I am looking to get a new Ford SD sometime soon but had some questions on the engines. I like the V10 "gasser" but am not sure it will work for me.. I will be towing a 5500# boat as well carrying a 3000# camper up into the hills. Will the V10 work for me?? I know that the Diesel will probably work better but since my wife will be driving the truck daily to work and taking the kids to school, I think I would prefer the gas.. Plus the current $7000 difference in price between the Gas and the Diesel makes it less likely I would be able to make up the difference over time since I would probably only drive it 10000 miles a year...

Thanks for the help!!!

Gary

 

With that kind of weight, I'd be looking at the 6.0. I have an '01 CC V10 that I pull a 25' TT with two quads on a rack on the bed and I'm not thrilled with the power or mileage. I'm looking into what kind of trade I can get out of mine so I get the 6.0. I test drove one Saturday and LOVED it!

 

IMHO the V10 is the perfect engine for you.

If 10,000 miles a year is your projected mileage, it'll take a VERY LONG time to make up the $7000+ price tag of the 6.0 diesel in mileage.

This argument is as old as the hills here at FTE. Bottom line is that cost per mile is approx. equal for both engines.

The V10 will handle the use you've described no problem.

Also, there are a number of kinks that need to be worked out as yet in the 6.0, check the 6.0 diesel site for some more info.

Waxy

 

The V10 is fine for you. Even the 5.4 V8 is enough for you. Of course the diesel will tow better than the V10, but it is overkill for what you'll be doing. If you do a lot of towing then the diesel might be better for you.

By the way, the MSRP additional cost for the V10 with auto is an additional $1695 and the Power Stroke with the Torqshift is $6565. The diesel only costs $4870 more than the V10. I've seen several people who have purchased a new truck with the diesel for $500 under dealer invoice, so MSRP really means nothing. There are plenty of rebates on the V10, but there are also plenty on the 2003 trucks that have the old Power Stroke engine.

 

Right now Ford is offering a larger rebate on the Gas engines than the diesels.. That is where the difference comes in. I am leaning towards the V10 for the cost difference plus familiarity with gas motors..

Gary

 

I'd go V10 too. Look into the 4.30 gears if you do any towing in the hills. Expect up to 12mpg city and 15 or so hwy solo. Personally, I'd wait another yr before buying a 6.0 Way too many problems. Get the F350 also. 3000# camper is too much for a F250.

 

This is simple:

gas: (10000 miles/13mpg)*$1.50 per gallon*5 years = $5769.23
Diesel: (10000 miles/19mpg)*$1.50 per gallon*5 yrs = $3947.37

Ok gas will cost you $1821.86 more for 5 years

The 6.0 will cost you $5000.00. If you financed it, figure $6000.00 more for the diesel (cost plus finance fees). Also, registration is usually based on total costs. Maintenance is a debatable issue. Also, personal preference does not have a cost factor. I say towing ability is a non issue when under 10000 pounds. To make it simple, lets say you financed it so here is the final equation.

$6000.00 - $1821.86 = $4178.14 more for the diesel.

I bought the V10 because of a similar formula. But my new excuse is the V8 is short two cylinders. Just saying 'I gotta V10' blows them away

 

bighogman, in 5 years the diesel will be worth much more than the V10. The $4000 is not lost. Also, when towing and hauling, the margin between the diesel and gas mileage widens even more. Your cost analysis for fuel assumes that nothing is ever towed or hauled.

 

Actually in our area up here diesel is still 30 cents higher than gas. So the extra few miles gained by the diesel is still reduced. Check out the FAQ section and look at the MPG for both. You need to pay attention to the average MPG not the extreme highs or lows that do get posted when this gas vs diesel battle goes on. I would love to have a diesel for the sheer power but the extra $$$$ doesn't justify it.

 

Bingo!.

I paid $4000 extra for my diesel in '99, but it was worth $3000 more than a gasser at trade-in time. You will get 1/2-3/4 of your money back.

