Putting together my list of options for a new Reg Cab XLT F250 I plan ordering. Was wondering about a couple options on the list.

Advanced Security Group - I plan on a remote start/alarm, so I would probably need this for the keyless entry part of the system.

FX4 Off-Road Package - Worth it? or get new aftermarket shocks. Comes with some skid plates though.

Stabilizer Package - Seems like a decent price for a rear sway bar.

Tow Command - Wouldn't order a PSD without it.

Wheels/Tires - I plan on Weld Wheels and Nitto Tires, so I'll settle for the cheapies from the factory.

Cab Steps or Tube Steps - Any advantages of one over the other?

Dual Alternators - Any reason I would need this?

Transmission PTO - Any reason I would need this?

 

You can order the two skid plates separately. Only you can decide if the painted shocks and the FX4 stickers are worth the resulting difference in price between those two methods of getting the skid plates.


If you ever *do* need them, however unlikely, you can't go back and add them on. So you need to weight the infinitesimal chance of needing them against the impossibility of adding them later. Along similar lines, make sure you get the cab lights if you want them - they're never going to be easier and cheaper to add than on a factory order! And then you let a factory worker deal with drilling holes in your brand new truck's roof, not you.


Again, it's not likely you'll ever need it (even less likely than the dual alts) but it's not something you can add later. It's just a *provision* for adding the PTO to the TorqShift (an access plate, some wiring, some different programming) not an actual PTO. You'd have to add that elsewhere. Unless you envision getting a hydraulic dump bed or turning your truck into a wrecker, it's doubtful you'd ever miss this.

Duncan

 

The cab steps keep a lot more crud off the truck than the tubes, the women seem to like them better also.

Also order the upfitter switches, they are not automatically added with the brake controller.

Dual alternators might be worth it if you plan on pulling a travel trailer.

 

Try pricing this truck in Lariat trim, you'd be surprised that the price is almost the same as an XLT, and you get so much more content. The tube steps alone are only $110 vs $400 on the XLT. Get the heavy duty mats ($25), well worth the money. I regret not getting the dual altenators, it's only money. Don't forget heated seats.

 

I don,t think you can get a reg cab in Lariat trim. I would get the camper pkg instead of the stabilizer pkg as it includes stiffer springs,(overload rears) and the rear stabilizer bar also. I recently bought a supercab F 250 and like the extra cab room without too much extra wheelbase length.and Lariat is available on it.

 

Thanks for the info. I can't get a Lariat in a Reg Cab. I did price a supercab with similar options and was around $2600 more. I think I would prefer the 8' box over and ext cab and 6.5' box.

Probably wont need the PTO provision. Dual Alternator would probably work good for redundancy also.

 

When I priced out my 04 Lariat vs XLT there was less then a $200 difference in prices, these are list prices. I have an 04 Lariat S/C auto, psd, 8 ft bed, rear swaybar, heated seats, cab lights, 12,500 lb trailer hitch, tow mirrors, bodyside moldings, and heavy duty mats.
Content of the Lariat package puts the XLT to shame, rear sliding window, tinted glass, fog lights, leather seats, overhead console, upgraded aluminum wheels, all for less than $200

 

In 2002 i was in the market for a new truck. My personal desire was a regular cab f350 with a 8 foot box 4x4 with the v10, and loaded to the gills. It was at the end of the 2002 model run and rebates were effective for dealers stock, not spec ordered. Unfortunately a lariet was not offered, so i had ford locate one from another dealer. In a 4 state check of inventory, they found 1 which was exactly matching my criteria. They made a trade with a wisconsin dealer and my superduty was trailered to illinois. A loaded standard cab is a rare breed, and not the norm in todays world it seems. I could of found hundreds of supercabs or crew cabs, but , only 1 in 4 states??????
I drive mostly alone, i haul lots of stuff, plus it needs to fit in the garage in chicago or id eat tickets(no overnight truck parking), plus on the street it would get damaged easily or stolen. Order it all and accept no less, do it right the first time and youll be happier plus resale will be higher if it gets time to sell later. If you didnt order the fx4 with skid plates i bet it would be 4 or 5 times that over the counter at the dealer. same goes for the rest. negotiate with dealer on it all, and if they wont budge, go to another dealer, i went to 20 or so dealers before choosing the one who went the extra mile on locating my truck and at a way better price to boot. bill

