Howdy ya'll-

Just joined the group. Used to be a member years ago, but the board formats changed and I just didn't keep up.

Anyway, I'm very seriously considering the order/purchase of a new 2005 F-250 SD Crew Cab, 4x4, XLT Sport, short bed, SRW, 6.0L diesel, TorqShift automatic transmission. Black with dark flint cloth interior.

Other options: XLT Sport package, LT275 AT tires, 3.73LS rear, security group, ESOF 4x4, skid plates, camper package, roof clearance lights, adjustable pedals, dual alternators (more below), upfitter switches, towcommand. What I have configured now is looking to be about $41.5K invoice, with about $2500 of discounts/rebates available. Not too shabby, IMO.

The truck will be outfitted with RanchHand or similar replace front and rear bumpers, along with a Knapheide Knap Kap commercial topper. Weight on these accessories will run about 600lbs. I will also be adding 800-1000lbs. of communications equipment, emergency lighting, etc. Center console will be removed and replaced with a Havis Shields Consolidater radio console and laptop mount for a Panasonic Toughbook.

I'm currently driving a 2001 Expedition XLT 4x2 5.4L. This truck will be my first *big truck* and my first oil-burner.

Anyway, that's basically what I'm looking at. What I'd like to know from all you SD and PSD owners - anything you wish you would've been told before buying your truck? Any option you wish you would have/wouldn't have purchased? Aftermarket accessories you consider to be must-haves? (Not really interested in high-performance chips, etc.) Hints, tips, suggestions, criticisms would be gladly received!

Also, does anyone have a recent complete order guide for this class of truck? I'd love to have a full code-by-code breakdown of the option packages.

Finally, does anyone have any experience with the dual alternator package? Are the two alternators simply wired in parallel to charge both batteries? The communications and lighting equipment will pull somewhere on the order of 100A-150A in full-on configuration, ergo extra power is preferred.

Thanks,
Terry

 

Good Morning,

Here's a thread which had answers to most of your questions

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=337792

The "security group" gives you little more than the key fobs. There's no ignition disconnect or horn activation.

If you're in any area where it gets cold make sure you get the cord for the block heater. There's only a few states where it's standard equipment. The block heater is installed you just need the cord. It's around $40 bucks from the factory and about the same price plus installation from the dealer. It comes in handy on those chilly mornings, or whenever, in that diesels are slow to warm up and using the cord gives you heat much quicker.

 

Welcome back
The only suggestion i would make is go for the F-350 only because due to the configuration you are looking and the equipment you want to add it is better to have the extra 1100# of payload.

 

Why does the F350 give extra payload over the F250???

 

The F-250 has a GVWR of 8800 and payload of 2390 for a CC 4x4
the F-350 has a GVWR of 9900 and payload of 3495 for a CC 4x4
See the link below now this could have changed in 2005 not sure

http://www.clubfte.com/users/monsta/...dpayloadV2.htm

 

I just could not resist: cause thats what the little tag inside the doors states.

Legal issuses for license plates. some states classify a F350 a commercial vehicle due to the wieght rating. From what I have read countless time on this site, the only differance in the rear suspension is the blocks under the springs.

tvsjr,
with running all that electrical in the truck you may want to consider adding a set of gel cell batteries under the truck, the reason they put two batteries in the diesel is to start the truck. You can also tap into the PCM and utilize the SEIC (Stationary Elevated Idle Control).
Check out this thread, look for Engine idle control, also Upfitter wiring and Welcome back.
http://www.fordtrucks.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=303583

 

Might want the snow plow prep to stiffen that front a little a little and keep it from sagging from the bumper, probally should go for the F-350 to. Make sure the dealer takes about another $6000 off the price, you make it sound like you are just going to have them take the rebates off of it...

 

I moved from a '98 XLT Expedition 4x4 5.4 into a '04 SD SRW SD 350 4x4 powerstroke last year.

The big decision is whether you need the towing or hauling ...or not.

The SD is a (underline) a TRUCK! It's made to work and tow.

(BUT, make sure that's what you want and get convinced right away that these two vehicles are not the same as far as a daily driver is concerned!!!)

When you get the SuperDuty, you are not buying a SUV.

Towing and hauling difference between them like night and day! Going to the "grocery store" all the time.... keep the Expy.

Also, you got a really nice interior, with nice features in the EXPY.

A truck is a truck. an SUV is well...an SUV.

 

I'll definitely get the block heater cord. Texas doesn't get terribly cold nor does it stay that way long, but I could see the heater being very handy a dozen or so times a year. Thanks!

 

I had pondered on doing that, although that adds a few more problems to work through. The high current load will only occur when the truck is running... if it's sitting, I usually drop the radios and leave the LEDs running, which don't pull tons of current. If I need everything running, I'll leave the truck idled up (big advantage of a diesel!)

Has anyone installed extra batteries like this? One thing I had considered was taking one alternator to the batteries in the back and leaving the other alternator to charge the starting batteries (essentially creating 2 isolated power systems). Unfortunately, the dealer doesn't know a whole lot about the dual alternator configuration - they're doing research now. Has anyone seen or played with this configuration?

Thanks for all the suggestions... keep 'em coming!

 

Thanks - I'll look into that. The current configuration is $46915 sticker, they would sell it to me for $41,377.08 (sticker) less $2500 rebates ($1K rebate, $500 student discount, $1K upfitter pricing).

 

My 05 F-250 long bed 4X2 Super Cab has a GVWR of 9800, although I think some of it is taken up in the increased weight of the truck due to a heavier frame and other changes.

 

When you do a dual battery set up, use a heavy duty 200 amp cont. rated contactor to seperate the primary batterys(original w/truck) and the secondary batteries. Wire the coil to pull in when the truck is running and put a switch in line with it to override(both on and off). Also put the contactor where you can get at it if you nedd to jump over the contacts to give yourself a jump. Remember that alternators output drops as they heat up and you will be putting a good size load on them. Use a battery rated for starting and deep cycle (marine batteries).
It appears that there is two inputs into the PCM from each of the alts. I don't have a power wire diagram but I betting the outputs are just tied together going to the batteries