What is the difference between F600 and F-550?

There is no current Ford F-600 in Ford’s active lineup; the F-550 remains the widely used heavy-duty option in Ford’s Super Duty family. If you encounter a reference to an F-600, it is typically historical, market-specific, or a mislabeling. This article explains what each designation means, how they compare in capability and use, and how to decide which fits your needs.

What is the Ford F-550?

The Ford F-550 is part of Ford’s Super Duty family and serves as a workhorse for vocational and commercial applications. It sits higher in weight and capability than light-duty pickups and is commonly used with service bodies, dump beds, bucket trucks, and other specialized bodies. Buyers typically choose the F-550 for increased hauling capacity, tougher duty cycles, and compatibility with upfit equipment.

Key points about the F-550 include:

• Chassis and powertrain: Built on a heavy-duty Ford frame with options for gasoline and diesel engines, paired to advanced automatic transmissions, and available in 4x2 or 4x4 configurations.


• Body upfit compatibility: Designed to accept a wide range of vocational bodies (service, tow, utility, flatbed, etc.).


• Usage profile: Common in fleets for municipalities, utilities, construction, and service companies.

In practice, the F-550 is the current, standard choice for many fleets needing a versatile, upfit-friendly platform with strong payload and towing possibilities. Its role in the market is well established, with ongoing updates to powertrains and electronics to support heavy-duty tasks.

What is the Ford F-600?

The Ford F-600 designation does not correspond to a current Ford model in most markets. Historically, there have been rare or market-specific uses of similar numbers, but today’s Ford lineup centers on the F-550, F-650, and larger heavy-duty models for vocational work. If you see an F-600 listed, it typically represents an older vehicle, a regional designation, a mislabeling, or a non-Ford brand using a similar naming convention. Verified specifications, market context, and year of manufacture are essential before relying on that label.

Important clarifications about F-600 include:

• Not part of the current Ford Super Duty family in most markets.


• Any references are usually historical, export-market variants, or misnamed units.


• Purchasers should verify exact GVWR, body configuration, and drivetrain when dealing with non-standard labels.

When buyers encounter an F-600, they should treat it as a potential non-standard or historical designation and compare its specifications directly to contemporary Ford models (notably the F-550) for a fair assessment of capability and value.

Key differences in capability and use

Before examining the specifics, note that the two designations sit in different contexts—one is a current, widely used model; the other is not part of today’s standard lineup. The following differences highlight practical implications for buyers and operators.

• Official status and availability: The F-550 is actively offered by Ford with ongoing support; the F-600 is not a standard current model in most markets.


• Weight class and payload potential: The F-550 targets higher payload and tougher duty cycles than light-duty pickups, with upfit flexibility for vocational bodies; any historical or non-standard F-600 designation would have varied specifications depending on era and market.


• Powertrain options: The F-550 commonly offers a range of diesel and gasoline engines with a modern automatic transmission; historical or non-standard F-600 configurations could differ widely by year and market.


• Upfit and body compatibility: The F-550 is designed for easy integration with service bodies, dumps, cranes, and other vocational equipment; a non-standard F-600 may not have uniform upfit compatibility today.


• Market use: Fleets rely on the F-550 for municipal, utility, construction, and fleet operations; any F-600 reference is unlikely to be the go-to choice for contemporary fleet planning.

In summary, the F-550 is the current, broadly supported platform for heavy-duty vocational work, while the F-600, when encountered, is typically a historical or regional designation that lacks the uniform specifications and support of the F-550.

How to choose between them (in practice)

When selecting a heavy-duty Ford truck for a job, focus on the vehicle’s official designation, payload needs, and upfit requirements. The following considerations help guide decision-making.

• Assess payload and GVWR needs: Determine the maximum load you must carry or tow and match it to the official GVWR and axle ratios of the model you’re evaluating.


• Consider body upfit and equipment: If you require a specific vocational body (service body, dump bed, crane, aerial lift), verify compatibility and mounting flexibility.


• Evaluate powertrain and efficiency: Choose between diesel and gasoline options based on duty cycle, fuel costs, and maintenance plans; review transmission choices and drive configurations (2WD vs 4WD).


• Check market availability and support: Confirm that the exact model and year are in production or have readily available parts, service, and upfit support.

For most buyers focused on current fleet needs, the F-550 represents the reliable, well-supported choice for vocational work, while the F-600 label should prompt closer inspection of the year, market, and precise specifications.

Summary

The Ford F-550 remains the standard, upfit-friendly heavy-duty option within Ford’s current lineup, designed for demanding vocational work with robust payload and a range of powertrain choices. The F-600, by contrast, is not a common present-day Ford model and often appears only in historical records, export-market variations, or mislabeling. When evaluating these options, prioritize official designations, exact GVWR/payload, upfit compatibility, and ongoing parts and service support. A careful comparison of current F-550 configurations versus any non-standard F-600 listing will lead to a clearer and more reliable purchasing decision.