I'm not knocking the gasser, it is fine for most people, but if you have ever towed on anything other than perfectly flat road, the benefits of a diesel will become apparent the first mile. My 7.3 is a monster. Get it up to speed, lock on the cruise control and it will run all day without slowing down. Maybe not up Mt. Kilamanjaro, but up and down the very rolling hills of TN and KY.

Will a gasser tow? Of course, and the V-10 will do very well. Perfectly acceptable for most people. The diesel is just better, makes the tow a lot easier. Effortless towing is what I want because my towing is purely recreational.

I am not sure that I would get a diesel for my wife. They drive different than the gassers that she is used to. I am not sure that she would be happy with the difference.

 

I read further up this thread, the debate between the two engines is as old as the hills and I agree. (It's getting kinda tiring, but I am NOT flaming anyone)

I tow a travel trailer (toybox to be specific) with four quads inside, out to the desert here in the San Diego and Imperial Counties. I appreciate very much how the Powerstroke pulls and it is almost a bullet proof engine. It's Achilles heel seems to be the Camshaft Position Sensor. I've got 76k on my truck and have never had a problem.

I also tend to keep my vehicles for a long time, so I got the truck I wanted. A 7.3 liter diesel, because I did not want any regrets later on down the road.

My PSD gets about 8 - 10 MPG when towing and about 15 around town/highway driving with
out a load. I have never driven anything with a diesel engine before my truck, but I will tell you this, I will NEVER go back to a gasoline engine in a pickup truck. I did not know squat about a diesel engine and then I found this fabulous website. I have learned so much from the diesel/super duty forums. Diesels do drive differently and I am also in agreement, a wife may not like it as a daily driver.

One thing I love about the PSD is that nothing is mamby-pamby. Heck, the thing holds 4 gallons of oil and 8 gallons of coolant! Ya gotta love it! I like to do my own oil changes as well.

Well that's my nickel's worth of an opinion. No matter what you decide, you picked the right truck when going with a Ford.

Steve

 

I bought a new 2003, 4X4, crew cab, long bed F350 for slightly less than $26,500.00. The new 6.0 is $5100.00 more than gas, $500.00 for the transmission upgrade and I would have lost the $2500.00 rebate. This translates to a $8100.00 difference, which I do not see as justifiable.

I do not know the KBB difference in depreciated value and did not factor that in. Also, there are a lot of non-tangable issues not addressed.

We use it for farm use and tow a 4000 pound trailer and a 2000 pound boat, which my half tons can also haul easily.

One thing I forgot. I work for International.

I am happy with my V10 and you are happy with your diesel. Therefore the V10 will work best for me and the diesel works best for you.

 

I agree.

This was the decision that I had to make, but 6.0 versus 7.3.

There are still 7.3L around. Engine/Transmission is only $4000 (dealer invoice of $3000) and you still get the rebate.

So one choice that you may want to consider is V10 versus 7.3 because that upgrade will only cost you $3000-$4000 and you will get $2000-$3000 back at trade-in time.


Yes but he is talking about pulling a 5500 lbs. trailer with a 3000 lbs. camper on the back up hills. Your V10 can't touch a diesel with that much weight, and it would kill your half tons.

 

Actually I test drove a 7.3L yesterday and it is pretty much out.. I like to actually be able to carry on a conversation when I am around or inside the truck and the 7.3 is way too loud.. Its not as bad as the Cummins but it is pretty bad.. If I wanted a truck that loud I would get a job as a long haul trucker
The 6.0 is quite a bit quieter than the 7.3 and is a rocket to drive but like bighogman said, the $8000 is hard to make up the way we will be driving it..
I have yet to find a 6.8 locally with the 4.30 gears for a test drive but this morning I found one a little farther out so I may have to take a drive and check it out... I have driven trucks with both of the Chevy motors and both Ford Diesels so I guess I'll have to try the V10 before deciding...

Thanks

Gary

 

Check your rebates on the 6.0. There is a $1500 rebate on 6.0's in TX.

The 6.0 is still going to be more money than a V10. If that is your only consideration, get the V10.