For fellow F-450 owners

[CaptSkup]

So what are your thoughts on the 2011 F-450? Dropping of the Dana 110, dropping the wide front axle, dropping the 19.5s? Me, I think it really stinks. It causes this great truck to loose it's uniqueness. Now you have to look at the little badges to see if it is a 450 or 350. I can tell a current 450 from a 350 from half a mile away. And how can Ford still rate it for 33,000lbs, 14,500lbs GVWR? Will our trucks become collectors items? Sure the new 6.7 may be more powerful, but that is one thing I have never felt my truck lacked. Better mileage would be welcome, but I wonder how much better mileage the new truck will get towing a 20,000lb trailer.

[jasonmt]

1. I suspect that you will see a option for the F-550 to come with a factory bed, probably not in 2011 though.
2. The 99-04 F-450's came with a Dana 80 anyways so that is no issue to me but loosing the 19.5's and bigger brakes is.
3. The news hastened the purchase of a 2010 F-450 for us.
4. Are the C&C F-450's going to change as well or just the factory pickup versions?

[CaptSkup]

From what I understand the changes are only for the 450 pickup. Seems some owners complained that their truck was speed limited to 81mph and they felt the need to drive faster?? Even with 4.30's and a 6-speed auto, anything above 81mph is really spinning the engine. So Ford expects someone to pay the upcharge for a F-450, but give them basically a rebadged F-350DRW truck? What will be the difference from a 350 to a 450, the 4.30 gear option, formally known as "Tow Boss"?

[lari2001]

well, ford has said repeatedly that the capacities of the 2011 trucks will trump the current ones so i'd say that the smaller rear axle is a non issue except for the fact that you would have trouble telling it apart from an F350. if Ford is going to rate the F450 to pull more than the 09 version than they have to be able to stop that load so i can't imagine the brakes will be much smaller. i guess we'll just have to wait n see.

[jasonmt]

If Ford goes back to 17" wheels the brake rotors will HAVE to be smaller in order to fit.

[SFC1984]

One of the big reasons the truck was limited to 81 mph was because of the tire availability for the 19.5 wheels. They don't make a tire rated for speeds higher than that apparently.

[JESSE 1]

Originally Posted by SFC1984

One of the big reasons the truck was limited to 81 mph was because of the tire availability for the 19.5 wheels. They don't make a tire rated for speeds higher than that apparently.

I seldom drive over 70mph, maybe a little over when passing. With the 4.30 ratio I usually drive about 65 mph so the speed limit on the 19.5's has not been an issue with me. There's not many 19.5 tires available but I don't think there's any more choice in the 17's. Maybe Ford is making other changes in the truck to keep the capacity up but I really think it's a mistake to make the 450 look like a 350.

[jasonlisan]

Let me put it this way Capt, I'll have my F-450 for years to come, I like my 19.5" wheels, big brakes, dually fenders & there is no good reason for a person to tow over 75mph let alone 81mph.

[ponyexpress94]

My purchase of a 2010 F-450 pickup was brought on by the "death" of the current F-450's best traits. My salesman just got back from a regional meeting and has played around in the ford computer ordering system. He tells me that the New F-450 pickup has a GVW of 13,050 and it uses 17 inch wheels and tires. This certainly confirms what I saw in pictures of the King Ranch F-450 at the trucks debut at the Texas State Fair.

I think the new trucks will be good but I like the commercial components of the 08-10 F 450's more.

[wingnut60]

The 450 is going to be rated only 50lbs over the 350? Yeah, the one I saw at the TX fair was more like a 350 Tow Boss than a 450, but the salesman who wandered over said the production '11 450 would have bigger tires? Not sure there is a reason to buy a 450 over the 350 if rumors play out.

[NEVERSWEAT7]

I thought I wanted a new 2011 too. I bantered it around until my dealer, Bobby Williams, told me that the ratings were going to be less than the 2010 450. I asked a ton of questions..I was liking the new power ratings but not the weight ratings. Then I thought new engine?? new tranny?? better let that one iron its quirks out. haven't seen an engine yet that didn't need to get things ironed out. Even the 7.3L needed bugs worked out. Info relayed gave me casue to stay away from the 2011. The 17 " wheels? Come on man! That cannot give that truck the CCC edge. Numbers bring it in with less.

That was one point that kept me from it. Another was the new rigs will also delete the navigation and rear view camera in Ca. due to emissions auto shut down after 10 minutes. Wire loom gets the blame. I would say I have about a week to pick up the truck. Can't wait.

[kehale]

Those fender flares are sick!


(I mean sick as in "Swine Flu")

[Clattertruck]

People who want a real F450 better buy one before the 2011 Ford pickups come out. Ford no longer has a real medium–duty F450 in the lineup. Ford has put a 450 badge on a light–duty F350. The change from a Dana 110 to a Dana 80 version drive axle is not acceptable. The change from 19.5 to 17 inch wheels further diminishes the truck. This means they have reduced the swept area of the brakes. The wide steer axle seems to be gone.

Did Ford have Jaguar spec out the new F450? Or, maybe it was the freaks at the EPA?
No thanks, I’ll be grateful for the 2008 F450 that I have, fuel mileage is not that big a deal.

[NEVERSWEAT7]

Originally Posted by kehale

Those fender flares are sick!


(I mean sick as in "Swine Flu")

Do you remember Hot Wheels cars?? I know, you gotta go back a ways but they were after Matchbox so it isn't that long ago.

I think Hot wheels designed that body style with those rounded out flares.. aerodynamics a must here in Ca with the emissions Nazis.

I just do not care for them, the rugged look of the F-450 is diminshing not only with those styled fenders but the axles, the weight ratings and now, the wheel size being smaller.

The plus of this new engine/tranny combo serve what purpose at these reduced ratings? Fuel mileage? Ok, what are the sacrifices for it. (rhetorical) Correct me if I am wrong but has anybody ever purchased a 450-550 for its outstanding mileage?

My opinion here: the 450-550 used to get between 6-9 MPG average. The current set up gets anywhere from 9-maybe 14.. and up. 60 to 78% fuel savings over the older models. My 02 pulling over 14K would get 12. If this 2010 gets that, I will be beside myself! If it gets 11.. I am still happy. I bought this rig to pull my fifthwheel and with over 100 gallons (at least 1000 miles) to move on, I am sure I will average better price per mile ( just by purchasing fuel outside this area) than what I have been getting. That alone will make a difference. I figured my last trip paying $3.85 leaving here (Bako)and fueling up along the way for 2.50 twice and then on the way back in Tahoe last year for 5.05 per gallon. With the extra fuel tank (65 gallons) I would not have had to fill up in Tahoe, saving over 150 smackers! I am confidant that considering all the factors of dollar cost averaging, I will win. Couple that to the comfortable ride this new rig provides in addition to the environmentally aesthetic in-cab accoutriments and how can any of us go wrong?

I have spoken

[jasonmt]

Originally Posted by Clattertruck

People who want a real F450 better buy one before the 2011 Ford pickups come out. Ford no longer has a real medium–duty F450 in the lineup. Ford has put a 450 badge on a light–duty F350. The change from a Dana 110 to a Dana 80 version drive axle is not acceptable. The change from 19.5 to 17 inch wheels further diminishes the truck. This means they have reduced the swept area of the brakes. The wide steer axle seems to be gone.

I doubt that the C&C F-450 is going to change.