Newbie here....

just ordered a 2013 F350 from factory but second guessing myself now. Decided on F350 due lower gears (3.73) vs F450 with higher gears (4.30) but prefer the looks of the F450 over the F350.

I drive 100k annually empty and 5K annualy towing locally within a 50mile radius.
I drive 50/50 city/highway.

My dilemma do I opt for F450 and change the ring and pinion gears out from 4.3 to 3.73 at a Ford Dealer, or......

do I opt for F350 and install 2" wheel adapters and added fender flares and bumper mold extensions like the F450 have to achieve the look I want?

Appreciate feedback, especially from those that have done this mod already or have had wheel adapters with high mileage on them.

 

3.73 is a "high" gear. 4.30 is a "low" gear. For every time the drive shaft turns the wheels turn 4.30 times. The 3.73 is more a mileage gear and the 4.30 is more a stump pulling gear. I know it sounds backwards, but that's how it works.

 

100k empty i would get a 350 with 3.31. It has the same towing capacity as 3.73 and you'll get a little better millage empty! My .02!

 

Diesel? If you really care about fuel economy and getting the most out of your money.... SRW with 3.31s? Why buy a dually for 100k unloaded miles a year? Heck, have you considered an F150 for that many empty miles? ...... or a Taurus? If you're talking 3.73s behind a 6.2L in a SRW F350 it'll just be even worse.

 

What are you towing when you do?

 

Typo. Meant to say gear ratio. I understand the gearing issue, just typing fast and omitting a word here and there, he he

 

Didn't see that as option on the DRW. I am comparing F450 DRW with F350 DRW. According to Ford data the conventional and 5th wheel towing capacities changes with the gear ratios. 3.31 Gears will not allowed my loads, transmission will run at least 25% warmer too according to another spreadsheet I saw.

 

Roger that, didn't catch the drw issue. I was strictly comparing the srw. Sorry. But for 100k empty vs 5k loaded i would shoot for another route.

 

Diesel...YES, for the torque. I like the room inside of the truck (spent average 4hrs a day inside of it), I need the stump pulling power for my 20'000 lbs trailer loads, I need the extra rear tires (that a dually offers over SRW) in case I blow one while transporting heavy loads or livestock occasionally. Blown 2 trailer tires in the past with approx 20k lbs on a straight away at highway speeds, scary, and on a turn changes for rolling the rig definitely increased several times. Don't have the room for parking a second vehicle where I live, and use the truck empty (but aft space taken up in the bed regardless). So yes, no matter how I sliced it, I need one vehicle (due to parking constraints) that provides a 8ft bed, DRW, 20k # + towing capacity, lots of room (CC) 4WD, PTO, 5th wheel and 25k # Gooseneck hitch.

 

Livestock, 600#/ft 2'x2'x?' Concrete DOT pilings for road construction, CAT D6 Dozer, CAT Backhoe.

 

Having said that I'd get what you want from Ford. If you have concerns about trailer/vehicle safety, avoid wheel spacers. Just my .02

 

I think the 450 mileage will drop quite a bit for being a heavier truck. I personally would stay with the 350. Better mileage and nicer ride/drive