I am purchasing an F250 SD crew cab 4x4 real soon. I am going to lift it and put a set of 40" tires on it right away. If I get the V10 I will order it with the 4.30 gears, but the diesel is only available with 3.73s. Does anyone have suggestions on a V10 or diesel. Any guesses on gas mileage? I will be doing very mild towing.

 

To answer your question, ask your self this. How long am I going to keep it, and how many miles am I going to put on it? If you are only going to keep it a couple of years, or not put to many miles on it, I would suggest the gasser. However if your planning to keep it a while the difference in price will be well worth the diesel.

Just my $.02.

Jim

BTW Welcome to the site. Glad to have you aboard.

 

If you are only going to keep it a couple of years, or
>not put to many miles on it, I would suggest the gasser.
>However if your planning to keep it a while the difference
>in price will be well worth the diesel.

Now why would you say that?? Simply because you have a PSD? Please do not give me the resale argument as that gets thrown out the window as soon as he lifts it. Don't give me the mileage argument. It's too old, lame and mis-represented. Don't give me that they last longer. I've destroyed many a diesel in the early years. (As well as a few gassers) Ford's V10 doesn't even need a tune-up (plugs and such) till 100K. Do you really think that todays gassers can't be driven long & hard? Do you think they lack the quality that is put into the PSD? If you answer no, then how does the length of time owning a vehicle have anything to do with the powerplant choice?

More importantly, ask him what he plans to do with this truck other than lift it, put huge tires on it and do light towing. Is it gonna be a daily driver, a show truck, a workin' truck (w/40"ers??). Either powerplant is a fine option. It kinda comes down to 2 things. Ya got $4370.00 for a PSD? Ya got $600.00 for a V10? You like diesels? Do you prefer gassers? Are more mods planned in the future? (the PSD certainly gets the nod) Powerplants really should be chosen for the intended work they will do. If you can exploit the strengths of a PSD and got the $$, then get the PSD. No matter what he gets he'll need 4.56's with 40" tires to get the best out of either engine. I've owned many a diesel and love 'em. I now own a V10 and love it. I'm sorry if I offended anyone but I get tired of hearing the same arguments for or against powerplant options. And to be buying a 4x4, 1-ton crew cab truck and asking about mileage is...well, never mind...

 

Monsta,
Did you have a bad day today? That was pretty harsh.:-X23 However, this IS the place for opinions.

 

Will done Monsta! I agree, if you are going to tow and need the low end grunt, a diesel might be the way to go- otherwise let your pocketbook and your cajones make the choice.

Oh, and ditto the mileage comment- come on, a one ton and 40 inch tires and concerns about mileage???

-V10gunner

'00 SD F250 Super Cab XLT, 4X2, 142"WB, 6.8L V10, 4R100, 4.30LS, Camper Package, Dark Toreador Red over Silver, Snugtop Xtra Vision Cab-high shell

 

First off,everyone seems to respond to you by saying "you're buying a 1 ton". The way I read it, you said F250. Thats a 3/4 ton. What you should do is BUY THE ONE TON
With that crew cab configuration and possibly a PSD, you won't have the payload to haul groceries in a F250 (well, maybe groceries)
Buy the F350 and at least get a little bit more "legal" payload. IMHO


As far as the motor goes, buy what you want. I made my decision by knowing that I don't drive much, make a lot of short trips (1-3 miles), and like a quiet truck, thus the gasser. Then, I talked my brother-in-law into a PSD because he drives 35,000/year and hauls heavy loads. Now he's happy and I'm happy

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 11-Jan-02 AT 01:23 AM (EST)]>Monsta,
>Did you have a bad day today? That was pretty harsh.:-X23
>However, this IS the place for opinions.

Sorry, I DID apologize ahead of time, though.

And as for the 1-ton versus 3/4 ton. yeah my bad...he did say F250. But you're are right, get the 1 ton!!


I actually expected a lot of heat from my post (of course, the night is still young...). The V10 / PSD question is a real loaded one. It is one of the few decision made by men where our emotions can get in the way. It is good to see that you guys thought it through, just as I did, and made a decision based on need.

And if I seem harsh, I don't mean to. I will say that around here (Mass.), I am sickened everyday but guys who buy an F350, SC, shortbed with a PSD, then put a hard cover on the back with a stinkin' wing on top! They don't even have dirt under thier nails, a trailer to pull or even know how there PSD works. It's all about image.

