I am looking at upgrading my current 92 F-150 with 200,000 miles. I really like the looks of the F-250 superduty. I also like that it would have a solid axle, 3.73 or better gears, and the upgraded transmission. I also would like a 4 door crew cab with a 6.5 ft. bed. I don't think 150's have that.

Basically, what would the disadvantages of a 250 be as a everyday driver.

I am OK with a rougher ride, as well as slightly worse gas mileage.

Thanks a lot for any help.

 

Disadvantages as a daily commuter= tires, gas, and brakes cost more.
Handling is a little slower.

Advantages- A SuperDuty is more intimidating to people driving econo box type cars ;-)

 

I just made a similar move, from a 1993 F150 to a 2010 F250. The '93 is a reg cab, 8' bed, 302, 5 speed, 3.55, 4x4 (186,000 miles) and the '10 is a extended cab, 8' bed, 5.4, 6 speed, 3.73, 4x4. I loved the '93, so I couldn't part with it and still have it.

I'll be totally honest in that I don't need this much truck for 90% of what I do. My main reasons for buying it were the 6 speed stick (not available on the '11 ) floor shift 4x4, solid axle, lockout hubs, and the extended cab, 8' bed combination. More than one person has laughed about the totally low tech 4x4 system. I think its great! As for looks, I agree, its simply the best looking truck out there, period.

First, you may be surprised/happy about the ride quality. They have tamed the solid axle quite well and even on our crappy Pennsylvania roads, it rides quite well. So, no complaints at all there.

It appears to sit maybe 6" higher than the F150, so you feel real high above everybody else out on the road. I can't get it into many parking garages in downtown anymore. Backing into a parking space, you can't even see whats down behind the tailgate. It handles well, but you feel the longer wheelbase over the smaller F150 when in parking lots, etc. I still bump a curb radius every once and a while in a tight neighborhood. I've had more than one person simply say................this thing is massive!

The F250 has 300 hp and the F150 has 185 hp. I honestly don't feel the 115 hp difference much, but the F250 is much heavier and it does seem to have a big burst of power if you rev it way up over 3000 rpm.

The speedometer reads out 10.8 miles/gallon average with 2500 miles on the odo. But I do average about 80% heavy city driving. I hope it gets better as it gets broken in. Since I don't drive alot of miles, I don't get too upset about the mileage. I honestly don't even know what the F150 was getting lately.

Interior wise, its great, lots of room, comfortable, etc.

That about sums it up for me!

 

Thanks for all the info. I was looking at a supercab shortbed. My 92 is also an extended cab shortbed. Wheelbase should be pretty similar right?
So I figure sizewise it should be about the same as what Ive got. Also I am looking at around 2000-2003 trucks. Any experience with those?

 

I'm not familiar with the model years, but two major improvements were the switch to the 3 valve 5.4 and the change from front leaf springs to coils. Watch for early 5.4 engines that blew spark plugs.

 

I went from a 1995 F-150 (SC short bed, 3.55 gears, 5.0L V-8, 4R70W) to a 2007 F-250 (see sig). My average fuel mileage did not go down, but I just about doubled the towing and hauling capacity.

Downside? Well, my F-150 was paid off..............

 

What engine would be the best? I would love to have a 7.3 diesel. What problems could I encounter with that? It would be mainly long trips, but some short ones. I live in northern WI/ the UP of MI, so it gets a little cold in winter.

 

Use the search or go to DSL section and ask them they'll help you with that question.

 

Hard to say based on your post. Are you talking about upgrading from a 1992 F150 to a 1992 F250, or are you looking at newer F250. There's been plenty of changes since 1992.

 

I use my crew cab, short bed SD as a daily driver and love it. While mine has the V10, the 7.3 is a good choice as well. I really haven't read anything bad about the 7.3 which is really saying something on the internet! For me there really is no downside other than mileage, but it drives so nice I can overlook it.

 

The new f150 is some what comparible in power 5.4 to 5.4. The pitfalls... Size, turning, parking, fuel mpgs. Benifits.... Size, room, towing capacity, size, power did I say size?

 

the only real problem with the 7.3 is once you start modding the motor to make just a little more power, you cant stop modding! you will always want more. being that your not wanting it to tow allot, i would even recomend the v10 too if you dont mind the gas mileage.

 

The problem with the 7.3's is finding one with decent mileage for a good price. They're in demand, and low mileage rigs don't sell cheap. Higher mileage ones can be had for a great price, but you have to make sure you have a well maintained one. I got mine with 95k on the clock and in 5 years, put almost 70k on it. She's still running great and I plan to have her till the engine goes. Then I'll put a rebuilt one in and keep on going.

The main downside you'll hear about is the CPS (camshaft position sensor). They can die after 5000 miles or last for 150000. All you need to do is carry a spare in the glove box along with a 10mm wrench. Takes less then 10 minutes to change out.

As far as short trips, I drive 7 miles to work each day. Take her on a long trip every week or two to warm everything up real good and you'll be fine. The cold won't be a problem either, as long as the glow plugs are working right. I fired her up one morning after sitting at 10 degrees all night without plugging in the block heater. Started up without a problem. If you plug in at night, they start even easier. Like scraprat said, come on over to the 7.3 section and pick our brains. We're happy to help out!

 

Thanks again for all the help. You guys all seem pretty knowledgeable about this stuff, so, what would you guys think of a '99 250 with 230,000 miles. It is a Crew Cab 4x4 Shortbox Lariat, with the 7.3 and off road package.

The inside is really clean. Looks like no one has ever sat in any seat but the drivers. What should I look out for? What should I be considering with this truck? They are asking 9,995.

 

To me that is a lot of miles and a old truck for the price. Remember no matter how bullet proof the truck might be at that milage you need to be looking at the entire picture. Has the tranny been rebuilt? Ball joints? Etc. The little things can add up quickly. I'd be a little closer to a buyer a $6500-$7900.