Going to be buying a new truck in a few months, and am considering a F-250 SD, SC, 4x4. If I go with this truck, I'd like to get the V-10 with the automatic, but I'd like some feedback from folks who have this motor/tranny. Specifically, any known problems? Maintenance issues? Were there any recalls? Likes or dislikes?

Have to admit I'm a little leary of Ford's "truck" motors - got a 99 Expedition for the wife and had to have a whole new motor put in at less than 3000 miles due to a BAD rod knock problem. Didn't instill a lot of confidence...

 

I have had an F250 SD 4x4 SC V10 since this Feb. It's been GREAT! I haven't had any recalls on anything to do with the engine/transmission. The only recall was on the speed control cable.

So far (with about 9,000 miles) I can't be more happy with the engine/transmission in this truck.

The only thing maintenance wise to keep in mind is that the transmission fluid MUST be changed every 30,000 miles even in normal driving conditions. But this is true for any vehicle with this auto transmission. Also, you can only use 5W30 weight engine oil (so if you have someone else change the oil, you must stress this fact).

When considering the engine choices for this truck I drove all 3 possibilities, and analyzed the performance (HP, torque, mileage) of each engine versus the cost of it. In my mind the V10 is the best bet for an engine. It really doesn't seem to get much worse mileage than the V8 and it has considerably more power than it; and with the miles that I'll drive per year (about 15,000) the Powerstroke diesel would take the life of the truck to pay for itself with the better mileage. I believe that the V8 is slightly underpowered for a vehicle this big (4x4, SC) so the extra few hundred dollars was well worth it. But if you do a LOT of towing, you should consider the Powerstroke also.

I hope this helps you...

Arne

 

I've been leaning toward the V-10 for the same reasons you listed - the V-8 seems a bit 'little' for this truck, and it's hard to justify almost 5 large for the diesel. Most of my towing is fairly light (two-place snowmobile trailer) so I really can't see a reason for the diesel.

Thanks for the input...

 

I have the same truck that you are going to order when I ordered mine I ordered every option that was available except the snow plow,250,4x4,SC,8'bed.
Inormally pull a two horse trailer with it and to date have had no problems{only 3000 miles}.
It pulls like nothing is behind me,haven't had a chance to use 4-whheel drive yet , but a lot of horse people that Imeet on rides swear on ford SD250 and 350s. Hope this helps

 

I have a 99 F350 4X4 crew cab V10 w/ 3.73 axles. At 17K miles I've had no problems. I have driven the PSD and V10 and except for towing really heavy loads (~12K lbs) the V10 accelerates better. My mileage is ~12 in traffic and empty at 75-85mph on a long trips I get 13-14. I tend to drive a little hard and I've read folks getting better mileage than this, even 13mpg towing 7000 lbs at 60mph. Modern fuel injected engines should go at least 200K miles with oil, filters, plugs and an O2 sensor. The PSD may be good for as much as 300K miles but when it breaks diesels are very expensive to work on. I saw a lot of E350 V10 super duty based RV's at Grand Canyon in 97 and Yellowstone in 97 98 and folks I talked to were very happy with the engine. I would like a little more agressive transmission shift, mine seems to do a torque converter lock up right after going to second gear unless I push the pedal and I would like a few more revs before the transmission goes into efficency mode but it doesn't happen under load when it counts.

 

I've read through all the post here so far and everyone seems to down play the V8. I have the 235hp V-8 in a Crewcab, with 8 foot bed, automatic and 3.73 rear end. I don't seem to have the under power problem that everyone seems to think the motor has. I get 17 to 18 miles per gallon on the highway and it also pulls a 4000lb trailer like it wasn't there with about a 2 mile per gallon decrease in mileage. I'm not a lead foot so therefore my gas mileage may differ from others. The 5.4L has 260hp this year also.

 

I have driven the v-10 with the auto and the manual trannies. The manual works best with the V-10. The new auto is the best Ford has ever had in a truck, seamless and timely shifts, but it doesn't put the power to the wheels like the manual does. The manual just feels like it allows more power to hit the ground. Also, the manual is a HD unit and won't wear out as fast as the auto.

 

Guys:

I have the F350 diesel but I respect your decisions and opinions on the gas engines.

If you get the gas engine either go long bed to get the bigger fuel tank or buy an after market tool box/fuel tank combo.

