I am the Chief of a Small Fire Dept in Oregon, We need to replace a 2003 F450 regular cab 4x4 that has a V-10. We do have to two new F550 ext cab 4x4 with the 19,500 gvwr in the 6.7 Diesels, so far they have been great trucks with fuel mileage running about 9mpg while tipping the scales at about 15,500 lbs.

The problem is that we need to replace the 2003 F450 that is running the V10 and it weighs in at about 13,000 lbs and gets about 7.5 to 8.5 mpg with a new chassis. With a limited budget I am looking for any help from people that know of, or have the F550 with the new generation V10 (362hp). Do they have enough power? How is the fuel mileage (not a huge concern but still). Reliability of the V10, etc.

Just looking for input and experience from others. The Diesel is about an $8,000 upgrade vs the V10 and as I said, we have limited money this time around.

Thanks,

 

I think the V-10 will be fine. I know the biggest concern with the diesels is them sitting. We have a 05 F-350 that only has 11,000 miles on it. And that only because we take it to county wide trannings and classes out of state. I think the V-10 would be a fine choice, especially if money is tight. Must be a pretty well funded dept if you are already replacing a 03

What I the truck going to be used for? Brush truck?, Ambo?, or just utility truck?

 

Ha, were are not funded real well at all. Our budget per year is only about $325k and that pays for 2 ppl. The reason we are replacing it is due to an electrical fire that destroyed the 2003 F450 about a week ago. It will be used as a brush/rescue truck. We will have either a service body on it or a flatbed with storage boxes built on it as well as a 350 gallon slip in firefighting pump n tank.

Here is a link to our website: Cloverdalefire.com

if you go to the "photo gallery" and look under "new type 6" you will see what we had built last year.. Total for those trucks were $78k each..

Thanks,

 

Well my opinion from a retired firefighter and engineer. The way to go is diesel because of the torque it produces for carrying the weight of the equipment and personal. I would also go with a crew cab and long bed.

 

What will the truck be used for? Is it a utility truck for running errands or is it a brush truck. I would say it all depends on the use of the truck. If its going to be carrying water and hose and equipment I would say diesel because of the extra torque. However the V10 is a proven engine and great, it just doesn't have a lot of OOOMPH compared to the diesels. But if the truck is a utility, light response, paramedic squad or something like that then the V10 would be a fine choice.

The biggest complaint of the 2010-13 eseries is they are gutless compared to the previous diesel versions. In the eseries the diesel has been the 6.0 from 2003 to the discontinuation of the diesel option in 2010 and the engine was detuned when in the vans due to limited breathing room. Maybe the gas engines are as well, but that's the main complaint from people who I know who have driven them.

Don't confuse that with me saying the V10 is a bad engine. It's not, it's great, I just don't know if its really the best choice for a 10-15,000lb GVW vehicle. That said, gearing has a lot to do with it too.

 

Does anyone know if the newer version v10 is a new design (components, block, spark plug issue fixed? etc) or is it the same motor that just got a boost in power?

This truck will be on a Pickup chassis of a F-550, its primary use will be as a brush truck, Light rescue= carry jaw of life, ems gear, etc. It will have a 350 gallon water tank and should weigh in at about 15,500 lbs. I agree that the diesel is the best option but due to the amount of money they want for the diesel ($8,000) more than the V10, I am hoping to hear from ppl that have one and can put in their 2 cents as to power and reliability. We have had brush/rescue trucks with the V10 in a 2001 model year and they were reliable but lacked some power and only got about 6mpg. I am hoping that the new version of the V10 has better fuel mileage and power.

 

I have a 2012 F550 4x4 with a V10 that I bought back in the summer, and after 10,000 miles (all of which has been towing from 10-15k loads), I am very pleased with the power.

I had a 2009 F450 with the 6.4l diesel, and after two short blocks in 89k, I had to make a change. I tried to justify a diesel, but with the additional cost of the motor, maintenance, and higher fuel cost, I just couldn't make a diesel make sense for my business.

