I’ve been comparing the 2015 F350 to the F450. According to Ford’s “build your super duty”, a CC, 8’, DRW, 4WD F450 is about $3500 list more expensive than a like model F350. The F350 has a payload rating of 5920 lbs and a gooseneck tow rating of 23,500 lbs. The F450 has a payload rating of 5450 lbs and a gooseneck tow rating of 31,200. Both are rated to tow 19,000 conventionally.

The 2015 F450 has 19.5” wheels yet looses 470 lbs of payload to the F350. What’s up with this? The Ford specs are sketchy at best so what “upgrades” come with the F450 to consume 470 lbs? Heavier frame construction? Transmission cooler? Different rear axle assembly? Larger brakes? What else?

How would one source Ford technical component specs like rear axle information or brake rotor and pad area on Super Duty vehicles? Even our local dealer’s “fleet specialists” go “deer-in-headlights” when you ask for this kind of information.

 

I'm putting something out here that I can't confirm, but it's word of mouth that I've heard over the years from talking to various truck owners/mechanics/one Ford tech. The F450 pickup uses the same rear end suspension and components as the F350, which could explain why, with the overall heavier duty build of the F450 and the same suspension as the F350, it loses a quarter ton? The F450 chassis cab trucks are where the suspension gets upgraded. Again, this is speculation from things I've heard, I could be completely wrong but I figure I'll put it out there as food for thought. Please correct me if this isn't true, I want to believe that the pickup and chassis cabs are identical because that little kid in me wants an F450 CCLB DRW just for kicks haha

 

What year are you comparing? It makes a difference. The 08-10 F450 pickups have different chassis components than the 11-14 F450 pickups, and the newest 2015 F450 pickups are yet different again.

Once you confirm the model year you are comparing, it will be easier to narrow down some facts between the two.

 

[QUOTE=Y2KW57;14351309]What year are you comparing? It makes a difference.

Sorry...latest 2015 model.

 

Ok, 2015 model. Great! You've asked not only excellent questions, but you also have impeccable timing, because on another thread called "Meet the Team..." there are supposed to be "Ford Engineers" on hand tomorrow to answer questions related to the 2015 F-450 pickup.

 

If nothing else the "wide track" option would be worth a small difference in price for the Super 60 front axle that has larger wider spaced ball joints to hopefully last longer than the weak ones in lesser trucks. Anytime weight is added to the base truck the payload goes down.