I , for the last 10 years have driven a 91 F350 7.3 IDI Diesel. I recently sold it and am looking for a newer truck. I would love a diesel, and would love 4WD , but here in GA they are hard to find at a decent price. Friday I drove a 2000 F250 4WD it is the 5.8 V10. It has 265,000 but ran strong, tranny shifted very smooth, truck was overall in good shape. Today I drove a 2006 250 5.4 V8, 101,500 , it is 2WD and Single cab (the one friday was Ext Cab). I also drove a 2002 250 7.3 Powerstroke, 244,000, Double cab. The one from friday was priced right at $5000 , both today are at $6500.

So, input needed on the V10 and V8, the diesel looks like a work truck, both gas trucks are cleaner. This will end up being my daily driver and also be used to haul a steel bumper pull horse trailer on occassion. All feedback is appreciated.

 

It sounds like for your needs the 5.4 will be a good fit. If you plan on towing heavier and more often in the future you might want to find a nice V10. I have a 5.4 and tow a big fifth wheel and it does fine. Mileage between the two will be pretty close within a mile or two. Good luck and take some pics of the new ride..

 

Thank you. I am so unfamiliar with the gas engines on Fords. I grew up on diesel. The only other thing I need to convince myself is the 5.4 is not 4wd, which I would much prefer, but then again my 91 was not either and we did ok for 10 years Of course, diesel used to be the way to go because diesel was so much cheaper at the pump, so not that way now.

 

I personally don't buy anything with over 100,000 miles. Just too many chances for neglect when you get up there in the miles. Maybe if the person has paper work for a new engine or tranny I might consider something with higher mileage. To my you are going to pay either way, up front for lower miles or on the back side with repairs.

That all being said you might as well buy a V10. It gets the same mileage as the V8. Except plugs and coil packs maintaining it will cost the same. Both are priced the same when buying used. You can find some great low mileage trucks if you are patient enough and look around. I looked for 5-6 months for my current truck.

 

I totally understand , my 03 is parked all winter so I don't need 4wd but those one or two occasions in the summer I need low range its invaluable..

 

I would wait for the truck you want...if you are going with a gas engine I would buy a v10 you wont be sorry. I wish I would have waited for one!

 

I am trying to be patient. But I will need a truck soon, Horse Show season will be starting again and I need a way to haul hay. I really like the 2000 V10 , and I had heard the coil packs can go out. But from what I saw, it was a clean truck. The 2006 V8 is really clean as well. Of course the draw of 4WD on the V10 is leaning me that way.

 

I'd get the v10.

 

I have a 99 V10 F250 4x4 and its awesome. Plenty of power and can tow real well. I have used the 4 wheel drive a few times since i have owned it in the last year. Boat launch and a couple fishing trips.

Since your leaning towards the V10 check out 5 star tunes from Mike he is a sponsor and also look into the SPD y pipe which 5 star sells as well. Alot on here that use the V10 for work like it.

On the other hand the 7.3's last forever, they call them the million mile motor. There are plenty of simple modifications to increase the reliabilty and power levels. Can't forget the mileage either. Post some links or pictures to the trucks your looking at so we can help more.

Welcome to FTE as well.

 

Exactly....

Don't be in a huge rush to buy yourself a truck, just wait and the right truck will fall into your lap.

I would also shoot for a V10, crew cab, 4wd short or long bed.

A few things:

-You'd much rather buy a truck you grow into slowly, rather than one you grow out of easily.

-The V10 may be overkill for the your application, but again, you'd much rather grow into it slowly, than out of it easily.

-When it comes to 4wd, you'd much rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.

-As far as the bed, long or short, it just depends on what suits your needs better. I'm a long bed kinda guy becuase I hate to look back and kick myself wishing I would've gone with it. However, if you don't haul much and need it to fit in your garage easily, go with the short bed.

 

I would love a crew cab, but can deal with ext cab, it is just me, hubby and sometimes our dogs go along. But the extra space is great, especially picking up Horse Feed when it is raining. Luckily, I only work 12 miles from home, so daily use, the fuel mileage will not be a big deal. On hauls it really will not be any worse than what my 91 diesel got, I used to get 8 hauling with it. A long bed is preferred and what the V10 and V8 both have. I have always liked dual tanks, but since I am not seeing them on newer trucks, guessing that is a thing of the past. My 91 had almost 500,000 on it, and ran great, it ended up needing an injector pump and I decided i just was not going to put any more into it. I got my moneys worth out of it. So the V10 has 265,000 that does not concern anyone? I guess that is a concern for me, but my Ford Explorer has 300,000 and it still runs great, but I know how it has been taken care of too.......

 

I bought my 5.4l with 166k on it - well maintained by a highway dept. It's a great truck that will get me out past 300K easy I believe, considering how I'd use it. I've had a V-10 in an Excursion it did have a lot of power, but I'd never needed more than a V-8.

My biggie would be the cab space - or lack thereof in a single cab. I certainly had many single cabs in my life....but recently got back in one and was blown away at how tiny they are. I've had SuperCrews and now the Supercab....both are OK for me...but I learned I could never be happy in a single cab again, even if it's 'just me and my labs' I like the extra space and seem to always have something back there locked up in the cab. just my 2 cents. Good Luck!