Is This 26-Year-Old OBS Ford F-250 7.3L Power Stroke BETTER Off-Road Than a Modern Truck?

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Kase takes our OBS Ford F-250 7.3L Power Stroke on the Ironclads trail to see how it stacks up against modern 4x4 off-road trucks.
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#ford #obs #powerstroke

[@traceypup1810]

On these older trucks, frame flex is part of the suspension and how they got articulation with 4 corner leaf springs

[@kc0lif]

no flex

[@philllsxga.7737]

Want see see something hilarious?? KZbin Chevy Silverado 3500 HD frame strength twist ditch test! Ford 🙄

[@wolfeman79]

I can truly say that frame flex that Chevy guys are always bashing the old C-Channel frames on makes all the difference off-road. I actually have both a old 85 F-250 HD long bed extended cab with the 460BB 4-speed 4x4 with the LSD REAR DIFF all factory and a 2019 Chevy 2500 withe the 6.0 extended cab long bed with the G80 rear diff. Both trucks are running the KO2's 35" tires off-road off camber situations the old Ford will walk through it where in the Chevy you find yourself not advancing and having to back off or be pulled through the same area's. Have tested many many different times with the same results, which is why when I need an off-road HD truck for work, I take the old 85 to the job. When it's more on road I use the Chevy 2500 to keep from racking up the miles on the 38 year old Ford that has absolutely 0 rust anywhere with factory paint.

[@sashuni1064]

So many people don't believe me when i say this lol

[@cstgx]

Lol

[@chir0pter]

Cool to see how much chassis flex added to the off-road capabilities of these old trucks before lockers. The long chassis, despite being a negative for break-over here, may have actually helped all 4 corners staying planted due to the added flex!

[@Keith-jp6jw]

Which is good considering the TTB front end does not work with leaf springs because they do not allow the suspension to pivot/articulate like it’s designed to.

[@TheMeanmarine13]

This makes me miss my dad's old farm trucks. They were absolute workhorses and took me to my first date in high school. Great video by the way, you guys make a good team.

[@photomasterstudios9495]

Kinda want to see an OBS Chevy with the 6.5 turbo compete against the 12-valve and the 7.3 just to see how the big three went against each other off road.

[@jimskatr103]

Hahahahaha!!! The 6.5 diesel was a joke! High end or nothing at all! No offense. I do like early GM diesel. But look, they saw they failed and the duramax happened , with VERY high HP and a good transmission. Cummins fails in auto trans, powerstroke wins on a margin. Good engine, good trans, not a cummins payload. But any of the 3 are GREAT!

[@freedomisntfree_44]

Newer truck yeah definitely automatic, but these old 7.3s with a manual are some of the most enjoyable trucks to drive. Nothing like rolling through the gears

[@MSchumacherfan]

The frame twist is crazy 😮

[@qbubbaq]

Spring steel

[@TREVORJB101]

Love these old trucks, regardless of the brand.

[@LPM84.]

Watching that truck roll over the steps obstacle and flex like a pool noodle in the beginning of the video brought some memories back. Had an 84 Chevrolet 3/4 ton reg cab with a long bed back in high-school.

[@imkwuzn]

Case is just a natural. He and Alex make a good team and it’s nice to see a younger perspective as well. More please!

[@kadimsilahtar]

You guys, Alex and Case make up a very capable team producing great truck contents too, thanks so much.

[@WW-wf8tu]

Nice work guys. Good honest run. Solid truck that has withstood the test of time. A truck most agree was the prime example of a true work horse.

[@dougpendleton1266]

Enjoyed the video! Quick comment on manual versus automatic. I have had many breakdowns over the years including transmissions. The automatics generally disable the vehicles to where it needs to be towed, but a manual can typically still limp out on its own. Very important when wheeling alone.

[@WW-wf8tu]

Best not to wheel alone.(which I do often)I have never had to limp out of anywhere. (alone) And I have run both auto and manuals. In my youth, manuals were fine. But even back then, the automatics were favored.

[@garrettdoss4439]

You can always use 1-2 in an e4od. Never had a problem with mine

[@stout_tossme7541]

Man, this takes me back. These “old” trucks were tanks. Great video.

