F250-550 Changes For 2005

[JD PLOWER]

I recently came across a website that detailed all of the changes Ford has made to the 05's. Some are kinda of interesting like the coils on the front and the changes in the GVW's. You can now get a 4x4 550 with 19000 gvw and 7000gvw front end. Maybe it'll carry the new 9/12 Blizzard :D

Here's an excerpt: from http://www.fordf150.net/superduty/index.php

Uprated Axles Assist Plowing
One scenario that points up the improvements of four-wheel-drive F-250 and F-350 pickups is their ability to handle the load of a front snowplow.

Over rolling surfaces, the reduction in vehicle pitch and roll keeps the plow blade under control, whether it’s in the raised or lowered position. Some competitive trucks allow so much front-rear pitch that a front-mounted snowplow can contact the ground unintentionally during highway driving.

For the first time, a factory-installed snowplow prep package will be offered on two-wheel-drive versions of the F-450 and F-550 chassis cabs. Snowplow prep also is offered on more pickups, and larger size snowplows can now be installed thanks to upgraded front axle weight ratings – 6,000 pounds on F-250 and F-350 and 7,000 pounds on F-450 and F-550.

With the monobeam and coil-spring replacing the leaf spring suspension, 4x4 F-250 and F-350 owners now can turn their front wheels 18 percent farther in either direction, which dramatically improves maneuverability and reduces the average turning circle by more than 5.5 feet.

[cat320]

So far I have seen some very nice features but I don't car for the bigger wheel rim soze.Seams that it would be vert pricey to replace the tire.

[Pelican]

I took a look at the link you provided, a few nice convenience items. The integrated trailer brake controller seems pretty slick, though I hope it's of the proportional type rather than the computerized type. The auxillary switches are a nice addition too.

I'll have to be convinced the coil springs are as tough as leaves, I know it will have a nicer ride but will it stand up to overloading? Ford's front end was one reason I chose their trucks.

Hey John, think I can get Timbrens for that???:wink

[Pickering Snow]

I agree with Steve i wonder how the coils are gonna work out like anything in this world if it anit broke why fix it my superdutys ride like caddies to me i dont want a nice ride i want a truck that can work and not to overloaded i wouldnt mind a few of the interior things there offering but other than that keep it the same i like my 04 except for the new 20/40/20 seat set up the seats are fine but they cut the storage in the drop down arm rest in half to make room for 2 drink holders know i hate to be stuipd here but who needs 4 drink holders in a standard cab i mean really i like coffee but dont need four of them at once flying threw the cab while plowing ford needs to stick with what got them to the top on work trucks

[John DiMartino]

sounds good for Ford buyers. Steve and Fred,have you even had coils break or sag out like Leaf springs do? My Dodges and others seem to do fine,i have seen quite a few broken leaf springfs,but never a coil spring broken that wasnt heated( to lower it). if naything im willingto bet the leaf springs are weaker than the coils esp long term.

[Pelican]

My only experience with coils has been on my 3500, and I really haven't had it long enough to see any problems.

My opinion is based on what I see in the industry rather than any scientific data. Every heavy (class 8) truck I know of uses leaf springs, not coils. If coils were better, wouldn't at least one manufacturer want to build a better truck for handling loads? Extreme service trucks like dumps and concrete mixers often have no springs at all at the rear, only rubber bushings, but up front they've got leaves. Even Chevrolet in building the 3500HD uses leaves up front where they use coils on everything lighter.

The old 1/2 ton chevy pickups had coils at the rear, but move up to a 3/4 ton and you get leaves. It just seems every time a heavy duty suspension is needed in the truck industry, leaves are used.

[JD PLOWER]

My problem with this set up is that Ford once again takes away what should be an option for buyers. For myself I think an option for leaves should be made available on all duall rear wheeled trucks from 350-550. Many voactional and commercial users will not be happy with this change but will have no choice when it comes buying decisions in this class of truck. Chevy 4500-5500 6x6 are coil sprung from what I remember reading so now its another oppourtunity Ford missed by not giving people options. I know why they don't do this (tooling, shared manufacturing costs) but these trucks are actually offering less options now on things like engines and suspension then in the past. As to whether or not coils will hold up to the abuse... probably, if they are spec'd heavy enough.

[SIPLOWGUY]

I heard Ford was going coil for 05. I have coils in my F150 but was looking to go with an F250 next to get leafs.

[4evergreenlawns]

I am not happy at all to hear this coil spring talk. I can tell you the my F-450 hold the load up front much better than my 2500HD will with the coils.

Yes, you will get a better ride from the coil springs, but I would have to agree that is should have been an opition and not standard equipment only as a change.

I do like the 19,000 GVWR upgrade on the F-550 but not sure what that will do to overall GVWR in combination requiring a CDL driver now. Here in IL if I was in that new truck and plated it right than added my 8,000 lbs plated trailer I think I would be over the weight for requiring a CDL. Just something people might want to be thinking about considering this truck will be able to tow like 14,000lbs. So 19,000 plus 14,000 I am sure that requires a CDL driver.

[Pelican]

Just an FYI, any trailer over 10,000 lbs requires a CDL.

[4evergreenlawns]

Steve,

Goes to the point and safe to expect someone getting a 19,000 GVWR truck would be towing some serious equipment. Meaning closer to the tow capabilites of the truck. So I am not sure the increase in GVWR will help the end user as much as one might think.

Hard enough to find labor with a vaild D/L at all, much less a CDL. Lets not forget the CDL for cash scandal here in IL. Over the last two years random testing both written and road yeilded a 7 out of 10 fail rate for CDL holders.

At any rate, I would still rather have leafsprings up front over coils.

[JD PLOWER]

Don't know if this applies to other states but here in Mass ANY combination of the towing vehicle and trailer that exceeds 26000 gcvw means you will need a CDL A. That means any 550 (pre 05) can be over that barrier with a 17,500 gvw and a 5 ton trailer.

[4evergreenlawns]

Oh you are right on the money about the 26,000lbs. I just think the step up by 1,500 to 19,000 might put some guys over what were sliding by is all.

[gslam88]

Guys,

I just read an article on the 05 Ford super duty saying that they will be including a integrated brake controller called Tow Command. Motor Trend did the review and liked the setup

see http://www.ford-trucks.com/specs/2005/2005_superduty_1.html

bigger brakes also and I am sure other things

Pete