Any 90s Vintage Ford Truck Experts on the Forum?

[Bailey Guns]

I just picked up a 96 F250 XLT, Ext Cab, 4x4, DRW, 8' bed pickup. My buddy who's a self-proclaimed Ford truck expert from that era claimed they didn't offer the F250 in a DRW version. But I ran the VIN and it comes up just like it is...DRW F250. Not sure what axles and such but it's a 7.5L (460CI) with an auto transmission. Anyone know how many of these Ford built? Were they special order? I can't find much searching around...except lots of other guys on Ford forums saying they didn't make such a truck. But I know they did because I have one sitting in my driveway.

Nice truck...a few bumps and bruises in the finish but a 1-family truck since new with only 65,013 miles when I picked it up in Boise this morning. Ran really strong on the mountain road drive back to Lewiston. A slight bump when it upshifts...not sure if that should concern me or not.

[Wulf202]

I've never seen a drw f250 that wasn't aftermarket. It's probably a rare special order.

[Great-Kazoo]

I just picked up a 96 F250 XLT, Ext Cab, 4x4, DRW, 8' bed pickup. My buddy who's a self-proclaimed Ford truck expert from that era claimed they didn't offer the F250 in a DRW version. But I ran the VIN and it comes up just like it is...DRW F250. Not sure what axles and such but it's a 7.5L (460CI) with an auto transmission. Anyone know how many of these Ford built? Were they special order? I can't find much searching around...except lots of other guys on Ford forums saying they didn't make such a truck. But I know they did because I have one sitting in my driveway.

Nice truck...a few bumps and bruises in the finish but a 1-family truck since new with only 65,013 miles when I picked it up in Boise this morning. Ran really strong on the mountain road drive back to Lewiston. A slight bump when it upshifts...not sure if that should concern me or not.

Check cross member and other mounts. Better if it were a loose, worn or cracked mount that transmission

[Irving]

What does DRW stand for?

[ray1970]

I don't even know what DRW is.

"Dual rear wheels"?

[Wulf202]

Yea. Dually

[zteknik]

I'm not a real expert on those, but yea they did make them .Couldn't tell you on how many they made, but when I worked at the Ford dealer back in NY seems like a ton of the contractors out there had them.
Slight bump on upshifts, does it bump when you speed up and let off the throttle? Or when backing up? Like Kazoo said check the mounts and bushings. also look at the u joints and the driveshaft carrier bearing.

Also I would check the trans fluid. Wouldn't hurt to change the fluid and filter.

[Wulf202]

Probably built for insurance and license premium purposes much like the old heavy half ton trucks. 3/4 ton suspension but badged as a half ton.

I do know that that was not a standard package. An f350 badged as an f250 was a special order.

[Bailey Guns]

Interesting info. The transmission bump is only when up-shifting. No noise when shifting into gear or from D to R, etc. It's smooth as can be. No noise when backing, etc. Just a little bump on up-shifts. The fluid looks good but I'll flush it anyway and look at mounts and u-joints.

Anyone know if the lug nuts on the wheels are the same between the 250 and 350? Maybe that would be a clue.

[zteknik]

As far as I remember the lug nuts should be the same. I'll have to poke at my transmission guy at work and see if he knows any issues with the bump.

[Buff]

Interesting info. The transmission bump is only when up-shifting. No noise when shifting into gear or from D to R, etc. It's smooth as can be. No noise when backing, etc. Just a little bump on up-shifts. The fluid looks good but I'll flush it anyway and look at mounts and u-joints.

Anyone know if the lug nuts on the wheels are the same between the 250 and 350? Maybe that would be a clue.

Lugs nuts are the same 250-350, bolt pattern changed in '99.
The only F-250 DRW's I've every seen were conversion do by a truck outfitter. If memory is correct 5R in Golden use to supply local dealers.

[Bailey Guns]

It's got a shit-ton of leafs on the rear suspension. It's got 4 springs on top of a shorter flat spring and then it has what looks like an overload(?) setup with another 4 springs on top.

And standard 8 lugs front and rear on the wheels.

[Buff]

It's got a shit-ton of leafs on the rear suspension. It's got 4 springs on top of a shorter flat spring and then it has what looks like an overload(?) setup with another 4 springs on top.

And standard 8 lugs front and rear on the wheels.D

Do the wheels have spacers?

[Great-Kazoo]

It must be nice to be rich like Bailey. New house, new shop, new dogs, new car and now a new truck. Then he just flashes his loot in our faces.

#Idahoprivilige

[Bailey Guns]

You know us propane truck drivers get paid more money than we can possibly spend.

[hahhah-no]

[BushMasterBoy]

Maybe the solenoid pack.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CnFAcVO20E

[Bailey Guns]

That's way over my head.

[ben4372]

Back to your original F250 dual. If memory serves for sold the duals as a stability feature in the era. The one tons had the same tow rating with or without duals. Probably a cost savings to have a low GVW dual. That is one of my favorite body styles. I'd still have it were it not for it not being car seat friendly.

[jmg8550]

I just saw a 90's F250 single cab long bed that had dual rear wheels. They're out there.

[Guylee]

90's is vintage? Way to make a young guy feel old...

[BushMasterBoy]

Change all the fluids and just drive it. All cooling hoses probably need a change too.

[Bailey Guns]

90's is vintage? Way to make a young guy feel old...

Vintage: A period when something was made or begun. (Merriam Webster)

No need to feel old before your time, young man!

[Beer]

[Bailey Guns]

Change all the fluids and just drive it. All cooling hoses probably need a change too.

Hoses look good. Fluids...yeah. They'll get changed. Could probably use a bat-tree, too. Cranks a little slow.