another reason i chose the F250 is because i also want to go offroading in it and i do not know how well an F450 would be for offroading. Just found out it would be an $8,000 upgrade to the F450 from the F250 i was looking at but would the F450 really be good for offroading and is there any way to lift the 450 by even 4"

 

The difference is there - just not where you expect it...While the GCWR & max trailer weights are the same - Max payload is not. Assuming you have a 5'er with a 2500# pin weight, with the F250, (4X4, SRW), max payload is 2850, leaving 350 # for take along stuff. With the F350, it's 4110, so you can take along 1610 #. These figures vary a little with options, but at least 1K advantage to the 350, for very little more money. Plus the added advantage of the extra capacity when not towing.

 

Are the 08 F2/F350 like the older ones where there really wasn't a physical difference other than the rating?

 

yup they are the same except for ratings

 

I believe the rear axle is different, and springs heavier. Someone knows for sure - please chime in. (Ford's not gonna give the same capacities for two identical setups w/ different model numbers).

 

05-08 rear axles are larger in an F350 SRW than an F250. 2004 MY and earlier F250 & F350 SRW were identical except the nameplate ratings. Starting with the 05 MY the F350 SRW has larger rear axle shafts and comes with higher rated springs standard (higher rated springs must be ordered as an option package on the F250).

05-08 F250 rear axle:
Max rating 6200lb; 1.36" axle shafts, 35-spline

05-08 F350 SRW rear axle:
Max rating 7280lb; 1.50 axle shafts, 37-spline

http://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas/...0-350_08bb.pdf

 

Has anyone ever had their auto hubs on the ESOF dont free spin into manual even though the hub "looks" like it should be able too? My hubs lock in 90% of the time with ESOF after the wheels spin about 2 full rotations, but is this normal?

This is my first ford with ESOF and currently I am not sure if I prefer to do the monkey dance with the manual transfer case of blindly trust the electronic system?

 

I don't know this to be fact, but I recall reading a forum way earlier this year on this discussion. If I recall correctly the main difference is the axle stopper blocks between the leaf springs and the 10.5" Sterling.

Thinking about it, that's all they'd really need to do as well for that increased payload. By adding the larger blocks, the allow the springs to deflect more before the axle bottoms out/ no longer has SAFE travel clearance and risk bottoming out.

I got an 04 F250 with the 8ft bed and the old girl has had roughly over a 5000 lb payload a time or two (I work for a third party logisitics provder, and it is not uncommon to have to run skids of _______ to surrounding plants to avoid line shut down) and it's not so much of a matter of the truck being able to do it, but hitting a pothole with that extra load ended up sinking my hitch ball into the asphalt and the truck looked like an S10 with chevy small block in the bed.

Push come to shove, I would have to believe STILL the only difference in a SRW F250/ 350 xould be those blocks. But if I had to buy a truck all over again, the 350 would be the way to go.

 

Quote to quote.....

 

so if i do go with an F350, do suspension companies like Rancho and DR make kits for it or just for the F250 and do you see kits being made for it

 

From the owners manual pages 149-151
"Using the electronic shift 4WD system (if equipped).

Positions of the electronic shift system.
The electronic shift 4WD system is designed to allow up to 45 seconds before a shift command is performed. In the event that conflicting shift commands are selected, allow up to 45 seconds for the shift command to be performed prior to reporting any shift concerns to your dealer.

Shifting from 2WD (2WD High) to 4x4 HIGH (4WD High)
Rotate the 4WD control to the 4x4 HIGH position at speeds up to 55 mph (88 km/h).
• The electronic shift 4WD system is designed to engage 4x4 HIGH (4WD High) when the vehicle is moving. If shifted to 4x4 HIGH (4WD HIGH) while at complete stop, 4x4 may not engage and the 4x4 indicator may not illuminate until the vehicle is driven above 5 mph (8 km/h).
• Do not shift into 4x4 HIGH with the rear wheels slipping.

Shifting from 4x4 HIGH (4WD High) to 2WD (2WD High)
Rotate the 4WD control to 2WD at any forward speed. Disengagement of the transfer case and front hubs may be delayed due to torque bind which is caused by driving on dry hard surfaces or performing tight turns while using the 4WD system.

• You do not need to operate the vehicle in R (Reverse) to disengage your front hubs, but it will eliminate any torque bind and allow the system to immediately disengage."
http://www.motorcraftservice.com/pub.../04f23og3e.pdf

 

Yes, i know DR does.

 

RedDragon, they're the same, suspension-wise except the rear block. What works for a F250 works for a F350 (except the ~1.75" difference in rear block)

 

I do agree with Ace! Technically the F-250 SD (Super Duty) & F-350 SD SRW (Single Rear Wheel) are the exact same truck except for the body id badges, the 4" vs 2" blocks, and the 10.5" Sterling rear axle spline count (F-250 has 1.5" 35-spline, F-350 has 1.57" 38-spline). All this adds up to a different GVWR in the 2 trucks. Basically the F-250 is rated under 10,000# GVWR & the F-350 is rated over 10,000# GVWR. When it boils down to it, both trucks can really handle the same payload. Its just that the F-350 wont squat as bad due to taller blocks, which really does not mean anything. Basically, they are rated/labeled differently all due to politics; city codes, insurance rates, property taxes, road load limits...

 

I believe the spring packs are different also? And I don't think the politics, etc enter into it much, as either can be registered at different weights. For instance an F250 can be registered at 7000 or 9000 lbs, and so on. Some states will let you register beyond the mfgr's actual max rating........