2005 Ford suspensions

[DCP]

Does anyone know exactly what the difference is between a F250 and F350 suspension? The dealers don't even know!! Springs,shocks...what?

[mallardjusted]

I believe the springs are upgraded somewhat. While the towing weights are about the same for the two vehicles, the payload weight is where the F-350 is upgraded. As an example, the F-250 payload for a Crewcab 4X4 diesel is 2600 and the F-350 is 4000. That is the prime reason I traded my 99 F-250 in on a brand new F-350. With a listed pinweight on my 5th wheel rig of up to 2200lbs, people, hitch, plus cargo, I was probably 400 to 800 lbs over the payload ratings. With the F-350 I have plenty of extra payload.

[skypilot]

Springs are the same on the rear between the two. The F350 has larger blocks on the back, hence the shackles are a bit different. The big thing is the sticker in the door - authorizes the higher weight.

Now, all that said, there are some other differences in suspension with the tow (Boss) package. Can't find my notes right now but, as memory serves me, there were some differences when you order that package.

[Broome101]

Skypiolt, Hate to differ with you but on my 05 F350 there is another leaf spring vs what I had on my F250. F350 also sits up 3" higher than my F250 did. Same tow capacity as F250 15,400 lbs but beefer suspension on rear. Also have rear stabilizer and camper package on this unit.

[skypilot]

No problem differing with me - I traded O3 F250 for 04F350, both with tow package. Both had the overload (extra spring), sway bar, etc.. the only diff between the two was the 'jacked up' back end because of the larger block on the F350 and the sticker in the door. Had problems with F350 and was looking at 05 and dealer / parts guys and I looked at manuals early on and had same part #s all around. Parts guy had the 'early release' info for the Boss package and that is where my notes came from. However, as all their literature says, changes are made in production all the time. The best thing I could recommend is to get with the parts folks and look at the most recent parts breakout to see if any differences. Do know that regardless of what is picked, I find the ride in the long wheelbase much better than the short.

[steves]

I've just specked out the 06 F350 and the tow Boss package seems to be the dually and just a 4.30 rear. That all the the option list?

[Fordzilla]

Skypilot - you are correct up until the '05 models. They are a few more differances now on the newer ones. I know in previous years there was no differance between the F250 and F350 except the sticker. But, that all changed when they intorduced the '05s.

[cs413]

Ratings jump up quite a bit with the Tow Boss. Did a lot of research and just bought an 05.

GCWR 26,000
Towing cap SRW 4x2 19,200
DRW 4x4 18,100

Payload 5,200

This is a beefy truck.

[cs413]

I should have mentioned if you go to the Ford website which is an excellent website, there is a link to their interactive towing guide that will give you all the weight capacities you ever wanted to know about the Ford truck line.

[sreigle]

You get that extra leaf on the F250, the one that comes on the F350, if you order the Camper Package. That leaf and a rear stabilizer bar, I believe. We had a neighbor who had the camper package on his new F250 and he had the leaf.

Curt, is that www.ford.com or is it a ford trucks site? thanks.

[cs413]

Yes. www.ford.com Then click on the small blue Ford emblem (not the family plan emblem), then put your mouse over the SHOWROOM tab. There is a drop-down box - click on TRUCKS, click on SUPER DUTY, then click VEHICLE DETAILS, and finally click on the SPECS tab. That brings you to the specs page for the F250 and F350. You will see all the dimensions and weights and when you scroll down you will find all the towing capacities. It's not as long and drawn out as it seems. I went to the Interactive Towing Guide and it is a little more confusing than I remembered. The Specs page is loaded with all the info. you will ever need.

[richfaa]

The tow boss package is a little confusing but here is how it works,,If you are building your own truck on the Ford site and you check the "tow boss" package it will upgrade to the 6.0PSd, dually and the 4:30 diff for 26,000 GCWR and 19,200 tow rating. I choose the V10 and under the 'Option"list on the last build your own page you CAN get the 4:30 Diff for a GCWR of 23,500 and a tow rating of 16,100.So you can see what difference the diesel makes in GCWR +2,500 and tow rating +3,100..both plenty for any Montana..Please don't ask why I did not get the 6.0PSD..don't want to start anything..there will be a diesel in my future in a couple of years..

[sreigle]

Excellent, Curt! I saved that page on my system so I can see the specs even when not connected. Thanks.

Rich, gas vs diesel is like dually vs single rear wheel and chevy vs dodge vs ford. They're all good and the best choice is the one that best meets ALL your needs.