Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!

F350/250 crew-cab w/short box - a family car or not - looking for input

denisddenisd Member Posts: 11
edited March 2014 in Ford
I like suburbans, but my wife doesn't. So she
came up with the thought of a 4-door pick-up with a
removable canopy. She can use the bed for large
garden work etc (major green thumb!), and it would
work for hauling us + 2 small kids (4 & 2)on
regular trips to the family cabins, camping,
skiing. A standard bed is huge for around town,
but a short bed is only 21" longer overall than a
suburban. Am I nuts, or is this a viable
alternative to the "everyone has a suburban".

Comments

  • stanfordstanford Member Posts: 606
    I'd take the F250 for those purposes. You're correct -- not only is it a viable alternative, its quite a nice one. They're becoming increasingly popular around here (Dallas/Fort Worth). In your position, I'd go for the V10 rather than the diesel.
  • KCRamKCRam Member Posts: 3,516
    or if you can wait a year, the Ford Excursion (based on the Super Duty Crew Cab) will be available.
  • dennis4dennis4 Member Posts: 47
    Will the Excursions be released spring of 99? Now that I have my SD, my wife wants to trade in her 95 Lumina APV for an Expedition, but I'd like to wait and see what the Excursion is like.....
  • betsybbetsyb Member Posts: 1
    We have the SD CrewCab as the family vehicle that tows. The SD CC eliminated the need for a suburban(Thank you, Ford). My husband got his pickup, I get the volvo wagon. It's a win/win situation.
  • stanfordstanford Member Posts: 606
    Er, moving to the Excursion would defeat the purpose of getting the SD for the bed.
  • trap2trap2 Member Posts: 19
    I had an '88 GMC reg cab 8'bed 4x4 w/snow plow. When I bought that truck I didn't have any kids, now I have two. Now, when we would go camping with the kids I would drive my truck loaded with coolers, firewood and my 5yr old son and the wife would drive her car with our 3yr old daughter. I was going to get a suburban for around town and camping and keep the truck for plowing and hauling. I didn't like the idea of having three vehicles or loading the suburban with firewood or bringing home a dead deer in the back. Ford fixed all those concerns....I got rid of the GMC and bought an F350 crew cab short bed 4x4 and put a western snowplow and a hard tonneau cover from A.R.E. on it. Get the crew cab!
  • KCRamKCRam Member Posts: 3,516
    stanford,

    Supposedly the load floor behind the rear seat of the Excursion is supposed to be damn close to the length of the short bed - the truck is reportedly much longer than a Sub. If that is true, then I would imagine an Excursion would be a little better to live/work with than a capped Crew Cab shortbed. The accessible (and lockable storage area, along with the probabllity of a split bench rear seat makes it a little more versatile.

    dennis4,

    I heard the first public viewing will be at the Detroit Auto Show in January, but I wouldn't look for one before summer 1999.
  • stanfordstanford Member Posts: 606
    More versatile, but much less useful for the garden work (or anything else messy) that was specified in the original question. Remember, a suburban was already ruled out for just that reason.
  • KCRamKCRam Member Posts: 3,516
    agreed, stanford - maybe Ford will recognize the messy market and offer an all vinyl cargo area...

