I'm looking at buying a new SuperDuty F250 CC SWB SRW 4X4 to replace my 95 F250 regular cab long bed 5.8L gas truck. I'm still having a tough time trying to decide on an engine. Is the 5.4 too small for such a big truck? It's the same engine they sell in the Expedition. It actually produces 260hp, which is more than my current truck. Back in 95, my 5.8L was rated at 220hp. The V10 is not that expensive, but I'm wondering what the difference in fuel economy will be, and also resale value down the road. Will this vehicle sell 10 years from now with the small V8? Any advice would be appreciated. I would spring for the diesel if I could believe that it got 18-20mpg like some people claim. But then others claim they only get 13-14. This is a tough decision. The truck would be used during the week unloaded, and on the weekend for recreational stuff, but nothing extremely heavy. I would put about 20k on it per year. Thanks!

 

Sounds like your in the same situation that I was in. Just so you know, you just asked the question that has been asked since time begun...Gas vs. Diesel. Maybe not but that is what everyone will be discussing with you now. I ended up getting a 2001 F-250 XLT SWB Supercab V10 3.73noLS automatic, and I've talked with people in my town and they really get 15-18mpg around town, 11-16mpg loaded mixed city and highway, 18-22 all freeway, but then again that it up for discussion. I personally get 9.5-11mpg around town with slightly heavy foot and 13-15.5mpg empty on city freeway driving and a solid 14mpg loaded with camp/fishing gear for 4 days most freeway driving in California. Well hope this info helps. I know you will get more responses so good luck in your search...by the way, I love my truck but really wish now that I got that diesel...just my 20 cents.:-)

 

I had to make the same decision you have to. I went with a 2000 F-250 CC SWB V-10 3.73LS AT. I love the truck. 10 MPG in town 13 on the freeway is the best I have ever done. I lifted my truck and run 35"tires, probly affected my mileage a little. I tow a 4 place four wheeler trailer on the weekends at about 10 MPG with mixed driving. I regret not buying the powerstroke now just froma gas mileage stand point.

Good Luck.

Murph

 

Mine's an F-250 cc lwb 4x4 PSD 6-sp. I average 18-18.5 It gets around 17 at freeway speeds, better than 20 at 55-60, and around 14 pulling my #5000 boat.

BFM
Recycle...crush a chevy

 

From a re-sale standpoint the V-10 wins. A V-10 allows more people to do a greater variety of tasks. I have had a V-10 since 3-98 and have never regretted it. It's only $600 ($300 when I bought mine), and to gain the additional performance later on if your towing needs change would cost much more. The increase in fuel economy will be fractional, as the V-10 is a bigger engine not having to work as hard to accomplish the same task. The V-8 has impressive HP, but when towing, torque is important, which is where the V-10 shines. I'm currently getting about 13 mpg with oversize tires (P305's) and expressway driving at about 75 mph. As far as the diesel goes,here in MI gas is available for about $1.19, diesel costs $1.29. The gas motor takes 6 quarts of oil per change, the diesel 15 quarts. The gasser's oil filter costs $2.97 (at WalMart), the diesel's $10. The Ford dealers around here can't give away PSD's (or V-8's), while trying to find a V-10 is like looking for hen's teeth. "Trailer Life" magazine did a comparison between the PSD and the V-10, and the breakeven point with everything taken into consideration, was about 100,000 miles. The issue, if you can find it, was April, 1999. Hope this helps.