Ford V10 Triton Drivetrain

[Farmhills53565]

I was looking at documentation and I have a question about the Ford V10 drivetrain. Does anyone know if the entire drivetrain used in a Class C the same as a Class A? Do they have the same transmission? We are looking at Class As and are wondering if we were to buy an older Class C would it have the same drivetrain as a Class A from the same year.

[Chum_lee]

Farmhills53565 wrote:
I was looking at documentation and I have a question about the Ford V10 drive train. Does anyone know if the entire drive train used in a Class C the same as a Class A? Do they have the same transmission? We are looking at Class As and are wondering if we were to buy an older Class C would it have the same drive train as a Class A from the same year.

My first response to your question would be NO. THE ENTIRE DRIVE TRAIN IS NOT THE SAME. There are hundreds/thousands of minor/major engineering changes between vehicles but, the basic design framework is similar. (to keep it economical in design/production) For example, oil coolers/specifications, radiators, shift points, clutch apply pressures/rates, torque converter stall/lockup speeds, exhaust emissions, fuel mileage, primary/final drive ratios, axle design, GVWR, wheelbase, tire/wheel size, springs, brakes, sway bars, soft/hard clutch materials, planetary gear set design, thrust bearings, oil seals, material specifications/strength, heat treatments, . . . . on, and on, and on differ between vehicles.

E350, E450, F250. F350, F450, F53 . . . chassis specifications vary widely.

If you REALLY want to know the answers to your questions, . . . . go to (graduate from) engineering school, pay an expert, or, search the internet. Find copies of the Ford parts fisch for the vehicles in question. Do your own comparison. IMO, it's a great question, but, . . . . nobody (of value) is going to do your homework for you. (for free)

Many salvage yards have compatibility manuals which explain if a specific transmission/engine/differential (major component from one vehicle) will FIT into another, but no reports on how well/long it works.

I've been doing this for 60 years.

Chum lee

[dodge_guy]

cwit wrote:
You hitch may be on an extension of the f53 frame.

Yes it is, but the extension is the same width and height minus the thickness of the add on frame rails that are installed and welded to the inside of the F53 frame.

[cwit]

You hitch may be on an extension of the f53 frame.

[dodge_guy]

RLS7201 wrote:

dodge guy wrote:

RLS7201 wrote:

JaxDad wrote:

Entire drivetrain, no, the front half is usually the same in equal years.

The class C is normally built on, depending on size and year, either an E350 or E450 chassis, the class A is usually built on the F53 (a stripped on F500) chassis.

That also gives it bigger wheels, brakes, etc....

The Ford F53 chassis is NOT a striped F500 (F550) chassis but is built by Detroit Chassis LLC in Detroit MI. Exclusivity for MH service.

Richard

Actually, it's based on the 550 and up chassis. Not the same but modified for use as a universal chassis.

Are you able to document you statement?

Richard

Yes. I did a lot of research because I want to replace the hitch on mine with a higher rated one. the F53 and F550 are almost the same minus a few differences. the biggest is the radiator support and driving area, made to be universal on the F53. the frame is the same as an F550 (and other series). where they differ is in axles and springs. the frame rail width and height are the same. measuring my F53 against a 550 shows this and why I know a hitch for an F550 will bolt up and fit exact to the F53 frame. basically the F53 frame is a 550 minus cab mounts and the different radiator support. and added crossmembers when the frame is built.

[JaxDad]

I mistyped, I meant F550 not F500.

It is my understanding that other than the frame rails themselves and a few minor bits, all the drivetrain components are the same as an F550.

Detroit Chassis LLC “assembles” the chassis from Ford built components.

[RLS7201]

dodge guy wrote:

RLS7201 wrote:

JaxDad wrote:

Entire drivetrain, no, the front half is usually the same in equal years.

The class C is normally built on, depending on size and year, either an E350 or E450 chassis, the class A is usually built on the F53 (a stripped on F500) chassis.

That also gives it bigger wheels, brakes, etc....

The Ford F53 chassis is NOT a striped F500 (F550) chassis but is built by Detroit Chassis LLC in Detroit MI. Exclusivity for MH service.

Richard

Actually, it's based on the 550 and up chassis. Not the same but modified for use as a universal chassis.

Are you able to document you statement?

Richard

[dodge_guy]

RLS7201 wrote:

JaxDad wrote:

Entire drivetrain, no, the front half is usually the same in equal years.

The class C is normally built on, depending on size and year, either an E350 or E450 chassis, the class A is usually built on the F53 (a stripped on F500) chassis.

That also gives it bigger wheels, brakes, etc....

The Ford F53 chassis is NOT a striped F500 (F550) chassis but is built by Detroit Chassis LLC in Detroit MI. Exclusivity for MH service.

Richard

Actually, it's based on the 550 and up chassis. Not the same but modified for use as a universal chassis.

[RLS7201]

JaxDad wrote:

Entire drivetrain, no, the front half is usually the same in equal years.

The class C is normally built on, depending on size and year, either an E350 or E450 chassis, the class A is usually built on the F53 (a stripped on F500) chassis.

That also gives it bigger wheels, brakes, etc....

The Ford F53 chassis is NOT a striped F500 (F550) chassis but is built by Detroit Chassis LLC in Detroit MI. Exclusivity for MH service.

Richard

[DrewE]

Engines were the same until the 3 valve V10 was introduced (for the F53, not for the E series).

Transmissions are the same.

Axles and differentials differ, of course--and also differ based on the specific ratings and options of the particular chassis. The suspension designs also differs, most notably in the front axle: a solid axle with leaf springs for the F53, and the (rather basic) twin I-beam independent front suspension setup with coil springs on the E series.

There are a few small Class A's that are built on bare E series chassis rather than the F53 chassis, but they're definitely the exception rather than the rule.

[JaxDad]

Farmhills53565 wrote:
Does anyone know if the entire drivetrain used in a Class C the same as a Class A? .

Entire drivetrain, no, the front half is usually the same in equal years.

The class C is normally built on, depending on size and year, either an E350 or E450 chassis, the class A is usually built on the F53 (a stripped on F500) chassis.

That also gives it bigger wheels, brakes, etc....

[RedRollingRoadb]

My 2007 'C' had the 5 Speed. My 2016 'A' has the 6 Speed, really like it.

The 5 speed has it quirks but it is a solid transmission. Either way I wouldn't let the transmission be your deciding factor.

[Dale_Traveling]

The three valve cylinder heads for the V10 are too big to fit inside the E series engine dog house.

[dodge_guy]

Up until 2005 both A’s and C’s had the same drivetrain V-10 4speed. Around 06 I think the they got the 5 speed auto. The class C though never got the 3valve Triton the A’s got. Around 2017 or so the V-10 got the 6 speed auto. I may be off in my years by 1.