Dear truck experts,
I bought a 2000 crew cab F250 V10 without really researching it. I kept it for 3 days, got scared by the gas mileage (13.8 mpg empty, hwy), and returned it to the dealer with no penalty ( they have a great return policy). I loved the truck and still want a SD, but I'm trying to find out the mpg difference between the V10 and the rare V8. I only need the truck for personal use (camping and landscaping my new yard) and maybe someday towing a small camper. As far as I can tell, the V10 gets about 8 to 12 mpg when doing any work at all. I think the V8 may be getting about 4-5 mpg better under the same conditions. If this is true, then the V8 is for me as long as it isn't underpowered. Some people have said that the V8 is a little weak, others like it. Any other yuppies out there that are not using there V8 for heavy work? Is it underpowered or not? Do I have my mileage estimates right?
Thanks for your time and input!

 

Ric.... I think you jumped the gun a bit. How could you even look at a SD and think "oh yeah, this truck is gonna get great gas milage.." First off a SD CC weighs in at over 6500Lbs. That's a lot of truck to move around. 13.8 mpg is pretty good. I average in the 12's around town, 15.6 on a recent hwy trip. When I tow(6500Lbs) the mpg drops to 10, 8 or 9 if there are hills. If the 5.4L got 4-5 mpg better than the 6.8L, Ford would be selling alot more of them. I'd guess and say 1-3 mpg is more like it. I have read that the V8 is OK for some folks. The new 2000 260hp V8 might be better.. Also, if you were to load up your 5.4L V8 truck it will have to work harder than the V10. MPG will suffer just as bad. Personally, I'm tickled to death with 12mpg. When I filled up on my last trip and got 15.6 I was in heaven... I'll do some quickie math for ya...

If a V10 gets 12mpg and you average 12,000 miles a year, that's 1000 gallons of gas. Now, lets say the V8 gets 14mpg. At 12,000 miles per year that would be 857 gallons. So the difference is 143 gallons over a years time. At $1.25 a gallon that works out to $178 a year more to drive the V10....Is that worth it??? Go test drive a 2000 with a V8 and decide...I'd go back to the dealer and get the V10 truck back.

 

I have a supercab 4x4 99' superduty : manual transmission, 3:73 rearend. You need more patience
with the V-10. My V-10 was the same way for about 10,000 miles, after that it I started getting 15-16 mpg.
I have a buddy that has the same truck with the V-8 that you're wondering about. The dealership ordered the truck with a 4:10 rearend to make up for the power difference and it gets worse gas mileage than my V-10. So, whatever your choice, these trucks are made for WORK not mileage of fuel.
Hope this info helps.

 

If all you are going to be doing is "playing" why not get a F150 or a Ranger.
ray

 

I've got a 99 crewcab, 4x4 swb xlt with the v-8, 3.73 gears and the California Auto trans (4 spd with overdrive). Around town I get 10 sometimes 11, on the highway it varys alot. At 60, empty I get 16.5. At 65, empty, I get 13. At 70 and 75, empty I get 14. (I don't get it either, but I tried it a couple of times). Towing a 20 travel trailer loaded with camping junk, or tandem axle horse trailer with 2 horses, with the Overdrive off, at 60, I get 10. At 65, od off, I get 9. It won't tow with the od on. Shifts all the time. It has plenty of guts, but I'm already looking for more torque, via a new computer chip, headers, exaust, stuff like that. I've had it shift all the way back to 3rd to maintain speed pulling long hills (60 mph).

I thought the same as you. I don't tow often, only drive 5 miles to work, don't haul a lot of stuff, the v-8 will be dandy. If I had it to do again I think I'd opt for the v-10. The new v-10 is supposed to dynamite. While the milage is nice, like Tim the Toolman (of Home Improvement fame) says "MORE POWER". I'm reading that the v-10 guys are getting 13.5 around town. So unless they're blowing smoke up my dress, they're doing better around town, where most of my driving is, than I am with the v-8. (wanna trade? just kidding)

 

I get 11.7 around town with a moderatly heavy foot. Never checked the highway. I had to start making improvements if I wanted to see any mileage.

1999 F250 CC, LWB, 3.73, 4x4, Auto, Power TT mirrors w/ marker lights, White, Full Tint, PendaPro SR, K&N filtercharger, open air box,Flowmaster Delta 40 series, 5.4L

 

Did the mileage improve after the changes?

 

No, I'm still on the sound and power high. I will know more later. I have to revert to my civil driving habits...but it is no worse..that's already apparent.

 

I have a '99 SD Supercab, 4x4 with the 5.4L V-8 and 4.10 rear. With 90% city driving I get between 9-10 MPG, unloaded. My lease is up in 7 months and I am planning on ordering one with a V-10 and 3.73 rear so that I can get better mileage.

You might want to think again about getting that V-10 back.

Doug.

 

>What were you thinking? I just got aCrwewcab short bed V-10 I'll take 12mpg. My 88 F250 with Fuel injected 460 only got 9. On a recent trip on the Hwy I got 14.8...and I only have1500 miles on it. GO GET YOUR TRUCK BACK !!!

 

The V-8 mileage sucks on these heavy trucks. Think about it. That little (relative to the V-10) engine has to work much harder to get that big 'ol truck moving. The V-10 does it with ease. Therefore, lighter gas pedal pressure and better mileage. I almost got the V-8 in my 99 SD, SC,4x4 but thought, "oh well, I'll just eat the mileage and get the V-10", but now I read the posts on this forum after I changed my order and I'm so happy with my V-10. I suggest you go get that 10 cylinder beast back from the dealership, unless somebody already cashed in on your mistake. And furthermore, I only get about 12 MPG with mine but it has 4.30 gears and a lot of highway driving. That was the only mistake I made.

 

Dear V10 man,
you are right, of course, I did jump the gun.
Not for returning the truck, however, but for buying it without researching the MPG in the first place. We loved the cab size and didn't realize how heavy the truck is. I wasn't expecting great gas mileage but I've only had modestly powered Japanese cars and SUV's in the past, so I was floored by the MPG. I had to leave town for a week and didn't have any time to do any research, so I returned the truck within the 3 day return period. At the time I made the right choice in returning the truck since it was a no cost decision. Since I returned home and have read your and other's E-mail, and thought over what I really want, I've decided to re-purchase another F250. I say another because of course the origional truck was sold again this week! Thanks alot for your input.
Ric

 

Thanks alot your input. After hearing from you and others I've decided to get another F250. I say another because my origional one was sold while I was out of town and researching it!
Ric

 

Your right, of course, I can't really justify the F250. However, after hearing from you and about ten others, we have decided to re-purchase another F250 - we love the cab size! Thanks for your input.
Ric

 

After hearing from you and several others, we have decided to get another F250. It will have to be another because the origional one was sold while I was out of town this week. Thanks for your input.
Ric