I am looking to buy a new Ford Pickup. My concern here is longevity. My '86 F150 just turned 295,000mi. for example.

Here are my two choices...
-2002 F250, 4 x 2, SuperCab, XL, 8’ Bed, 5.4L V8 w/ 6 speed Manual, 3.73 axle
-2001 F150, 4 x 2, SuperCab, XL, 8' Bed, 4.6L V8 w/ 5 speed Manual, 3.55 axle, class III Towing Package

I don't do a lot of hauling. I do sometimes load up heavy but not for very long. My concern is that the manual tranny in the F150 won't last fifteen plus years. I often load my pickup down going and coming from the lumber yards (apx. 1-2 times per week). I always end up carrying junk for friends. As soon as I have space and $$ I plan to get a 16' bumper-pull trailer just to have. Let me know what you guys think...

How long have these trannys been made and where could I find some info. about them?
What tranny is in the F250 and who makes it and where could I find some info about it?
Do either have a granny gear?
On the F250, is there something comparable to the extra strength that comes with with the Towing Package option on the F150 or is the bumper already that strong in its stock form?

There is a dupe of this posted in Towing the Super Duty forum.

thanks,
wes

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 09-Jan-02 AT 03:30 PM (EST)]I only have the answers to a couple of your questions, so I'll answer those. On the Superduty F250 you can get a "Class V Trailer hitch receiver" option, which (unless it changed) is code 86R and has a MSRP of $150. With the Superduty you don't really need to get a heavier radiator or any of the other bits recommended for the F150 tow package - they already come with equipment that can handle the load. As far as the hitch goes, you can also go with an aftermarket company like Reese - I just picked up a 12,000-pound rated class V hitch for my F150 for $88. I'm not really going to tow that kind of weight, but a little excess doesn't hurt...and it'll add weight to the back for winter. As far as the bumper hitch, even if it can handle the weight, it'll be too high off the ground for most trailers (even my F150 bumper hitch is too high).

As far as the F250 6-speed transmission, I know next to nothing about it - but I'm sure someone on the Superduty forum does.

You don't want to know my opinion of the Mazda-built F150 5-speed...I have been less than impressed, to say the least. However, some people have better experiences than I have, and maybe one of those people can respond and point out all the tranny's good points. Also, if you go to the transmission forum you can scan through the old posts and find quite a few about it.

LK