Looking to move up from my F150 to a HD truck. Is the difference between 3/4 ton and 1 ton more than just a heavier suspension? Example: same tranny, rears, etc.? How about diesel vs gas? Powertrains the same? Thanks.

 

I can't confirm, but I have heard several times that the ONLY suspension difference between the F250 and F350 is a rear axle spacer so the F350 sits higher. The drivetrain is identical. For the extra money to buy an F350, you get a door sticker allowing you to legally carry more weight. Oh, and you can get the F350 set up with duallies if you like.

 

To add to the confusion, from what I hear the 2 differences between th 250 and 350 are the springs packs having thicker springs and the tires having a higher load capacity.

 

well theres a lot of pros and cons...suspension(my diesel 350 4X4 dump is downright heavy compared to the shop truck..2000 2X4.. 350 5.4 gas) weight cap...etc blah blah...to get to gas vs. diesel...NO comparison...diesel everyday (TOURQUE BABY!!)...all it needs to run is fuel and compression...but with diesel $$$ now...good gas is not that much cheaper...oil change in a diesel runs about (mine anyway)15 quarts if oil and a filter vs. 6-7 qts...in a gas motor...diesel will last 250-300k with no problems(taken care of) where as a gas motor????lots to think about...zap!

 

as far as I know, suspension is the only diff between 250 and 350.

 

I can't comment much on the differences between gas/diesel in the trucks cuz I do not use gassers other then for cars. This info also depends on what year truck we are referring to.
SD F350 has the same rear springs as a similar optioned SD F250, except for a 2" higher spacer block. F350 can have heavier front springs then a F250 depending on options. My F350 has "X" code fronts which are the same front springs a a F450. F350 DRW has its own rear spring option, definitely heavier then a F250. Also a SD F350 DRW and some SD F350 SRW came with a D60 front diff. All SD F250's have D50 front diffs. F350 have bigger brakes the F250. SD frames are the same. SD F250-F350 diesels will have the same drive train for a given option package. Depending on option package, the SD F250 can have lower rated tire weight capacity then a F350. The Gas automatic is different then a diesel automatic, diesel is more heavy duty, bigger cooler etc. The same goes for the clutch on a manual tranny. Diesel has a bigger alternator stock then a gas.
IMHO I have owned both and will stay with the 350. There is not a big $$ difference and I can justify it. Just the fines for being overweight once will be more then the cost difference of the truck.

 

In the 05 F250/F350 Super duty brochure, the 250 and 350 SRW have the exact same towing capacity with the V10 and Diesel motors. The 5.4 is a little lower. These are all with the Torqueshift, manual numbers are slightly lower.

Conventional SRW Towing numbers are:

F250 CC 5.4 11.5k
F250 CC 6.8 12.5k
F350 CC 6.0 12.5k

The F350 DRW go up about 2k
F350 DRW CC 6.8 14.6k
F350 DRW CC 6.0 15k

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Hauling numbers favor the 350 and the 6.0's take a hit here

F250 CC 6.8 3100
F250 CC 6.0 3000

F350 CC 6.8 SRW 4300
F350 CC 6.0 SRW 4100

F350 CC 6.8 DRW 5800
F350 CC 6.0 DRW 5700

All numbers are 4x2. Some 4x4 numbers are lower and some are the same.

As far as brakes go, the F250SD and F350 SD have the same 13.66" front rotors and 13.39" rear rotors. No difference in 2005. Previous years may be different.

If towing is what you want, the 6.8 250 seems to be the best choice (it's also what I own ) If you want to haul more weight, then the 350 is the best with the 6.8 having slightly more capacity due to the heavier weight of the 6.0.

 

Don't think so. My 2003 F250 has a Dana 60 on the front end. The ID # is stamped right on it and the owner's manual even says it's a 60. Same exact axle as the F350s and F450s for the 2001 thru 2004 model years.

My F250 even came efrom the factory with rear overload springs-something I don't see on alot of stock F350s!

 

Actually both of you are right. The F250s and F350 SRW trucks used to get D50s and the F350 DRW did get the D60 until MY02. At that time Ford changed everything over to D60 and dropped the D50. Though if you look at some of the early MY02 prod. vehicles they will still have D50s as some of the extra stock was getting used up. Most of these vehicles were in the 1st month of production, beyond that everything has been D60 front up for the F250 and F350 lines.

 

check out a site like this but for the powerstroke diesel. www.thedieselstop.com There is a ton of info about differences between 250s and 350s of different years and options.

 

Today I bought a 2001 Excursion Limited Diesel with about 50000 miles on it. This is my first diesel. What should I be looking at doing to it right away to keep it performing for a long time. I know I could search it but what oil do you guys recommend. Thanks.

 

If its an auto make sure the first thing you get is a trans temp gauge. Beyond that plan on doing regular oil analysis with you changes. You can also go with an oil bypass system which will let you extend the change interval (with analysis) which is nice considering it will take 15qts to do the change. As for what oil to use either synthetic or dino oil will work, just depends on how much you want to pay. Just make sure that it meets the PSD oil requirements. The PSD is very picky on what oil you use because it uses the oil to fire the injectors. Most people use Delo, Delvac, or Rotella. I've heard of some reports of increased mileage with the Motorcraft oil due to the extra antifoaming addatives in it.

 

Their are three differences:

1) the spacer on the rear axle of F250s 4x4s is 2 inch block, and a 4 inch block on F350s

2) F250s come with 'D' rated tires, and F350s come w/ 'E' rated tires

3) A F350 costs about $1000 more than an identicaly equipped F250

 

OK, more questions. What is the oil bypass and where and how do I get oil analysis done? Thanks for all the replies.

 

One more. Sorry for not consolidating. I will need to add the block heater. What will be involved and where would I get the parts? Thanks