Bottom line: For today’s buyers, the F-550 is the relevant Ford choice for most vocational applications, while F-600 references require careful verification of year, market, and specifications.

What is the difference between F-550 and F600?

The main differences are the F-600's higher gross vehicle weight rating (22,00022 comma 00022,000 lbs vs. 17,500−19,50017 comma 500 minus 19 comma 50017,500−19,500 lbs) and payload capacity, achieved through internal upgrades and larger tires/wheels. The F-600 is limited to a regular cab and is only available with the 6.7L diesel engine, whereas the F-550 offers more cab size options and a choice of gas or diesel engines. This makes the F-600 better for maximum payload and chassis-based upfits like cranes, while the F-550 provides more configuration flexibility. 

Feature	Ford F-550	Ford F-600
Max GVWR	17,500−19,50017 comma 500 minus 19 comma 50017,500−19,500 lbs	22,00022 comma 00022,000 lbs
Max Payload	Up to 12,77012 comma 77012,770 lbs	Up to 15,21015 comma 21015,210 lbs
Engine Options	Gas or diesel	Gas or diesel
Cab Options	Regular, Super Cab, Crew Cab	Regular Cab only
Tire Size	Standard tires	Larger 19.5-inch commercial-grade tires
Main Advantage	More configuration options (cab size)	Higher payload and heavier-duty chassis components

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Key differences explained 
This video explains the key differences between Ford F-550 and F-600, including GVWR and towing capacity: 58sMacPhee FordYouTube · Jan 9, 2025

• Weight and payload: The F-600 has a higher GVWR of 22,00022 comma 00022,000 lbs, allowing for a much higher payload capacity compared to the F-550. This is its primary advantage and makes it better suited for applications that require carrying a heavier load on the chassis itself. 
• Engine and drivetrain: The F-600 is exclusively available with the 6.7L Power Stroke diesel engine, whereas the F-550 can be optioned with either a gas or diesel engine. 
• Cab options: If you need a Super Cab or Crew Cab, the F-550 is the only option. The F-600 is only available as a regular cab. 
• Chassis and wheels: While the F-600 is built on the same chassis as the F-550, it uses stronger internal components and larger 19.5-inch wheels, giving it enhanced capabilities. 
• Price: The price difference is relatively small, especially if you opt for a diesel F-550. 

Which one should you choose?

• Choose the F-550 if: You need the flexibility of different cab sizes (Super Cab or Crew Cab) or the option of a gasoline engine. 
• Choose the F-600 if: Your priority is maximum payload capacity and you can use a regular cab. It's ideal for heavy-duty upfits like mechanics' bodies or cranes that require the extra weight capacity. 

Is a F-550 considered a 2 ton truck?

The Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra 3500, Ford F-350, and Ram 3500 are known as "one ton" pickups. Similar schemes exist for vans and SUVs (e.g. a 1-ton Dodge Van or a 1⁄2-ton GMC Suburban), medium duty trucks (e.g. the 1 1⁄2-ton Ford F-550) and some military vehicles, like the ubiquitous deuce-and-a-half.

What is a Ford F600?

A Ford F-600 is a powerful commercial truck that bridges the gap between heavy-duty and medium-duty vehicles, offering a 22,000-pound gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) in a chassis similar to the smaller F-550. It is designed for upfitting for various work applications like flatbeds or dump trucks and comes with either a 7.3L V8 gas engine or a 6.7L Power Stroke V8 diesel engine.
 
Key features

• Weight and capability: Has a 22,000-pound GVWR, giving it medium-duty Class 6 capabilities in a more compact, maneuverable package than traditional medium-duty trucks. 
• Engine options: Can be equipped with a 7.3L V8 gas engine or a 6.7L Power Stroke V8 turbo diesel engine, both paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. 
• Chassis cab design: It is sold as a chassis cab, which means it's built for customization with a wide variety of bodies and upfits, including dump bodies, utility bodies, and flatbeds. 
• Durability: Features stronger axles, U-joints, and brakes compared to the F-550 to handle the increased weight and payload capacity. 
• Drive types: Available in both two-wheel drive (4x2) and four-wheel drive (4x4), which is a significant advantage for work in challenging conditions. 
• Trim levels: Offered in XL and XLT trims, with the XLT featuring more standard options like a chrome package and fog lamps. 

Do you need a CDL to drive an F600?

If you'll be driving a single unit dump truck with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more, but towing less than 10,000 pounds, you should obtain a Class B CDL. This category includes straight dump trucks.