first ford diesel purchase, thoughts?

[CentexRancher]

Hi,
Time to trade in my 2001 dodge diesel and going with a ford.

I travel around Texas for work, will be hauling cattle to Missouri twice a year and some locally, and being out on the ranch. Looking at a 2012 cc swb, either 350 or 250. Not interested king ranch. Going Lariat. Thoughts on the lariat ultimate package,..worth the money? Which rear end? Any options to buy or not?

Will bebuying this week.
What do you get in the 350 over 250?

Thank you

[jesilvas]

If you're going to be hauling cattle I'd go 350, and probably dually. Higher weight ratings.
I'd probably do 3.73 or 4.10s.

[CentexRancher]

Thanks, but no duals. Has to be Swb. Need ability to haul gooseneck cattle, but isn't primary function.

[jesilvas]

How big are the GN trailers?
And what do you mean by SWB? Short wheel base?

[levan4076]

He means SRW or single rear wheel. In the 350 you get more legal weight capacity, taller rear blocks and maybe stiffer springs

[BIG Laing]

I can read, you want a crew cab, short bed, single rear wheel. You can't get 4.10 in srw that I know of. So 3.73 for sure. I have 3.55 but rarely ever tow over 10k. With the 6 speed torqshifts 3.73 is equivalent if not better for towing then older 4.10's.

My 11 is a lariat and I love the air conditioned seats. I thought the premium / ultimate was more of a "style package"... I would wouldn't pay for it but that's just my opinion.

[STROKED '07]

I wanted the F-350 SRW, didn't have any in stock. Ended up with the 250 with Lariat ultimate. It is nice, could make do without the sunroof. I haul cattle and lots of tractors and equipment. I did add a 2 1/2" front and 3 1/2" rear lift and a set of Helwig 3500# helpers to keep it level when loaded. The 3.55 gears are fine with the power of the 6.7 and the 6-speed trans.

[CentexRancher]

thanks guys. finding a f350 swb in tx is tough!

[897.3alltheway!]

id go with a 350, people say the only thing that separates a 350 and 250 is the helper spring but its a little more in depth then that

should go for a long bed also, cant go wrong there

[6.0f250firstcar]

Is there a dealer that will order one for you? That way you can spec it out to your liking.