First post and looking for some advice please. I need to upgrade my current light duty truck with a max of 8500lbs for something that can handle my future towing needs of 8 to 9k plus lbs. It will not be a daily driver and only used 2 or 3 times a month to haul my fishing boat and during winter tow a bigger toy hauler loaded to the desert/sand dunes. Im guessing I'd put maybe 2 to 3 thousand miles a year on her. My heart is set on a F250 or F350 4X4 Crew Cab 8' bed to load 2 dirtbikes in but can get away with 6.5 and my budget is between 10-15k used. Most trucks I see are around 2001-2005 that fall within my price range and averaging 190k miles. I've read on our forums to get a V3 over V2 but I am still reading and learning. Can you guys please enlighten me on what I should be looking out for as far as what maintenance has been done or if there were any years with more problems then others. Thank you

 

I had a 2005 3V V10 and it was an awesome truck and towed my 9k TT with ease. I think ‘05 may have been the first year for the 3V and also the 5 speed automatic, but don’t quote me. I’d check to see if the plugs had been changed (quite a job) and for regular maintenance. My motor home has the V10 but a six speed auto and it’s great as well. It will go all day at 65 with my Wrangler behind it, including up and over the Rockies.

 

Did you see the V10 sub forum here?
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum49/

Also the Excursion sub forum has a lot of talk with the V10 motors. I've had my V10 for only 1.5 years but have really enjoyed it even with 210k on the clock. From my research they can last a long time given they did not overheat and had regular oil changes. I can't remember the differences between the 2V and 3V but I'm not sure they are really worth buying one over the other. The 2V has less spark plug threads so they are prone to spitting plugs if NOT maintained. The 3V has a spark plug issue as well, but apparently they crack under torque (?). These issues can both be remedied with proper maintenance and procedures.

A lot of guys are going towards the Triton motors these days as the 7.3's are skyrocketing in price for good reason. Luckily the Tritons are great motors in their own right.