3/4 ton versus 1 ton

[mazboy]

i don't want to get too much into it but I am thinking about buying a one ton. And once, a while ago, i was told that the one thing that is different from the 3/4 is the braking system is larger.

I've looked and looked but no where can I find this to be stated.

so am i correct to assume that the major differences are the weigh load and the gear ratios? the engine and trans are the same.

[1retired06]

Drive train is the same if talking Ford. However when I bought my truck, the difference in price between a 250 and a 350 for same model/options was $100. So go for the 350.

[HOOK]

About 18 inches of width for stability. Two more tires to road contact for stopping traction. JMHO

[Rainer]

Everyone knows the pros, but here are a few of the cons:

1. a bigger pain in the butt when in parking lots
2. can't fit into drive-thru car washes
3. two more tires to buy when it's time to replace them
4. god, that thing is big!

[K0LCB]

And hard to go though drive ins, banks, restaurants, etc.

[dsprik]

I went from a 2500 to a 3500 SRW. Big difference, but i think more was due to going from a 2002 to a 2013.

[davidaf]

Sorry no direct answer for you but, I spent a good couple hours the other day trying to determine braking system specs for my year 3500 and the 2013/14 big three. That data is hard to come by. As I recall the delta was approx 1/2 inch at best. Certainly not worth the $40k+ it would cost me to upgrade. Knowing it's all about economies of scale and the production line, I can't imagine they'd change the braking systems between models especially since so many parts are the same (axles, drive train etc).

[DQDick]

I honestly don't know if mine was some sort of special order or not, but the brakes, drive train (including rear end) and even the frame appear to be the same and the towing weight is almost identical. Since 2011 a lot more has changed so I think you have to do a lot of research and drive them (which doesn't help much with trying to imagine them towing). Also, at least this worked for me, go to a rural dealer who primarily sells vehicles to tow heavy loads. The stuff on their lot to choose from will be more what you need and the sales people may actually know what their doing and/or at least have the opportunity (based on what's on their lot) to make a sale without having to lie to you.

[Phil P]

Hi

The easy way to tell the braking difference is to go by a NAPA store and have them give you the P/N and specification of replacement brake shoes for both models of the same year.

A ½ inch in width makes a great deal of difference in the braking ability and you may also find the diameter is a little larger.

Phil P

[DQDick]

Normally true, but mine uses the same ones.

[1retired06]

Bottom line for me, I will never tow with less than a one ton dually again.

[BB_TX]

The OP's question was about the brakes on an F250 vs an F350, not anything about a dually.
If you look at this Ford web site you will see that they spec the rotors on the F250 and F350 as being the same size, including the DRW. The F450 has larger rotors.
And if you look at napa web site you will see that they give the same part numbers for replacement pads for both the F250 and F350.
That pretty much confirms that there is no difference in the brakes between the two, at least for 2012 Ford.

[Hooker]

quote:Originally posted by Rainer

Everyone knows the pros, but here are a few of the cons:

1. a bigger pain in the butt when in parking lots
2. can't fit into drive-thru car washes
3. two more tires to buy when it's time to replace them
4. god, that thing is big!

I agree...all true. But also all irrelevant if that's what you need.

[7.3Ford]

I have a 2001 F-350 SRW. Only difference between F-250 and F-350 is 100 lbs more carrying capacity on front axle, when looking at SRW. F-350 has a bigger stock engine, and when going to diesel the price is within a few hundred dollars between F-250 and F-350.

The biggest difference of dully over SRW, is rear end gearing. Dully is geared for pulling (4.11) and most SRW are geared for gas mileage (3.73).

[Johnnyg]

Never researched myself but one of the Ford forums states the difference on Ford 350 verusu 250 as one additional rear leaf spring, large spacer block to raise the height of the truck and hydro-boost versus vacuum assist. One also mentioned a heavier rear differential. As a side note you might also look into the difference in insurance rates as some states may consider the higher payload as commercial and apply a higher rates !

[Art-n-Marge]

For 2006 and most years from what I'm learning, and only comparing SRW trucks the only difference is an extra spring in the leaf system to handle the extra weight capacity. This includes the brackets and bumpers that this spring butts up against when carrying the extra weight. From many other discussions, GMC and Chevy are much the same, I don't know about Dodge. Then to compensate for the extra weight, larger wheels and tires to support the higher rating may be needed all around to support the weight rating. While the front axles carry the lesser weight, they need to be the same all around to allow for tire rotation practices. All other components - engine, transmission, brakes, differential, shock absorbers, etc. - are the same. I upgraded my 3/4 ton to 1 ton to increase capacity, but stopped at recertifying my truck since this upgrade was for my personal use and didn't want to pay the extra taxes (yes, this is legal in California, I didn't check anywhere else).

However, compared to a dually, there is no contest, the extra two tires in the rear add much more capacity. There are many differences besides brakes that will increase towing and cargo carrying capacity, too.

Even knowing the cons above, I hope my next truck is a dually since the pros far outweigh the cons. Here's my response to the cons: 1.) Park far away with the rest of the duallies, chances are we can all use the exercise, 2.) It fits in the self serve car washes plus I've never damaged my own vehicle, 3.) Replacing 7 versus 5 tires is not a big deal considering how much more I got out of the truck by the time for new tires, 4.) Size does matter and the bigger, the badder. Besides, it's what DW likes so it will be the way to go.

[Slufoot733]

I went from a '99 F-250 to a '08 F-350. Both single rear wheels. Both diesels, supercab, shortbed. The one ton is a better tow vehicle because it's a little stiffer and has slightly larger brakes. But it also rides harder when not towing. Lots of folks love their dual wheels trucks and they are great. I find I just don't need dual wheels (for all the same reasons Rainer mentioned) to get the job done. The difference in base price was very little. The biggest cost difference here in PA is registration. The one tone is about double/year of the 3/4 ton.

[kdeiss]

Chevy and GMC 2500 HD 3/4 Vs 3500 1 ton
1 Ton has Higher Weight Cap Tires and Wheels and an extra Leaf allother components are the same Now I am talking 3/4 HD VS 1 Ton Not sure if they make a 3/4 any longer
I would go for the one ton Single Wheel

[dsprik]

I can say that I have had some panic stops with my Montana. I have complete confidence with my 1 ton. I'm sure there are some situations where no amount of braking would help. In that case I would rather have a big boomer like... well Big Boomer. This would be for the special situation where instead of stopping, I would just go over the top...

[richfaa]

We are not a fan of the big ugly dually but when we purchased our first Montana we needed the carry capacity and still do.