Sounds like you are looking for the least expensive truck you can find. Your best bet is to find the one with the least amount of rust on it and in the best condition frame, suspension and body wise. Bodies and frames are a lot more difficult to repair than the engine and transmission. With those miles, you will need at least a minor overhaul on the engine eventually. Rings and valves don't last forever and on a well maintained engine, those are will will give you issues. If it were me I would be looking for a 7.3 powerstroke in the best body I could find. Provided the PS isn't beat to Schiznit and is rebuildable.

 

Those are good points, without knowing a budget it's hard to give a decent opinion. A "newer", 05+, gas truck would be a much better truck overall if it was in the same price range. I'm not a huge fan of the 5.4's and i love me a V10, but practically, I think I'd take a 05+ 3V 5.4 over a 99-04 2V V10. Find a 05+ v10 and now you're talking.

There's also no easy comparison between a crew cab, ext cab and I'm assuming a couple Reg cabs?

Given the choices, I'd probably be looking at the '04 2 owner V10.

 

Whichever one has the manual shift 4x4.

 

I own all three currently, and I will never buy any of these engines again, but my perspective is probably slightly different from most here.

The only benefit of the V10 in my Excursion is the fact that it’s lighter than the diesels and that lets me mud easier, but there's almost zero aftermarket to it. The 5.4 in my F250 lacks the off-the-line pop of my V10, but doesn't have that pulling power. Imo it kind of reminds me of my old 4.8 Silverado. The 6.0 in my F350 has pulling power for days and no DEF thank the Lord, but always seems to have an issue pop up with a seal or gasket. The newer engines make more power using the same amount of fuel anyway.

My previous employer has a 2016 6.2 F250 single cab that scoots. That would be my aim if I were a diehard blue oval guy. Or, budget-permitting, the 6.7.

I'm a modder at heart. I'll likely be going back to a Silverado at some point so I can get actual cost-effective gains out of a cam swap like a BTR Truck Norris. I miss that V8 chop bad. I don't haul much either, so the Diesel isn't a must have, that is, unless I find a deal on a 2015+ SD 6.7 I can't say no to.


Edit: I'd choose D or E of all those choices. No rust is a must, and the 2005+ suspension is a big win in my book. 275k is high on that 10 though. I'm at 300k and she's ready for a rebuild.

 

I appreciate the advice given. I selected the 2004 Crew 4x4.

Picked it up, and baselined it (fluids, tuneup, etc). Replaced the windshield and will give it a good deep cleaning shortly. Replacing the brakes and hubs this weekend.

Overall- I'm very happy with my choice- other than the fact that some lowlife stole the converter last night!

 

If you're happy that's all that matters. If you don't have emission in your area, straight pipe it. If you do, then you might want to get a cage for the new one.

 

It's in getting piped as I type...

 

I have no idea why I thought there were 5 choices, lol. I revise to C and D, and think you did well choosing C.

Now do yourself a favor and go grab an Accufab SCTB9698 and a tune from 5 Star Tuning. That throttle body makes a surprising difference on these V10s.

 

Is the TB a direct bolt on, and a recommended tuner (Bully Dog or?)

 

Yeah. It's comical how easy it is to install vs the notable gains. Read through this thread on it. It genuinely surprised me, I've never had a TB make a difference like that on my past trucks. It's a must-have for any V10.

I used 5 Star to have some custom tunes made for mine. I use the SCT X4 tuner. I have it tuned for 93 octane. For the last few months though, I've been using the generic SCT tune, but I think I'm gonna go back to the 5 Star.