Trying to collect some data before making a purchase:

The truck I am considering is a White 1999 Super Duty F250 4x4 long bed with the V10 Triton.

As I am told the truck was used primarily for commuting to Portland and back from the Salem Oregon area for most of it's first 140,000 or so miles.
That is mostly freeway miles at a round trip total of 100 miles or so.

The second owner purchased the truck @140K and has driven it to current 160,000 miles.

Truck is very clean for an 11 year old truck. He started asking $7000 and has dropped to $6800 obo.

I should add he purchased new all terrain tires at a cost (to him) of $700 and installed a new fan clutch (unsure of cost) new plugs, just installed Ford brand Irridiums (100K plugs).

My question is hiway fuel estimates ; best I can figure is 12 or 13 @65mph on the freeway. I live in the country so city mileage is not a concern. Also I have nothing to tow or haul other than 3-4 cords of firewood yearly, and pulling a driftboat for steelhead fishing; and driving gravel logging roads for hunting. Eventually as I retire it could used to haul a camper or tow a camping trailer.

I might add the seller has a camper to haul and a trailer for quads and hauling his classic car to shows so decided to sell this truck and go to a 1999 Ford Diesel Dually 1 ton 4x4 I believe (at a used cost of $15K for 100,000 truck.)

Realistically how much more life is in the V10 before I should be prepared to slip in a new engine, in other words how much past 200,000 miles could I plan before major engine repairs, given proper oil changes, lubes, air filter, routine maintenance?

I realize no crystal ball guarantees, just looking at all options.

Also what is a fair market price for a truck like this given this economy and the "higher miles on the truck" and "you getwhat you pay for" etc. , etc.

Thanks to all for posting. The feedback is appreciated.

 

I have a 2001 5.4 (very similar to v10 design wise) and i have been told it is a 300,000 mile motor. I have 240k on it with no issue whatsoever (aside from low oil pressure in the cold). I hear that the v10 is more reliable than the v8 even. So i would say 160k isn't so bad but i may be wrong.

 

If properly maintained and not abused, 300K should be easy. I've seen several with 400K+.

Note: Long story as to the why, but I tore down my '99 at about 150K. Cylinders looked brand new.... No ridge at top of cylinders, and the factory crosshatching was still visible.

If something was to go south, I would rate them as "very easy" engines to work on.

12-13 on freeway is pretty typical for 4wd models. You may see as much as 14 depending on tires and how aggressively you accelerate and your speed. As with any large vehicle from the "chipped brick" school of aerodynamics, mpg is VERY speed dependent.

 

My '99 V10 CC only has 80k on it so I can't speak from experience with that many miles on the V10 (I do need ball joints though ).

I will say though that I have bought other high mileage vehicles with primarily commuting highway miles on them, and as long as they are well made vehicles to begin with, they are as reliable as, and drive like, vehicles with only 1/2 that many miles on the odometer.

I would have still happily bought my truck if it had 180k on the odometer, at a lower price of course .

From my small amount of experience, 12-13 mpg highway is a little optimistic for "west coast" gas, but the gas in northern Oregon may be a little better than the gas we get in California. I myself barely get 10mpg combined and the best I've gotten is 11.8 freeway. Of course cruising at 70-75 may hurt my mileage a little bit, in my defense it's hard to keep these trucks at the speed limit.

 

Hey thanks to Northwindone, MWSF250, and Always Choose Ford for your honest input.
I hope to hear from others and what a fair private party purchase price might be.
I hope others can chip in to this thread to help me and potential V10 used truck purchasers.
Appreciate it.

 

I goofed, being a newbee here posted twice.

 

Fair market value depends on your region and its supply and demand...

Assuming the truck is a good one:
If it was a standard cab, that would be a very good deal in my neck of the woods.
If an extended or crew cab, an EXTREMELY good deal.

In my area, it seems that the demand for V10's is creeping up as the "gotta be a diesel to be a real truck" thing calms down and folks are really considering their actual usage. I believe that at least 25% (50%?) of the folks who bought diesels would have been better off with gassers.

i hope that doesn't cause a meaningless debate.... Diesels are amazing and have their place. But many of us find gassers to be better for us (plenty of power for our needs, quiet, stinkless, smooth, ultra reliable, easy and cheap maintenance, cheap and easy to DIY repairs).

Miles are funny thing.... Highway miles put so little wear on the vehicle compared to "ranch" miles. That makes things good for the purchaser! High miles means lower price even though the vehicle is not really that worn.
My truck was used the same way when I bought it. Still has the stock ball joints, tie rod ends, transmission, suspension bushings, wheel bearings most everything - and I am quite the detail freak. They are just not worn and the PO took good care of it. I did have to do the rear brakes and track bar.

I'm assuming you are doing your homework and know the '99 2V was the lowest output version of the V10. The PI version of the 2v had more torque and power in 2000-2004 versions (relatively simple head and intake swap to upgrade a '99). The 3V in 2005 had even more of both, along with the outstanding 5R110 automatic transmission.

