I am in the market for a full size truck and I am debating the pros and cons of the 7.3L powerstroke and the 6.8L V10. My new truck will be a 99-2003 F250 crew cab short bed. I need the purchase price of the truck to be around 10,000 dollars which means it will have higher mileage. I don't know much about the V10 so what better place to learn then the V10 forum. Here is a list of questions I have about the V10

1. Common problems on higher mileage 6.8L and the respective automatic trans.
2. Fuel Economy for an unloaded truck. (Crew cab Short bed)
3. Which gears would be the best match for this V10 in a towing application (6000 lbs travel trailer and full gear for camping)
4. Is there aftermarket support for this motor. (headers, intake, exhaust)
5. Cost of normal maintenance.

I know there is alot of questions there but any information would be helpful.

 

Mileage with my 2004 F250 SC SB 6 speed with 4.30 gears & 315x75R16 tires runs between 11.5 in city driving and 14.5-15.2 hiway. I run Ford synthetic oil, change every 5k and pay $75 for the service. Uses no oil between services. Towing is best accomplished with 4.30 gears, hard to find too used. In 46k I've had no problems and excellent service. The 99's had some issues with spark plugs but I've had none. Gale Banks makes about the best headers and exhaust system for the V10 IMHO. 5 Star is your best bet for performance improvements.

 

You can also look into a later year model V10. I think the 05 and up had the Torqshift transmission 5R110 and not the 4R100. Ford stopped making the 7.3L diesel midyear 03 so your choice for 7.3L diesel are within those model years.

4.30 gears would work best for towing. If you look in the other threads in this forum, you'll see that people here says the fuel economy of the 4.30 was about the same as the 3.73. 4.30 will give you better towing performance.

As far as maintenance cost, I can only say for 2WD and it is not much more than my Toyota Sienna. Granted, some parts may cost more (brake pads/tires, etc.) due to the fact it is a truck, but not that much more. You'll need a lot more coolant and tranny fluid than your conventional car, but it is not that much. It is a truck.

 

For the money, you can probably get into a 2003 V10 pretty easily.

 

For $10k you will probably end up with a pile of a 7.3l SD. The 7.3l trucks have been holding their value very well, at least my area. I think you will find you can get a V10 SD in better shape with less miles for the same money than the 7.3l truck.

1. What you would expect from any other type of high mileage gasser
2. No worse than 10mpg better for highway
3. Best gears that came from the factory are 4.30s. For what you want to tow 4.10s and even 3.73s will do but 4.30s are the best. I have towed 6k+ lbs several times with my 3.73 equipped SD.
4. Yes, quite a few options
5. Minimal for the 6.8l

 

I see you're in Colorado. Will you be towing at high altitudes?

 

Thanks for all the input yea I will be towing in the rockies. Around 10,000ft is out normal camping spot but I will also be towing on the flat out to Nebraska. I agree with the 7.3L holding the value I can pretty much get a very high mileage 7.3L or a mid mileage V10 for about that 10K. So from what it looks like with all the recommendations of 4.30's is that this engine likes to rev (much like the other mod motors) is this a fair statement. I will continue to read about this engine and I am going to go drive one when the snow clears up next week. Once again thanks for the information.

 

Wind 'er up and hang on!

 

V10 excursions never were equipped with a Torqshift. They were all 4R100's.
JL

 

Yes, you are correct. The Excursions never had the Torqushift. I keep forgetting about that. I assumed that the OP was looking at an F250 so I had excluded the Excursion.

 

I have a 2008 SC short bed. I tow a 5ver with a superglide at about 9,200lbs ready for camping with no problems-plenty of power(camper GWR is about 10,400lbs). I like the torqshift trany as it helps you break by downshifting. I don't have to use my brakes nearly as much. I have 4.10 gears. I ran from OH to VA down 95 through the mountains and back very little shifting or high revs (tow haul switch on and cruise set). I plan to run the WV turnpike next time to see how that goes. I think you would be very happy with the V10-your TT is light. My son has a 7.3 with about 125K and also likes it. He runs a tuner and he stripped off a lot of the pollution garbage-gets better mileage. his truck gets about 18 to 20 at 75MPH-towing drops down some 11-12. Both trucks are workhorses-either one would be a great choice. Who knows you may want a bigger TT or 5ver at some time. Mine is stock-no tuner, has a tow package on it and does not sag-my MPG towing is about 10. Happy hunting.

 

Same here...they're bringing money like the 05-06 Duramax diesels...absolutely crazy.