I'm considering purchasing a 2000 F250 and am trying to understand all the differences between the F150 and the F250. From the 1999 brochure, I see that the load and towing capacities are greater for the F250, but there isn't any explanation about features that create this difference. Different frame? Shocks? Springs? What else? How do these differences affect the ride or fuel economy? Does anyone know of any problems that are unique to the F250?

 

From what I've read, the F250 will only be available in the superduty -- no more light duty 250's

I believe the main difference between the 150 and the 250 LD is additional cross-members in the frame of the bed section. The 250 has heavier shocks and probably has heavier springs.

As for any problems associated with the 250, I have a slight drivetrain whine that's present between ~10 and ~25 mph -- not sure if this is present in any 150's but I have heard of at least one other 250 with the same thing. Right now the whine is just a bother, not really a problem.

Good luck with your purchase and see ya 'round the board.

Jim

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'99 F-250 LD 5.4L SC XLT 2WD in White/Silver (w/ EVERYTHING 'cept leather and engine block heater) -- added: SnugTop Hi-Liner & carpet kit, Donnelly electrochromatic/compass mirror, K&N filter, SuperWhite 9007 bulbs, IAS shocks, 3" Induction Airbox Mod, more to come... (Westin side bars, cat-back exhaust, electric fan, and Superchip are next)

 

I have a buddy that bought an LD F-250, I do know that they have a beefier rear axle, because the auburun rear end he had wouldnt fit his new truck, so I was able to buy it...cheap!

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97 F-150 4X4 XLT Reg. Cab,Long bed. Auburn rear diff. 4.6L

 

Thanks Jherron and RacerX2 for the info.

I am very disappointed to hear that Ford is discontinuing the LD 250. I want a 4X4, but I don't want the solid front axle of the HD. Mostly I will be carrying light loads, but I want the extra capacity for towing a trailer. I test drove both the LD 250 and the HD 250. The ride of the LD was great...just about the same as the 150. The HD is also a great truck and I'm sure that if I were going to use it to haul heavy loads all the time, that's what I would choose, but it's just too bouncy when it's empty.

Link

 

The light duty F250 lives on in model year 2000 but with a revised name. Order a F150 and add option code 627 (7700 pound payload group). I believe Ford discontinued the F250 Light Duty name to avoid confusion with the Super Duty.

 

Great tip, SDWill, thanks for the info.

 

Hey Jim,

Just got my computer hooked back up, moved from California to Las Vegas.

I get that same whine (we've got the same truck). I figured it was the different gear ratio, it didn't happen in my 98 F150 with the 3.55 rear end. It is kind of aggravating. I've been waiting to have it checked.

To add to the differences, I believe the F250's have a greater braking system also.

Jim D

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99 F250XLT Supercab LD
5.4L 3.73 LS
White/Silver
Graphite interior
6 CD changer/Captain's Chairs

 

Hey Jim, welcome back to the board!! I've missed seeing your posts around here.

I'm getting ready to move myself (to Ventura, CA), so I may disappear from site for a while too.

I've been keeping an ear on the whine and it doesn't seem to be getting worse. The other person with the whine had the handle "groggy modem" and he first posted it here. I'm hoping it will not develop into a future problem.

Take care,

Jim

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'99 F-250 LD 5.4L SC XLT 2WD in White/Silver (w/ EVERYTHING 'cept leather and engine block heater) -- added: SnugTop Hi-Liner & carpet kit, Donnelly electrochromatic/compass mirror, K&N filter, SuperWhite 9007 bulbs, IAS shocks, 3" Induction Airbox Mod, more to come... (Westin side bars, cat-back exhaust, electric fan, and Superchip are next)

 

Yes, I do indeed also have that whine. It hasn't caused any problems, but it is still annoying. The dealer dismissed it as normal. But I never heard this in my '97 F150. It happens whether I'm in 4x4 or 4x2, drive or neutral. Let me know if you guys hear anything on this.

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'99 F-250LD 4x4 SC XLT 5.4 3.73LS TTP
Gibson 3" cat-back exhaust, K&N filter, ford bug deflector

 

I have a 99 F-150 and my father has a 98 F-250, although his sticker said it was a 254? They are both 4X2's with the 5.4L And I will say there is a noticable stiffness in the 250's ride.