The achilles heels:
- Broken exhaust manifold studs
- Stripped spark plug holes if plug changes are not done properly (very torque sensitive)

Both are known enough that fixes are "routine".

 

MWSF250:

Thanks again for the imput. Truck is an extended cab with few if any cosmetic flaws for an11year old truck. I realize that later versions of the same engine V10 have hp and perhaps other (3 valve,etc.improvements) over the 99 model.

I am working within a dollar price range and that seems to be near $6500 max as a ceiling of what I'm comfortable spending. I currently drive a 1985 F250 single cab inline 300 cubic inch 6. Funny, same dollar amount a long time ago, ten years anyway and it cost me $6500 or so back then. The newer truck that I'm looking at is probably twice the truck. However the last time around I bought in at 78,000 miles and have driven the truck to 178,000 without much other than brakes, a u-joint or two and some oil changes. It has been and is a super truck still. One hell of lot of torque and yet will cruise at 75 easily on the freeway. I'll try to get about $1200 out of that old Ford to put towards the new ride. New for me that is.

So for now I'll assume $6500 is a fair price and that engine should go a while longer with scheduled maintenance and tlc.

For me the biggest downside is the fuel mileage, but it is a big truck with lots of comfort. I know by now the older 460 was even "harder on gas"but a tough platform to beat and good for lots of miles."

Thanks again, Dave

 

I owned a 99 F250 V10 for 8 years but only put about 80k miles on it before trading for my 2007. It was a great truck.

Even though they are "down" on power, mine had the 4:30 gears and pulled boats, campers and firewood very well. A lot of them had 3:73 gears and I would stay away from those. Before I ordered mine, I test drove a few 99's with the 3:73's and they really felt like a dog. The gears make a huge difference IMHO.

I wouldn't see why the engine wouldn't go at least 250k with good maintenance. It will easily outlast the truck probably.

Also, the 2V engines did get a little better mpg than the 3V.

 

yea try to find if it has the 3:73s or not..

tbh that gear ratio suks in the SD gassers..should never have been offered.

my 03 has the 3:73s and i HATE them.. i wouldnt consider another SD gasser with anything les then 4:30s.

since your looking at a specific truck your options are limited. but if it has teh 4:10s or 4:30s i'd say jump on the truck.

 

Appreciate the gearing comments and tips to avoid the 3.73 gearing, Ford Fanatic and Super 6.8. I can see the benefit already of taking the time to research my next truck.
Sounds like the engine can go a ways yet, that is what I'd been hoping.

 

I have a 99 250sd with the 5.4 v8 and i use it for alot more than your asking for and it does pretty good but like many i want more power. never the less i would try to get them to lower the price a bit but im cheap. as for the mpg i gave mine a fresh tune up and still only get 12mpg. But we dont buy these trucks for mileage. also dont leave the plugs go for 100k they are know to seize and break off when removed. Good Luck

 

FLHS90 I had a 99 V10 Ext. Cab 4x4 with 3:73 gears and wish I still had it. Only put 50,000 on it and upgraded a few times since then 1st to a 2000 7.3 powerstroke and currently to an 06 F250 4x4 with a 5.4. Neighbors have 3 F250 V10's two 01's and 1 99.

The 99 has 400,000 miles on it with no issues ever still does not use any oil it is a shop truck they take all over the country. The 01 another shop truck has 315,000 and again no issues or oil consumption, the other 01 has 155,000 and is a personal vehicle with no issues other than brake problems. I see these trucks on a regular basis and always look at the odometers just out of curiosity. It just makes me wish I had kept my 99.

If taken care of these V10's will go along way. Definetly one of Ford's best engines ever.
By the way I could get 16mpg highway with my 99 with 3:73 gears and 9-10mpg pulling about 8500lb 31' Travel Trailer. Good Luck

 

I have a 99 F250 extended cab with the V10. It had 96000 when I bought it a few months ago. Only put 4k on it so far, but I love it!! Its a little slower than I would have hoped when I was pulling my jeep up some of the 10% grades here in the Colorado mountains, but mine only has the 3:73 gears in it. But other than that, no complaints whatsoever. Gas mileage is ok, 12-13mpg on the highway without a load. I don't think you'll regret buying it, should last you quite awhile.

 

Thanks JB, Real Deal, and Jeepzj94, exactly the kind of data I am hoping to collect.
The longevity, ease to work on if an engine mechanical problem develops, I believe by now the 12-13 mpg on the hiway is most likely the top, yet I do like reading the 16 mpg and imagine that is driven conservatively at the 62-65 mph range is a real possibility given a soft foot on the pedal. It is getting harder and harder to justify the extra initial cost of a diesel in this vintage.

I think I have enough positive comments to defend my decision should we be able to get together on the price. I certainly will read and take to heart any more honest feedback on this model 1999 V10 Super Duty.