GMC 2500HD vs. Ford F250

[More Throttle]

In the next few months I'm planning to get a truck to replace my car. I'm kind of torn between the GMC 2500HD and the F250 (both gas-engine - hopefully big-block if I can find one). For those of you who have experience with either of these, what did you like/dislike about them? What were the strong and weak points of each truck?

 

Sorry this reads like a college final exam, I'm trying to get as much info as I can,

and any info would be appreciated.

 

Thanks

[tmf6902]

You do realize that the website name is "GM"-trucks.com??? Might get a bit of a biased opinion.....I say go with the 2500HD, that's what I have....

[Greg]

If you are buying the truck to replace a car, do you really need a HD? Unless you're towing more than about 5,000 lbs. or carrying really heavy loads or have a slide-in camper, I'd think a 1500 pickup would be better suited to daily-driver functions. A 1500 would give you better mileage, better ride, and lower step-in height. Also, if you're married, I've witnessed that the wives in truck-owning families are much more accepting of the 1500 trucks than 2500 trucks.

[MCourson]

hopefully big-block

With the Ford you have the choice of the 5.4 small block or the 6.8 V10. They dont have an actual big block. Now on the other had the GMC does have the 8.1 big block which has more power than the 6.8(10 more HP and 15 more ft lbs torque). I dont think there are really any bad problems with the Ford Super Duties (well gas powered at least) What I can say is that I have driven Fords, and I have driven GMs. You wont find me in a Ford.

[pacodiablo]

Get the F-250.

[HillHound]

I've witnessed that the wives in truck-owning families are much more accepting of the 1500 trucks than 2500 trucks.

Now that sounds like a good reason TO buy a 2500!

 

Here's the positives on each on each make the way I see it:

 

2500HD: Smoother ride, better interior and dashboard layout, more room in back if it's an ext cab, Allison tranny (if you get the 8.1L).

 

F250: Sits higher/more frame clearance, solid-front axle, auto/manual hubs on all 4x4 models, split-rear seat in ext cabs, enough room to mount lager tires without lifting or trimming.

 

As far as engines, Ford is kind of weird with what they offer. What I mean is that the base engine is the dependable but comparatively weak 260hp 16-valve 5.4 V8. Ford just introduced the new 300hp 24-valve 5.4 for the new F150s but you still can't get the upgraded engine in the F250/350s!! So if you are opting for the base engines GM has got Ford beat bad right now with the 2500HD's base engine in the 6.0L.

 

As far as the 6.8L V10 vs. the V8 8.1L, GM has also got Ford beat but not by a very wide a margin. The best reason to go for the 8.1L, in my opinion, would be to get an Allison transmission. I know the 8.1L wins the towing war but the V10 is not a weak engine by any means & fills a niche with it's "mid" size. It's perfect if you want more power than a GM 6.0L or a Dodge 5.7L but don't need or want a "big block" engine. Both engines are turning out to be dependable and have plenty of low-rpm power (a rare quality nowadays) for towing. Honestly, I can't see a reason to base picking a Ford or GMC based solely on choosing between these two engines.

[More Throttle]

Thanks for the input.

 

As far as going to the 1500, I guess I just like the HD versions better. Don't really care for the 1500 looks as much as the "beefier" looks of the HD. Also, I plan to keep the truck for a while, so I'd like to have something that's ready for anything (not that the 1500 wouldn't be capable), I tend to overprepare for things...

 

Since the GM 6.0 is more widely available, that's probably what I'd get since I'll buy used. Ordering an 8.1 HD would probably be close to $40K, too high. I've seen newer used 2500HDs with the 6.0 for around mid-$20s.

 

I've heard of the F-250 having a harsher ride than the GMC, so that would figure into the decision, as it would be a daily driver. I guess it'll depend on what's available at the time I'm ready to buy.

[MCourson]

I've seen newer used 2500HDs with the 6.0 for around mid-$20s.

Definatly shop around. We got the 03 Duramax/Allison in July with 12,000 miles on it for 26.

[More Throttle]

I've seen newer used 2500HDs with the 6.0 for around mid-$20s.

Definatly shop around. We got the 03 Duramax/Allison in July with 12,000 miles on it for 26.

 

 

Wow, that seems like a very good price. Did you buy from a private seller or from a dealer?

[MCourson]

After looking around we got it from a Dealer. Gary Yeoman's Ford in Daytona, Fl.

[Mighty HD]

I picked up my 04 2500hd 4x4 ext cab for $27,000 with 4 miles on it...

[General Lee 01]

I test drove a F-250 w/ the 5.4L about a month and a half ago... I didn't like it. If you go with the F-250, avoid the 5.4L.

[Machine]

F250. I just drove a lifted '04 F250 with the 6.0 PS from Mustang Island to Dallas and it was soooo nice. The interior is rather bland but the ride and cabin size was really impressive. I can't believe I like this truck better than mine.

[Stepside Z]

Both trucks have pros and cons. The biggest seems to be the Chevy is more car like while the the Ford is more truckish. Anyone could be happy with either truck.

[snoman]

I test drove a F-250 w/ the 5.4L about a month and a half ago... I didn't like it. If you go with the F-250, avoid the 5.4L.

As much as I hate to say it (I am not a ford lover) the 5.4 with 4.10 gears ran pretty good in the ford I test drove. Ford is more of a truck and chevy is more of a car and has a lot lower frame rail clearance than ford and for the life of me I still cannot believe why they did it but the brush and rock catching cross brace BELOW the main frame rails under the cab on the NBS GM trucks and lower clearance even more. Even OBS GM truck had those cross braces tucked inside were it belongs. If you want a car like truck buy a GM if you want a trucky truck buy a Ford. I love GM truck but they seem to have lost focus a bit.