    I'm certainly not trying to denounce the Crew shortbox, but GM went after the luxury SUV market with the Sub. I know I'll be looking for a crew for my next truck - the stuff I tend to carry isn't messy, but would require an over-height cap, or an open bed.
  • ande157ande157 Member Posts: 23
    At a recent auto show Ford showed an Expedition-based concept truck called the Expedition Himalaya. AutoWeek magazine ran a photo and brief article on it a few issues back (can't find the mag, so don't know which show). It is a hybrid SUV/pickup; that is, the back is open like a pickup bed, but is attached to the rest of the vehicle. Also, there is a removable bulkhead/rear window that separates the passenger compartment from the bed. Chevy is rumored to be coming out with a similar concept. I suspect that this may be the "next big thing" in trucks with production models coming in the not to distant future.
  • DavyddDavydd Member Posts: 121
    The December 21 copy of BusinessWeek magazine has an article on the Ford Excursion. It's 230 inches long (10 inches longer than a Suburban.) They call it the new beast on the block.
  • stevekstevek Member Posts: 362
    Sound like a Hummer take off to me
  • maydaytoymaydaytoy Member Posts: 22
    I have driven a F150 XL 4.9 short bed for 5 years.
    Love the truck, its used in my engine business and hauls some of my Four kids and their friends around to schools and activies. I reconized the need for more room but still needed the bed for my business needs.
    The F250 SD Crew Cab fit the bill exactly. After stacking up the pricing (XL VS XLT) I opted for a XLT SB V10 with a bunch of nit pick extras approved by the Wife. I see the CC as the New emerging family SUV as it serves many personalites. I look forward to using it till the last kid leaves home.
  • gmacegmace Member Posts: 31
    Our crew cab long bed is the perfect family vehicle. I can't believe a suburban is shorter than a shortbed crew cab. I would tell any friend of mine that said "my wife wants a crew cab and I want a Suburban" to get his husband to pick out their next vehicle. ; )

    Seriously, I think the crew is more sport utility than a 'burb. The stiffer springs should help decrease the rollovers SUV's are famous for. Still have that high Center of Gravity though. A camper package will give you a rear sway bar for the Fords. Our 350 4x4 CC rides just fine. Take a test drive if you don't believe.

    Greg
  • longhairlonghair Member Posts: 72
    For me the CC DRW 8' will become the 'family car'. It will be a go everyplace kind of vehicle (work, supermarket, dinner). I'm moving up from a Suburban because it got too small in the cargo compartment, but needed to keep 4 doors.

    My wife (5'5') test drove with me and was very impressed with how it rode. She normally has an S10 pickup and quickly adapted to the longer length. (But not the DRW - first oncoming vehicle was another DRW on an 18' wide road and she was surprised to realize she hadn't hit either the other truck or the mailbox. Given a few miles though...)

    The size will be OK in our town (I commuted in a 24' box truck for a couple of months), but she goes into the 'city' where her S10 is all the parking space she can find. Take a look at your particular situation.

    Not to stir the pot here but...
    Also take a look at the Chevy if you don't need the "super" duty. I don't have actual specs, but the cramp angle feels tighter and the axles are closer together making it FEEL more maneuverable. I just was disappointed in their weight, torque, and hp ratings, so I'm going Ford.
  • gmacegmace Member Posts: 31
    If you can live without 4WD consider a van with a limited slip differential. I really considered one but a CC truck has more versatility for my uses. I cut firewood, haul dirt bikes every weekend and expect to have a camper unit by the summer. You have alot of room in a van. Some have seating for 15. They come in a variety of lengths. Dodge used to make a short one. Personally, I'd go with the Fords, new engines and heavy duty E350s are available. Go test drive one. I think they are great vehicles for a family also. I never checked crash ratings, but it is supposed to be illegal to use one for a school bus. I think it was that vans don't have the roll over protection a bus does.
    Greg
  • chadw1chadw1 Member Posts: 22
    I have a F250 SD CC SB and I would recommend it to anyone that is looking at a large family hauler. This truck has worked out great for me and my wife on long trips and even just around town. The only thoughts I have are, you may have to park a little farther out than you are used to if you are upgrading in size. I guess I have been spoiled with my wifes keyless entry, but I recommend getting that for the easy of locking and unlocking all four doors. This is a great truck.

