I am looking at getting either an 2005-2008 F250 or F350. What sets them apart? I assume the F350 has more torque and a tougher suspension. What else should I keep in mind? Is there a difference between gas mileage as well? I will be doing some towing but I ultimately just love the super duty series and want to get one. Any thoughts and suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

the engines in 250/350s are the same...350s have a 4 inch block in the rear while 250s only have a 2inch block (edit, by block i mean under the rear leaf spring pack so i.e. 350 sits higher than 250) 350s also carry a higher GVWR but other than that there are no differences...Gas mileage will be the same...How much are you looking to tow?

 

Good to know. Thanks Blue. I have always noticed the higher stance. I was thinking it was beefier suspension. I will just be towing a boats for the most part. Nothing big. I know I can do that with an F150 but I like the size and the room of the Super Duty.

The majority of the ones I see have crazy high mileage. Is it same to assume those are just hwy miles. Should there be any concern looking at something with 100k-130k miles? I am looking to buy something that I plan to have for at least the next 8-12 years.

 

It all depends on maintenance the modular gas engines (5.4 and 6.8) are known to be really reliable as is the 7.3s and later 6.0s diesels all should we good well beyond 200k...what year/engine/fuel type are you looking at? Never assume anything about miles you just never know also run an oasis report at a local dealer once your ready to buy that will give you a good basis to see what dealer maintenance the truck has had

 

Mostly I am looking at the 6.0. I am not opposed to the 5.4 but I hear thats it's not really enough muscle for that size of a truck. I would think the I would burn through gas a lot faster in the 5.4 than the 6.0. 2005-2008

 

I love my 5.4 tows what I need it to tow but to each his own...I would highly recommend the v10 6.8L as you'll have much lower maintenance costs and a lot of power especially with a 3v...Diesels get very expensive very quickly

 

Actually thanks to opinions like that they are very cheap. Per my market review, I can sell my Powerstroke for the same money I bought it 5 years ago.
F350 will be heavier to start with, so mileage will drop slightly. What will make bigger difference is differential ratio. If you compare 250 and 350 with the same differential and the same engines - not much difference, but Ford tends to give high ratio differentials for towing, what cuts the mpg. With my F450 the only available differential let me take all normal freeway grades on overdrive with up to 15,000 lb set.

 

unless your a (boobman) ,brotherhood of oil burners.a gasser may be better for you.diesels have different maintenence requirments and its better if you some knowledge and experience so unless you can maintain them comfortably by your self,you'll be spending a lot at the dealers.not trying to scare you,because once you drive and haul with the oilburner you will never go back to gas.

 

but hes not towing 15k lets not turn this into a gas vs diesel war and lets just try to help the OP find a truck that will best suit his needs

 

look who is talking?
Choice of engine kind should be the first one to take choosing the truck.
If the OP will chose gasoline engine -that will put some limits on differentials choices for towing.
I did had a situation once, when friend's truck didn't have enough gearing to pull my boat up the ramp. The situation gets pretty ugly when there is nobody else there to help you.

 

Hmmm.. I guess i should keep the keyboard quiet But... I got out of a '90 460 for a 97 7.3 drove it for 3 yrs and bailed got into 01 v-10 & never looked back... Yes i tow a good bit - for work not an RV but we tend to tow the max of what we are supposed to tow... biggest issue with v-10 was it was the first auto tran i had ever owned and only blew 1 tranny in 180K - only blew 1 stick & that was my fault for dumping clutch getting on freeway & speedshifting with a John Deere on trailer & that was a t-18 in the '79!

Back to point - 7.3 was the one of the best but previous to chips & some problems I was scared to get mine out of warranty & it was a dog except the bottom end was sweet..

 

You should review the market better and look at the sale dates. Those trucks that are priced above book value (as most are) are not selling. Some of them have been for sale for MONTHS even up to YEARS and will continue to be.

OP: If you're looking to spend under $16k either get a gas truck or stop looking for a diesel truck. Everything under $16k is garbage. They are loaded with problems (some hidden, some blatantly obvious) and will cost you several thousands to repair.

Non-warranty PSDs are something to avoid. As much as I hate to say it, PSDs aren't the best engines to have out of warranty.

 

I honestly don't know the differentials for diesels maybe Kaj...I know gas are 3.73, 4.10 and 4.30 (v10)

 

There is good and bad about both diesel and gas. I have both and can tell you first hand about the 6.0 diesel and 6.8 gas.

Pro's Diesel 6.0 over the 6.8
Better MPG 2-3 MPG then gas.
Better towing heavy up a 8 percent grade.
Sounds better. I like the sound of the diesel

Cons Diesel
There are more things to take care on a diesel and it does cost money to do this.
My Diesel has cost me more in multiple major repairs then I will ever spend in fuel to pull my stuff around. Estimated repair bill in the last 3 years is about 16k. Very long list
I don't know anyone with a 6.0 diesel that has not had major repairs.
Diesel cost more then gas

Pro Gas
Simple compared to the diesel.
Is able to pull my 10k trailer 65 up a 7 percent grade.
Never left me on the road EVER.
Cheap to maintain and to repair.
No repair cost to date.
Wife will go with me it I take this.

Cons Gas
Does not sound like a diesel.
MPG is not good.

The only diesel I would recommend because of cost of repairs is the 7.3.
The 6.0 diesel has it reputation for a reason, it is true. The 6.4 has about the same MPG as a 6.8 gas and too many smog device to make the truck a long term keeper.

The new 6.7 diesel engine has not proved it self but you have a EGR, DPF and DEF and things like two cooling systems. This is a great truck to drive while it is new and under warranty, but with all the extra Smog systems, on it I don't think it is a long term keeper.

Donovan
2005 F250 6.0 CC SB
2009 F250 6.8 CC LB