Ford F-150 vs F-250 Super Duty | 1/2 Ton versus 3/4 Ton Pickup Trucks

We've got two F-Series Ford pickup trucks in our garage this week, so we're looking at the differences between the Ford F-150 and Ford F-250 Super Duty.
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I've always been curious to explore the differences between Ford's 1/2 tonne light duty F-150 and the 3/4 tonne heavy duty or Super Duty F-250. Generations ago the two trucks were visually pretty similar, but fast-forward to 2020 and these two trucks are vastly different. We're taking a look at the F-150 to see how going up to an F-250 Super Duty might be the right option for your next pickup truck.
In studio this week we physically have a 2019 Ford F-150 Limited 4x4 with Ford's high output 3.5L EcoBoost V6 engine, however we're using some file footage from the 2019 Ford F-150 Platinum 4x4 we drove almost two years ago with the 3.0L Power Stroke turbo diesel V6 engine to even out our comparison with the 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty Platinum 4x4 we have with the 6.7L Power Stroke turbo diesel V8. We want to give viewers an idea of what the differences are when going up from a similarly configured 1/2 tonne truck to the 3/4 tonne.
We go over the important mechanical differences between these two pickup trucks including the rear axle ratios and how they apply to towing and hauling numbers, the differences between the two exterior designs, the bed and cab configurations, the engine choices, and the GVWR or Gross Vehicle Weight Rating for both trucks.
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[@PRNTestDrive]

Think of this as Heavy Duty Pickup Trucks 102. I don’t go into detail on the difference in frame strength/design but rather an overview of how these two trucks differ if you’re new to pickups.

[@paulm6481]

Great trucks. That blue one s gorgeous. I need a 30 year mortgage to afford either these trims 🤣

[@PRNTestDrive]

You and me both!

[@james2042]

Rear axle ratios used to mean a lot more back in the days of old where you had 5 speeds manuals that were basically geared like tractors. For the ford superduty, You had the granny gear (5.72:1), first gear(2.94:1), second gear(1.61:1), third gear(1:1) and highway/overdrive gear (0.74:1, which was designed for about 55mph). When your engine only produced 330lb-ft of torque, your granny gear plus 4.30 rear end was how you got a heavy load moving, if you were empty you could skip the granny gear and just start in first. Now people are still super stuck on having "towing rear ends" like 4.10s and 4.30s, but what they fail to realize is that engine torque has increased 4x-5x and with torque converted automatics, you are no longer trying to lock a clutch at low speed. Both ford and GM acknowledge this by having their diesels tied to lower rear axle ratios (ford is 3.31/3.55 and gm is 3.42) for their SRW trucks, does ford offers higher ones on the DRW trucks though (4.10 for 350 and 4.30 is standard on the 450 pickup) The 10 speed both GM and Ford use has a 4.70:1 first gear, combined with the insane amount of torque they put to the ground and you will move just about anything. Actually pickups are limited by their suspension and brakes when it comes to towing, as these HD's could tow 45,000lbs, they just can't stop it. When it comes to what the different ratios actually do, they only effect 2 gears, first and last. It effects what rpm first gear locks up the torque converter and it effects your lowest highway rpm. One common misconception I see a lot is that the 4.10 is better for day to day acceleration than say the 3.31, but what people fail to realize is that if you get the 4.10, more often than not your truck will accelerate from a stop in second gear, completely skipping first, simply because it has enough torque to launch in second. Also you see a lot of people say "the 3.31 will just lug your engine on the highway" and for some reason people want to cruise at 2200rpm in a turbodiesel that has its peak torque at 1400rpm. If you really needed more hp then it can just shift down a gear or two, give you the power to pass or climb the hill then go back down. Less rpm means less engine wear and less strain on your dpf (if you're running diesel). The f150 is hard to compare to simply because how many different ways you can configure it. Hell there are 3 different frame structures for the f150, including one that supports 3000lbs of payload. (this is separate from wheelbase and cab/bed config) I feel bad for anyone looking to buy their first pickup and doesn't know anything about them. One interesting thing about going from 1/2 ton to 3/4 ton is that the jump is much bigger from f150 to the f250, than it is from ram 1500 to ram 2500, but the f250 isnt much different than the f350, but the ram 2500 is really different than the ram 3500. This is because the ram 2500 uses coil springs in all 4 corners. It rides the best out of 3/4's, but it loses payload for that. *I would not trust the 6.7 powerstroke, at least for 2020. The 1050lb-ft of torque 115 torque bump from last year's 935 with just a bigger turbo, and the commercial version is derated to 800lb-ft, which speaks to their reliability. Ram only derates their trucks by 50lb-ft and I don't believe GM derates theirs at all. To me this just says that ford is overtuning the crap out of the powerstroke just to 1up ram's H.O. Cummins.*

[@PRNTestDrive]

Very good points about the transmissions. I'm curious to see how the updated Power Stroke does long term. I like the sound of the RAM, the Cummins is great, but I'm still leaning towards the Super Duty.

