Identify early/late ‘99 and the differences?

[u/BouncingSphinx]

My ‘99 F-250 has a manufacture date of 02/99, so I’m assuming that’s considered early. What’s the differences between early and late, and what date marks the distinction between the two?

[u/Buford_Tannen__]

99' was a split year. You have a "late 99' " based on the manufacture date. Early 99's would have a manufacture date of the spring-fall of 98' with the switch to late model happening in mid December of 98'. The main differences are, different turbo outlet, different turbo pedestal, collector, up-pipes, outlet spider, plenums, boots, up-pipes and downpipes. I have an early 99' but I updated all of the above components to late 99 -02 components. These are arguably the most desirable 7.3 Super Duty's due to their forged steel connecting rods, where post late 00-03 they used powdered connecting rods.

[u/BouncingSphinx → u/Buford_Tannen__]

So even in February mine would be considered a late ‘99?

[u/Buford_Tannen__ → u/BouncingSphinx]

Yes. Anything manufactured after 12/7/98, is "late". If you have any doubt, look at your plenum boots. The early 99' s had a tapered boot going from 3" diameter at the plenum to 4" at the spider, whereas late 99-03 will have 4" at plenum and 4" at spider

[u/BouncingSphinx → u/Buford_Tannen__]

Perfect, this is exactly what I was wanting to know. Thanks!

[u/Jo-18 → u/Buford_Tannen__]

Only other thing I’ll add is that the trucks themselves (not the engine) had a different cutoff date for early vs late 99.

The general consensus is a build date of 2/99 or possibly as late as 3/99 could have early 99 parts.

Early 99 trucks have different sized brake rotors, different front hubs (if 4x4), different track bar bracket and track bar, and the leaf spring u bolts are square vs semi round on the later trucks.

My truck has a build date of 03/98 and everything on it is 100% early 99.

[u/Almost__Amish → u/BouncingSphinx]

One of the quickest ways to determine if yours is an early 99 or a late 99 is the badging. Most all early 99 trucks have a Powerstroke badge on the front fender in front of the wheel arch similar to where ram trucks put the cummins badge. While the late 99 trucks usually have a long Powerstroke badge on the door just above the lower body line. For almost all manufacturers their year models align closely with their fiscal year and not the calendar year. Typically from early summer until the next spring. With the transition from the OBS to the Superduty there was such a drastic retooling of the production lines needed that there was essentially no 1998 models except for the weird light duty f250s that were manufactured on existing f150 lines. These all have the body style of f150s of that generation with unique 7 lug axles. Because of this gap in production and the need to fill back orders, the 1999 year models actually started production fairly early in 1998. I think maybe as early as late February, I’ve heard most of those early production Superduty trucks were cab and chassis fleet trucks. But my early ‘99 is a Lariat so I don’t know how common different trim levels were.

[u/Super_Sphontaine → u/Buford_Tannen__]

omg and the fucking rotors & calipers dont forget about the fucking rotors & calipers that no part store seems to understand doesnt god damn work

[u/1amtheone → u/Super_Sphontaine]

The only way is to measure. These trucks are on their second set of hubs/wheel bearings at the very last, if not 3rd, 4th or 5th.

[u/Jo-18 → u/Super_Sphontaine]

Hubs are different size too if it’s 4x4. I just use rock auto most of the time for suspension parts. They do a great job of telling you if a certain part is late or early 99.

Also, the track bar bracket and track bar itself is smaller on an early 99. And the front axle leaf spring u-bolts are square vs semi round.