    The Feb '99 Truck Trend has two pictures of the Himalaya Expedition and a very brief article. The pictures do make it look like a Hummer spinoff, but much user friendly. These pictures were from the SEMA show in Las Vegas. They also had some sweet concept SD trucks like a 450 with a pick up bed and another 450 CC with a bed for pulling fifth wheels (a must see for serious haulers) and for very serious haulers a awesome new 750.
  • BrutusBrutus Member Posts: 1,113
    If you opt against a pickup and think a SUV is what you want, I'd give the full size van a good look. I was watching a show this weekend on TNN (maybe Motortrend magazine?), and they featured the full size 4wd V-10 Econoline Van. It was fairly impressive and, believe it or not, pretty tough looking. The reviewers liked it. It's not a replacement for a pickup, but it deserves strong consideration over the Suburban and Expedition when it comes to hauling people and cargo.
  • KCRamKCRam Member Posts: 3,516
    Brutus,

    Remember the 4x4 van is an aftermarket conversion, and you're subject to someone else's build quality.
  • BrutusBrutus Member Posts: 1,113
    I didn't know that. I'm not talking about a customized van, just the straight Econoline that Ford has been selling for years. If we're talking about the same vehicle, what's the story?
  • KCRamKCRam Member Posts: 3,516
    There are a few companies that take standard Econolines (and Chevy/GMC and Dodge full size vans as well) and convert them to four wheel drive.

    Check this link:
    http://www.quigley4x4.com/4wdvans.htm
  • mikey5855mikey5855 Member Posts: 14
    One thing to consider when comparing the "future" Excursion and the 4x4 Crew Cab...I've heard that the MSRP of the Excursion fully loaded will be around $50K - I don't know what the invioce will be. I ordered my F250 CC 4x4 Lariat V10 with just about everything on it for just under $30K. If you want some extra windows, a third bench seat, slightly better cargo access, and more weight to pull, and are willing to pay $20K for it than wait for the Excursion.

    Still waiting for delivery.
    Mike
  • tnt2tnt2 Member Posts: 115
    I've had 2 Crew cabs & 1 extended cab in the last 3 years. The CC is the way to go. I currenty have a '99 F350 4x4 CC Lariat Dually with the powerstroke diesel and a 97 E.B. Expedition 4x4 with the 5.4. The F350 is our economy car. I have 2 kids and we go camping every weekend in the summer. With my wife the 2 kids and 110# Mastiff inside, we have plenty of room. I prefer the diesel over the v-10, but that's a different argument. My previous CC was a Chevy and it seemed to have slightly more leg room in the back seat than the Ford. I also have a fiberglass topper on the back that locks up tight. One good thing of the Ford is that the tailgate locks with the door key, which helps keep things secure and prevents someone from stealing the tailgate altogether. The duals tend to get in the way, especially in tight drive-thru's, but don't let the long bed scare you off, mine has followed me all over.
  • singer4singer4 Member Posts: 43
    Thanks for affirmation on SD F250 to Larry----glad to hear you camp..wife and I just started 2 yrs. ago. Modern-day style, grant it, but lots of fun. We were in receipt of an F250 CC, but handed the keys back, because there aren't any young children around anymore--boys are 23,21. So we went with ext.cab., del. est. 2/1/99 per dlr. Maybe we'll catch you on the road someday. Any opinion on Rhino Lnr. Thnks., JB
  • tnt2tnt2 Member Posts: 115
    Can't say that I do. Have seen them but never had one. Mine have all been drop-ins. Just something permanent about the Rhino that doesn't appeal to me.
  • wandrrwandrr Member Posts: 13
    You might want to look at topic 252 for considerable pro/con discussion about liners, both spray on and set-in.

    All kinds of brand names too, on both types.
  • brian38brian38 Member Posts: 1
    i like trucks...big trucks....with big engines
  • dunlaydunlay Member Posts: 2
    could anyone help me out with a good price to pay for a F-250 power stroke crew cab. i couldn't find the invoice for this truck. i wanted a fully loaded pickup. it would be great to have some help before the dealer dig's my grave for me
    please help
    dunlay
  • stanfordstanford Member Posts: 606
    Both KBB and Edmunds (here) have invoice prices for that truck. So does carpoint for that matter... What are you having trouble finding?
  • jshramjshram Member Posts: 5
    I finally traded my SD 4x4 f250 super cab for a crew cab diesel. Best move ever. We have four kids, two in car seats and the extended cab was a contorsionists nightmare in hell. Plus when the kids get rowdy, they are yelling right in your ear.