[@james2042]

@@PRNTestDrive ram is looking into an 8 speed for the cummins which is good. I think the 10R140 (HD variant of the 10 speed) took ram by suprise. Personally I think the HD not getting enough credit is the GM twins, because prior to 2020 they were kinda irrelevant. You planning on getting your hands on a chevy or gmc 2500/3500?

[@Error-NoContextFound]

Blabbermouth

[@tmcg4019]

$93K? For a pickup truck? Psychiatrist included.

[@PRNTestDrive]

Pricing is in Canadian dollars if that makes a difference for you.

[@billybob-zg4bx]

It’s the trim packages that make it outrageous. You can get either truck in an XL basic trim and add a lot of bells and whistles in options and come in at $52K.

[@jesses1519]

Such a great explanation thanks

[@PRNTestDrive]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Pippinm7]

Great video!

[@PRNTestDrive]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@tedstogianos552]

How is the 6.2 engine?? And 6 speed vs 10 speed transmission?

[@BigBoyToyzz]

All 7.3 Tremors have 4.30 rear ends. Its the only option.

[@jimrice4699]

Minor accidental sip up in one description where you accidentally stated "...you can get the same 6.75 ft bed or 8.0 ft bed for the Super Duty.." Not true, the F150 has a different bed length of 6.5 ft. Might matter to someone who is 6ft 3" tall or so and wants to be able to sleep in the back.

[@carperdiem8754]

Is rear leg room in the F150 vs the F250 crew cab identical?

[@PRNTestDrive]

Identical, they use the same cab between both trucks.

[@carperdiem8754]

@@PRNTestDrive thank you

[@nahumdeleon8453]

Are the cabs the same size

[@PRNTestDrive]

Yes, the cabs themselves are the same size on the Fords.

[@WhatsthePOINT_EDC]

Good video. I got a 04 f250 recently and am doing work on it to get it where I would like it to be. It’s got the 3 valve 5.4 with 517thousand miles and still runs strong but want to put a dif motor in it. What would u recommend? My mechanic is a Ford guy through and through n says go for the 5.4 again. I want a gas motor only in my truck. What do you think???

[@PRNTestDrive]

That’s impressive mileage out of it! If it’s still running strong I’d probably keep it the way it is. Nothing beats a reliable truck, and it sounds like yours fits the bill! There might be some aftermarket options to get more power out of it if you want, should be a pretty healthy market for it considering how popular the F-Series has been and still is.

[@WhatsthePOINT_EDC]

@@PRNTestDrive it was given to me for free. So far I’ve replaced the trans, driveshaft, put 3 inch in and out super 44s that surprised me how good they sound Mabey bc the cats are removed and some tires.

[@ranferi.]

@@WhatsthePOINT_EDC If you let me, I would seriosuly suggest a diesel engine. Greetings and have a nice day.

[@WhatsthePOINT_EDC]

@@ranferi. sold the 04 for a 2014 f250 lariat. It dosent have a diesel but it’s got a strong 6.2 that runs in flex fuel. Mabey the next truck will be a diesel.

[@lizzhing3159]

Does f150 and f250 have same frame ?

[@PRNTestDrive]

Different frame as the Super Duty is reinforced to support more weight and longer wheelbase configurations, although I believe they’re still related.

[@freebird1ification]

damn fools done lost there minds paying this kind of money for a truck

[@PRNTestDrive]

Prices are only going to increase still!

[@tone-annmcleod4521]

Buy what you can afford

[@benjaminrubenstein421]

@@tone-annmcleod4521 Hence why a lot of people buy F250 with the gas engine or the F150. The diesel option on the F250 is an extra $10k. Gtfo with that bs.

[@dazone]

The tremor package eh! I guess cause most people who drive them act like they have Parkinson...

[@scarroll625]

Zing!

[@OneTequilaTwoTequila]

But the F-150 is so butt ugly!!