87 F-250

[hades300zxdrivesford]

The 94 f350 I wanted turned out to be a mess, so now in looking at a 87 f250. It only has 91k miles is a super cab
With the auto trans. The woman showing the truck didn't know what engine it was other then gas v-8.
How can I find out what motor is in it? and how is the twin ibeam front axle for off roading? The truck is all stock so I would want a 4-6 inch lift and run 35 or 37 inch tires after I make sure every thing really does work properly. And I plan on doing some moderate off roading with it. Any tips or advice or be sure to check such and such would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Fellro]

Motor size is generally easy on those years, the emissions tag has it, as does the intake... If you can get the VIN from them, you can also find out from that.

You can do lifts on the SAS front axle, I can't say how good or bad they tend to be on that. I have heard, but have also seen denial that the larger tires and SAS fronts don't play well, but you are also looking to stay in the range they do fine with.

My personal experience has always been stock lifts, but I have done quite well for my needs with the SAS. I even drove over logs before with the old man's 84 super cab. I was loaded with a trailer full of scrap with my 86 and pulled it out of quite the mud hole with no assistance. Solid axles are good, but I think the SAS (swing axle suspension) gets a worse rap than it deserves. Is it perfect? Hell no, but it isn't junk either. It also makes for a good platform to go to a solid if that is your needs/preferences, as you get a lift by just making the swap. You have to bring the rear up to match, but the SAS spring arches upwards, while the solid arches downward.

Being a Super Cab, it may already have the D 50 under it, which can be identified by looking at the hub. The D50 hub pretty much fills the center hole on the wheel, while the D44 hub does not. The 84 has the D50, my 88 and 86 do not. They are regular cab.

 

[hades300zxdrivesford]

Does it matter how many lugs are on the wheel like to tell if its a dana 50 or 44 axle cause this one had 8.

 

[hades300zxdrivesford]

Would a straight axle swap be a straight bolt on swap or will I have to bring my plasma cutter and welder from work home?

 

[Fellro]

They are both 8 bolt. For the most part, all 250 and 350 models have 8 bolt axles.

As far as I know, it is largely a bolt on swap to go to a solid axle.