    With all the towing and building we do, the pickup was the only option. If you are ever going to carry plywood, or long lumber, the full bed is the only way to go.

    I also got very tired of 7mpg with my 460 gas. The used crew cab didn't cost that much extra to go diesel, and I believe it is worth it, now that I can actually pass a filling station.

    The only problem I had in getting a Crew cab, was that it is a family vehicle, which means my short wife will drive it. To ask her to lean over and unlock a huge plain jane truck without power locks was too much. Finding an XLT loaded vehicle was tough to do as there are a lot of plain jane ones out there (contractor type) but not comfortable ones, and the loaded ones disappear fast.

    Just my two cents.

    John
  • harrybharryb Member Posts: 1
    Hi. Some help please...
    I am thinking about an F150 Supercab XLT Flareside but am a little worried about the back seat size...we have three kids.
    Does anybody out there recommend a F250 Crew Cab instead? D o you think Ford will come out with an F150 Crew Cab? I am not pressed for time so could wait a model year (I guess).
    What do you think?
    thanks.
  • stanfordstanford Member Posts: 606
    Ford is coming out with a half-ton short-bed crew cab. The advantage of the F250 CC is that its here now, is relatively affordable, and can do a lot of work. The disadvantages would be mainly focused towards comfort -- it rides like a nice truck, not like a car. The F150 CCs are probably going to be tough to get when they come out, and priced accordingly.
  • todlaketodlake Member Posts: 48
    Not to mention that the bed is only 4' long according to what I've read. I had the same concerns re: family hauling and opted for the F250 cc sb. Now I just have to wait a few more weeks.
  • KCRamKCRam Member Posts: 3,516
    close, tod

    The Lincoln Blackwood is the one with the 4 1/2 foot bed. The F150 Crew Cab, which shares its cab with the Blackwood, will have a modified 5 1/2 foot bed. The F150 Crew Cab is also smaller than the Super Duty Crew Cab in terms of additional length. The F150 CC only gains 12 inches over the F150 SC, while the Super Duty adds over 15 inches from its Super Cab.
  • bigfur1bigfur1 Member Posts: 34
    At the Minneapolis Auto Show I saw a Dodge Dakota CC and a S-10 CC both with fake(4') beds. I would be interested in one if it had a larger bed.
  • KCRamKCRam Member Posts: 3,516
    the production Dakota Crew (called Quad Cab), will also be a 5-and-change foot bed, but slightly narrower than the F150. The real sin is the Nissan Frontier Crew Cab - the bed ends at the wheelwell.
  • cdd2cdd2 Member Posts: 2
    We decided to go with the crew cab too - ma, pa, and 4 kids ages 6mo to 11 years. We will be adding a camper, so we're also going with the F350.

    Question: Can I get the limited slip 3.73 in CA? F350 4x4 CC SWB SRW V10, Auto, cmpr pkg
    Towing a 3300# boat short distances

    I read the delivery bulletin board archives and there were contradicting answers. Not a surprise, because I got three different answers from three different dealers: NO, Yes, Yes-custom order.

    If any one has a definitive answer, I would appreciate it. Thanks - cdd2
  • cdd2cdd2 Member Posts: 2
    We decided to go with the crew cab too - ma, pa, and 4 kids ages 6mo to 11 years. We will be adding a camper, so we're also going with the F350.

    Question: Can I get the limited slip 3.73 in CA?
    F350 4x4 CC SWB SRW V10, Auto, cmpr pkg
    Towing a 3300# boat short distances

    I read the delivery bulletin board archives and there were contradicting answers. Not a surprise, because I got three different answers from three different dealers: NO, Yes, Yes-custom order.

    If any one has a definitive answer, I would appreciate it. Thanks - cdd2
  • vanshoppingvanshopping Member Posts: 1
    Any idea when we might see a 150 Crew Cab?
  • KCRamKCRam Member Posts: 3,516
    the F150 Crew Cab is scheduled for this fall.
This discussion has been closed.