Are you on the hunt for a Ford F250 but not sure which model to buy? This may be a tough subject to handle given that each year Ford launches the latest edition of the vehicle. In this post, I want to showcase some of Ford’s most popular F250s and also speak about a couple versions you’ll want to skip.
Before 2014, F250s experienced various mechanical difficulties that made them tough to repair. From 2014 to 2018, though, Ford achieved its greatest scores in reliability. F250s built from 2003 to 2008 are among those versions that are exceedingly tough to repair.
When you investigate the top F250s on the market, I hope this post will be beneficial. I have put together some facts that may further assist you in determining which year of the F250 will be ideal for you.
The F Series Trucks’ History
Ford introduced a new line of pickup trucks called “Super Duty” in 1998. These vehicles were constructed just a touch differently than your regular F150. Super Duty Trucks contained a few distinct vehicles that had significantly larger power, which provided the owner more leeway when it came to towing capability. The Super Duty vehicle featured Ford’s new Stroker motor engine that was driven by diesel fuel instead of your standard F150 that is driven by gasoline.
The Super Duty includes the F250 and upwards, but the F250 and F350 were formerly built as part of the Ford F-Series.Ford increased their F-series in 1954 to encompass the F250, although these vehicles were not constructed employing the diesel engine until 1998, when they were become a part of the Super Duty line of trucks.
The F250, or “3/4 tonne,” was built to be able to pull anywhere up to 43,000 pounds. The F250 is the shortest of Ford’s super-duty cars. Ford builds vehicles up to the F450 level and even produces certain trucks all the way up to the F750 level. While normally not intended for the ordinary driver like you or me, the F250 has sufficient towing capability even for our greatest at-home job. F550 and higher are vehicles primarily intended for industrial uses.
Despite the fact that Ford has only been producing Super Duty vehicles since 1998, they have a wealth of truck experience. In 1948, Ford introduced their first automobile. Ford has been producing vehicles for a long time, and although they are younger than larger vehicles, the F150 is one of the most well-known trucks on the market.
The 5 Greatest F250s
To be honest, this is sort of a tricky list to compile since what is regarded as “better” and “worse” is going to vary depending on the person. However, I did indicate at the beginning that vehicles between the years 2003-2008 were problematic due to maintenance, which could be a problem that you don’t mind. Although older vehicles cost more to repair, they are also considerably simpler to fix. Most contemporary vehicles have longer-lasting components, but they are mostly electrical, which might be tough to fix if you don’t have extremely specific expertise.
Whilst I may have mentioned that newer versions were better earlier, I am going to concentrate mostly on customer ratings in this ranking rather than technical problems. It is also going to depend on what you are searching for. Are you seeking anything with plenty of strength, or do you only need something for traveling around town?
2005 Ford F250
In 2005, Ford announced that they intended to update their series of Super Duty trucks. This resulted in a number of small difficulties, but generally, the 2005 version is a very strong vehicle. Notwithstanding those small flaws, the 2005 model is typically fairly quiet and doesn’t have much banging or shaking. It is usually a good indication for a vehicle. According to Kelley Blue Book, the user rating for a 2005 Ford F250 is 4.3 stars out of 5.
2002 Ford F250
prior to 2003, Ford was employing a 7.3 L motor, which is a fan favorite for individuals who drive trucks. This vehicle may not deliver outstanding gas economy, but you will certainly save money buying this truck since it is recognized as being one of the most durable types. The KBB customer score for the 2002 model was roughly 4.5 out of 5 stars. This is a terrific grade, particularly considering this vehicle was produced almost 18 years ago.
2016 Ford F250
This is a vehicle that has incredible towing capability. This vehicle can realistically pull up to 31,200 pounds of cargo. If you intend on utilizing this vehicle to pull hefty goods, then you are making the perfect choice. Despite the incredible strength that emanates from this truck, it may also be incredibly costly to drive if you are only intending to use it around town. There were also some amazing tech upgrades introduced to the F250 in 2016, like LED warning flashing lights and enhanced interior heating components. The KBB score for the 2016 F250 is 4.5 stars out of 5 which is likewise a fantastic rating.
2000 Ford F250
This is a terrific vehicle when it comes to reliability and can be a very robust truck enabling you to haul up to 10,000 pounds, which is pretty amazing for a car that is 21 years old. Ford performed a very fantastic job producing the F250 from the period 2000–2003, manufacturing vehicles that would serve its clclients for very long time. The KBB score for this vehicle is 4.5 stars out of 5.
2001 Ford F250
Just like the 2002 F250, the 2001 version was developed to endure. Numerous owners remarked that while it was costly to replenish the tank, it was quite simple to maintain. These vehicles are claimed to be able to endure beyond 300,000 miles if they are treated properly. If you are searching for a vehicle you can use for a lot longer, then this is a wonderful choice. The KBB score for this vehicle is 4.5 stars out of 5.
