I am getting ready to finally place an order for a new truck. I have been reading everything I can about these trucks before I order. Today, I just test drove an F350 with the camper package and I thought it drove very nice. It has been a few weeks since I drove the F250 but it seemed very similar from what I recall.

I do not plan on getting a camper package or heavy duty front spring upgrade. So is there a difference in the front end suspension on an F250 vs F350? After looking at the rear springs it looks like daily driving would be the same. I see the overload on the 350 and a larger block under the leaf pack but neither one of those seem like it would effect ride quality. So that is why I am wondering about the front end.

I really don't need the F350 but for the minimal increase of price difference it seems like it may be nice to have. I have read a few threads about some of the differences and that has sold me on the change.

 

My opinion is if you intend to use the truck as anything beyond a glorified car, why wouldn't you go with the 350? A 250 is going to weigh the same as a 350 within less than 100 lbs. A 250 CC LB 4WD will barely be legal with 1500 lbs in the bed. Same configuration on a 350 is good for 3000.

I guess my opinion is different than the average person because I tow some pretty large trailers from time to time. I've never been stopped with a trailer or had a DOT inspection, but tomorrow could always be the first time. I just try to keep everything well within the law.

 

If you are ordering your truck, you will never be sorry you went with the 350

 

Alot of us that had F250s are moving to F350s, including me for the payload capacity.

 

[quote=720Deere;9444576]My opinion is if you intend to use the truck as anything beyond a glorified car, why wouldn't you go with the 350? A 250 is going to weigh the same as a 350 within less than 100 lbs. A 250 CC LB 4WD will barely be legal with 1500 lbs in the bed. Same configuration on a 350 is good for 3000./quote]

A glorified car? Really?? So an F250 is a glorified car thanks for the constructive comment and not answering the question.

 

If you order a F-250 or a F-350 that is equally equipped it is very likely you will end up with the same front spring rating on both. The main suspension differences are as you already noticed, outback...Overload springs, taller block and a higher rated axle.

The other thing you may or may not have noticed is the F-250 diesel gets vacuum boost brakes while the F-350 diesels and up get the more traditional hydro boost brakes.

 

I kinda agree with the F350 notion but only in model years '11 and up. The '08-'10 F250's are a bit stronger in the rear suspension. Similar to the "lightening" of the 450's after the '08 season. I kinda wish I had paid more attention to the '11 250 set up in this regard, would have gone 350SRW.

 

Well since you didn't take the time to actually read what I wrote and just jumped down my throat, I'll not be polite either. Read carefully and then work on comprehending what you read! I said IF you INTEND to use the truck as anything BEYOND a glorified car.... this means that most people looking to move up to Superduty from a 150 don't actually use them as trucks. It was in no way a slight on the 250 as they are in some configurations just as capable as a 350.

The comment was constructive because most people don't realize how much a 250 weighs empty and what little legal capacity they have especially if you add tall commercial bed top, ladder rack, etc. I've crossed the DOT scales in an empty crewcab 250 with an enclosed utility body and been ticketed for being overweight. I was just trying to point that out in case the OP intends to use his truck for work.

Since my original reply wasn't constructive and didn't answer the question, I will offer this. The front springs are the same on both depending on what packages/cab configuration you order. You would be hard pressed to feel a difference in ride quality between a 250 and a 350.

 

If you decide to go with the 250 definatly order the camper package that way you get the overloads which in my experiance have saved me carrying heavy loads in my 2005 PSD 250. The 350 comes with the overloads even without the camper package it only adds the sway bar. If I can and when I order a 2011 it will be a 350 with the camper pkg. (Sway bar and differant axle ratio.)

 

I went with the 350, coming out of two F250's over the last 11 years, and I'm glad I did. Like someone said the old F350's were harsher than the 250's, but drove and drove and drove withe all the family, both versions. Over speed bumps, curbs, drainage ditches, etc and really couldn't tell any difference. Once I thought I did but it could very well have been I new it was the 350 and was looking for it, but my Wife said they were the same to her.

I'm totally glad I got the 350, like 720deere said you should not have to worry about overloading the truck itself. (BTW I'm giving props to 720 DEERE, nuf said).

The 350 pulls my 10,500lb 5th wheel like a dream!! It just barely gets it down to the helper spring with it hooked up. It also pulls the boat, TRULLY like it's not there.

 

Kool thanks for the replies. So the front springs are the same. Maybe I was a bit sensitive to the initial reply and took it personal...Thanks for the feedback!

 

I definitely want to get a 350 this time around.A buddy told me that insurance and license plate's go up a ton,Like a couple hundred bucks???No pun intended....

 

I agree with part of this. Accept I think you may want to consider - If you intend to use the truck as anything beyond a glorified car, why wouldn't you go with the 250? This is my first truck in 12 years and I always had F250s before. It's been Excursions since then. But this F350 rides pretty rough if its not loaded. Don't get me wrong I love this truck, but I use it as truck, I pull trailers and load it up. But I've had trucks just for the convenience, also.

The F350 sits a little higher which makes it look better. But if I just wanted a truck, just because I like them, I would drive the F250 too and consider the ride I'll be stuck with for the next few (or many) years.