Someone just told me that the SD 250/350 got a "heavier" frame in 05. Is this true??

Thanks

 

No I dont belveive so, they look the same to me, the only thing that changed was that they got coil springs up front. They changed them in 08 though.

 

The frame did get a bit thicker along with some other changes.

 

Yes, The frame was changed. Here are the functional changes for 05


2005 F-250/F-350
Super Duty Pickup —
What's New
The following will give you a list of all that's new and important on the redesigned and re-engineered 2005 F-250/F-350 Super Duty Pickup trucks. Read on to learn about the new 3-valve V-8 and V-10 engines, the improved frames, suspensions and brakes, the new exterior and interior features, all of which add up to make this new Super Duty the tougher, more comfortable and the most capable pickup truck available. Detailed below are some of the changes and features built into the 2005 F-250/F-350.(1)




Functional Changes



New 5.4L 3V SOHC Triton™ engine now standard

— 300 horsepower, 40 more than last year

— 365 lb.-ft. of torque, 10 more than last year

— Uses Electronic Throttle Control (ETC), Variable Cam Timing (VCT) and Charge Motion Control Valves (CMCV) to achieve increases

New 6.8L 3V SOHC Triton V-10 available

— 362 horsepower, 52 more than last year

— 457 lb.-ft. of torque, 32 more than last year

— Uses Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) and Short/Long intake runners to produce "Best-in-Class" numbers

6.0L Power Stroke® V-8 Turbo Diesel receives a 10 lb.-ft. torque increase to 570 lb.-ft.

TorqShift™ 5-speed automatic transmission now available with all Super Duty engines and features Tow/Haul mode, which provides:

— Reduced gear search while ascending steep grades and improved engine braking on deceleration while descending hills

New 6000-lb. Twin-Coil Monobeam Front Axle/ Suspension on 4x4 models provides Best-in-Class axle rating and maximum front Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) of 6000 lbs. for added load capability for special applications like snowplowing

New, more robust steering system and Twin-Coil Monobeam front suspension provides reduced parking effort and improved curb-to-curb turning diameter by as much as 5.1 feet

Rear suspension has been upgraded with new spring rates and staggered shock absorbers which improve axle control contributing to better ride and confident handling, loaded or unloaded. The new suspension delivers best-in-class payload and towing capability. The staggered rear shock absorber placement helps control axle windup to enhance traction for improved acceleration and braking

The 2005 F-250 and F-350 pickups now have best-in-class brakes. They provide better stopping distance, better overall thermal capacity and the most stopping power. This was accomplished through a number of improvements. The diameter of both the front and rear brake rotors has increased, which increases the total swept area of the brakes for heat dissipation. Stiffer calipers now feature larger pistons than last year for better braking feel. The brake pads have been improved and now last almost 50 percent longer on Single Rear Wheel (SRW) models and almost triple on Dual Rear Wheel (DRW) models

140-amp extra heavy duty alternator available with 6.0L Power Stroke V-8 turbo diesel engine

The frame has been upgraded from front to rear. New gussets have been added from the rear face of the engine crossmember that lengthen the frame's front box section for added strength. The gauge or thickness of the frame rails behind the boxed section has been increased from 10 to 17 percent (depending on model) to provide the strongest Super Duty Pickup frame ever

New long-lasting microcellular urethane body mounts help isolate the passenger cabin from noise, vibration and harshness

Major increases in Gross Axle Weight Ratings (GAWRs), Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings (GVWRs), Gross Combination Weight Ratings (GCWRs), payloads and trailer tow ratings (varies by model and equipment)










Exterior Changes



Bold new front grille with "sharper" edges

New "jeweled" dual-beam headlamps

New front bumper and upper fascia

All new 17- and 18-inch wheels

New larger 3-dimensional series badging

New bodyside and lower accent two-tone paint option on XLT series (Arizona Beige accent color now available on XLT)

Colors added:

— Dark Stone Clearcoat Metallic

— Dark Copper Clearcoat Metallic (King Ranch only)

Colors deleted:

— Estate Green Clearcoat Metallic (King Ranch only)

— Chestnut Brown Clearcoat Metallic (King Ranch only)










Interior Changes



New instrument panel layout with new gauge clusters

— Secondary glove compartment (requires automatic transmission and electronic shift-on-the-fly transfer case)

— Optional Trailer Brake Controller integrated into instrument panel

— Available upfitter switches integrated into instrument panel

— Gauge cluster includes TurboBoost gauge (diesel engine only)

— Engine hour meter displays the accumulated time the engine has run in the message center

New audio systems

— AM/FM stereo with digital clock

— Premium AM/FM stereo with CD player

— Premium AM/FM stereo with CD/cassette player

— Premium AM/FM stereo with 6-disc in-dash CD changer

Interior color Medium Parchment has been changed to Tan

Redundant audio and climate controls included in Lariat Luxury Package










Model/Series Changes



Lariat models now offer an available Lariat Luxury Package which includes:

— Electronic Automatic Temperature Control (EATC)

— Electrochromic rearview mirror

— Unique bronze-faced instrument cluster

— Enhanced message center with trip computer

— Redundant steering wheel controls for audio and climate control

— Unique woodgrain appearance trim on the instrument panel, door panels and center console (with optional Captain's Chairs)










Option Program Changes



Options added:

— Trailer Brake Controller, part of TowCommand™ system, integrated into instrument cluster design

— Upfitter switches (4) also integrated into instrument panel design

Options revised:

— Power moonroof now requires Advanced Security Group on XLT models

 

I was told from our local Superduty Guru and Sales Manager that Ford made around 1200 changes to the truck between the 2004-2005 line up. This would include minor adjustments that a buyer wouldn't notice and takes for granted, to the major things such as thicker steel and items listed above.
I thought that was a significant number of subtle changes myself. A major factor in my buying decision making process.
I still miss the old 7.3 though. But I couldn't have it with the coil front end.