Deleted by Sport45

 

If you want a truck for around town driving and no heavy towing, I would suggest the 5.4 automatic. I would spend the saved money on loading it up with all the bells and whistles.

 

enduringexplorer

That is really bad advice and not entirely true. Since the cost difference between the 3/4 ton and the 1 ton is so small why would you risk warranty, legal, safety, and insurance just to morph a 3/4 to be a 1 ton?

Paclik

The mpg averages in the SuperDuty series between the 5.4L and 6.8L are similar. The V10 is only a $510 upgrade and could well be considered one of the bells and whistles

 

Fredvon4
What is the advertised mileage on the 5.4? The 6.0L Diesel is getting from 8 - 20mpg depending on what FMC has done with all of these flashes. My 04, F350, Fx4, Crewcab, Torqueshift gets around 14 city and 18 highway. If I were going to drive the truck like a car, I would order it with a manual transmission and save the $1,500 on the extra cost for automatic. With all the problems the automatic's have I would order something that won't spend most of it's life in the service department. Remember when your truck is in for all these service issues you end up driving some little loaner car. Just my opinion. I have always had great luck with manual transmissions. The 76 4x4 390 manual was perfect and my father in law has it now and loves it.

 

Admittedly both the 4R100 and the 5R110W have had their share of issues but nowhere as frequent or time consuming as the early 6.0L diesel motor.

In the Crew Cabin SuperDuty F250/F350 series the 5.4L is the BASE motor with both 6.8L V10 and 6.0L diesel V8 as options.

The new 5.4L V8 with variable timed 3 valve heads is up in HP to 300 and can handle most light duty tasks. The 3 valve 362HP V10 is equal in all categories to the 6.0L Diesel EXCEPT fuel mileage averages.

The 5.4 and 6.8 are averaging near similar with 11-14 being the basic spread. Obviously these figure drop off significantly when hauling or towing much above 7000lbs.

My point was that you suggested the 5.4L automatic...and I suggested that the MORE capable and equal fuel efficient V10 is a good place to spend $510 and think of it as equivalent to opting for the Lariat options "bells and whistle" you suggested.

 

Paclik, Thnx for your well intended but given to the wrong guy advice about saving money. If I wanted to save money, I would walk. I already have two F150's with the bells and whistles. They are 2002 and 2003 HarleyDavidsons with the supercharger. Fine for the ladies in the family with 5.4 autos like you recommend. I want a TRUCK!!!!!! ..and I have a good sounding one coming. I still cannot believe I am getting it for $23K. I bet the V-10 6 spd's mileage is not much different than the 5.4 auto. I am not shiftless and really appreciate the trans gear ratio info I was given by this forum yesterday. That 6 speed offers a range that covers everything! I went and looked at an F350 yesterday and realize I cannot put on tires as big as I want. The 350 was parked with wheels turned and I can now see the best I will squeeze onto the front will be 315/70 x 17's and there is not room enough in back for the 39.6" 40/13.5 x 17's I want and will settle for 37/12.5 x 17's which are about 36.5" in diam and should fit okay. Increasing the rear tire diameter will make getting the 4.30 a better decision, even if unnecessary. As far as 250 vs. 350, I got some optional camper springs that make my 250 damned near close enough to a 350 to make me happy and I am REALLY glad to hear about the insurance difference before getting a 350 next model. THNX!!! I will now contact my ins lady about the 350's thnx all!!! Fredvon, My daughter is a Navy helo pilot (MH-53.s) and is in Corpus. She tells me EVERYONE in Texas drives a pickup, so when I saw your location, I had to alugh about her comment. I have been down there and she is damned near right. She actually flies over the King Ranch fairly often.

 

First of all I am speaking about 2004 trucks, since that is what I bought new, and cannot speak about the '05's The only diff back then between a 250 and 350 was the rear lift blocks and rating sticker. The upcharge then was about $600 and I was told by the dealer that the 350 would have better demand at resale. The ride and options (for SRW)were all the same. I needed that extra sticker capacity for carrying loads, and no, my insurance company charges the same for either 250 or 350's It is the declared use of the truck that can influence the rates.

