I've been looking to drive both trucks in Lariat form, 4x4, 3.55 gears crew cab, FX4, with 18" wheels and just could not find exact match. Even finding a short bed SRW F350 has been challenging. But yesterday everything was a match except the F250 had 20" wheels while the F350 had 18" wheels. I must say I was pleasantly surprised as the F350 actually rode about the same as the F250 and at times I thought it was as good. The best way to describe these new trucks ride is to picture a bellcurve chart. With the peaks showing impacts of rough surfaces like railroad track crossing etc. Looking at my 2008 F250 I would say the bellcurve would be a very narrow curve and sharp peak while the new trucks and even the new F350 would have a wider curve and more blunted peak. Its almost like the its spreading out the impact removing some of the felt sharpness and jarring effect of impact. Not sure if that makes sense but is how it feels to me. So the F350 still feels slightly firmer (not alot) which I actually liked better as its a little less floaty feeling. The 18" wheels helped the F350 a little but even with the 20" wheels there isn't a huge difference. I know this as I drove one a couple weeks back. I have 20" wheels now and the biggest difference with the larger wheel is you feel more of the road surface and the truck feels slightly more jittery. This is why i'm going back to 18" wheels for improved ride and feel of the truck. I actually like the look of more BEEF (tire) than I do bigger wheels anyway so it works for me. Anyway, these new trucks ride great I'm still a little amazed at how much better they actually are. Anyway, hope this helps someone and love this forum.

 

Thanks for the comparison. I actually have a 2008 F250 and will be looking to "step up" to a F350 in the next 12 months. Good to know the ride will the same to improved.

 

Couldn't agree more on the 18's Off road tires. Look so much better than the 20's which look like all season tires. The extra sidewall seems to fit better with the truck.

 

Didn't need to have an F350 with its increased capacities, and I almost checked the box for F350, but in hindight, it was a better decision to get the F250. Here in VA, once your GVWR goes past 10,000#, your annual personal property tax almost doubles. Granted, the taxes decrease over time as the vehicle depreciates, but the first year tax for me would've been about $3,200 versus the $1,700 I paid.

 

 

 

before i purchased my 250 i test drove a 350 without the fx4 package and i couldn't tell the difference. but i test drove another 350 with 80 psi in the rear tires and it was terrible. i didn't check the psi in the first 350. the psi makes a big difference in the ride

 

That has changed in VA. Received a letter in the mail stating my truck (350) can now be classified as passenger vehicle. Went to DMV and got the new plates, saved a bunch of money on taxes.

 

VA isn't the only state where various types of fees vary based upon GVWR.

I'd sure like to see the statute allowing that. Or did you register it with a lower-than-OEM GVWR? I did that with an older F350 and both Excursions.

 

 

Yes, but as mentioned, it decreases over time as the vehicle depreciates.

 

The letter came from the state of VA. I took it to the DMV office and they registered my current OEM GVWR to a non taxed passenger vehicle. This was less than 2 weeks ago. I wish I could tell you more about the paper but DMV kept it.