I know, it shouldn't bother me. Being a proud American, freedom of choice is one of the things that makes this country great. But it still does...just like the old "buy a diesel, it gets better mileage" argument.

 

Monsta, I'm just messin'! Don't get
I agree with everything you said.(I didn't reply with yer qoute beacause it was too long:P ) I can't help but chuckle at the mileage issue regarding these trucks. Regardless of powerplant. I suppose if you use it commercially and pull every day, then it would be a valid issue, but IF YOU ARE GOING TO LIFT IT it is futile to worry about mileage. Maybe Ken needs to make a forum for Hybrid/Electric Escorts with lift kits and chips so we will have a place to worry about mileage. OOOH, all that just sounded like some more opinion..........[font color=green]I'M SORRY[/font]

 

OBTW monsta, where can I get one of those wings?

 

Well I appreciate all of the comments. I am not the most fluent when it comes to a one ton vs. the 3/4 ton. I was under the impression that they were the same, minus the payload(springs, etc.). If anybody knows the truth, let me know. The ford dealer says, "The one ton has a 350 emblem and the 3/4 ton has a uhhhh 250 emblem. Oh yeah, they ride rough." They're a bunch of half wits. I learn more and more from these galleries. Keep it up.

 

You are right. Other than payload ratings and the dually option (F350)there is no real discernable difference between the 250 & 350. But then again to a guy who needs a 1 ton, the difference is HUGE.

 

 

Hiya!

I've been lurking around these message boards for a few days, this is my first post tho.

I currently own a weee E-150 Club Wagon with a 302 engine and, while it has given me a great 10 years w/ over 175,000 miles, it's time to move up to the big boys. I'm looking primarily at E-350 extended length Club Wagons and this thread pretty much sums up my choices [or if I should perhaps consider one of the V-8s even????]

My problem is this: while I have never weighed my van fully loaded, I figure I carry about 2,000 lbs. of dogs and gear to dog shows on a regular basis. The van I have now is usually pretty peppy, but the handling tends to get squishy pretty fast when we start loading in extras [yeah, no kidding, eh? ;-)] We've switched to better tires which helped, but I know I'm probably asking more than it can really handle. Bad winds are darn near intolerable. I also occasionally tow a lightweight trailer [4,500 lb.s max loaded]just to shows, so that's almost entirely highway. We usually go to shows up to 30 or so weekends a year, travelling from the Cape Cod area to Nova Scotia, Ontario and upstate NY to the North and Kentucky and NC to the south. On the plus side, I work a mere 15 miles from home.

I know fuel economy is the last thing I should wory about, LOL! It certainly isn't my #1 concern or even a serious determining factor but, uh, ..... My E-150 has maintained an average of 15 with maybe 10-11 while towing.

It'd be great to have some good feedback on the pluses and minuses of each geared toward someone "from another planet" so to speak. I'm having a hard time even finding a diesel to test-drive, but am not sure I want a V-10 either. Why did each of you choose what you chose and what do you really like or would change about your trucks?

Thanks! All my hopes,

Vicky

 

True there is no real difference between the F-250 and F-350. However, I will say this. My neighbor just bought a F-250 with the same options as my 350 except his has a 5.4. Both have snow plow package, trailer tow package, etc.. My F-350 sits about 1 1/2 inches higher than his.

Other than that, I see no difference. But, I can tell everyone I've got a 1 ton, he can't

Oh yeah, I prefer the gas. but then, I'm a little biased.

 

40" tires and 4.30 gears????

monsta is right.... or almost... the 4.56 gears will put you BELOW a stock ratio with stock tires. you may want to run the numbers for yourself.... but with 40" tires and wanting to keep a stock type of ration (4.30 with stock tires) you may want to look at the 5.38's. it is the next up from the 4.56 gears and will prob run you a little higher in the rpm band, but 4.56 will be more like runing a stock setup at below the 3.73 ratio (with stock tires).

all up to u and how you want to see the power band... i run 38's and 4.56's and in my opinion it is perfect..... i am getting the ***** together to move up the ladder four to seven inches and run a slightly larger tire (42 or 44) and will probably look at the 5.38's at that time.