New Chevys

[Diamondpilot]

Well Kyle hope you like whatever you guys get. I don't think I tried to steer you one way or another but I would have to look back at all the post. Either way the GVWR on the Ford is higher but the truck is built a little stouter. My Short Bed F-250 extended cab weights more than my 2004 2500 GM weighed by 800# and the GM was a long bed. I would say that 800# to 900# difference between a Ford and GM is not uncommon on similar trucks but in reality the Ford will only haul maybe 500# more. This is mainly because the Ford shares a chassis for the F-250 all the way to the F-550 where the GM is only 2500-3500. The other thing is many of the components are much larger like the brakes, ect.

Chris

 

[Diamondpilot]

Not sure if its available on the 2008 but Ford is now offering a Electric Locking Rear Diff that is activated by pulling out the 4x4 Knob. The GM unit locks automatically and kicks out around 25 mph. From what I understand the Ford stays locked until you turn it off. Works just like the Nissian Titans.

Chris

 

[Builder]

Not sure if its available on the 2008 but Ford is now offering a Electric Locking Rear Diff that is activated by pulling out the 4x4 Knob. The GM unit locks automatically and kicks out around 25 mph. From what I understand the Ford stays locked until you turn it off. Works just like the Nissian Titans.

Chris

I heard only F-150

 

[Builder]

Well Kyle hope you like whatever you guys get. I don't think I tried to steer you one way or another but I would have to look back at all the post. Either way the GVWR on the Ford is higher but the truck is built a little stouter. My Short Bed F-250 extended cab weights more than my 2004 2500 GM weighed by 800# and the GM was a long bed. I would say that 800# to 900# difference between a Ford and GM is not uncommon on similar trucks but in reality the Ford will only haul maybe 500# more. This is mainly because the Ford shares a chassis for the F-250 all the way to the F-550 where the GM is only 2500-3500. The other thing is many of the components are much larger like the brakes, ect.

Chris

Main reasons for weight difference are cast iron heads and front differential on Ford versus Aluminum heads and front differential on GM. Personally I like the idea of aluminum's light weight weight/non rust efficiency over cast iron in those places.

The chassis is not the same on an F-550 as an F-250/350. The 550 has a thicker steel frame or a partially doubled frame.

How much larger are "much larger" brakes on the F-250?

Not trying to change the young man's mind or start a battle. Just trying to keep it somewhat "real".

 

[Diamondpilot]

The brakes on a 2008 F250 are about 9% bigger than a 2008 2500HD. I had a hard time getting much info on the GM trucks brakes but from the info I got this is the numbers I came up with.


Granted, the Ford is heavier, so the difference in brakes may not be that noticeable but it will add weight. I did find a shoot out where they loaded a Dodge, GM, and Ford 3500 series 4x4 Crew Cabs with diesels and a 9,100# mini-excavator on a 14K bumper pull trailer and did a 60 to 0 stop test. The Dodge was 3rd at 167' average, the GM was second at 155' average, and the Ford was first at 152' average. The GM and Ford were pretty close like I thought but the Dodge was a full car lengths worse.

Chris

 

[Builder]

The brakes on a 2008 F250 are about 9% bigger than a 2008 2500HD. I had a hard time getting much info on the GM trucks brakes but from the info I got this is the numbers I came up with.


Granted, the Ford is heavier, so the difference in brakes may not be that noticeable but it will add weight. I did find a shoot out where they loaded a Dodge, GM, and Ford 3500 series 4x4 Crew Cabs with diesels and a 9,100# mini-excavator on a 14K bumper pull trailer and did a 60 to 0 stop test. The Dodge was 3rd at 167' average, the GM was second at 155' average, and the Ford was first at 152' average. The GM and Ford were pretty close like I thought but the Dodge was a full car lengths worse.

Chris

Right. The Ford needs 9% bigger brakes because it probably weighs 10% more. That makes sense to me. But to say the Ford brakes are "much larger" is a bit misleading, D/P. Besides, brake size isn't the only factor. Quality of rotors, venting, brake pads may make a smaller brake out-perform a slightly bigger brake. Fords are notorious for warped rotors. My Ford rotors warped when I towed heavy with it and had to be replaced. That tells me Ford rotors are not that great.

