I have been reading all of the forum threads about the v10s, I had a while back a California 1997 F350 with a 460 it was such a dog pulling anything up any grade that and E4OD transmission issues I let it go. I found a F350 2004 with the V10 but everyone keeps comparing it to the 7.5. so would this be as disappointing as what I just got rid of?
I currently have a 88 7.3 IDI which is doing Ok but would like something a little faster and little more power and this is better than the 7.5.

 

It will be just a little better than what you came from. The 4 speed auto leaves a lot to be desired out of the V10 just as it did the 460ci. If you can manage to go for just one year newer (2005) the V10 was revised into a three valve and mated to a 5spd automatic turning it into a whole new animal.

 

Been happy with my '03 (same gen as '04) since I picked it up last year. Condition (low miles and owner history) played a big part. They respond well to 4.30 and above gear ratios too helping to keep the revs up on any grade. Definitely take one for a test drive.

 

I currently have a 2000 f350 v10 and also owned a '87 f350 7.5, it was standard and I fixed(advanced I think?) the timing. It was a number of years ago the '87. But I've also owned a 92 f350 5.8, a 95 f350 5.8(still have it), a 2003 f350 5.4 and a 2011 f350 6.2. I've also had a 99(late) 7.3 diesel, but that was a f550 standard. Anyways out of all of those trucks I think even the 5.4 would've spanked the 460 in a unloaded race, but vice versa loaded. The 6.2 was quick with that fancy six speed, that truck was the quickest of all the different gassers I've had but overall wasn't the truck for me.

My current 2000 f350 has minor intake/exhaust and is very well maintained, runs flawlessly. And I am quite happy with it's performance overall even on 35"s with 3.73 gears i find it satisfying to drive. I'd like to go with a deeper gear but probably won't unless I have a issue. I ocassionally pull a three horse bumper pull with it, and if I was doing it all the time I'd want lower gearing. But I remember the 6.2(on 35"s/3.73 as well) feeling the same way, with the exact same trailer.

My .02 and worth exactly that.

 

I don't tow, but I am less than impressed with the truck on grades around here. I have a 1200lb camper and with water and gear its probably 1700 ish lbs. Coming up from the desert up the backside of the mountains I am always in the slow lane going about 55 while everyone else is screaming by it seems... I run 35" tires, the 4.88's helped a bit but still not as good as I would have hoped.

The V10 is pretty reliable and easy to work on which I like. I can also say the same for the rest of the truck.

 

Sounds like 99-2004 is what I was afraid of. Thank you! So the 2005's were quite a bit better both engine and transmission? I don't tow often but when I do could be 1500+ in the pickup and another 1750 in tow.+ or-

 

I dont think its going to leave you going "WOW! this is a much better performing truck". I started my business with EFI 460ci F350s and in 2003 I was in the position to buy brand new trucks. I tried out the 6.8L 2v with 4spd auto and wasnt impressed enough to buy any. I bought one GM 8.1L and a few 6.0L diesels instead. Kept my 460ci trucks working until 2006 when I tried the 6.8L 3v with 5spd auto and immediately put in a fleet order to replace the 460ci and 6.0L diesels. 6.8L/5spd powertrain was my primary money earner right up until the sale of the business.

 

The 2V 6.8 isn’t a race truck by any measure but if it’s geared correctly for the work they will tow just fine. My 2V ‘05 with the 4R100 (Excursions never got the 3V and 5 speeds) with 35”s and 4.88 gears (effective ratio of 4.39) tows our 12K TT pretty well all over the country East of the Rockies. We tip the scales at 20K lbs and more with water kayaks, bikes, generators and such, have logged over 80K towing miles with this combo and have been from Canada to FL and East coast out to WY and West TX.

 

Your loads don't seem all that large, my f-450 with v-10 and 6 speed manual handles a lot more, but I don't speed with a full load. And not many mountains in Kansas. Mine has a 488 rear gear, but the tires are taller on the f-450, has the 19.5" rims. Big load to me is a 7 x 20 cow trailer with 10- 1200 pound cows. Loaded I only use 5th gear, not OD.

 

Every direction We go here in Southern Oregon has steep passes long up pulls. I have in the past had a 1965 with a 390 manual 3.73 , 1977 with 390 manual 4.10 and have a 1988 with 7,3 C6 4.10 they are no power houses but had power to get up and over and I am not after speed just would not like to be passed by loaded trucks which is where that 97 with 7.5 E4OD 3.73 was, and I don't like to kill the poor thing doing it. yes my weight is conservative and variable at times depending on what ancient iron I find to bring home. I just found the 7.5 to be disappointing for what I was doing.
I would like to keep the 88 going but I am getting up in age that a few creature comforts would be nice and not like I give a rats about backup cameras stereos or heated seats. just want to be comfortable and not feel like the hunchback when I get out. So I need to find a 2005 and see how it feels. The newer transmission sounds like a benefit as well.
Thank you for the input.

 

I had what I would say was honestly one of the nicest 97F250, ex cab, 4x4 HD, 460, E4OD trucks in the USA,. Bought it from a neighbor who was the original owner. Like an idiot I sold it for $6500 some years ago when that was about what I thought it was worth. If I had that truck today Id ask $20K for it. I now have a 99 F250 4x4, V10 CC/SB Lariat. The ride is worst by comparison, 97 was better, mileage is slightly better, 11 in the 460, vs 14.3 empty V10 on the highway. Towing a 3 horse slant they both did about 10. The leather in the 99 is garbage. Id pay good money for good used seats if there were any to be found. The 99 has no real bling compared to the 97 even being a Lariat. I cringe when I drive the 99 waiting for another spark plug to blow out or the trans to go south. The 99 has a whopping 145K on it..oooweee.
In retrospect I see the 97's 460 as indestructible,yeah the TTB front end sucked, the V10 a ticking time bomb of worthless technology. I bitch to work on by comparison, still gas guzzling, not overly impressive power either. Years ago I had a ram 2500 with the V10. I only wish the F250 was close in power to the Ram. I get emissions regs and pressure from the gov, but why Ford has to endlessly change stuff every few months is frankly a PITA. My 99 seems to be a half early, half late 99 red headed ******* child of sorts. I went thru the same crap back in the late 70ies with a F150 4x4. I surprised the parts guy need to know what color it was to help ID parts on the damn thing.

 

I'm a ford guy (hence why I'm on this site) but for the years you're looking at, I'd rather have a Chevy 6.0 or 8.1. I still think Ford made the better truck, but I'm not a fan of the 5.4 or V10. How heavy are you pulling with the 460? And what size tires are on the 460 truck? The V10 will probably pull a little better than the 460, but you gotta rev it to make power whereas the 460 makes more power and torque down low.