Hello all - I am looking for a truck to use for farm work, but no major hauling. Currently narrowed down to two F250's - a 2004 with about 50k miles, OR AN 06 with 78k miles. In all other respects, they are essentially the same - 4WD, long bed, gas-powered. Any insights for me? Thanks very much.

 

I should have mentioned they are currently listed for about the same price as well. Haven't started negotiating that yet.

 

06.

My 02 F250XLT was totaled in Hurricane Charley (I had only made 21 payments ) and I got an identically equipped 05 as the replacement.

The two trucks are very different, as the Super Duties got some major enhancements in 05:
- the V10 increased about 50hp (went to 3 valves, improved intake & exhaust greatly, etc)
- frame much stronger due to thicker steel & improved design
- larger brakes with larger wheels to fit them
- various increases in suspension specs
- GVWR increased about 1,000 lbs to 9600 lbs
- 4spd auto replaced with 5spd with tow/haul previously only available for diesels

basically they went through and beefed up the truck in just about every area.

Identically equipped, my 02 was a great truck but the 05 is an awesomer truck

 

Are they both 5.4's or v10's? The 3v 5.4's had some issues with the cam phasers that the v10 didn't. I would go with the 04 if they are 5.4's and the 06 if v10.

 

I'm pretty sure the '05 was the first year with the 5-spd auto in the gas trucks. It is a great tranny. Built-in brake controller also? As was said the '05+ is beefier in many ways. The '05+ 5.4 also has a nice bump in horsepower due to the 3V vs the pre-'05 2V 5.4. I would lean to the '06 all things being equal. ( The mileage difference isn't much of a factor in this case.

 

Definitely go for the 06, it's all around a better truck because of the upgrades made in 05. I also like the updated front end and interior of the 05-07 trucks over the older models. I'd go with the 06 even if it's a 5.4 and the 04 was a V-10.

Sent from my HTC ONE using IB AutoGroup

 

04 has shackles in the front
05 has coiled springs in the front

04 uses 8X170 rims
06 use 8X200 rims (not interchangeable with 8X170)

which one has 4WD shift on the floor +
which one has the funcky rotary shift on the flow dials -

 

Incorrect, both F250s would have 8 on 170mm lug patterns. In 2005 the brake caliper changed and 16" rims will no longer fit, in addition to the backspacking changing due to the switch from a leaf sprung to a coil spring front axle.

99-15 SRW SDs have a 8x170mm bolt pattern
99-04 450/550s had 8x225mm
05-08 F-350 DRW had 8x200mm
05-08 F-450/550 have 10x225mm

99-02 used 14mmx2.0 studs
03+ used 14mmx1.5 studs

 

Thanks so much for the feedback. Both are 5.4's to answer a prior question. I think I am going to keep looking, as the 06 turned out to have another problem I did not want to deal with.... But all great info, thanks so much! It helps me focus the continuing search to newer trucks.