I had a 96 f150 302 till recently and now need new, used, truck that can tow better. I just bought a three horse slant that tops out around 7500lbs fully loaded with our horses and other stuff. I have decided to get either a F150 with the 7700 payload package or a light duty F250. What are the major differences between these trucks, ie. standard features, payload and tow ratings? Thanks for you help.

 

They are the same thing. The LD F250 was only made a few years before they relabeled them as a F150.

 

They're not exactly the same thing in all respects. The 250LD could have a lower GVWR of 7200lbs. The 7700s came from the factory with a higher front spring capacity (snowplow prep) standard. The 250LD's had front spring rates as an option.

The interior options were the same as the standard F150s for the year the truck was made.

You had more powertrain options with a 250LD. It could come with a 4.6, 5spd manual, and 3.31 gears, as well as a 5.4, auto, and 3.73s. 7700s could only come with a 5.4, 4speed auto, and depending on the year, 3.73's or 4.10s

If your going to by a 250LD just check the door sticker thoroughly to help determine which GVWR the truck has. You don't want to end up with a truck that isn't what you require. A truck with 3.73s and a GVWR of 7700lbs should be capable of a GCWR (truck and trailer weights together) of 13,500lbs. My 7700 weighs in at 5200lbs wet with myself in the seat (I weigh 220). Ford has the max trailering weight for my truck at 8200lbs (2000 4x4 supercab). So I could add 100 pounds in the truck and still tow the max rating. The 2002 and 2003 models could have 4.10s from the factory as another option and that would raise the GCWR to 15000 lbs.

So, standard options between the two vary considerably, when you get down to it. All of the trucks will have the larger 10.25" semi-flaoting rear, a larger capacity suspension (over a standard F150), a heavier frame, and larger front brakes.

-Kerry

 

You are correct kspilkinton. I forgot about the 4.6 F250's and they are not rated to pull what a properly set up F250LD or a F150 with the 7700 package will.

 

So it wasn't till 2002 and 2003 that there were two group options for the 7700 package?

Where are all these kinds of details published? I picked up the brochure for the 2003 f150 and it didn't have very much information, at least not enough for me to figure out those small differences that would matter to me when buying a truck. I guess maybe they do it on purpose because of minor changes that they might make through the model year.

Still, I'd like to know where to get the DETAILS, sales people sure don't. I've called salespeople before and they don't know/care.

 

FTE.... Enthusiasts- people who have an intense feeling for a cause. In this case we have that feeling about Ford trucks... My cause in particular is the 7700. I wanted to find out where the truck came from.

Chris, I've found a good part of the info on the internet and by going through the various posts. A lot of the sites, like Edmunds and NADA, will give the options on the truck for each year. Also going through a few auto lots in the search for a truck will make you really want to research a vehicle.

Man, those sales people claim they have your best interest at heart.... but they don't know what they're talking about most of the time. For example the guy who tried to tell me that nobody would take my loan or that all 4x4 F150's since 2000 only came with the electronic SOF system (no manual stick).

It's like trying to buy parts for your 7700. I run across more people trying to sell me either SD parts or LD 150 parts when the 7700 differs from the standard. They just don't get it when you explain that the truck is different and even tak ethem by the hand to show them. "That's the first time I've ever seen that, must be aftermarket." Yeah, that's what it is, Ford made a bunch of F150's and I'm the only one who owns a 7 lug truck.... More often than not, I tell them it's a 99 250LD. Most cross references work on the databases for that truck, but I'm sure you'd get a puzzled look if you pointed to a 250LD and told people what it was.

I prefer to learn, know, and understand. Sometimes I make myself look like the fool, but the majority of the time, my sources are correct.

If I recall, I found out about the option-A & option-B starting in 2002 when I was researching the truck from the ford vehicles site in 2001. It was made out as a new for 2002 thing.

-Kerry

 

"It's like trying to buy parts for your 7700. I run across more people trying to sell me either SD parts or LD 150 parts when the 7700 differs from the standard. They just don't get it when you explain that the truck is different and even take them by the hand to show them."

Amen on this point. However the parts store I shop out now knows I have F250 LD.

That is one of the things though that I enjoy. The truck is unique and not that common. I see more F250 LD's then F150 7700's. You soon learn the fastest way to spot one is to check the wheels. 7 bumps on the wheel says it all.

 

Yeah Dan, its especially bad when you can do it at 65mph!

I hear ya Kerry! According to Randys I have a Dana 50 front axle! LOL.
I had a guy who really wanted to buy my truck. He had an old f250 that was on its last leg. We used my truck sometimes to tow his Grand National to the track since. He liked it, his wife liked it. Just my truck. I thought about it, and even though there are somethings that I have to work through on it (still got that damn noise), I didn't sell. For one, it does exactly what I need it to ever since I got it. It nevers says no. I didn't get stuck in 20 inches of snow. I like the looks. It tows very well. And finally, I WAS LOOKING AT A NEW TRUCK FOR 6 MONTHS AND HAPPENED TO FIND A RED 2000 7700 JUST LIKE MY OLD TRUCK LESS THAN 16 MILES FROM MY HOUSE, got more than I paid for my trade in truck, financed and extended warrantied out the door. So I figure I'll stick with it. I even just got a free beater to try and keep the miles off of it.

Chris