Hello all!

I currently have a 1995 Ranger 2x4, and just sold my 1997 Supercharged 4x4 4Runner. So I am looking to replace that 4Runner with a early-mid-2000's F-250.

I have a few questions however...

I know I don't want the diesel but i'm wondering which is more reliable the V8 or V10? I don't need the extra power the V10 offers but I have heard that the V8 is known to warp exhaust manifolds and blow out spark plugs. How are the automatics in these trucks? I'd rather have a 6 speed but they seem to be fairly rare.

I have about 10K to spend and would like to find a nice reliable truck with preferably under 100K miles on it. Any advice would be great!

Thanks guys, looking forward to being a part of this community!

 

I have f350 4x4 with the v10, my father-in-law had a f250 2wd with the 5.4 v8. Both great trucks, I'm averaging 10.5 mpg, steady mix of city, hwy and towing my boat. He averaged just below 12 with a similar mix of driving.

He agreed my v10 tows the car trailer a bit better, both motors were 2 valve.

For $10k you should be able to find a nice clean low milage gasses.

 

Thanks for the quick response. I figured fuel mileage would be marginal at best, this will not be my daily driver so that is not a huge issue.

Gonna go test drive some trucks this week and see which I like best.

 

You absolutely, 100% dead set against a diesel? Only reason I ask is, if 10k is your budget then you can get a whole hell of a lot truck for that amount. I'd be lookin for a 99-03 7.3l. Just my .02 cents

 

Yes and no.

The reason I say that is I'm a manager at a diesel service center and I see the repair bills on these diesels. Also diesels DO NOT like to sit. The truck I buy will probably see 3000mi a year if that. And not to mention I don't really need a diesel, hell I don't even need a V10! A V8 would suit all my towing/hauling needs.

 

I hear ya man. Just had to throw it out there. Thing that sold me was longevity. Just that alone seems worth it to me. Plus, I can just about fix any problem it has in my driveway. It hasn't had many (knock on wood). I'd stay away from a v10. I've got friends that use them to pull horse trailers. Great pulling power but they go through the fuel.

 

I'm definitely open to suggestions so I appreciate that!

Besides fuel economy, why else would you not get the V10?

I'll be honest with you, if the right truck came along that happened to have a diesel, I wouldn't say no.

 

Fuel economy would be the only reason. I have very little experience with gasoline super dutys. I don't know how much weight you wanna pull, but I would think 5.4 v8 would handle ones towing needs. It'd be sweet if you could find one with a zf6 trans but, good luck with that. I looked and looked and could only find ragged out turds with a zf6. I settled on an auto (4r100). I believe the gas super duties (99-03) use the same trans . Don't know what years you are looking at.

 

Get the v10 mpg is about same.......v8s just dont cut it in the Superdutys unless they put the coyote in ......I'll stop now

 

Huge difference in the 99-04 4R100 trans and 05+ 5R110W trans behind gas motors. 05-07 V10 with an auto is a beast of a truck, not sure you can get one that's not beat to death for $10k though. If you get a 99-04 with the 4R100 look at adding a larger plate cooler to it, there are a bunch of threads here about modding that trans to make it hold up better.

Not a bad unit, just really benefits from a couple upgrades.

 

Look around, I just bought my 2011 CC FX4 XLT 6.2L with 190K for $8300. It's my 3rd vehicle, used to tow a camper. Won't see more than 6k miles a year, so hopefully lasts 5 years until I'm ready for something newer.

 

If you don't need a V10 or diesel you don't need a Super duty but if you want a Super duty just because I would recommend getting one with at least the V10, its your money and your truck to buy what you want. The V10 is basically a 5.4 or 4.6 with two more cylinders and the same problems other than the 3v 5.4 cam phaser issues. All the 2v's had issues with spark plug blowout that is directly related with the spark plugs coming untorqued in the head and the all the newer 3V's ( until 2010?) had plugs that can break off when removing them at higher mileage. Exhaust manifold gasket leaks and broken studs are a problem for both the 5.4 and 6.8 but generally a problem for trucks that tow. My last thought is that everyone I've known with a 5.4 or 6.8 V10 they get almost the same MPG but the guy's with the 5.4 have a permanent mark in the carpeting from the skinny pedal being pushed into the floor.

 

The more powerful 3 Valve V-8 and V-10 started in the Super Duty in 2005. You also get the better 5R110W transmission, a heavier frame, bigger brakes and coil spring front suspension if you stay 2005 or newer.

 

99-03 4x4 7.3l fetch 6-8000$ over blue book here in california. That's why I ended up with the v10.

 

You can't go wrong with a 2006-up 6.8, v-10, especially since the tranny is spot on better than the earlier versions. The V-10 is about bullet proof and will definately haul the mail. You should lurk on the 6.8 threads, and also look at the 5-Star programmer that really wakes up that engine.