[SAVAGESAM]

Aside from the obvious weight carrying abilities. Are the brakes different? What about the frame? What are the differences?

 

[Guest]

My brakes are bigger, and I believe the frame is heavier.

 

[NMU98]

The axles are much larger on the 450/550!

 

[kblackav8or]

Front end is still a dana 60, rear on the 450 is a Dana 80, 550 has a Dana 135. Wheels on the 450/550 are 19.5 at least on the older 99-04's. The brakes are bigger and the frame is narrower and slightly bigger or with a better grade of steel. I have yet to hear of anyone breaking one of these frames through normal use. I am looking for some of those bigger brakes and a front end..just can't afford one. Need to find a 350 or newer 250 front axle. Mine has the 50. The weight rating in the book is the same and my old axle guy said they were the same until you get to the diff, the axles neck down and the diff and ring and pinion are smaller. If I bust it maybe my wife will let me buy a bigger one

 

[SAVAGESAM]

My brakes are bigger, and I believe the frame is heavier.

............What is your truck rated to tow? What about the 550?

 

[wftree]

The F450 has a 15,000 rating and the f550 can be 17500 or higher with a special package. The brakes are significantly bigger, stronger frame, larger axles in back, older F450 Dana 80HD and newer Dana 110 the F550 has a dana 135.

Gearing is my only *****. 4.88 are rediculous. I am re-gearing mine shortly to 4.30.

wftree

 

[Guest]

Gearing is my only *****. 4.88 are rediculous. I am re-gearing mine shortly to 4.30.

My 450 could have came from the factory with 4.30

 

[Guest]

Front end is still a dana 60,

Then why is my front axle so much freakin wider than a 350?:shrug:

 

[Guest]

............What is your truck rated to tow? What about the 550?

My truck has a 16000 lb. GVWR

 

[DCSpecial]

Then why is my front axle so much freakin wider than a 350?:shrug:

In 05-06 they widened the front axle on the F-450/550s......can't remember why off hand though, or if there are other difference in the axle vs. a F-350 DRW...:shrug:

What's the GCWR of the 05-06 F-450s and F-550s?
I know 99-04s were 26,000# GCWR, GVWR of 15,000 for the 99-04 F-450, and either 17,500# or 19,000# GVWR on the F-550 depending on which package you got.

We have a 06 F-450...I'll have to look at the GCWR when I'm at the shop working on my F-350 later on today.

 

[wftree]

My 450 could have came from the factory with 4.30

It is an option but most will come in with 4.88.

Bought mine used had everything I wanted even the right color except it had carpeted floor and 4.88 gears.

I am putting a vinyl floor in today and the 4.30 gears in a couple of weeks

wftree

 

[kblackav8or]

I really want to upgrade my front axle to F450 spec brakes. What do I need? I am thinking calipers, rotors, caliper brackets, what else? Anyone a guru on these? I have a pair of F450 dually adapters on their way.

 

[pietrusa]

The F450 has a 15,000 rating and the f550 can be 17500 or higher with a special package. The brakes are significantly bigger, stronger frame, larger axles in back, older F450 Dana 80HD and newer Dana 110 the F550 has a dana 135.

Gearing is my only *. 4.88 are rediculous. I am re-gearing mine shortly to 4.30.

wftree

The gearing is something I'm struggling to understand. If you want to be able to carry more (looking at a Host Mammoth Camper) and tow more on a trailer, which gearing is best. How does performance change as the gear ration number changes?