F650 4WD or 2WD

[Tantrum]

Looking at 650 for towing the boat.
Found a nice 4x4 that Im very interested in however some are saying the center of gravity on the 4x4 is too high. Ramps in NJ suck and 4WD would help Im sure, use it often with my excursion.
Also would like to know weather these things will run in the snow w/ 4WD.
Anyone driven both?
Who tows with a 4WD that I can talk to ?

[Chris]

4wd is unnecessary with a medium. If a ramp was that bad, I wouldn't try it with a 4wd dually.

Mediums are much heavier which greatly aids traction and most people ballast the rear to improve the ride quality- especially empty.

The big problem with the 4wd medium is the weight of the front axle. It's unsprung weight and that means it's going to give you a really bad ride quality, will bounce around on bumps, be much louder and such. Plus it's going to open up your turning radius.

I have an Excursion as well and I agree that pulling something big can be a challenge. With the Freightliner it's effortless.

As far as snow, I live in Ohio and travel the region. I've never seen a 4wd plow truck on a highway.

[Bgchuby01]

4 x 4 F-650 will drive like a Mack Truck. stay away

[chris sunsation]

Our 650 sucks in the snow

[nthdegree]

We tow with a GMC C4500 2WD..have never had a problem..it has limited slip and traction control...I guess it's all in the weight of the truck!!

[Chris]

Our 650 sucks in the snow

You need to add ballast weight in the rear. Solves all the trucks traction problems and greatly improves the ride. The pickup bed weighs about nothing.

[Bgchuby01]

with a 650 you would have air ride, being that you could load the boat foward to create more tonque weight to cure the traction problem with no effect on the truck level

[Chris]

with a 650 you would have air ride, being that you could load the boat foward to create more tonque weight to cure the traction problem with no effect on the truck level

That would work, but only when the boat is on the trailer.

[Bgchuby01]

True, When I had the peterbilt I prayed for a heavy trailer to give a better ride. With that truck I never had a problem pulling a boat out of the water. But its a Pete

[Tantrum]

Our 650 sucks in the snow

Is yours 4WD?

Ballast no doubt, I agree. 40,000lbs of salt is what the 2WD plow truck in my area typically use. Id could go for a couple g's of steel plate if thats what it took but if it aint gonna go, it aint gonna go. I would think ballast / weight would help ride quality in general.
The question of snow, would be to use it for snowmobile trailering. If I were a plow driver I wouldnt be parking in in some of the driveways we do.

Primary use is to pull a boat so the real concern would be what effect the elevated height and additional axle weight has on ride quality. I do understand this is a truck and not an SUV.

Anyone have a 4x4 or have driven both?

Thanks for the feedback :driving:

[MattBMiller]

Sunsations 650 is 2Wd

[Chris]

My Freightliner has about 3K of extra weight on the rear axle. It's an FL 70 so it has 22.5's and very heavy rear suspension. And it does not slip. The smaller tires of a low-pro aren't going to be nearly as good in the snow as the 22.5's.

Plow trucks start off with a full load, but they're still pushing with little or none back there.

I have driven a number of them in 4wd. The International CXT was unbelievably bad. It was like no suspension. I've driven a KW with 4wd. No better. You're probably not going to find a 4wd 650 unless you custom order it. Most people that want 4wd opt for a heavier, sturdier truck like the FL, Pete or KW. Tall isn't so much of a problem as these trucks are somewhat heavily sprung. It's a world of difference between a pickup and a medium.

[chris sunsation]

Sunsations 650 is 2Wd

Thanks! Matt is correct. The few times I have driven it in the snow was either with a boat or a 4 place enclosed trailer loaded w/sleds

[Tantrum]

Thanks for the feedback
I guess I need a plane ticket to take this buggy for a ride. :driving:

[Geronimo36]

Our 650 sucks in the snow

Most dually's suck in the snow compared to SRW's from what I've noticed.. And those cookie cutter stock factory tires are great in the snow. The big wheels/tires that everyone swap for bling don't lend themselves to good snow drivin!

[glh]

The big problem with the 4wd medium is the weight of the front axle. It's unsprung weight and that means it's going to give you a really bad ride quality, will bounce around on bumps, be much louder and such. Plus it's going to open up your turning radius.

4 x 4 F-650 will drive like a Mack Truck. stay awayHeard that also.


You need to add ballast weight in the rear. Solves all the trucks traction problems and greatly improves the ride. The pickup bed weighs about nothing.Same here with ours. I don't know about other trucks but mine has a switch that lowers the rear end with the air suspension so when i need more traction at ramps I i lower the rear end and it adds weight back there. Also mine is not a dually it is a super single.

