With the 250 I wouldn't waste time with a 6.5ft bed if you get the 8ft and give it sometime you will find that extra 1.5ft to be no big deal at all to maneuver.

Just my 2 cents.

 

I agree.......once you have it you won't go back!!

 

Seriously? I dont think so. superduty doesnt have to be a diesel. If your not towing heavy, the diesel is a waste of money.

 

diesel engines just turn a average truck into a tool. You buy the engine to do the job. I would not think about getting anything bigger than a half ton without a diesel.

 

Yep, I don't know of many places that sell plywood in 4' X 6.5' sheets.

 

I have a F250 5.4L if you want to haul anything DONT BUY IT! It sucks. I have blown a water pump as well as a Radiator and had a common computer problem. My 2 cents.... If your gonna haul anything go with diesel (note: I dont know much about the new 6.0L Gas they may be good the may not) I just know the 5.4L in the F250 is terrible. As for off roading, damn man the F25) just looks bad to the bone! Hands down F250!

 

I've owned several vehicles, (brands better left out). Ford is the way to go. As to hauling and 4 wheeling, I have a 2000 F-250 x-cab long bed 7.3. The summers I travel back and forth from Fairbanks to Seward, AK. I have several boats including a cabin cruiser. The boats go down beginning of the season and spend the summer there. Economy wise I get get better with this truck as 1 way is 700 miles. Have a shell to nap when running by myself. There are several places here where I have to get down to 4-lo to get in and out of. This of course is with a full bed without the shell. I have freinds with other vehicles that I have had to help and they just couldn't believe at first some of the places I go with her. They now own a Ford Super Duty Diesel.

 

The OP will be buying new instead of used because when deployed they can get new Fords at a very steep discount through AFEES, probably cheaper than purchasing a slightly used truck.

Jumping from an F-150 to an F-250 is a leap in capability. Yes, you can buy an F-150 that can tow a lot of weight, but pulling the same load with an F-150 or an F-250 will show you the F-250 just feels more comfortable when pulling. You have a heavier truck, better frame, suspension and bigger brakes. An F-250 can be equipped to easily pull 1.5 times what the F-150 will pull without stretching your capabilities.

grab a new Super Duty when you get deployed. On the choice of engine, both are pretty new so I can't offer advice either way.

Good luck, and thank you for your service.

 

Go for the gas engine no matter which platform you choose. They react much better in occasional use then the diesel will. But ultimately, I'd opt for the F-250 with the 6.2L gas and locking rear axle.

 

I can say that with the crew cab and long bed you wont fit in a normal parking space, not really a problem unless you even want to think about going to a big city. Turning radius sucks too, but I have an 04 with the leaf front springs.

 

I have a 250 ext. cab long bed... I do not fit in any parkingspace. But I LOVE IT! Thats the whole point of a lifted 250 lol As for turning radius! OMG does anyone known how to get more cause you^ right turning radius is garbage!

 

you can't make the turning radius better but you just have to get used to it. I have a 02 f350 crew cab long bed 7.3 4x4 and that sure does turn better than our 04 crew cab dually long bed. I had to reverse when doing a u-turn on a 4 lane road. The key is, just go wider haha.

 

redford,

I've actually been warned that the AAFES prices are not very good but I am willing to be proven wrong.

I'm seeing a lot of good pros and cons for each here. A couple of things I would like clarification on:

1) I would be driving the truck probably two days a week. Does the diesel really respond poorly to this level of driving? And does the amount driven per time matter, or just the frequency?

2) I currently have a Subaru Forester, which does very well on wet and/or snowy roads, but is definitely not a true "off-roader." It has decent gorund clearance, but it is a cross-over and lacks power and a proper suspension for heavy off-road stuff. I don't plan to race Baja style (though I do think the Raptor is awesome) but I need something that is significantly better for the rut-laden dirt roads we get in the national forests here. Would lifting the 250 4-6 inches make a significant difference in off-road performance, or am I still better off with a 150?

3) I would definitely not get a 5.4 engine in a 3/4 ton truck. If I did get one of the 6.2s or a V-10, what sort of engine longevity could I expect?

 

You guys balking at the turning radius must have trucks with the leaf spring front suspension. The 05+ trucks with the coils, like my 09, turn really sharp and maneuver remarkably well for a truck that has 13 FEET between the wheels.

Back on topic (because I love talking about 4-wheelin), my Super Duty with just a 2.5" leveling kit and 35" MT/R Kevlars will navigate some pretty nasty terrain for a 7000lb truck. I'm certainly not saying it won't get stuck, but it will get you where you need to go. The F250 just has so much more clearance than a Chevy 2500hd, for example. My truck is pretty mild with just Icon 2.5" coils in front and 5" blocks in back, and I have WAY more belly clearance than my B-I-L's 2500hd with a 6" ProComp.

 

Too early to say on the 6.2, but with the modular motors (5.4 & 6.8) a lot of guys are getting 250-300k with just normal maintenance. Best bet would be 05 or later 250/350 with the V10 and 5-speed Torqshift auto.

I love my 6.0 PSD, but maintenance costs are a lot higher (figure $80-100/ oil change if you do it yourself). If you don't really need the diesel on a regular basis, then the V10 is an awesome alternative.