Looking at buying a new F250 SuperDuty CrewCab SWB 4x4. What engine and gear ratio do you recommend? This truck will be used as a daily commuter to work, about 48 miles round trip. Won't use it for plowing, but mostly for recreational stuff like 4 wheelers, dirtbikes, etc. on the weekends. I don't think I can justify going for the diesel, but maybe the V10 since it's only $600 bucks. Will the V10 get a lot worse fuel mileage than the 5.4L V8? I currently drive a 95 F250 Regular cab long bed with the 5.8L gas engine. I average about 11 or 12mpg. Thanks for any advice.

 

I believe the 5.4 will get SLIGHTLY better economy empty. The V10 will actually get the same or better economy loaded up(than the 5.4)

I currently have the V10 2WD Crew Cab with 4.30's and love it. MPG is around 11 combined(after 1st oil change @1200 miles) and I've gotten a best of 14 while keeping the cruise control set @ 75 for 250+ miles)

 

PEZ

You could get the 5.4L with 4.10 gears. It would prolly work OK for you. However, a V10 with 3.73's would get close to the same MPG as the V8. Either way it will be same or better than your 95 5.8L. If you have that itch for power then the V10 is your answer.

 

The fuel economy will be practically idenical. The 5.4 is a smaller motor working harder to do the same task. Re-sale value is also better on the V-10. I have a V-10 4x4 3.73LS, and it gets about 13 mpg both when empty and when towing my transporter loaded with quads and dirtbikes. The trailer is about 6500 lbs., towing is with OD locked out at 70 mph to keep the engine at 2700 rpm's, the engine's torque peak. If you think you might ever want to lift it for bigger tires, be sure to get the 4.30's.

 

blackbeauty,
When you tow with 3.73 ratio and overdrive locked out, how well does the V-10 pull grades at highway speeds? Do you need to plant your foot into it on every hill. The reason I ask is My 5.4L with 4.10 ratio will only tow my 7500# travel trailer with over drive locked out and at 70 mph it turns about 3200 rpm. On long grades it slows even needs to downshift to second at times. I'm going to upgrade to a V-10 but can't decide between the 3.73 and 4.30. Obviously I want the best gas milage of the 3.73 but only if it will be able to pull my trailer. I'm curious if the 4.30's will tow my trailer in overdrive because if not I would be turning about 3400 rpm at 70 mph which is working the motor a little hard and fuel economy would bite. I like the RPM you're running at when towing out of overdrive but am wondering if it would be able to tow my slightly heavier trailer alright.

 

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 04-Aug-01 AT 06:22 PM (EST)[/font][p][font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 04-Aug-01 AT 06:21 PM (EST)[/font]

If you are going to do ANY towing in hilly areas or in mountain regions, get the 4.3 gear. I have the V10 3.73 and towing only 6000 lbs the truck wants to downshift into 2nd and run 5000 + rpms. I live in Kansas but tow in the Rocky Mountains. The 3.73 wants to run in 3rd gear towing even on the flats of Kansas. It does tow GREAT in 3rd ( OD off) but I would have preferred to tow in OD. In the mountains it tows a lot in 3rd but wants to downshift to 2nd for the long runs uphill. This is maintaining 50 mph.

Remember to higher altitudes will cause a loss of power in the gas engine. The 4.3 gear is a good way to offset the power loss and the steep grades. The 3.73 will do it, but it works plenty hard to do it.

If I get another V10, it will definately have the 4.3 gear.

There is a thread on the 3.73 vs the 4.3 gear from some time ago. Do a search. There is a lot of info on this site on this topic.

I get pretty good mileage with the 3.73. 15-16 mpg empty on the highway. Most guys with the 4.3 quote anywhere from 12-14 mpg highway.

Good luck.

Dan

2001 4x4 CC V10 3.73

 

I have 3.73s in my '99 F350 V10 SWB SRW 4x2 (still with the stock tires). It is too early for me to offer any info on mileage as I've had the vehicle for <3 weeks. Without towing, I believe the 3.73s are fine no matter how much weight the truck is carrying. I have towed already (~6500#) and for the amount of towing I plan on doing (8x/yr?), I'll most likely stay with the 3.73s due to my daily commute. If I were towing more regularly, I feel the 3.73s are too high.

For what it's worth, in my opinion go with a V10 if you are going to use the vehicle in any capacity a truck was designed for. More experienced people than I have pointed out it's better to have too much truck than too little. I learned this real quick once I bought a trailer.

 

Here in MI along grade is about a mile and a half, so I don't have any problems, and that's with P305's. I'm still not pulling 70 mph, but I haven't downshifted either. My combined GVW is 14,000 lbs as measured on a scale last year. A lot will depend on where you're going to be towing. If it's the mountains, do the 4.3 for sure. If its just hills (like MI) then you can get away with the 3.73 and enjoy the extra fuel economy. If you going to go with bigger tires (they look sweet) or a bigger trailer eventually, then the 4.3 makes more sense. Besides, my motor is an early V-10 with "only" 275 HP, not like the 310 HP available on the new ones.