[glh]

For winter traction Jeremy/BraceYourself has this on his F650, might also work on a slick ramp!

http://www.onspot.com/

DEsSCcnSoiY

[BraceYourself]

I researched this also.

I found go with 2wd. Super singles. Air Ride.

I have been on very steep ramps. with moss and wet pavement and dragging trailer and have never had a problem. The up and down air suspension is a must.

[BraceYourself]

Also my 2 wd has done fine in snow with the traction control.

[Geronimo36]

Nice truck!

[glh]

You need one cause It's you!!!!


http://www.seriousoffshore.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=43783&stc=1&d=1255564585

[Quinlan]

SWEET setup GL!!

[Geronimo36]

that is one serious truck bro!!!

[Big Time]

Also mine is not a dually it is a super single.

Is there any advantage/disadvatage to that set up. I know JBS has a similiar set up.

[Perlmudder]

You need one cause It's you!!!!


http://www.seriousoffshore.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=43783&stc=1&d=1255564585

that is so cool! :)

[2112]

SWEET setup GL!!

+4 or 5,6,7,8


Are those Ford headlights (and grill) or aftermarket? Damn your rig is killer. :USA:
.

[glh]

+4 or 5,6,7,8


Are those Ford headlights (and grill) or aftermarket? Damn your rig is killer. :USA:
.Those are the headlights that Matt at Sanders Ford had put on them they are from an F150 I think;
http://www.fordf150parts.com/f150-headlights-04-08-f-150-headlights-c-1_16/ford-f150-black-projector-led-headlights-04-08-p-565

http://www.fordf150parts.com/images/f37e_1f150.JPG

The grill I think they painted black it comes as chromed plastic.

[JupiterSunsation]

GLH do you need a city block for a 3 point turn?



Great rig, is it 4WD?

[Tantrum]

No doubt I need one.
It was a hoot to drive, will know next week, Ill call you when I find out.

[Tantrum]

GLH do you need a city block for a 3 point turn?
Great rig, is it 4WD?

You turn it more like a bulldozer, no need to use reverse unless there is something REALLY big in front of you. :sifone:

GL's is 2 wheel drive, to get a 4x4 it is an aftermarket deal although the 6 door isnt quite stock either......way cool truck :drool5:

[yesrej]

You turn it more like a bulldozer, no need to use reverse unless there is something REALLY big in front of you. :sifone:

GL's is 2 wheel drive, to get a 4x4 it is an aftermarket deal although the 6 door isnt quite stock either......way cool truck :drool5:

you know you have to let me drive when you get it.

[JoeD]

Yesrej---Maybe he will let you borrow it for the honeymoon at Niagra Falls.

[mcraymond3]

Hey GL, nice truck! I sure miss it! You are right, the headlights are for a F150. We ordered a grille off of a xl truck that wasn't chrome and painted it. I still have the chrome one if you want it. See you in KW.

[Sick Sting]

I was looking around for on but they are hard to come by.
-Mike

[Big Time]

Here is a 4x4 650 that is for sale, but it is going to cost you. Is the 4x4 Off Road option really and additional $28,500.00?!?!?

http://www.offshoreonly.com/classifieds/insane_ford_f_650-o30607-en.html

[Quinlan]

I was checkin that one out.

Insane is rite!! I need a NEW TRUCK!!!! Da cig sure would look GOOD behind that.

[JAIME]

tantrum did you find a truck or able to test drive, what did you think? Did you consider the Kodiacs or ?? good luck. Jaime

[bobkatz]

What motor are you guys running, Cat or Cummins? Also are the motors stock or have they been chipped, piped, etc...

[Tantrum]

tantrum did you find a truck or able to test drive, what did you think? Did you consider the Kodiacs or ?? good luck. Jaime

Never had the chance to test drive the 4x4. We were able to make the deal on the truck we really wanted from the begining. This rig is incredible. mcraymond3 was the builder on this one also...Matt has it down with these 650 conversions.

[ChiefApache]

Never had the chance to test drive the 4x4. We were able to make the deal on the truck we really wanted from the begining. This rig is incredible. mcraymond3 was the builder on this one also...Matt has it down with these 650 conversions.

Very nice!

[Big Time]

Was that the Peir 57 truck?

[Tantrum]

Was that the Peir 57 truck?

Yes it was.
We going to see you at the Hudson fun run?

[Big Time]

Yes it was.
We going to see you at the Hudson fun run?

Nice ride! Checked it out while down in Key West in Nov!

Don't think that I am making the fun run....going to be using that weekend to get the boat ready for the following weekend up in lake george for the exhibition race...that's the plan anyway. Really wish I had the time to make it.

Congrats again on the truck, I love those 650 conversions!