely is the reason Ford derated F450 in last years, but the lawmakers have a nasty habit of finding a way to deal with law abusers

I will check with my insurance and the local tag office about that. Given the F450 GVWR is still only 14k I would assume it was dealt with the same as an F350.

Buzzcut1 wrote:
Only thing that would hold me back on a 450 would be registration Fees and would my insurance company insure it as a private vehicle

Good point ! In man states, it could only be registered as a commercial or agricultural vehicle.

romore wrote:
The 3.55 may be nice unloaded on flat ground but you likely will regret it towing or hauling a TC.

The current 6 speed transmission will take care of a lot of these issue. You might have to "lock" it in 5th or even 4th on occasion.

Ya, I will drive the truck some without the camper but honestly, I think the tighter turning radius is what keeps drawing me back to them.

Only thing that would hold me back on a 450 would be registration Fees and would my insurance company insure it as a private vehicle

OP is buying the truck to carry a TC, the fuel mileage would be negligible between the F350 with 3.55’s vs the F450. Go for the tighter turning radius.