[@matthewgoins87]

Love how the beds flex on these trucks. Probably not good but it does look cool 😂

[@qbubbaq]

The frames are made out of spring steel, there made to flex

[@WW-wf8tu]

@@qbubbaqThey're made for it, but it looks bad. Like the cab is going to take damage as it is twisting. Nothing about that looks "cool" to me.

[@rustbucket9318]

It’s designed for it. I have a 97 f350 that flexes the same. Doesn’t show as much now with aftermarket body mount bushings. Factory rubber gives more.

[@TheMeanmarine13]

That's actually normal. My grandpa had an 87 on our farm and it twisted like that going through the creek behind our barn. When we loaded it down with creek rock to make a flower bed, it didn't seem to flex quite as much if i remember correctly. We didn't break anything 🤷‍♂️ haha Edit: correction, it was a 91. Our 87 was an F-150

[@Wheelman1966]

That's what it was designed to do. I'd rather have a frame flex than be so rigid that it cracks.

[@michaelbrown5980]

What I appreciate about this video and your channel in general is the transparency. In the past I've wondered why you wouldn't just go for it. Makes a lot of sense that the video is only going to make a small amount of change and not worth the extra cost to fix something. Also, love that truck! Just so nice seeing those OBS Fords still around

[@taurota1554]

Awesome as always.Thanks for sharing and taking us along

[@marcopalo408]

I really need to get my 93 going again. Same exact bed and cab configuration only mine is metallic red with the 460/7.5 gasser. Love that thing

[@YoungOorah]

One of the best videos. Hardly see videos on full-size off-roading especially the Powerstroke

[@jg8263]

Great video. Reminded me of learning to drive, in my dad's early 90s (forget exact year) k1500 Chevy extended-cab, long-bed, with manual transmission. We took that in the woods here in Wisconsin's Nicolet National Forest on old logging trails and two-rut forest roads. The truck was well used when my dad got it, and we didn't treat it better, but when I was learning to drive he would rap me across the knuckles with a ruler if I touched a tree even slightly, so I learned really fast how to turn it around in tight spaces between trees, and to back up long distances on rough trails by mirrors alone. I remember when I took my driver's test, the examiner commented on how well I parallel parked, and I gave credit to those experiences in the truck to teaching me pinpoint reversing. Good times.

[@DuaneCaldwell]

Nice video, Alex and Case! You guys make a great team with entertaining content.

[@Thankyou_3]

Awesome video guys. Always enjoy your hard work to showcase beautiful trucks. This era of Fords will last a lifetime.

[@TheMeanmarine13]

Our 1980s and 90s F series Farm trucks lasted all the way up until the 20 teens. They are still running somewhere with new owners. So capable and reliable. We worked them to death but we kept up on the maintenance and replaced things as we went.

[@TheMeanmarine13]

Our 1980s and 90s F series Farm trucks lasted all the way up until the 20 teens. They are still running somewhere with new owners. So capable and reliable. We worked them to death but we kept up on the maintenance and replaced things as we went.

[@andymanusafa]

OBS F150 with the coil springs and twin traction beam in the front is the peak way to appreciate the old school frame flex

[@screaminchicken6168]

Gotta love the 7.3. I think you guys need to find a 7.3 4x4 Excursion to do a series on next, I love mine. For something that isn't much bigger than a modern F150, they are invincible and endlessly capable, while still returning modern F150 MPG.

[@robervin9107]

Incredible family adventure togetherness guys Well done.

[@davidw5629]

Very enjoyable. Takes me back to an F250 I had in the 80s.

[@jonathonsmith7694]

With the right person, these old trucks put in work

[@OP941nine]

What a beautiful truck and such an amazing sound👍🏼

[@jasonperry7970]

As long as the break over is just enough a long wheelbase can traverse serious terrain where a Jeep would have to take a different line. You don't have to have a Jeep.

[@lanceripplinger8352]

Fun video, thanks guys! I am guessing the bed flexes because of the c-channel type frame underneath, vs. the full boxed frame of the current Ford trucks?

[@TopHatGent]

Thanks for the fun content. The truck looks good.

