what would you do?

[TXscout]

I've got a F350 CCLB and have a chance to get into a F250 CCSB. Putting everything but the size aside, would the smaller truck be worth it for mobility, shorter wheel base, etc? What would you do?

 

[bknudtsen]

What year? Engine? Looks like you have a lot of work into your current engine. Wouldn't make sense to get another 6.0 and have to start over.

 

[1stDeuce]

If you're saying LB vs SB, I've often said when you need a big truck, you need the WHOLE truck. (I went from an ECLB to a CCSB, and I miss the 8' box on occasion.)
I can only assume you're not rock crawling and running tight trails with either, so the difference in turning radius is probably not worth even talking about. Huge vs. a little huger...

 

[TXscout]

I can swap motors no problem, and also plan on over hauling the suspension. I would pull my motor out and install it in the new truck in 2 days tops.

 

[bknudtsen]

Well then, OK. I have a CCSB because I don't haul stuff, don't tow stuff, and don't have a slide-in camper. The roads and parking lots where I live are not really conducive to CCLB's, and I am partial to the more symmetrical look of a CCSB.

 

[TxFarmTruck]

I'd keep the long bed. The difference in maneuverability is very small, and it would be hard for me to give up the functionality of a real 8' bed. Unless you are running very tight trails or trying to park at the front of every parking lot, keep your 8' bed.

 

[Trailboss]

I have a SB with a contractor top w/doors to replace the tailgate. With this setup, it's a pain to haul plywood with anything else. With no top, I like the SB better for the aforementioned parking lot and sharp turn tracking issues, but I often wish I had a LB for carrying stuff. If you're happy now with the LB, I don't see an advantage to dropping to the F250.

 

[402xjeeper]

F250 verses f250 really doesn't matter, the difference is the rear block, and some f250 don't have overload springs. I love my ccsb, and would not want a long bed. I would change to an f450-550 front axle, and a wider rear to get a tighter turning circle, rather than the short bed truck.

 

[leelikesbikes]

long bed

if you dont haul much the sb might be nice, but then if you dont haul much you could just get a subaru baja. if im not hauling tools/materials, im hauling at least a couple dirtbikes and a wekkends worth of camping gear. shortbed sucks for that. my truck is a standard cab though, so the turning radius isnt bad. i would rather have the xtra 2' in the bed than the cab.

 

[TXscout]

All good points. I like my LB because I can fit my kayak with the tailgate down with no bed extender. I also already have a camper top on the LB. I have twins that will soon be much easier to take exploring so having the room will be nice. I just have romantic dreams of a tiny super duty that can haul everything I want! Dreams are fun especially when they defy reality. I am also on the cusp of pulling the trigger on a Carli suspension so I want to be sure my rig is what I want.

 

[red EOD veteran]

Majority of "tight trails" you can get a crew cab long bed down. One of my old trucks had a 9ft long bed by 8ft wide, much more capable than people realize. Stay with the long bed. If you want a better turning radius, install rear steering.

 

[402xjeeper]

A ford SD ccsb is as long as the long bed cc k30 pictured. I ran some jeep trails in my old ccsb superduty, and size was a limiting factor.

 

[rayra]

in that size class, keep the 8'. There's not enough difference in the shortbed for it to matter, unless you are really trying to crawl over things. ~2' diff in length and even less than that in wheelbase, generally.

 

[402xjeeper]

SD sb is 6'8",16" shorter, the wider axles allow a tighter turning radius, so go f450-550!

 

[TXscout]

Nah, I've decided to stick with my bus. I love her and can't wait to get my Carli suspension. Just installed some rigid duallys on the hood