The differences in the past 150 & 250 models were the following upgrades to the 250:

Upgraded frame with more crossmembers and a powdercoating if I recall the 99 brochure properly. The 250 has 4 leaves in the back, th 150 has 3. The shocks are stiffer and the 250's wheels are designed to take more load, and I thought they looked better.

Of course the 250 can haul more, load more, and personally I always thought had more machoism, just by having the "2" on the sides and tailgate. And as for the bouncy ride, you get used to it.

I would have bought one for me when I bought the 99 except I had no patients and no local dealers had 250s, bummer when I look back on it.

On the 2000s, order the 7700 payload package and you get an F-250 behind a mask. You get everything the 250 had except the 250 badging. And on the tailgate's F-150 badge, below the 150 in the same style that spells "XLT" on the sides, it says "7700, a neat touch. Plus you get those 7-lug wheels! Neato!

Phew!! I hope all that rattling on helped out, the end results - get the 250 (or payload package), It's worth it.

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Current Ride: 1999 F-150 Lariat SC 4X2 139" - 5.4L, 3.55 LS, All options except block heater and cd changer

 

Amen!

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1999 F-250 XLT Super Duty Crew Cab Long Bed
V-10, Automatic 4R100, 4.30 Limited Slip.
GVW = 6700# Towing Capacity = 13,300#
4 Wheel ABS disks + Reese 15K hitch
Dark Hunter Green. Ford Running Boards.
Grey Rhino-Liner. Captain's Chairs. CD+Tape
Polished Stainless Steel Wheel-well Molding http://members.home.net/jchartier/jnctrk.html

 

I am a little late on this topic, but here it goes anyway. Hope this may help.

My Dad has a 1998 F 250 Lariat Super Cab, 5.4l, 4x4, 3.73 LS, 7200# GVWR. This truck doesn't have any of the low speed whine noise that the others mentioned.

I can add some other facts that I didn't see mentioned about a 150 vs. 250. The F 250's frame section thickness (all models) is the same as an 150's long wheel base, only for the F 250 Super Cab, it is a short wheel base - net effect thicker metal, shorter distance between wheels equals stiffer, stronger frame.

Secondly, in 1998 the F 250 with anti-lock brakes came with 4 wheel discs, much like an Expedition, but still 7 lugs. Note, the F 250 was available with the 4 wheel discs brakes before the 150.

Thirdly, the F 250 was available with a rear air spring load leveling suspension through 1999 (unsure if still offered on 2000 7700# GVWR 150's). When so equipped, the usual 4 leaves were reduced to 2, yielding a much improved ride. My Dad's truck has this feature and rides very smooth for a truck of this capacity. I suspect that the Lincoln Blackwood will have a similar feature or just use straight air springs like the Expedition and Navigator do.

And lastly, the 1998 F 250 had different rear end ratios available, 3.31 or 3.73 vs. 3.08 or 3.55.

Overall I would recommend the F 250, and I am sad to see the badge disappear. If the air leveling suspension is still available, I would also recommend it. Invoice price was something like $420 and is worth it.

 

Carpoint.msn.com has quite a bit of information about the 7700 payload group.
They list: heavy duty shocks & springs, heavy duty frame, larger brakes, HD electrical & cooling, auto trans, 7 lug wheels, 16"LT245/75R16D OWL all-terrain tires, 3.73 rear end, front GAWR of 4150 lbs to accomodate snow plowing and, of course, the "F-150 7700" badge. All for an MSRP of $1,295.

Question: what does the 4150 lb front end look like? Solid? Torsion bars? Twin I-beam? Anyone know?

 

Hello all

I have a 98 f250 XLT Supercab with 315/75r16 tires and the 3:73 rear end. I did not notice a whine until reading the other posts (THANKS!). My question has to do with the power steering noise when I turn the wheel, seems to whine a little there. Is that normal on the new trucks?

 

I've got a '97 F250 LD, SB supercab, that I purchased used. It has the 5.4 V-8, the E4OD 4-speed automatic, with a 3.73 rear. Tires are LT265/75R16(not stock), seven lug wheels. My vehicle has the trailering package, with the tranny cooler, and what looks like an oil cooler(???). I also have the 4-leaf springs on the rear. The sticker shows the vehicle as having a 6800 GVWR, although the GAWR's (front and rear) added together are higher.

Does anyone have any idea why the difference in GVWRs that have been posted.....6800, 7200, or the 7700 for the 2000's?