Why buy F450 vs F350?

[Jshopes81]

Originally Posted by Gammel

I thought that the F450's frame was thicker steel?

Historically all the super duty pickups are the same with the differences in the axles and suspension.

[Dieselguy4]

Originally Posted by Gammel

I thought that the F450's frame was thicker steel?

2017 up F350 and F450 are same frame, suspension, axles (F450 has a wide track front axle). The 14k lb gvwr kills the F450 payload and Fifth wheel towing ability. The F450 19.5 inch tires are taller and ford added 1 inch larger brakes , 2 mm thinker axle shafts and 4.30 gears to compensate for that.

[tuffr2]

The F-450 always had larger brakes and 4:30 gears and wide track front. For just a few years I think the wide track front end was an option on the F-350 Dually. I dont know the years this was an option but it was not that long ago. Maybe 2015 or so.

[rubberduckie]

What one rides better?

[consolenut]

The F-450 pickup is derated to class 3 and 14k gvw. Go the chassis cab and you get up to 17,500 gvw. The difference is huge between that and the toy that is the 350 in comparison. Many get confused but the cba and chassis is a different world.

https://www.ford.com/commercial-truc...dels/f450-xlt/

[Brantel]

Originally Posted by consolenut

The F-450 pickup is derated to class 3 and 14k gvw. Go the chassis cab and you get up to 17,500 gvw. The difference is huge between that and the toy that is the 350 in comparison. Many get confused but the cba and chassis is a different world.

https://www.ford.com/commercial-truc...dels/f450-xlt/

Doesn't the chassis cab version have different suspension and frame?

[consolenut]

Originally Posted by Brantel

Doesn't the chassis cab version have different suspension and frame?

From the cab back it's narrower and straight. The pickup version narrows between the wheels. Also the 450 pickuo has only 3 or 4 leafs plus the overload. The C&C has like 8 or 10 leafs a more progressive spring pack. A different truck pretty much cab to axle

[jrollf]

Originally Posted by Brantel

Doesn't the chassis cab version have different suspension and frame?

Yes

The pickup version esentally has an F350 frame and an upgraded suspension and brakes. The F450 pickup version is a 'Class 3' truck (so is the F350). This version of the F450 weighs more than a F350, but is limited to the same 14,000lb GVWR the F350 is. So legally, while the F450 is a little beefier truck than the F350, it can't carry as much as the F350, the F450 has a lower payload rating'

The F450 chasis cab has a different heavier frame and suspension and is 'Class 4' truck with a GVWR of up to 16,000 lbs. Also of note, the F450 Chassis Cab diesel engine is detuned (less HP/torque) than the pickup version. The thought is the Chassis Cab version is going to be used in a comercial setting where reliability and longevity are more important than the 'consumer' pickup version.

Bonus trivia:

Older F350s (like my 1993) are class 2b with a Max GVWR of 10,000lb. Shows how the pickups keep getting bigger due to the 'payload' wars the manufacturers have been waging for a long time now.

Chevy/GM/RAM 4500s are all Class 4, last I checked they don't have a class 3 derated version like Ford's F450 pickup.

[RS ODonnell]

In 2018 there wasn't a huge difference in capacities. I can't speak to turning radius only that our F350 4x4 dually almost needs a roundhouse to turn it around.

[jrollf]

Originally Posted by RS ODonnell

In 2018 there wasn't a huge difference in capacities. I can't speak to turning radius only that our F350 4x4 dually almost needs a roundhouse to turn it around.

Not listed on the towing chart is the reduced payload capacity of an F450 Pickup vs the F350 since both are limited to the same Truck Class 3 GVWR (not to be confused with GCWR shown in the chart)

Not uncommon to Max out the truck's payload/GVWR due to the 5th wheel's pin weight well before you hit GCWR. This is why you can often 'legally' pull a heavier 5th wheel with an F350 than you can with the F450 pickup.

F450 chassis cab is a differnt story (Class 4 truck not listed on the towing chart you posted)


All in all, the F450 Pickup is a little beefier truck than the F350. Aside from the legalities of Class 3 GVWR, IMHO it is a more capable truck and better suited for the heavy trailers. This is a sales tatic by Ford as Class 4 trucks are considered 'comercial' for registration in many States, insurance often jumps higher on class 4 'comercial' trucks too. This is kind of a 'wink wink look the other way' type of thing. Ford and most consumers know the F450 Pickup is more capable than the F350, you just can't 'legally' use the extra capability. Ford has brought a 'Class 3' truck to market that is in reality a light Class 4 truck, but can't legally say it.

[JIMNLIN]

Originally Posted by Gammel

I thought that the F450's frame was thicker steel?

That may be true for older F450 pickups (up to mid '00s) that had the bigger 11500 RAWRs and higher GVWR numbers.
Back then there was a lot of talk on haulers forums warning about low payloads on the F450 pickup which was a very heavy truck. I think the F450 then came in a 4wd crew cab long bed only. Ford folks may know more on that. But anyways the F450 pickup was short on actual paying payloads for that type of work.
IMO I think ford figured most haulers went with the cab/chassis F450 for that reason. And of course the F450 pickup was popular with RV owners who didn't need 11500 lbs of rear axle. So along came the down rated F450 pickup with the same GVWR and smaller better riding 9xxx lb RAWR as the popular F350 DRW.