My V10 powered 02 F250 SC 2WD, 183K miles is a base XL model and I've been desiring a comfort upgrade so today I test drove 2 dealer Lariets. The first was an 02 CC 7.3 and several hours later I drove an 04 CC 6.0. Not that it matters but I believe the first one was 2WD while the second was a 4WD.

Due to finances, I likely will eventually purchase one of these engines but I just don't see the charm that most of y'all place upon them.

NOT to start a war but my opinion is ... the 7.3 was a noisy lazy dog and the 6.0 was just noisy. Both - to me - felt unrefined in the NVH department. The V10 easily beats them in day to day driving; pulling - well that may be another department but what I would need from it.

Additional info for shoppers like me: asking $14995 for the first one, dropped down to $13400 after a bit (157K miles), the second place asked $15000 but eventually dropped to $14500 (137K miles).

They only offered me $3000 on my potential trade.

 

For the money you're looking at spending I wouldn't write off a newer 05+ 3v v10 with lower mileage. I thought I neaded a diesel for towing but most of my farm to farm trips are only a mile and starting cold and driveing a hard mile then jumping out multiple times a day isn't a good diesel thing. Found a 06 XLT RC/LB F350 v10 with 70,000miles for way less and much nicer than the diesels I had been looking at and bought it, a year later we had to haul hay from 50+ miles away with a 35ft gooseneck flatbed grossing over 35,000 pounds and still don't regret not having a diesel truck.

 

The early 2000s diesels (stock) just aren't going to accelerate the way your V10 would, especially when you start adding in the additional weight of a crew cab over a super cab.
I'd have to go with twigsV10's advice: Unless you want a diesel engine, a newer V10 Lariat/King Ranch will probably fulfill your needs better. It'll haul most anything you need to without sacrificing the day-to-day usability of a gas engine (no worries about prematurely wearing the engine by turning on/off before it warms up, being able to go through a drive-thru without deafening whoever is taking your order, etc.) or the drivability compared to a slower-accelerating diesel.

Of course (as you probably already know) you can always add a tuner to "wake-up" a diesel engine for increased acceleration- just keep it mild so as not to abuse the engine.

Also, if you don't need the 4WD on a weekly/bi-weekly basis, I'd go without it. There'll be less to go wrong- from what I have been reading on here, and another forum, the "death wobble" phenomena seems to be exclusive to the 4WD systems; with the owners trying to add steering stabilizers to fix the issue. On the other hand, if you luck out (test drive the truck hard) and get one without it, the 4WD trucks tend to be a little taller and ride a bit better - the only real down side on a day-to-day basis will be the slightly lower fuel economy - which is still probably going to be better than your V10.

One last thing: Test drive a few more of each engine- you won't know if one of the two you have driven so far is a stinker unless you have something to compare it to.


Good luck,



-Kaw-Liga.

 

I was going to suggest the exact same thing. The 3v v10 is the best gas engine Ford has ever produced and the they still building them. Now you pair that with the 5 speed trans and you have a drive train that will last forever. My favorite years were the '08-'10 models because I like the interiors and I like how quiet they are. If you like your '02 V10, you will just love the newer ones. After you get the 3v, give Mike at 5star a call and he will make it even better.

 

All good ideas but the problem lies in finding both what's available and what's in my price range. LOCALLY, there's only 3 older used F250s on the market. The third one is a jacked up 2000 SC 7.3 4X4 XLT ($13500); being jacked up eliminates it for me (as well as being fire engine red).

I will be using it to tow so either the V10 or 6.0 diesel it'll be.

With these asking prices/ trade offerings I'll keep looking ... there's no need for another one just my desire for more creature comforts.

 

You may have to search just a bit farther to find the right truck. Don't settle for something you don't want or need just because it's convienient. It's an investment your making that you will have for years.

 

Now you're sounding just like my bride <Grin>.

 

Or, future ex wife, depending on how you look at it.

 

I'm not a rich man to the point that I would buy something knowing I'm not happy with it to begin with. Must be a simart woman you married. The only reason I have a diesel is I found a smoking deal on mine and have had my hands into a 6.0 and wasn't worried about mechanical issues. With gas dropping like a rock and the very limited towing I do I would be really better suited to a v10.

 

Must be a simart woman you married.

Our in-house joke is that I'm a "near know it all", my response is I'm near her: a know it all (PhD with little common sense). But we seem to compliment each other over these things.

Once again, my reason for another vehicle is I want more creature comforts and all I find meeting that are diesels. I don't object to them (diesel) but I just don't feel the love either. Any of the mentioned (V10, 7.3, 6.0) will do what I need, so it comes down to availability and price (perceived value).

 

those old 7.3 motors are what they are. a little low on power, and slow. but they run forever and love to tug a load behind them.

that 6.0 has an adaptive PCM. So if it's been sitting on a lot and/or getting lots of test drives...or the prior owner drove it like a grandma...well it will act correspondingly. You'd need to reset the adaptive curves so it starts out with a fresh fuel table and learns your driving habits.



I absolutely love my current V-10. it's a 2002 like your truck. it starts up every single time, accelerates quickly even though I have 35's and lift. only problem I have with her is the gas mileage. My 2006 F-250 with same suspension setup and PSD motor got 12 MPG city where the V-10 is only getting 8 MPG. Highway was similar.


Get whatever you are comfortable with. As mentioned above, the 3v motors are pretty badass. They have the 5R110 transmission which is lightyears above your current 4R100 trans. that alone would make me switch rigs. The 5R110 trans is that good...coupled with the extra power of the V-10 3v and you have a really nice setup.


keep looking IMO

 

These are the contenders that I drove; top in goldish/brown is the 02 / bottom is the 04.

 

something else to consider is that the 05+ trucks have a better interior and front suspension

you said you're doing this to get an upgraded interior right? I think you'll like the 05-07 setup better. the differences aren't huge, but they are enough that I'd rather get a 05+ over 99-04

also, it looks like you tow a bit. the turning radius on a 05+ is much better than the 99-04's. The 05+ coil spring setup is very nice

 

Interesting scenario you're presenting for yourself. I have a different suggestion... It seems that you were less than impressed with either the 7.3 or the 6.0 diesels, you also seemed to place some emphasis on the fact that your current truck is an XL and you're looking for some added creature comforts. Why not spend a smaller amount of cash and install some creature comforts in your current truck? You could find a full Lariat or King Ranch interior to install for way less than the cost of upgrading the full truck...perhaps some exterior mods (rims, tires, lift perhaps) to spice things up a bit...

What I see is that there isn't a whole pile of mileage difference between your current truck and those that you are looking at, definitely not enough to merit spending 10-12g difference!

Good Luck in your decisions!!!!

 

The missing things I could upgrade on my current XL would be adding power windows and mirrors, and cloth on my bench seat. Personally I prefer benches over buckets.

Most of the Lariat toys are useless to me so an XLT would be a better choice, just not available locally.

What I would like - additionally - is a larger cab (because of the two dogs, not me personally) and for more towing capability - just in case I find a steal on a newer (bigger/heavier) fifth wheel. It's better to purchase too much vehicle/engine now than to go shopping again.

While not written in stone, I'd like to spend no more than $10K (plus my trade in). That means I'll be looking at another older model.