From: koziarz@halibut.nosc.mil (Walter A. Koziarz)
Subject: Re: Ford 4x4 Opinions Sought
Organization: Naval Ocean Systems Center, San Diego
Distribution: usa
Date: Sat, 19 Dec 1992 22:14:03 GMT

In article <1992Dec18.232931.1@bronco.fnal.gov> colombo@bronco.fnal.gov writes:
>In article <1992Dec18.145601.11276@nosc.mil>, koziarz@halibut.nosc.mil (Walter A. Koziarz) writes:
 
>> Well, I have an opinion, a negative one, on Ford 4x4s less than the F-350.
>> These lesser-vehicles use what Ford calls 'Twin-Traction-Beam' (TTB) frontends.
>> These are extremely difficult to perform routine service on.  Drain and refill
>> of the lubricant requires removal of the axle shafts since the swing-arm that
>> forms on of the suspension-members also functions as the differential cover.
>> The entire differential case must be removed from the suspension-member to
>> drain it, and in order to remove it, the axles and driveshaft must first be

>Well with all this Ford bashing (by Mopar no less), let me point out
>(to the IFS impaired) that to drain the front diff on the Bronco takes
>a simple/cheap ($16) hand-held 12V oil pump.  Now don't you feel silly
>if you removed the axles. :-)

Sorry, Rick, but unless the differential cover is removed during
lubricant-change debris is left in the housing... so to *properly* maintain the
differential, my above instructions must still be followed...  Now, don't *you*
feel silly for advocating half-*ssed procedures :-)


>> removed.  Also, the Bronco-II has a wimpy aluminum front differential housing
>> and the stock V-6 engine is more than capable of providing sufficient torque to
>> take teeth off the ring and pinion and shatter the case.  If you intend to do
>> any *S*E*R*I*O*U*S* off-roading, only Dodge offers a suitable running-gear
>> combination in all its 4x4s (except the Dakota, but that's only an

>Are you saying that Chrysler diff's are better than Dana's ????
>I'll leave the flames to those more capable than I.

'flames'?!?!? over facts?  Ford does *NOT* use DANA axles in the rear of *any*
truck, Dodge uses DANA-60s and '70s in it 3/4 and 1-ton models and the Chrysler
9.25-inch is every bit as stout as a DANA-44.  Dodge fullsize 4x4s use DANA-44s
up front in 1/2 and some 3/4-tons; DANA-60s are used in all 1-tons, some
3/4-tons and all Diesels.  And, yes, I am saying that the DANA axles specified
by Dodge are better than the wimpier DANAs specified by Ford.  I did allude to
the fact that the F-350 utilizes a suitable axle, btw... the *ONLY* non-Dodge
to do so.  So, there you have it... anyone with truck-savvy won't be doing any
flammage...

>> "almost-truck").  For serious off-roading, stay away, far away from independent
>> front suspensions as these decrease ground clearance as they travel.  Only a
>> solid axle is suitable for extreme duty, the IFS-setups are for cruising
>> boulevards.

>Agreed, if I where Baja-ing it across the peninsula for money, I wouldn't
>have a truck with IFS.

sheesh, you blew it again...  I'd *only* want a _purpose-built_ IFS on the
Baja...  I'm talking about the ability to actually make it *home* from a day of
off-road and only a solid axle can 'hack it' in the most extreme off-road
work/play conditions.

Geeze I wish people knew what they were talking about before attacking facts...


Walt 'death-before-gas-pigs' K.