Hi guys, I have heard about HD versions of our 1st gens and am wondering what the difference is between HD and a standard 3/4 ton. I have a D-250 LE and am told that if the truck has coil springs instead of leafs in the front end, it constitutes as an HD model. Any thoughts?

 

The only "HD" of sorts are the front ends. Gasser have a lighter 3000lbs front end, the diesels have 4000lbs.

 

The 2 wheel drives have the coils, 4x4's have the leaf springs.

 

Just curious but I am not sure on the 4wd part. My uncle has a 94 CTD with coil springs in the front end. Maybe his is different because it is a second gen.

 

'93 was the last year of the 1st gens and anything newer (4x4) has coils.
Coil springs for ride comfort ='s more parts to wear out.....ball joints,track bar, etc.

 

Okay, that seems to make some more sense. It had just never heard of the HD option but the difference between Diesel and Gasser makes sense.

 

The 1992/1993 Club Cabs D/W and 1989-1993 D/W350 Standard Cabs gave an 8" tall frame that has thicker C channel as well. Those I consider HD compared to the wimpy 6" tall frames in all of the other models.

Prior to the 92/93 8" frames, some club and crew cabs had 7" tall frames... like both of my '72s D200/w200 Crew Cabs.

 

Maybe a plow prep package or overload springs would constitute an "HD" title (in some eyes)

 

In a parts store the ''Diesels'' are refered to as HD.

 

People always forget about the '89 and '90 1 ton SRW 2wd, which is technically an HD 3/4 ton.
It's underrated weightwise, to make it a cheaper truck by not having the extra lighting and fenders a 10,000 GVW truck mandates.
However, it uses the taller, thicker frame.

Most of the SRW 1 tons I have seen are base models, with no carpet and manual crank windows.

Mark.