I have a company truck that is up for replacement. My current truck is simply a plane jane F-250 SD SWB XLT crew cab with 4x4 and 6.0l PSD and 147,000 miles (about 50,000 mi / year). It has no limited slip rearend, nor any HD items like off-road pkg., camper option, nothing. Its only major options are its 4x4 with electronic shift and power seats. We had to add two additional leaves to the rear suspension for extra load carrying capacity. My complaints on this truck (besides the engine) are, all I ever had was only one tire spinning in the rear (in 2wd) and one in the front (if 4x4 was engaged). The rotation would never switch sides to get traction, making this truck at best a 2wd when 4x4 was engaged...is this because I didn't have the limited slip differential option? It sure played hell when pulling a trailer off-road. Also, if the hubs were locked out (on the Auto position), nothing would ever happen when the truck was shifted in to 4x4 like the manual said. The manual states that when the hubs are in the Auto position, 4x4 high should still engage when selected using the dial on the dash. Never worked, is that because I didn't have some sort of Off-road package or something ((Lock-out hubs are so antiquated compared to Ford's half tons and other brands of big pick-ups. I really don't see the value in having them when nobody else uses them. They are extremely inconvenient)). Is there a diff-lock option available for a Ford super duty? If so, what is this option called? I didn't see it as part of the Off-road package or anything.

Now for the trailer. Occasionally I will pull a 20,000 pound trailer where 3/4's of the weight will be on the gooseneck hitch because of the required axle configuration. And, on occasion, this trailer gets pulled offroad.

If you were I, and you could spec out either a 2008 F-250 or 350 (no duals) SWB 4x4 crew cab, what would you include to give it HD carrying capacity and 4x4 performance? I spec'd one out earlier and included the 3.73 limited slip rear, camper package, traction control (this wasn't available in '04). Have I left anything out? I spec'd an F-350 too and it was actually a couple hundred cheaper. Both with the 6.4l PSD and I left off the offroad package because skid plates don't interest me, nor does the stiff ride of those shocks. With the miles I have to put on a year, ride is the most important factor before pulling. If you had to pull a trailer that had nearly 15,000lbs in the rear end, what sort of suspension addons would you consider? I will never consider adding more leaf springs because my back cant take the ride when empty anymore. Thanks in advance for all your input. I get to have some say in the specs of this truck (not the purchasing guy) and I want to get it right.

 

The limited slip option only applies to the rear. Technically in 4wd, only 1 front wheel will get the full power. Limited slip does help a lot and is worth the money. You might of had the limited slip option, but Ford puts way too much friction modifier in the axle. The less you put in, the more both axle sides will lock up. But put in too little and the truck will squeal around corners all the time, which is hard on the axle due to binding and results in early wear and then failure. I think Ford recommends 8oz and I was told that the 'ideal' amount is 4oz.

The Ford ESOF (Electronic Shift-On-the-Fly) system is proven to NOT be reliable. 95% of the time when there are 4x4 engagement problems, its the front 'Auto'/'Lock' hubs that have failed. The transfer case motor usually does not give any problems. The hubs can fail for several reasons. Check vacuum lines. Could have dirt in the hubs. The dash '4x4' & '4x4 LOW' lights are only activated by the mode the transfer case is in, does not determine what the front hubs are doing. No sensors in the front hubs to give you or your truck feedback info. You must get out and put the front hubs in 'Lock' position when needing 4x4. When ordering a new truck, I would avoid getting the ESOF system and go for the reliable manual floor shifter and manual 'Lock'/'Unlock' front hubs. It sucks to go out into the mud or snow to lock the hubs, but at least you know the 4x4 system will work.

If I were you, (pulling 15,000-20,000# trailer) I would get an F-350, 6.4L diesel, 4.30:1 limited slip rear gears, slide in camper certification pkg (aux springs are not touching when empty, so not a rough ride), trailer hitch, trailer tow mirrors, & TowCommand TBC (Trailer Brake Controller).

 

Thanks for the info. We have several Dodge and Chevy pickups too and I've watched when they get hung that power will transfer from one side to the other and always wished my Ford SD would've done that too (would never have needed a Dodge to pull me out). I was not aware of the unreliable hubs. I do so much over the road driving (non-pulling) that I like electronic shift on the fly and traction control when driving up North for safety reasons.