Hello everyone first post and visit here.

Going through a personal dilema here.
I have a 2002 F-150 supercrew FX4 with 117k miles on it, 5.4 and towing package.3.73 gears and 285 tires.

I am in the market for a toy hauler and believe I have found the one.
Problem is that I am concerned about towing with the 150.

The emty trailer weighs in at 5200# and figure adding 1000-1500 lbs by the time I drag it down the road. total about 6500ish pounds.
The weight rating on the truck says 8700max tow and 870 max tongue weight.
So theoretically it will pull it.

However I live in Denver, 5200', and typically go up from there.
my concern is that I dont want to overwork the truck going up some of these big grades, so I am looking at SD fords.

I come from a family full of 7.3 trucks and they have proven themselves over and again. so that is a consideration.

Also considering a V-10 due to the cheaper price on gas vs Diesel.

the truck will be my commuter as well (40 miles a day) but during the summer will get less use due to me riding a motorcycle to work.

I have about 15-18 thousand to spend and am stuck on what to do.
Will need a crew cab(kids in car seats) and 4X4 the rest doesnt matter.
ie:long bed,short bed,stick,auto whatever.

So what to do:
Keep the F150 and just work it hard?
Buy a SD Diesel?
or go with a SD V-10?
please help me make a decision.

Thanks,
Brian

 

First off, Welcome to FTE Brian.


As for as the f-150, I would get a PSD. You will have a hard time with the grades you will be traveling on. You know the 7.3 and with your budget, you should be able to find a good 7.3 CC 4x4.

Good luck.

 

Another vote for the 7.3 It a great engine also welcome to FTE

 

Welcome to the FTE Brain.

I am with Rick on this get the 7.3 you can't go wrong with it and you are all ready familiar with the engine.

Of course I may be a little bias since that is what I have and love it.

 

Thanks for the welcome guys!

How about cold starting issues?

Forgive my ignorance(but that is why I am here) it does get chilly here.
Do they always need to be plugged in when it is really cold out?
Fine when I am at home but the further I get from the house the shorter my extension cords get.
and what kinda temps are we talkin? below 20? 10?
(familys' trucks are in warmer climates)
What if you dont plug it in? will it still start? what will it damage if anything?

Maybe not a big issue as there are lotsa Diesels runnin around these parts.
What would be the main advantage of the D over the V-10?
I am assuming the fact that they are turboed helps with the altitude?

And if I go the D route at what mileage do I start to shy away?
example, i have seen one that looks nice for $15K with 164,000 miles on it.
should I be good for another 50-100, and what would it take maint wise to get it to those mileages?

sorry for all the questions, just trying to be well informed.


Brian

 

Have a look at this, it should help you with how to shop for a used diesel.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...questions.html

I would not worry as much about millage as I would as condition of the truck. Its gettin harder and harder to fine a good 7.3, but they are out there.

The PSD will get better mpg then the v-10. And at that hight the PSD will pull better.

 

Get something with a turbo I think that makes everything else fall into place.

I love my V10 - but I live at almost sea level (house is 37 feet), and go up to only around 3000 feet, and that's only a few times a year.

Pulling 6000+ above 5200 feet? Get something with forced induction.

That means the 7.3

You can't go wrong - get a new CPS from Ford if it hasn't already been done ... (CPS = cam position sensor, known to blow). And be happy you got an SD for the job.

Oh, and WELCOME to FTE!

 

Crewcab SD 4x4 with a diesel for 15- 18 K is going to be high miles. I'd stick with what you have if it is paid for or almost paid for. Can do a lot of repairs for 400- 500 a month car payment. Buying a used truck is a crap shoot, you could be worse off.

 

Fred, we are talking about a 99.5' to 03' 7.3 PSD. Not something newer.

Have a good evening. And Welcome to FTE.

 

Just like I said, something high mileage, just in time for the Tranny, turbo or other high dollar repair to kick in. My neighbor went down that road and after the $4000.00 worth of repairs kicked in , he was very sorry. 15 to 18 K for the truck he wants is going to more than likely have at least 150,000 miles on it and that would be a crap shoot imo. If he was spending 25K I would say go for it, or wanted a regular cab XL with a 5.4, but not for the truck he wants at the money he wants to spend.

 

I think I can same with some confidence that you won't enjoy pulling 6.5k# through the Rockies with a 5.4L motor. Particularly the 2 valve. Or the 3 valve for that matter.


Been there, traded up.

Bill

 

I don't know, in 03 I paid $20K for the Excursion with 104K miles and to date it's got 183K miles. Besides a couple CPS's and one glow plug relay module it's been bullet proof. An OASIS report confirmed prior to purchase that a 100K mile ESP was put on it and only a head light **** was replaced! Tranny never been touched, motor runs like new.

The F250 has 252K miles and that motor runs very strong. The tranny was replaced at 83K miles though.

The F350 was bought a year in a half ago for $18.5K with 120K miles and to date it's got 133K miles.

Good luck!!!

 

Well i purchased the toy hauler last night.

Will be dragging it home in about a week.
It is currently about 1-1.5 hours from my house and i will be dragging it home with the F150. The drive will consist of some minor hills and some freeway and in town driving. should give a decent feel for what it feels like. I figure if it is struggling on the drive home with minor hills then I will be that much closer to a new truck.
I might use the 150 for the first trip or 2 until I find something else, plus it will give me a real good comparo as to why I "need" the SD.

Havent really made up my mind on the motor, but the more i get opinions and do research the more it looks like I might be using the green handle at the gas station.
Saw a guy on my way home (at the gas station) filling up his PSD and asked his opinion. BTW did a quick calc and even though the shock of seeing 112bucks on his gas pump, I calculated the same in gallons gas and it only saved about $15.

He said his neighbor has a v10 and wants to sell it for a PSD. they tow comparable trailers (15k#) and he said the v10 pulls pretty darn good but the PSD does it much easier and he avgs about 13mpg towing where his neighbor gets about 7-9. of course this is through some of the nastiest climbs around.
Like from Denver to Grand Junction via I-70.

So it would seem that the $15 saved at the pump will be made up for when you consider the gasser will probably use more fuel.
Gettin a little easier to decide. just gotta wait for the perfect truck to pop up.

Thanks for the advice and input and keep it coming if you have anymore.
I will keep yous guys posted on what happens.
Thx again,
brian

 

I pull more weight with my 5.4L, but in the midwest, not in the west.

A V-10 or a PSD will work very well for what you need. I would get one with either a manual trans or a Torqshift automatic. It basically boils down to what you need, how often you will be towing and personal preference. Guys will tell you either one is superior, but they will both pull the same load up a mountain.

The PSD might have an advantage in fuel mileage, but fuel is more expensive, as is initial cost for owning one. You'll get some back in resale, so it really does boil down to this: Get the one you want.

 

Now these are just a couple thoughts, so pick and choose as you feel...

You can do a lot with the money to your truck, including getting a rebuild done or getting a different engine and dropping it in there. I don't know all the details on how, but I'm sure there is plenty of info out there on doing a big block, 7.3 or Cummins swap.

Find a decent used PSD, just remember the old addage, "Good, fast, cheap. Pick two..."

Use what you have to see how it does as is. A water/meth system is around $500 for that shot of extra power when needed on the hills.