 

Yes on both.

More power/torque and slightly better MPG. Mileage will not be the best with it equipped the way you described maybe 8-9 city would be my guess. The newer transmission is very nice as well.

I understand the torque of the diesels. I'm not sure many of those guys have ridden in a V10 or even a 6.2 truck lately. With the right gears they keep up better than ok (search Ohio truck meets). I will also say I NEVER feel like my truck is lacking in power or acceleration.

If I needed to "beat" or work my truck everyday, I'd prefer the diesel. My truck is only used to tow around toys mostly.

 

I would say you could possibly get slightly better mileage with the newer v-10 but I would say it will be minimal. I would say due to the application you are gonna use it for and due to the off road nature of a brush truck, that the v-10 would do the job but like stated above with gobs of torque and probably better fuel economy with the amount of weight that a diesel would be your best bet.

 

And to answer your questions well kinda.

The newer motor has 3 valve heads. The spark plug issues vary between the years. Some have a 2 piece design, some spit out of the heads if not properly installed and or checked. I believe the later year 08 up thrucks have less or no issues with the plugs. Someone may correct and definitely add to this info but I got you started. There are many threads in the V10 forum on these issues. And the exhaust manifold studs as well.

 

To answer your question about a revised V10, yes the V10 did get a revamp in 2005. It was upgraded from a 2 valve to a 3 valve design which accounts for the added power. Also, to my knowledge the blown plug issue is a non issue for the 3V version however the V10s little brother, the 5.4 did had new spark plug issues, how ever it's less of a problem (from an emergency vehicle stand point) and may not have translated over to the V10, something worth checking out.

I still recommend the diesel, however it's a known fact that diesels have lost some credibility over the last few years. The new diesel is still young.

If you do decide to get a V10 I have no doubt that it'll do the job, just not as torque-y and at 5-7mpg. Just be sure to order it with some tall gears (4.55+) so you can put some power down with the weight of that truck.

Oh and I think I speak for everyone when I say, WHERE ARE THE PICTURES?

 

either would be a great choice. but for $$ reasons and possible repair/down time issues that could be life threatning with a fire truck i would go with the V10. with 4:88 gears from the factory you will have plenty of get up and go.

i work on ALOT of f-550s flat beds, van bodies(very heavy ones) service bodys..ect ect right now we have done 50/50 split with V10s and 6.7's when adding up all the jobs we have done since the 2011s came out.

this one came to mind, the guy replaced his '01 7.3 f550 4x4 with a 2012 V10 f550 4x4. it came out to around 14.7k on the scales fully loaded with his tools and fluid tanks. i was able to drive this truck on the road and it was awesome!

 

i can't help but think diesel is the way to go, thats a lot of weight, all the time.

 

I have a '08 F350 CC, V10, SRW, 4:30's, long bed that weighs in at 10,400lbs with a GCWR of 11,200lbs. That's not a lot of weight compared with what you will be carrying, however this truck will keep up with traffic and pass them if necessary and feel safe doing it. I would opt for the V10. Do a search for LSchicago2, look at his tow truck with the V10. He has a heavy truck and towed many heavy trucks without issues. Oh the F550 will be a cab and chassis, not a pickup truck chassis, there is a difference. Also the v10's are in many RV's both class A and class C with more weight than you have. The engine and trans be will be just fine for your application.

 

If you have had and were somewhat satisfied with the 01 V10 then you will love the 2013 V10. The fuel issue of the v10 at 6 vs the 6.7 at 9 or so is an none issue when adding the $8000 into the equation for the initial purchase. Also as a commercial vehicle what is the powerstroke warranty? It would not take many repairs to blow the fuel savings off the map. Go V10 with 4.88 and enjoy years of trouble and worry free fire and rescue work. Modern diesels have to many possible points of failure, something your line of work can not afford. I run around at 24,500 pounds GCW with my 08 V10 and have no desire to go back to any of my three previous PSD's.