I find a stopping distance difference of 3' based on a 155' to 152' negligable, barely even noticeable. That could be from 2 different drivers reactions more than the brakes themselves.

I guess the old trucker in me believes a truck is built around an excellent engine, transmission and a rear axle. Everything else, as long as it's adequate or better than adequate, is of secondary importance.

GM builds drivetrains for our military's vehicles like the Humvee and the Abrams tank and Ford does not. That goes a long way at demonstrating the capability GM has at building them.

 

[gemini5362]

this is becomeing a ford versus chevy posting. I expect the people defending their particular brand is not going to change. Personally I loved my old F350 i have It towed better than anything I have ever driven. The 460 CI engine gave more power than I needed to have. I did not however like the fuel mileage. My silverado gives better fuel mileage and since it is a all the bells and whistles on it truck. It is more fun to drive. I dont think it is a better truck just newer and more fun. I have found that actually my trailer brakes make a big difference on stopping power if I am towing a load. I would imagine that if you have three trucks with the same brake controller pulling the same trailer that you would not see much difference at all in brakeing distance

 

[Diamondpilot]

Right. The Ford needs 9% bigger brakes because it probably weighs 10% more. That makes sense to me. But to say the Ford brakes are "much larger" is a bit misleading, D/P. Besides, brake size isn't the only factor. Quality of rotors, venting, brake pads may make a smaller brake out-perform a slightly bigger brake. Fords are notorious for warped rotors. My Ford rotors warped when I towed heavy with it and had to be replaced. That tells me Ford rotors are not that great.

I find a stopping distance difference of 3' based on a 155' to 152' negligable, barely even noticeable. That could be from 2 different drivers reactions more than the brakes themselves.

I guess the old trucker in me believes a truck is built around an excellent engine, transmission and a rear axle. Everything else, as long as it's adequate or better than adequate, is of secondary importance.

GM builds drivetrains for our military's vehicles like the Humvee and the Abrams tank and Ford does not. That goes a long way at demonstrating the capability GM has at building them.

I think you are taking this the whole wrong way Builder. I was simply stating the Ford was 800# heavier than the GM and I gave a few reasons why, one being the larger brakes. You read into that the larger means better. I stated that the two were pretty close, like you said negligible, but the Dodge was not in the same class when it came to stopping.

I am not trying to sway this young mans decision. He seem to be on top of things as far as the research goes, I guess his dad gave him this job.

Chris

 

[Builder]

I think you are taking this the whole wrong way Builder. I was simply stating the Ford was 800# heavier than the GM and I gave a few reasons why, one being the larger brakes. You read into that the larger means better. I stated that the two were pretty close, like you said negligible, but the Dodge was not in the same class when it came to stopping.

I am not trying to sway this young mans decision. He seem to be on top of things as far as the research goes, I guess his dad gave him this job.

Chris

I'm just trying to put things into perspective, just like you are. I don't want another F vs C battle, either.

I think the kid is on top of things, too.

 

[Dargo]

IMO, the Allison transmission alone makes the GM worth 2 grand more than the Ford.

Good luck with the F-250!

Just in case the transmission is of some issue, I have not seen where the Allison transmission in the GM pickups have been any better than the Ford Torqshift at all. GM has everyone all going because of a huge campaign on hype and name recognition. Even though it's only by a small percentage, I've seen more issues with the Allison transmissions than the Torqshift transmissions. After seeing the statistics, I wouldn't give anything at all extra for the Allison transmission over the Torqshift. Both are actually very good transmissions but the Torqshift doesn't have the large crowds of people buying into the hype of a name.

Good luck with whatever you buy, but I certainly wouldn't let the transmission between the two make any difference in the decision unless you just have this burning desire to go around telling everyone "I've got an Allison". To be honest, it's pretty well exactly the same as Dodge "Does that have a Hemi?" sort of hype. It's a decent engine but certainly not worth all the hype.