diesel vs. V10 vs 5.4
 

I am currently in Iraq. Im planning on buying a truck when I get back. I have decided on F250 crew cab, short box 4x4. I cannot afford a new one, so it will probably be a 2002-2005. The question is which motor? I have friends who will swear by all three options. Im interested in hearing opinions on which motor and more specifically any certain years/motors to avoid. Thanks in advance.

Whatever you want/prefer. They all are good. You just have to weigh the options yourself. What are your top priorities? Gas mileage? smell? power? noise? etc.

well, I really don't "need" the diesel. It would be more just for the cool factor. I have two young sons who are total motor heads and they love the diesels with the big exhausts. I guess what Im really asking is of the engines from those years, are there any I should stay away from for reliability or other reasons.
Thee are alot of V10s on the used market @ home, but ive been told to stay away from them. Likewise with the 7.3 I have had people tell me there was problems with them.

thanks

The 5.4 and the v10 are both awesome engines, all depends on what you plan to do with the truck If you plan on towing heavy loads alot go with the v10 I have a 2003 with a 5.4 and pull a fifth wheel and it does fine.

I know some of the 6.0 diesels have lots of problems so if you dont need a diesel then I would avoid one. :-dancing1

The 7.3l, 6.8l and 5.4l were the most reliable engines in the years you mentioned. The 6.0l PSD is the problematic engine in those years, especially the 03' and 04' models. The 2003 MY was the last year the 7.3l was offered in the SD, the 7.3l was availalbe in the SD from 99-03'. The later part of the 03' MY the 6.0l PSD came out and was in the SD until the 2007 MY. The PI 2V5.4l and 6.8l was in the SD from 2000-2004. In 2005-2010 the 5.4l and 6.8l 3V was put into SD.

The 6.8l V10 has a power advantage over the 5.4l with negledgable mpg difference. Either is a good engine but the 6.8l is a better choice for a SD out of the two. If you don't need a diesel I wouldn't get a diesel, especially considering how cold it gets in MN.

Now is a good time to buy used. I would look newer with 4$ gas this summer there will be panick sales like last timr gas went that high. Could luck ibto a 08-10 v10 gor a good price and its an almost new rig

thats exactly the kind of intel i was looking for.
Thanks

Filled the truck up and was knocking on the $100 mark and that will last for 400 miles +/-. Anomic is right with gas/DSL going up there should be a flood of trucks on the market again for cheap. Might be time to look for another V10 that some poor soul wants to get rid of because the price of living is going up.

Waiting for market change might be tricky thing.
As much as I would expect that the prices of used V10 will nose-dive, I would expect prices of diesels going up. With higher fuel prices the higher diesel purchase cost will be recouped pretty fast on fuel saving.
The diesel Mercedes I bought used 4 years ago has about 20% higher value now, than what I paid for it.

If you say so about the dsl thing. The Mercedes gain might be because you and folks that by that style of vehicle feel that they're getting a better vehicle for the price. Then when you say you have a "Mercedes" you get your investment back. ;);)

You will definitely be able to get a better deal on a V10 with the current gas situation. The 3V V10 and the 2V are both great engines. However, keep in mind why you are getting a good price. They are thirsty.........so if you drive much, it will get expensive.
Traded my '04 2V V10 for an '03 7.3 diesel with no regrets.

Good luck and thank you for your service to our country!

I will be in a similar situation in a few years. I traded my '04 F150 FX4 for an '07 Expedition when we had our first child. It fit our family better to have an SUV and will be better until the kid(s), we plan on having another shortly, get old enough to get themselves in and out of a vehicle and do not require child seats. We use the Expedition as our tow pig for my snowmobile trailer as well as our 6200lb travel trailer. The thing that annoys the crap out of me is how narrow the mirrors are. I hate attach-type mirrors but that's the ONLY way around the issue. I can't wait to get back into a truck where things are designed right. The Expedition is rated to tow over 9000lbs, but the mirrors suck.

Bleh, I need a truck. I'd love a diesel too, but don't NEED one. When we do get a truck, I'll be dropping the travel trailer and opting for a big 5'er. I won't necessarily need a diesel to pull it, but it sure would be nice since we plan on traveling quite a bit...well, as much as fuel prices allow.

Fuel prices may shock you. I would wait until you're home, then start looking at trucks and a 5th wheel trailer. Purchase the truck based on the trailer you purchase.

I recommend purchasing a 2005+ truck. The gas engines are more powerful (3 valve heads) and the automatic transmission is light years better for towing. (Early 6.0L Power Strokes also have that 5R110W transmission, but I won't recommend and early 6.0L PSD)

For a diesel, the 2005+ 6.0L PSD is good, the 2008+ 6.4L is better. Both require some modifications to become better. You should check the forums for the specific engines to get more specific information.

Gas engines (5.4L and 6.8L) are also good choices. I use a 5.4L to tow around 8000 pounds. With a large 5th wheel you will probably be happier with a 6.8L V-10. 4.10 differential gearing will help with either engine.

There are a ton of 2003-2008 6.0 diesels out there, mostly because when they get close to warranty ending, no one wants to take the chance. All you really need to do is check the TSB's (technical service bulletins) for the 6.0, 6.8 and the 5.4. You will find that the 6.8 has the least number of TSB's by a long ways. Also, if you can find a 2005 or newer, then you also get the 5 speed TorqueShift tranny which is way better than the previous tranny. The worst of worst years to buy used would be a 2003-2004 6 leaker, those years were a disaster for Ford diesel owners but great for dealership shop time.

Pap