[@live2ski550]

I like how respectful you are to the truck and the owner. Good video. I have a super duty 7.3.. i do like the obs better but i got this truck for a good deal. It's a great tow pig

[@upshifter5316]

The chassis flex is really the star of the video!! Wow!

[@scottyellis3442]

Great video & I think you made some intelligent decisions on not pushing that classic. Can't wait to see the drag race between the 7.3 & your 5.9, but with that said with all the work & upgrades you've done on your 5.9 I think I already know the outcome.

[@toddbob55]

I had a 1991 Ford Ranger 2.3 and I can tell you that truck was more Reliable than any vehicle they build today sold it with 250k miles it was 27 years old still had the original fuel pump not ONE time did that truck ever leave me stranded.

[@scottyellis3442]

Agreed, I had a 1985 Econoline 150 with the 4.9 inline 6 cylinder with over 500,000 miles & never once did it leave me stranded. I've owned all brands of vehicles & Ford's are as tough & reliable as they come. I don't care what people say they have proven themselves to me.

[@jessaphillips2846]

At some point you guys need to get your hands on one of these with a 460 gasser, it’s crazy how similar the big block gasser and diesel options were back in the day in terms of power and capability, my granddad’s old big block gasser was able to get through mud that lifted modern diesel trucks were struggling in while it was on street tires, and pull the lifted diesels out of some really slick mud.

[@andysupple4838]

I got one!

[@orlandomoreno5326]

I had one. 95 Gasser F350 460 BB Fuel Injected E4OD Trans, Crew Cab Long Bed Dually. Twin I-Beam Suspension up front, about 10 feet back behind the drivers seat, a heavy duty Sterling 10.25 1 Ton Axle with 4.10 gears. I could barely feel any bumps. It was so comfortable that you could go over rail road tracks and not feel them. It could also pull a house

[@davidhenri2722]

I have the identical truck color and all in this video but with an automatic transmission. Can't beat it.

[@dougpendleton1266]

Now this is what I am talking about!!!

[@jaredkish8716]

I have the same truck but with a 460 big block and automatic. It’s really nice for crawling in low range. I’ve had mine in some crazy place

[@jaredkish8716]

But also it rides like a brick lol I’m gonna put some light duty springs in mine

[@bradenpolen3332]

The sound 🔥🔥🔥

[@einfeldt777]

Love see the old girl out and about, just an amazing soundtrack following it around🤗👍👍

[@cargopilotguy305]

“This video’s gonna make thirty Bucks” Lol

[@nikkotamez8012]

Those young men are doing a fine job!

[@jerrywyant5409]

I had eclb 7.3 4wd. Was a beast off road.

[@1stnamebunchofnumbers]

By far the best diesel Ford has made and my favorite body style. Love it!

[@xavierramirez330]

So the weakest and least capable truck you say is the best........... ok😂😂😂😂

[@GoldenRetreiver85]

Love this stuff! I’m considering replacing my ‘07 Ram with a truck like this. Can’t seem to keep the check engine light off on my Ram.

[@xavierramirez330]

Dont 😂😂😂😂 these are worst and wayyyyyy lesss capable 😂😂😂 stop

[@bluceree7312]

You can see the flex of the frame, the bed gets misaligned in a couple of spots. Cool.

[@northwestrider369]

Man, somewhere around the 3:10 mark you can see the chassis flex by how much you can see the bed moving. Watch the gap between the bed/cab and the alignment of the silver side stripe.

[@DustinRZR]

Drinking game time----Every time you hear slip the clutch take a drink.

[@J-KFarms]

That truck would be able to do that with a load of wood in the bed, over and over, for years and years.

[@triedproven9908]

Yeah Timmy does it with his house on the back of his. Easy peasy. Truckhouselife

[@bmd1825]

The 7.3 was the best motor made for 3/4 trucks. These year models were made to last, would run circles around today’s quality.

[@lannylancaster62]

The old Ford is a hoss. I enjoyed the video.

[@johnwalters878]

I have the same truck, 95 with the automatic. 59k miles. Inherited it from my grandfather. Plan to keep it awhile !

[@trevorhart5576]

Lucky!

