I like the way you put that. That is why I think the trucks are way over powered already. Probably 95% of the people that own these trucks don't use the power to its full potential. I have one of the mid 90s "under powered power strokes", what somebody said in this thread, and I have yet to pull anything I cant pull. A couple of weeks ago I pulled a 22k trailer (29k GCVW). Sure slow getting up and moving, but I could maintain 65 no problem. Like you said its all just a status symbol. Then again power is fun and nice.

Curious when the power wars are going to end. When is enough power really enough power.

 

I've driven in Jersey many times. If your driving over 80mph or even 80mph with a maxed out F-450 with a big trailer your an idiot in my book. Takes one blown tire or bad pothole in the road to kill a lot of people. One thing Jersey doesn't lack in is potholes.

If you maxing out your F-450 and concerned about fuel mileage your probably better off with a medium duty anyway.

 

I'll keep my 08 F450 and likely put on the fuel tank it should have came with from the factory to extend the range. If I wanted a F350, I would have got one of them. I do not want a F350 with a F450 badge on it.

Downgrading running gear hardware is the wrong strategy. New engine..., well time will tell. If more power was needed, then why was the 6.4 detuned in the F450.

I don't run over the speed limit pulling my trailer, so going 90 is of no value anyway.

If this is all thats available, my next truck will be a Chevy.

ag

 

Wait for the fuel prices to go over $5 and everybody will park their Fords, while looking for those 25 mpg Sprinter vans.

 

More mileage, hmmm. Im getting 11.5 emtpy in my 2011 450, is that much better then the 2008-2010's? I bet I could easily put 19.5's on my truck and not any decrease in fuel economy, and with the 4.3 the engine already roars at 80-85mph, so I don't see how you even could consistently go much faster!

That being said, as an owner of a 2011 450, I am not happy with the downgrades. I paid 5000 more then a comparable 350 (according to kbb) and now I still have to spend another 5000 to upgrade it to 19.5s, but still won't have the dana super 60 or 110. If Ford was going to downgrade the product, they should have downgraded the price. Too bad Ford doesn't offer the Lariat Ultimate package and all the goodies on the chassis cabs otherwise I would have gone that route for a true 450.

 

I have a big dilema hopefully u guys can help me. Im not that familiar with ratios and axles. I was about to get the new dually f450 but i heard it lost payload from a 08-10 model. I need to haul a 4 car trailer. I will be going slightly over the towing capacity at times depending on the cars im hauling. I heard the towing capacity is about the same but that the axles and tires are smaller on the 2011 model. Im in california and here as long as u have a bed on the truck u dont need to hit the scales. But i will be going out of state once in a while. my main concern is staying legal. DOT doesnt want the weight to be over at the axle. does that mean i will get in trouble for towing 26000 pounds on the fifth wheel? Since it is over the actual towing ratings. also is the weaker axle on the truck going to affect me as well as smaller tires which means they aint rated for a heavier load? I just want to haul and work in peace without getting tickets all day long. should i go with an 08-10 model instead? Im also interested in the 2011 for the exhaust brake. previous models dont have it as far as i know and i will need help stopping that much weight. sorry for long question but i wanna buy the right truck. Btw i do have my commercial license so im ok on that side as far as going over the 26001 pounds. Any help is much appreciated and needed. Thanks

 

Well if you don't you better at least wear a skirt long enough to cover the boys when you're getting in and out of your soccer mom mobile.

 

GREAT post....the F450 finally gets a MD-grade powertrain yet the rest of the truck is LIGHT DUTY....gone are the 15" brakes, the Dana S110, the 19.5"s and 600lbs in curb weight.

Huge step backwards, I drive this 08 pickup as I'm often right at its 14,500 GVWR, the new one has a GVWR of just 13,050....it'll be IMPOSSIBLE to tow at GCWR of 33k without exceeding the truck's GVWR....what a JOKE.

 

Your only answer is to spec up a chassis cab F450 or 550 (may as well do 550) as they still have the proper MD hardware that cheap old Uncle Ford took away from the MY11 450 pickups....one other issue though is iirc the chassis cab F550s can't match the 33k GCWR of the light duty MY11 F450 pickup....ridiculous but I'm pretty sure the specs show this to be true.

 

With due respect, how much do you think MPG is improved on the F450s by lopping off 600lbs curb weight. I'll tell, barely any. the move to the 6.7 with new 6 speed auto offers a welcome MPG boost but lightening up the truck so it's now no more than a rebadged F350 with widetrack means my company won't be ordering another.

 

I suspect Ford's change is a preemptive strike for the new EPA regs requiring 20% better mileage out of medium duty trucks, but I agree that there's no point in having an F-450 that is a gussied up 350.

Vote for people who believe in less-intrusive government and perhaps your trucks will be left alone.

 

Saw an 2011 F450 the yesterday. The suspension looked identical to my 2011 F350. I have the camper package front springs (stiffer). Is the only difference the rear springs? If so all I have to do is change the rear leafs and change the badge on the side and I have an F450.

Does anyone know if the rear springs are the only difference?

 

Are there actualy any changes with the 350 10000 lb package or did they just change the rating to get away from icc numbers on the door and comercial vehicle equipment such as triangles and flares etc. Its popular in Mass with yearly inspections where they demand such things. After all if the vehicle can handle 11000 it can handle 10000 lbs

 

I'd be curious is someone knows for sure. On here its been said a few times there is no change except for the sticker. Glad I dont have to mess with any of the comercial stuff with mine here in Ohio, would have just ordered a 250 instead then, I have no idea why you would want a 350 with the 10kgvwr package when the only real difference is that sticker on the door anyhow, and you can some 250's that high anyways, or pretty close.

 

There is no mechanical difference. I have a 10K GVWR F350. I almost didn't buy it because of that, but after digging I realized that it's the same truck as if it had the 11,400 lb package.

You get the slightly heavier rear axle and overload springs. My rear GAWR is the 6,290 seen on all F350s with 17" tires as opposed to the 6,100 seen on F250s.

It's a real F350, not that it's that meaningful of a difference.