I have the 40/20/40 split bench and love it. My favorite thing is the fold-down middle seat back.?.?.? Anyway, it makes a GREAT storage compartment and a great arm rest. I would say go with the bench. Thats my 2cents

 

I test drove an early 01 with 40/20/40 seating. I also sat in a late 01 with the captain's chairs. I ordered my 02 crew cab in May 02 with Captains chairs. The dealer made an error, and ordered the truck with the 40/20/40 seating. When the truck was cleaned and brought around, we (the salesman and I) took a look at it, and I pointed out this error, you should have seen his face!! But I sat in my truck and it was not the 40/20/40 seat I test drove. It is my understanding that the seats were revised in late 01. That there isn't any differance between the seats, Captains chairs have arm rests and a console, the others have no arm rests.

Now a year later, I am very happy with the 40/20/40 seating I have and would most likely order it again. Part of the motivation in ordering the Captian's chairs originally, was a young teen in our family whom arms himself with CD's and takes control of the radio on any trip. As a side note, I believe that the console and the center seat share the same mounting bolts, I have seen the consoles at swap meets for as little as $35.00.
:-staun

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 25-Jul-02 AT 06:59 PM (EST)]>If fuel economy is any consideration then stay away from the
>v10. The 5.4 will do whatever you need on occassion, and
>you will not even notice the enclosed bike trailer. I also
>toyed with the idea of going diesel but could not justify
>the option cost basically just to sound bigger badder etc.

2000 F-250 SD crewcab, V-10, auto, 3.73, 4x4
55 - 65 MPH = 15.5 MPG
75 - 85 MPH = 13 - 14 MPG
95 MPH = 12.2 MPG
Dang I hate that high speed limiter.

Bluehawk

https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/displaythumbnail.php?&photoid=4318&.jpg
F-250 SD XLT CC 4x4 Shortbed; MAAP nerf bars, Rally/Lightbar combo, PIAA 1300 driving lights, Lund bugshield, Lund SunVisor, tinted windows, K&N airfilter, Access tonneau cover, Rhino Liner, remote starter/security system, custom built console, Cobra 29 ST/WX CB with a Wilson 1000 magnet mount antenna, Realistic 500 channel police scanner, Kenwood 10 disk CD changer, Compaq laptop, SVP 100 Watt siren, and 24 Strobe lights.

Upgrades for the near future include: Warn Rio Grande pushbar with a 12,000# winch, 4" lift kit, fender flares, and 35" BF Goodrich T/A KO tires.