 

Thnx! I am VERY happy with the help provided by this experienced group of truckees. Compared to other forums, this one lacks jerks and offers useable info and experience in bunches. THNX ALL!

 

Fredvon4,
Like he said, he isn't hauling or towing anything. In Michigan, many insurance companies charge a lot more in liability insurance for a 1 ton (old term) because they feel it is a commercial vehicle. Besides, a 250 and 350 are both rated for the same towing capacity. The only difference is the payload capacity. When properly documented (paperwork showing the increased spring rate) it would be perfectly legal hauling the heavier weight limit of the 350. That's what they do with the real trucks all the time.

 

Sorry but that's not accurate for the 2005, the rear axel is different between the 250, 350 and the 350 DRW. (6200lbs, 7280lbs, 9000lbs ratings) no listed difference in the rear leaf springs. The increased payload of the 350 vs the 250 comes from the greater axel rating not the springs. Towing capacity is the same for the 250 and 350 SRW. You cannot just change the springs and have a 350, anyway the springs are the same for 2005 so changing would do nothing. Insurance in many states is no different for the 350 vs the 250 but I did/would check bufore buying. It's not about impressing others. If you need the increased payload then pay for it. You could of course upgrade the rear axel for the 250 but I suppose that would cost more than buying it up front.

 

enduringexplorer. where are you getting your information? here in ca. where insurance is the biggest ripoff in the nation...my agent did not care if my truck was a 250 or a 350. they cared what i paid what engine 4x4 gap insurance, etc.....ps.. as far as mentioned getting the 250 vs. the 350 i personally think that statement is wrong. what does the 350 option cost( i think $800 i dont remember the exact amount). how much time and effort plus $$$ would it cost to add the extra leaf springs. if involved in an accident where carrying capacity was an issue, how could you prove your 250 had the same payload capabilities as a f350. would you have to go and recertify your veh?
for all that effort pay the $800 +/- and get the 350.

 

pac50 , my apologizes to you. i should have read your post. it could have saved my time and effort and just agreed to yours...

 

Geeeeezz I just dunno where the weird INSURANCE thought comes into play against a F350 vs. F250 for private non-commercial use. With the new 05/06 models having such added capacity there are a few folks out there that have Licensing, Registration, and Tax issues because now the Ford SuperDuty truck can tow haul at or above the commercial 26,001lb rating.

Over the last 35 years I have insured more than 15 trucks in various states, and several of them were F350s. I have USAA insurance now but have had policies with All State, State Farm, Farmers, Daryland....In each instance they wanted to know where I was, what is the vehicle, where garaged, typical usage, amount of miles per year.

Most all of the companies have lower rates for "Pleasure use approx 12,000 miles per year" than "Daily transportation to and from work/school approx 24,000 miles per year"

Why would an insurance company ...say All State.... consider a F350 as a commercial vehicle in some states and not others? Don't they think about intended usage?

 

Here`s my .02 cents worth. I wanted the biggest, baddest truck you could buy without going into a vehical made just for towing. The PSD was my pick after much research.
This was my first new truck and I dont tow much but the F-350 PSD seems to work just fine for short or long trips.
In MN. the license tabs are much cheaper on F-350.
No matter what Superduty you get you should like it.
My thinking has always been-get one size bigger than you think you need(except women), if you think you can get by with a V-10 then buy a diesel!

 

In Canada we are starting to see police at weigh scales fining pickups with slide in campers that are over their GVW.
There is no legal way to change the GVW of your truck. The LAW won't let you change it
and Ford won't let you change it but Ford can void your warranty if you break down while over your GVW. I agree the F250 SRW and F350 SRW are the same truck but I don't write the laws of the land or want to lose my warranty so my advice to anyone, if you need the extra payload ( Why do you buy a SD to start with ) go F350.