[@garrettdoss4439]

If you ever have shifting problems with that e4od, check your third brake light. If the bulbs are burnt and the pigtails are melted. Replace it. I had this problem on mine and I shit you not, replacing the third brake light fixed it! Something to do with torque converter lockup with is wired into or tapping power from the third brake light. I ordered an led third brake light off Amazon and haven’t had any issues in over a year, I have the same truck

[@ChubbyJontheBartender]

Funny thing about the sound and wildlife comments yall made, there is still a healthy logging industry around where I live. The deer, turkey, etc have grown more comfortable with the old diesel sound than newer gas engines.

[@michaelsapp3182]

Cool video.

[@travisedwards732]

That bed flexing over everything is crazy!! Probably needs new cab and bed bushings im assuming lol

[@OBS4ever16]

These trucks are designed to flex.

[@upscaleshack]

There are no bed bushings. The bed is solidly mounted to the frame. A 25 foot C-channel ladder frame has a huge amount of flex.

[@460whitetrash]

I’ve been running theses old fords for years they will do stuff jeeps dream about

[@youtubecarspottersguide1]

like the super cabs over crew cabs

[@keenanwelch1924]

You gotta air down brother! Make that ride a lot more complaint and give you a ton more traction especially on that rocky stuff. I have an OBS ford in the same configuration (just IDI-T and auto), cool to finally see a video of one doing some light wheeling. Thing that really sucks about the OBS F250’s is the turning radius

[@MooseHayes1]

7.3 F350 Super Duty ZF6, front and rear lockers, was meant and built to run trails all day. Kinda like a Land Cruiser. Jeeps…not so much. Check out the Rubicon Trail forest service bathroom maintenance truck.

[@therealR.D.]

Width isn’t really a problem in an OBS ford. The length with that truck, ya, it’s a problem. But believe me when I tell you it’s the same width, or slightly narrower than a 3rd gen Tacoma. I have a 3rd gen taco and an OBS Bronco, and I couldn’t believe it, but it’s true.

[@TaigaTurf]

💯.. Modern F150s and midsize have bulkier bodies than older superduties

[@matthewprather7386]

Widths, all without mirrors: 1996 F250 (same as Bronco and F150): 79.1 inches 2023 F250: 80 inches 2023 Tacoma: 75.2 inches. Maybe the online data is incorrect - someone with a tape measure can correct.

[@MrJamesLuz]

@@matthewprather7386those are also dimensions listed by the manufacturer……

[@user-tj1hi9gx6b]

Love them ol Beast's

[@Queensizemusic]

Very well done, Case and Alex. I have a friend who uses one of these for expedition travel here in N. America with a beautiful bed camper dropped in the back. For years, he lead expeditions in Africa with 70 Series Land Cruisers, and, frustrated by their lack of availability, he went with this option (his F250 is far newer, but it a diesel).

[@upscaleshack]

What kind of expeditions are happening in North America? Isn't that just a fancy word for camping?

[@Queensizemusic]

@@upscaleshack well, driving the length of just United States off-road is largely an expedition, but I have friends who have mounted expeditions from Montana to the tip of South America, and to the Artic Circle from Montana. I’ve done 12,000 miles across N. America - Mexico, US, and Canada in some of the most remote places imaginable.

[@upscaleshack]

@@Queensizemusic Hard to call it an expedition if you're never more than an hour from a Wal-Mart.

[@Queensizemusic]

@@upscaleshack you must not be very familiar with the American West, Mexico, or much of Canada.

[@upscaleshack]

@@Queensizemusic No, I've only lived in 6 US states, only 5 of which are in the west, including the least populated states in the country, as well as living in 2 African countries, and have traveled to more than 40 countries on every continent except Antarctica. So I wouldn't know the first thing about what makes up an expedition. Tell me more about these brave expeditions into the wild American west are that are out of range of a starbucks or walmart. Must be rough listening to Sirius and drinking frappacino in the great outdoors. I 100% stand by my statement that people claiming to do expeditions in North America are just camping.

[@chir0pter]

Would like to see you guys take this to Moab!

[@BuilderJay]

LOVE the sound of these old PowerStroke !

[@foellerd]

Let’s Go!!!

