I'm looking at getting an '02 F350, Crew Cab, Long Box, SRW because they seem to be within my budget. Most of them I have looked at our the 7.3 diesels, but I ran into one that had a V-10. It is my understanding everything else being equal, they have the same payload and towing capacities, but I read the diesel has 250HP w/505lbs of torque where the V-10 has 310HP w/425lbs of torque. If this is correct, how does it affect me; I farm and haul livestock. Do I need HP or torque. I know the V-10 will drink more gas, but I've never heard anything about the cost per mile because obviously the fuel costs are different between the two engines. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

 

Everybody "buys" horsepower, but it's torque that we all love; it's what pushes you back in the seat when you step on the go-faster. I was always taught that it's torque that gets the load moving from a standing start, as where horsepower is what allows you to pass someone out on the interstate. It's pretty obvious to me that torque is significantly more important to a truck owner than horsepower, especially for someone that's towing a trailer or hauling heavy payloads.

 

Yep with what you do definetly torque is the deciding factor

 

torque is what is real important for those heavy loads. Horse power is for racing.

 

Depends on rear axle ratio. 505 with 3.73 axle is less than 3% different at the wheels as 425 with 4.30 axle.