As you can see, the years 2000-2003 nearly entirely dominate our list. Ford also does a pretty fantastic job of keeping their vehicles fresh and updated with all the newest technologies. This may be a fantastic thing, but in 2003, they discontinued using the 7.3 diesel car, which left a lot of consumers upset.
The 5 Terrible F250s
2011 Ford F250
In general, you really aren’t going to have to entirely change to bike riding if you acquire this vehicle, but trucks created around this period by Ford failed to pass safety and pollution tests due to the manner in which they were designed. This is clearly not relevant in every jurisdiction, but if your state demands these examinations then you may be in trouble. In 2011, Ford debuted the new 6.7 L Stroker motor engine,which has proved to be sturdy. Others stated that the vehicle was poorly built, and they were always having troubles.
2006 Ford F250
The vehicles manufactured around this period seemed to have a lot of difficulties. There were several issues in how this vehicle was created that make it appear like it creates difficulties. Several people observed that it has plenty of power to haul objects, but the engine troubles might seem like a lot to cope with. Much like many other diesel vehicles, this one gets extremely bad gas mileage, which typically wouldn’t be an issue, but when you are continually needing to service things, it may become expensive.
2008 Ford F250
Much like the prior truck, this one is generally quite pricey. Not only is the gas economy quite high, but this vehicle truly is not going to be a suitable choice for you if you are not pulling anything often. This is not your normal “take the family out to get ice cream” truck since it will wind up being a very pricey ice cream excursion. It was also noted that the engine on the 2008 model is particularly noisy. The 6.4 engine that is utilized in the pickup is one that Ford consumers had troubles with during this period of F250s.
2017 Ford F250
This vehicle is 2017,fferent one in the F250 game since in 2017, Ford determined that to stay up with technological competition, they needed to put more tech in the trucks they created. This was the first of such a style of vehicle for Ford. It incorporated a number of innovative amenities that made the truck pleasant to drive. Unfortunately, this meant that it might become more expensive. That also implies that for you to remedy it, you must have specific expertise. It is not like past versions, where you could quickly solve most difficulties your vehicle experiences.
2019 Ford F250
I won’t keep pounding on the technological stuff, but just know that the same thing occurs with this vehicle. This vehicle is quite pricey, and unless you’re prepared to pay out loads of money, it is likely not going to be worth having. There have also been many recalls on the base variant since it came out only 2 years ago. That, combined with a low gas economy, may cost you a great deal of cash and time. This vehicle has tons of lovely modern technologies that will make you feel like you’re living in opulence, but don’t be misled, this truck is going to be a tremendous nuisance.
What to Search For in an F250
Perhaps since you’re reading this page you are in the market to purchase yourself a F 250. I have spoken about some of the versions to avoid, but the reality is you can make any F 250 you purchase work for what you need. Here are some things that you might want to look at, no matter what brand you are purchasing.
The very first thing you want to do is examine the engine. Even if you don’t know precisely what you are looking at, there are certain signs that you can check for that will signal that the motor may not have been taken the best care of. A decent start would be to open the hood and check the real condition of items beneath the hood. Is there a significant amount of harm, or are things particularly dirty? This may be a clue that there hasn’t been a lot of upkeep done.
Next, you want to check items like the motor oil. If you do not know how to accomplish this, it is extremely easy. A simple internet search will teach you how to check the fluid levels of your exact model and year. Next, after you have physically examined everything and searched for indications of neglect, it would be good to actually get the car moving while the engine is turning, and pay attention to how it runs. Is there any popping or slamming noises? While you may not know precisely what these noises signify, they might be a signal of a far worse issue. Secondly, if it is permitted, it would be quite sensible to take the vehicle for a test drive. Check for any stumbling when accelerating.
Next, you want to inspect the transmission. A simple method you can use to check for this is to search below the vehicle. If there are any spills, then it may be a clue that the gearbox needs to be serviced. As you test drive the vehicle, pay attention to factors like how effortlessly it transitions from gear to gear. This may be a very decent indicator of whether or not you ought to be concerned about the transmission.
You also want to look for any damage that has taken place to the outside of the vehicle. Based on what you are purchasing your vehicle for, this might be quite essential. If you only want a “beater” vehicle to assist you with tasks, then it may not matter if there is a ding in the front, but if you want something lovely, then it is smart to examine all around the truck and evaluate whether the condition is decent.
The final thing you want to examine is whether the general condition of the vehicle is decent. You may not be a truck enthusiast, but you have undoubtedly driven enough at this point to know how a vehicle is supposed to look and perform. Inspect the inside and check to see whether it is something that you actually enjoy doing.