[@nonameavailable7914]

Awesome truck

[@JonBecker81]

Those weird front beams they used on all the fords back then are such a tease. They look like solid axles from a glimpse but they are independent.

[@caifan444]

Legendary pick up

[@Introverted_Outlander]

This is the same rig as Timmy from truck house life has and we know he’s taken it up some pretty good mountain passes should be interesting

[@tazeat]

Getting the shorter wheel base, lifted up not much, and lockers would go a long way. If you can save some weight with the gas version, that too.

[@alvarosolano-jb1qq]

That’s a monster I want to drive👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

[@infernoking7504]

Im currently building a 1988 f250 making it look like a military truck all military green stock steel rims with larger tires and 6bt cummins or 7.3 powerstroke or isuzu 4bd1t.

[@hblack6493]

Can't wait for the diesel drag race

[@MrIMCP]

I’m a Chevy guy but I like those OBS Fords

[@212caboose]

Carrick customs makes a coilover kit for the front, and you can get a kit to swap in '08+ ('11 is preferred) rear springs...

[@upscaleshack]

For only $5800. Plus the cost of installation. That's a lot for an old truck.

[@silentbuccaneer4569]

I want this truck. A few modifications and this truck would be unstoppable.

[@danielelia6256]

This video smells like clutch

[@GeneralLeeVanderwood]

With 4 low and good gearing, shouldn't need to slip the clutch. Kind of what 4 lo is for offroad.

[@Lunatech04]

Will y’all compare it to the H.O 2023 power strike on this trail?

[@duramaxadventures5832]

the first time we went off road in out 3 OBS's i was shocked by the flex. TTB is strong, but lacks articulation.

[@edwardpeters4700]

Wow does this clip ever show how much more the old trucks relied on frame flex for articulation.

[@elliottlee1050]

Still better off being the pavement princess we all know it really is 😂. Like Alex pointed out all the movement in the middle, haven't seen that much articulation since being in a JD9620😂. That aside, nice GP Mister Kasey❤, at the 45 sec finally caught a glimpse of your chrono

[@holandezherrante2267]

Good trucks men

[@mattlimberg5763]

Good job, true test of skill. Struggled more than i was expecting, but i guess you know the limitations better than me.

[@kylebutler7142]

Yeah get a Jeep for overlanding but this sweet truck will haul and carry all your camping gear and supplies no sweat. And that's into some pretty remote areas.

[@andreking7138]

I love ❤️ the F- series with a manual transmission.

[@stepfour]

Do you know what you aired down to? Those tires didn't look like they gave too much..

[@steamftwin3249]

They sell a leaf spring delete kit for the Dana 50TTB and it completely changes the ride quality. The leaf springs hinder what the Dana 50TTB true capabilities are

[@centredoorplugsthornton4112]

Note the camera holder's Philadelphia Eagles t shirt.

[@truckerdanvideos]

I dont see the comment yet but the reason the bed flexes so much is it was designed to flex. Its a c channel frame not a box frame like newer trucks.

[@izom]

great truck love it- look technic evrthing- and no electronicBS- evrytime prefer over a modern one...

[@zackjordan2396]

That truck in low and first gear with 4.10s should idle right up that

[@GeographyNerd48]

You don't slip the clutch. If you need more speed but not more power, you feather the break with consistent pressure. Steady throttle and pray. No stopping.

[@danielsmith4090]

Man, what a truck. Once again, something Ford got right.

[@waylinvanhalen]

c-frame on the older fords - solid boxed on newer ones

[@richardaustin5796]

That frame had more flexibility than some of Roman's past hiring practices!

[@chir0pter]

Huh? Reference?

[@spydercomputers]

Ok, where is this? I wanna take my 2000 F350 Crew Cab Dually there.

[@TaigaTurf]

That truck flex, although not ideal for towing 30,000lbs.. helps getting through the woods with alot in the bed easily.

[@theninja001]

Why does everyone on You Tube who is driving offroad, never air down? And then complain about a rough ride and not making obstacles!😂

[@Theshade_treemechanic]

I have a 1996 7.3 powerstroke 5-speed and I kind of want to put a locker in the rear end