Well I finally put a down payment on ordering my 2008 truck. It is a 2008 F350 Lariat, Crewcab Dually Diesel 4WD, 6 speed manual. We have 95% of the options ironed out but I still have a few options issues that I could use help on:

A. Captains Chairs: Looks like I can't get the captains chairs with the manual. I guess I kind of knew that from this forum but was hoping they would change their mind before I ordered. Anyone heard anything different or change coming? More importantly since it seems like I am going to be stuck with the 40 20 40 bench in leather, can anyone describe how this seat is comfort and looks wise, and whether it has any storage at all in a center console?

B. Memory Package: Apparently this is also not available with the manual transmission? What in the word has this function got to do with the tranny? I have two ford cars in the driveway with manuals and they both have the memory function. Anyone know anything different?

C. I am trying to get the 3:73's for better mileage, but for some reason it affects the wide track selection and also does not allow the limited slip. Does this seem right? I want the 3.73's so bad I am considering giving up the limited slip. I don't really need it for towing but do like it when I go to my summer camp that has a steep dirt road in case the truck slides into the side ditch. But I think I have heard a lot of complaints on this list about the limited slip not lasting long anyway. Any thoughts? Can I get the 3:73 in regular version and still get the wide track and dually and manual?

D. Rapid Heat option: Again the computer is not letting this option be ordered with the manual. Doesn't make any sense to me. And I remember several members on this list confirming that the job 3 trucks allow this option with a manual now. Am I confused?

I really appreciate any urgent advise you can give me as I plan to have this fully ordered by the end of today or tomorrow the latest. My dealer sayks if I can point to a Ford website location that confirms the Rapid heat option is now available with manuals, he will go to bat for me. Seeing that I am prettyk sure they are screwed up on teh rapid heat, I am questioning the other items as well, especially the 3:73 gears.

Thanks,

Catang Motorsports

 

I can help you with (A): I have the split bench seat and we love the comfort. I had the captain chairs in my 2004 and I like the split seat better. The center console has minimal storage inside the lid. I still have not found out what the Rapid Heat Option does. I have it on my F350 DRW CC 4:30 Tow Boss. You are going to love your new truck. The only problem I have is keeping my wife out of the driver's seat.

 

A. The seats in the 40/20/40 bench and captins chairs are the same in both trucks. The captain chairs no longer have the armrest built into the chair, the armrest is on the center console now. So looks and comfort are the exact same, and I really think the fold down console is more comfortable. Here's a pic of the inside of my truck.



B. You got me on that one, kinda stupid on Fords part.

C. The wide track front end was designed to be used in the F-450s and up, which only comes in the 4.30+ rear gears. I'm assuming that the gearing they are giving you. This is the first year that the wide-track has been offered for the 1 tons. And FYI, these trucks turn better than ever even w/o the wide front end. As for the non-limited slip, thats what I got. I drive in deep sand all the time and you would think this truck would act like a one-wheel-wonder but it works just fine. If you're worried about sliding at all just stick it in 4-wheel and plow through it.

D. I don't believe that it has ever been avaliable for the 6-speed. I'm not sure if it has anything to do with the tranny for heat. But these trucks heat up pretty fast anyway. After about a mile of driving it will start blowing warm air, and within 3 it's nice and hot.

Good luck on the truck. Let us know when you're gonna get it, and what you're gonna put on it. Here's my baby. Already got my home built headache rack with all my flood and spot lights. Train horns w/150 psi compressor system. About to put on a set of 6" stacks with a turbo back 5" strait pipe.

 

We have the 3.73 gears without LS - we had a E150 with LS and it would still spin a wheel when on ice (until I got studded snows) - hopefully 4wd will make LS unnecessary most of the time. You will pay for the 4.1 gears every time you fill it up, but might need the LS two or three times in the life of the truck (and it probably won't work then). If you need LS, a locker is a lot better, and probably cheaper than the extra fuel, and changing out the LS clutch packs every 50k miles.

The rapid heat is nice, but it only increases the air temp 18 degrees F when on the low fan setting (barely noticeable). We only use the truck for long trips, and when it is really cold plug in the engine heater, in which case the rapid heat is unnecessary.

The wide track would be nice, but we have a crew cab long bed, so I always do a K turn to get into a parking spot anyway. Does look mean though. Limits your selection of mud flaps with the fender flares.

 

Also check out a different dealer, sit down with the internet manager and order it on line as a spec. Had the same thing when I ordered mine. One dealer said the dark toreador red on the 450 was not available but my dealer ordered it. Sometimes available options will change week to week. Good luck 6 speed manual is the way to go for better fuel milage from what I have heard. If my wife didn't tow with mine I would have ordered one. I do like the rapid heat. My 99 bench seat was very comfortable, if you can not get the captain chairs. My 99 did not have limited slip. never found it to be a problem. Good luck

 

If you don't need it for towing, what do you want dually for? Go w/ the SRW in 3.73 LS, and have the gears & LS you want.

 

This truck will always be towing. 48 foot enclosed race car and camping quarters trailer, around 16,000 pounds.

I really appreciate everyones comments. Been very helpful. For example, I am not worried at all about the 40-20-40 bench seat. I have given up on the 3.73's. It appears even the regular traction 3.73 is also not avialable as soon as you want the wide front end, which I do.

I would still like a link to the Ford material on the rapid heat for job 3, if anyone knows where to point me. Thanks again for all the help.

Doug

 

I just checked the Job 3 order guide and Rapid Heat is available with a Manual.

The memory package also requires the auto because it requires adjustable pedals. Adjustable pedals are not available on the manual. Also, there is no axle restriction for the wide track. I'd make sure the dealer is using a Job 3 Order Guide.

 

catang, starting last month wth the job 3 tucks, u can now get rapid heat with the manual trans!

 

Not sure if your dealer informed you that with a 16K trailer you would be over both GCWR and max trailer tow weight with the way you want your F-350 spec'd. Ideally, to meet your needs you would want a F-350 with the Tow Boss package.

As for the rapid heat info, just follow the link below to the JOB3 order guide and you will find what you need...

JOB3_Order_Guide...

 

Agree with you, My dry weight of truck and 5ver was about 19200 scaled out 25350 making my tow weight 16650# with everything you might carry including tools, parts, and everything else, you might be close to 20k. It then gets into insurance liability if you get into an accident if you are over your truck towing capacity. You really know what you will be scaling for sure. That is why I ended up going with a 450 because my next 5ver will be about another 2,000# heavier. I did hear the job 3 trucks tow rating are suppose to be higher for each gearing?