 

I spec'd out a reg cab to a local dealer and they did a 1900 dealer search with no matches. Looks like the power seat and adjustable pedals were not to be found in a reg cab. Wish I could get a leather heated seat in a XLT Reg Cab.

 

I recently emailed Ford and asked them why the Lariat package was no longer available on reg. cab trucks. I explained to them that I was planning on buying a 05 F-250 and that I wanted a loaded truck, but that I did not want an ext. cab or crew cab. They emailed me back and told me that my dealer could tell me what options are available on the F-250. -As if I can't figure it out myself. I wish they would start building lariats in reg. cabs again. I know what you mean about the regular cabs being hard to find. I'm planning on ordering one myself very soon.

 

I would reccomend getting the duel alternators with the PSD. I would also reccomend the tube steps. I have them on my 05 F-350 and they look really nice. I would not upgrade to the FX4 package. You can order the skid plates seperatly and can buy much better shocks than ford sells. I have the FX4 on my lariet and I think it was a waist of money. If you do not have problems fitting your truck in a garage I would reccomend the supercab with the 8ft box. Much better resale value.

 

Advanced Security Group- Have heard bad press about it, so I went after market even though it cost much more.

FX4 Off Road- You get some low end Rancho shocks, the skid plates are under the fuel tank, not up front where you would expect. Depends on if you are going to aftermarket lift your truck

Stabilizer Pkg- I got it, I guess its ok, truck rides great. Dont know much about it.

Wheels/Tires- I got the F350 with 18 inch wheels, and made mistake of upgraing to the at tires. The Conti-Trac AT tires are a joke. Go Cheap, get aftermarket

Cab Steps or Tube Steps - Any advantages of one over the other?

We chose tube steps, wife loves them We will get something different later one.

Dual Alternators - Any reason I would need this?

Dont know really, I guess if you are pulling something heavy in electrical needs.

Transmission PTO - Any reason I would need this

This I got, heard from a guy that heard from an engineer with Ford that for the small expense you actuallly got heavier duty parts in the transmission, for what its worth. I ordered mine, so I didnt have to search through inventories for one with it.

 

Just picked up my F350 last night (Santa came early) - not sure if you get snow your way, but if you're going Ford cab/tube steps, get the cab. Couple of buddies of mine have the tubes and they get packed with salt-licks up here. At least the cabs keep most of the road muck off the bottom of the rockers / doors.

Re the tires, the Conti A/T's are junk (as attested to here quite a bit) - mine came with BFG Rugged Trail A/Ts which are slightly less junk according to reviews at www.tirerack.com etc. - agree with nhebert, go cheap and get some REVOs or like quality, I will be doing that soon.

Stabilizer vs Camper pkg ($5 difference up here) - would suggest either. Isn't PTO-ready option only available for manual trannies ? You'd still need to buy an aftermarket PTO to run a dump box / hydraulics etc...

 

I agree with JeffreyK and deer81 and can't find a Reg.Cab F-250 XLT anywhere. Lariet doesn't come with reg cab so best we can so is XLT. So I'm looking for the opertune time to order one just the way I want it. I prefer the looks/style of Reg.Cab. The longer cabs look like a cross between a pickup and a SUV. They probably do have better resale but in the meantime its cost you a few extra thousand and you have to live with something you don't like................. Also if I can't haul a 4x8 sheet of plywood it doesn't seem like a pickup at all.

 

can you order cab steps and tube steps? are the cab steps the running boards that are flush with the bottom of the cab? are the tube steps those ridiculous running boards that are mounted 5 inches below the bottom of the cab?