Any disadvantage with going with a 350 vs the 250?
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Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Upstate, NY
Any disadvantage with going with a 350 vs the 250?
I'm just about done beating up the dealer, but now he threw me a curve ball. I was all set to order the 250 and he asks me if I had thought about doing the 350 instead. I tow an 11,000 pound fiver (36' 2 slides) and that's about it. I'll drive the truck some back and forth to work (30 miles round trip) and go to the dump ever so often.
Any reason to spend the extra for the 350? I don't think insurance is an issue vs the 250.
I read that the 350 has beefier springs, bigger axle or diff and hydro boost brakes vs vacuum on the 250. What's that really mean to me?
thanks
Any reason to spend the extra for the 350? I don't think insurance is an issue vs the 250.
I read that the 350 has beefier springs, bigger axle or diff and hydro boost brakes vs vacuum on the 250. What's that really mean to me?
thanks
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
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From: Isanti, MN
I'm just about done beating up the dealer, but now he threw me a curve ball. I was all set to order the 250 and he asks me if I had thought about doing the 350 instead. I tow an 11,000 pound fiver (36' 2 slides) and that's about it. I'll drive the truck some back and forth to work (30 miles round trip) and go to the dump ever so often.
Any reason to spend the extra for the 350? I don't think insurance is an issue vs the 250.
I read that the 350 has beefier springs, bigger axle or diff and hydro boost brakes vs vacuum on the 250. What's that really mean to me?
thanks
Any reason to spend the extra for the 350? I don't think insurance is an issue vs the 250.
I read that the 350 has beefier springs, bigger axle or diff and hydro boost brakes vs vacuum on the 250. What's that really mean to me?
thanks
For this, you get a heavier rear axle rating, bigger blocks under the leaf springs in back, standard auxiliary leaf springs, and a higher GVWR. This is all there is for changes.
The main springs are identical, and the only increased stiffness is a result of the auxiliary springs which don't make contact without ~1,500 lbs in the bed. So you won't notice any stiffer ride.
The only disadvantage is the higher bed height as well as clearance height of the cab. If you regularly park in an area you clear by less than 2", you'd need to stay with the F250. If you don't nearly scrape the roof, you'll do fine with an F350.
Remember the increased bed height can make things more difficult. I think this makes the tailgate step an even more important option. I also highly recommend getting the step.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 249
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From: California
I'm interested in this topic as well, been going round and round with this one for a while. I do plan to put a lift on the vehicle....nothing too crazy, and also order the camper package, just because I don't need the 20" wheels as I'm going after market. I'm thinking the 250 w/ camper package is more than sufficient for my needs, but the 250 to 350 upgrade cost is fairly minimal in the big picture.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: herriman utah
I really wish I would have gotten the f350 instead, of the 250 I got. BTW is more than 200 more, more like $900 more to get the f350.
as to the ride they should be the same the rear springs in the back are the same except the f350 has a 4" rear block vs 2" on the f250, so you get 2" higher rear ride height, which IMO looks better too, because my f250 sits almost level with no load on it, even a freaking bass boat will leave the back lower than the front. the 350 has the aux springs which only come into contact once the rear is pushed down about 1.5" otherwise you can't tell there is a difference in ride stiffness.
so yeah I highly recommend the f350, its not that the 250 can't handle the load, I am sure it will handle the load just fine it will just sag doing it. I installed the 4" rear blocks I bought off a guy on here to my f250 it sure makes the truck look way better and even better with the trailer not sagging the back anymore.
as to the ride they should be the same the rear springs in the back are the same except the f350 has a 4" rear block vs 2" on the f250, so you get 2" higher rear ride height, which IMO looks better too, because my f250 sits almost level with no load on it, even a freaking bass boat will leave the back lower than the front. the 350 has the aux springs which only come into contact once the rear is pushed down about 1.5" otherwise you can't tell there is a difference in ride stiffness.
so yeah I highly recommend the f350, its not that the 250 can't handle the load, I am sure it will handle the load just fine it will just sag doing it. I installed the 4" rear blocks I bought off a guy on here to my f250 it sure makes the truck look way better and even better with the trailer not sagging the back anymore.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 194
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From: Saugus,CA
So, let me see if I have this right. The 250 and 350 have the same rear spring packs, but the 350 has a 4" block instead of a 2". How does this make the 350 any better than the 250? It seems to me that it would only make it sit higher when empty? Not trying to start anything here guys, just trying to understand the whole thing is all.
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Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Isanti, MN
So, let me see if I have this right. The 250 and 350 have the same rear spring packs, but the 350 has a 4" block instead of a 2". How does this make the 350 any better than the 250? It seems to me that it would only make it sit higher when empty? Not trying to start anything here guys, just trying to understand the whole thing is all.
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Postmaster
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The rear axle assemblies are absolutely identical on F250 and F350 SRW trucks. They are both assembled on the same lines with the same parts at the Ford Sterling Axle Plant ten minutes from my house. BIL is a high level management at the plant. I asked him this exact question last Thanksgiving.
The F350 Dually has a different rear axle assembly that is not built at the Sterling plant.
I was under the impression that the 2011 F250 has a different rear spring pack than the F350 besides the overload spring.
Regards
The F350 Dually has a different rear axle assembly that is not built at the Sterling plant.
I was under the impression that the 2011 F250 has a different rear spring pack than the F350 besides the overload spring.
Regards
New User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3
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What about the height of the front end? I have an F250 with Super Springs towing
a fifth wheel weighing 14500 lbs. When towing my truck is only 1/2"
lower in the rear. When non towing the truck is higher in the rear than the front.
Any simple way to rasie the front end?
My truck is two wheel drive.
a fifth wheel weighing 14500 lbs. When towing my truck is only 1/2"
lower in the rear. When non towing the truck is higher in the rear than the front.
Any simple way to rasie the front end?
My truck is two wheel drive.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 577
Likes: 0
From: Lebanon TN
I had a 2008 F250 6.4 4x4. I had to add Timbrens to keep the bed from sagging when towing the 5th wheel. The F250 springs are softer and the weight of the pin would push the bed down pretty good. I tow an '08 Cedar Creek Silverback triple slide that weighs in at a little over 11k with a 2k pin weight.
I went with the F350. No need for helper springs or airbags.
I went with the F350. No need for helper springs or airbags.