Is there any particular reason you're stuck on the '05 - '07 model years? If it's just the look, you can swap front ends on to a '99 and have the look. If it's the coil-over suspension up front, then OK. Just curious.

 

Just looking for a newer, reliable F-250. I've owned my current Dodge for almost 8 years now. It was beat when I found it, and I've put probably around 20,000 miles on it since I got it, if not less. I'm trying to find a clean truck that will last me for 20 years until I retire and move outta here to a place where I don't need to plow or burn wood.

So for the 05-07 trucks, I like the 3V engines, and the 5-speed auto (from what I've read they have a lot less problems than the older 4 speeds). I will only put around 1200 miles per year on the truck for the first few years, until we get a camper trailer. Then it will get a few more on it.

Basically this will be the last 4X4 truck I buy, so I'm looking for a clean, newer truck. If I had the cash to get a brand new one, I'd do it in a heartbeat.

 

For plowing, you're probably going to use 4LOW anyway, so there's no reason to get the extra gearing, go with the 3.73's. However, towing trailers, it might not be enough grunt.

HOWEVER, compared to the Dodge you currently have, any Superduty will do what that thing does without a care.

GO FOR IT.

I'd still look for better gearing than 3.73's though.

 

And that is really the crux of what I'm worried about......not being limited in towing someday. Like someone else said on here a while back, when was the last time you wished your truck had LESS power?

If I had my pick, I'm 100% certain it would be a V-10, 2nd choice is the 5.4 4.10, then the 5.4 3.73.

But beggars can't be choosers.....I'm limited on cash, and there's not a lot to choose from out there right now.

 

You MIGHT try to negotiate with the dealer and get them to put 4.30's in it for you.

 

It's at a Dodge dealership. They took it on a trade in.

 

The v10s shouldn't cost a whole lot more than the 5.4s; especially used. If new it's a 600 dollar option, used it should be even less. I'd say hold out, keep an eye out on autotrader and craigslist and you'll find a V10 sooner or later. While a 5.4 will do what you need it for, why not leave room for that nasty hill or whatnot...

I agree the higher geared stuff is harder to come by

 

I monitor used F250 prices on Autotrader in my area, because of personal interest; they appear to have bottomed out and are trending higher.

Going, going, ...

 

I agree....

The one I was talking about is not online anymore, so they must have sold it. ALL of the ones priced at $18500 or higher are still there, and a few others in the $17,500 range too. I think the one I was talking about was a good deal, but I need to find the 4.10 or the 6.8 to really be satisfied with spending the money on it.

 

Yeah, I go with some of the other voices on this forum that the 5.4 (with either gear set) will do circles around your Dodge rig...but..if you can hold out for the V10 you likely won't regret it.

If you want some opinions on what the 5.4L can do towing, search for posts by RedFord, who pulls about a 9,000lb trailer (if I recall right) with a 3V 5.4L 3.73 rig. He's happy with it.

When I bought mine I probably could have gotten by with a 250 5.4L but searched high and low for a 350 6.8L, under the thought that I might need it sometime. It's come in handy...the first towing trip I took with it I had a 4 horse gooseneck horsetrailer loaded to 11,500lb schlepping all my stuff out to Oregon! The extra power isn't something you'll likely ever regret having. At least out here in Colorado, CraigsList has more than a few V10s for sale for really good prices, which is surprising to me since the V10 is less common here (in my seat-of-the-pants, drive around poll) than most lower altitude states. If you haven't checked Craigslist.org you might take a look there.

Ord.

 

I just checked Craigslist here for New York, and man, there's a lot of V10's around.

Even a 7.3 diesel, over 100K miles, kinda rough, but only $4K? Sheesh...

 

I don't know were in Wisconsin you are located but here are two trucks. My buddy in milwaukee looked at the first one the other day and said it was a solid truck.

2003 Ford F-250 Diesel 4x4 FX4

2001 ford f250