looking to come back to ford. had a '17 f350 for about 18 months, then it started to fall apart. since then i have had a ram (which was flawless, sold to my brother-in-law), and currently have a 2020 GMC sierra 3500. all diesels. my GMC has been in the shop for 68 days this summer, for 2 new rear ends, leaking rear window x2, brakes, steering shaft, etc... I am over it.
I am also over diesel. don't need it. looking to go back to gas.

local dealer has 2 used 7.3 trucks i am looking at:
#1: 2022 F250 Lariat ultimate, black out. 4 miles on it (not sure why it is considered "used"), decent options. Antimatter blue
#2: 2020 F350 Platinum, 1500 miles, couple more options, Agate black.
the trucks are within $1k price of each other

curios which one would be better to go with? I like the more options on the platinum, but like the new dash of the '22.
how is the antimatter color?
the f250 has 3.55 gears, F350 has 3.73. I have always gone with lower gears (would prefer the 4.30), but how is the gearing with the 10 speed?
are there any significant standard option changes or deletions between '20 and '22?
any major improvements with the motor/tranny?

thanks for any insight/suggestions

 

Hmm tough one.. Im partial to the F350 BUT if youre not towing heavy and the 250 will suit your needs today and the future..go for the F250..two years newer. I try not to focus on tech stuff.

 

Well there is a lot to say about this, too much to convey. You need to do some research on the 2 trucks regarding problems and issues around the forums. Spend some time with both trucks and go over them with a fine tooth comb, ask lots of questions about the vehicles, ask for a Carfax or some sort of vehicle history. For instance,the F350 may have the defective Dana rear end, either not able to be repaired or replaced satisfactory to the current owner and ended up for sale. The F250 may have been ordered and the buyer found defects with the vehicle and backed out. There are so many variables and possibilities in this scenario to cover it all.

The last 2 years have not been kind to manufacturers or consumers. Be informed, take your time and make peace with whatever you decide, shortages created premium price tags, spend your money smart. Good Luck.

 

Am I the only one reading into this…..you mentioned you had a flawless Ram which you sold. Maybe luck of the draw but usually folks gravitate to what has worked. Why have you chosen to eliminate the Ram? I am just asking mind you. I however think Ford’s to be a bit more refined and upper level but then again, in this day and time the landscape with parts and suppliers and mainly folks that do not want to work, flawless seems better.

Back to your question, if you have no worry to ever tow and really, not much difference between the 3.55 and 3.73, it’s a toss up really at the close range in price. The 250 however may get my nod however. Newer by two and the latest there is. However, the creature comforts of the Platinum may win you over and either at that point could suffice. I can comment on the 7.3 however, most excellent engine that can still tow fairly heavy and not tax the working parts if you know what I mean. Love this engine.

 

The 7.3/3.73 350 wont have that recalled axle. It should come with the 10.5 (both should).

You probably dont want upsized height tires with the 3.55 gear 250 and it wont be as enjoyable around town all things equal. They make some 295 width tires that are stock height though if you want to change the look.

You will need to adjust the tpms on the 350 unless its loaded down a lot.

The 250 was probably ordered and they assigned the VIN and it wasn’t actually purchased.

Both colors need cleaning often.

Can’t park in questionable areas with the platinum tailgate.

If the black appearance is a lariat ultimate they are very similar trucks.

 

My vote goes to the 2022 F250 unless you specifically need the capacity of the F350 (which I'm guessing you don't, otherwise you wouldn't be considering the 3/4 ton truck). With the 10 speed, I'm not sure how much of a difference the rear ends make. I personally really like the Antimatter blue color. I had Agate black also, very sharp when it's clean but you have to stay on top of it.

 

I’m reading into it the same way. Op might be better off with a flawless dodge.

 

The one thing advised that I would not do is take your time. If you are interested, you should move because the market is tight and if you don't someone else will. Inventory is way too low to take your time if you need/want a truck. I think there were some teething pains on the 2020 7.3/10 speed combo. Nothing that hasn't been resolved but I would be finding out the back story on a 2 yr old 1500 mile truck. If you like the equipment on the 22, that is what I would go for. I can't get into the black out packages but the rest sounds good. I doubt anybody can tell the difference between the 3.55 gears and the 3.73 gears. My first choice was the 4.30's but I settled for the 3.73's in order to get a truck sooner. I have fit 35" tires and it works great, first gear is plenty low without needing the 4.30's.

 

The 2020 7.3 maybe had transmission issues therefore low miles.

 

This particular truck won't have the Dana (4.30 gears) issue because it has 3.73 gears (Sterling).

 

thanks for some thoughts. for the heads up on the rear ends. i have searched for TSBs and recalls, didn't see much. I am aware of the tranny issue.

regarding ram, i don't want anything to do with the 6.4 Hemi, so that is out as an option.
I have considered another GM, but then it may have some of the same issues.

a 1/2 ton is out of the question. i have a sled deck and sleds, that is more than enough weight to get me away from a 1/2 ton. also, i want to have enough capacity "just in case."

I don't know the backstory on either truck. the 2020 has a clean carfax, looks like it was a corporate truck, 1 owner. won't know about the '22 until i look at it.

what ever truck i get, I will be adding a carli suspension and at least 35s. hence the question about gears. obviously 3.73 or lower would be better, but will the 3.55 suffice? could i have the gears changed to 4.30s? I had my ram changed from 3.42 to 4.10s, no issue.
the 3.55 is not an electronic locker, don't ever remember using it in the past. is it that big of a deal?

i like the '22, but unsure about the blue. it also does not have some features that i would like, heated steering wheel, power steps etc... but i like the new dash, the fact that is 2 years newer, and essentially brand new

the '22 platinum obviously has more features, many i like and are nice to have.

 

They make 4.30 gears. You can put in a trutrac if it doesn’t have a locker.

I would make sure the front diff will work with 4.10+ gears.

 

I'd be leery of the 'used' one with 4 miles. Something's not right there. That doesn't fit the traditional definition of 'used' at all.

 

For the sterling you are correct. There is no trutrac for the Dana m275 yet.

 

I think the 3.55 gears will easily suffice. I am running 35's with 3.73's living at 8000 feet. The truck definitely does not lack for power or need the deep gears.

I can't believe you are a sledder and never used the rear locker... I use a forest service road to the parking lot. It is low on the list for plowing so I often am running it in deep snow. The rear locker is fantastic, I just need to figure out how to keep it from automatically disengaging at 25 mph.

You found these two trucks, keep looking if they are not what you want. I bought mine 1300 miles from home. You can probably find others.