If you pull any more than 6000 lbs with a 4.10 rear end and a shortbed expect to stop every 200 miles or less to fill up.

I have experience. I had a 5.4L V8 Expedition 4 x 4 and only managed 6-7 mpg at 65-70mph towing the above. Okay, live with the gas mileage for the amount of miles you may tow, but stopping every 2-3 hours to refuel is heartbreaking. The long bed is only 18" longer but has a larger tank.

I have a couple of buddies with V10's and you guys are getting awesome mileage even if you are riding light. I only got 10-11 mpg with mixed driving. I'm a leadfoot, but still! My wife has the 4x2 and she gets 9.3 mpg as of tonight WITHOUT towing.

I was told by people I respect that OHC engines are not towing engines.

The dually F350 diesel I now have gets 15 mpg towing at 70mph. 38 gallon tank. I stop every 400 plus miles.

4500 bucks or whatever it is for the stock diesel over the V10 may be big bucks, but it is well spent. Add another $500 for a 'chip', $300 for the gauges to make sure it's running right, and it blows the V10 into the weeds AND you get good mileage. 'Chipped' diesels run 300 bhp and 590 # of torque. The engine is well able to manage it.

A 'breathed on' V10 is still OHC and you still have mileage to worry about.

As I said, the longer bed helps if you want to go gas!

 

Steve, From what I've read, the Banks Trans Comand works wonders on the 4R100 transmissions.

When you look at dyno tests, the V10 looses a lot of hp with the auto. It has 275 at the flywheel but around 200 at the rear wheels. That is prolly why the manual feels more powerful.

The ohc engines are here to stay. Ford has them, Dodge and Jeep are starting to use them for 2000, Toyota is using them, and I believe GM has them in the works. I wonder why they would be bad tow engines? I for one am glad to stop and get out after several hours on the road. Those extra stops for gas don't bother me at all.

Mike, It seems like you've done your research. The V10 is a great compromise between the 5.4L and the PSD. Plus the 2000 V10's in the trucks will have 290HP.

 

Fast: Can your buddies can give you some concrete reason why OHC engines are inherently inferior for towing? Any design change that allows more efficent movement of fuel air mixture through an engine increases efficency and performance. Your diesel would run better if it were OHC and might not need a turbo charger to overcome it's breathing problems!

 

We have a 1999 that we are trying to sell due to medical problems. We purchased the truck but never took possession, so it is basically still brand new with 400 miles. Call me toll free if interested at 1-877-464-6641.

Thanks

 

After reading the responses to your inquiry about the V10-auto trans combo for the F-250 SD, SC, 4x4 you're planning to buy, all I could do was shake my head in amazement. Too bad we couldn't answer the guy's question, guys!

I have that engine/tranny combination, and I'm very happy with it. I bought the 3.73 axle ratio for economy (I seldom pull anything), and I suppose it saves me some gas. Mileage isn't something you can brag about with one of these things, but it can't be with so much truck to move around. I get 12.5mpg @ 72mph on cruise control, and something like 10mpg around town.

The only recall on these was to replace a defective cable (mechanical) associated with the cruise control, but that has been corrected by the factory for subsequent production.

With over 10,000 miles on my Lariat, I haven't had ANY problems. The Super Duty is a great truck, and I'd recommend it to anyone. Enough said?

 

I too am also purchasing an F250 with a V10. What is going to be interesting this year is that the HP in now 310 and the torque has been increased to 425 lb. My dealer just confirmed this information for me. I am wondering what this is going to do with the gas mileage issue since these engines normally eat some gas?

 

>Guys:
>I have the F350 diesel but I
>respect your decisions and opinions on
>the gas engines.
>If you get the gas engine either
>go long bed to get the
>bigger fuel tank or buy an
>after market tool box/fuel tank combo.
>
>If you pull any more than 6000
>lbs with a 4.10 rear end

1999 SD V10 was not available with the 4.1 gears

>and a shortbed expect to stop
>every 200 miles or less to
>fill up.

A 29 gallon tank will get me 250 miles easy or about 4 hrs driving. Hell I can't really sit that long in any circumstance. (glad I got those roids fixed

>I have experience. I had a 5.4L
>V8 Expedition 4 x 4 and
>only managed 6-7 mpg at 65-70mph
>towing the above.

Experience with what - The Expedition is a totally different platform. Probaly had taller gears as well so no comparison

And yes, that would be about right. That 5.4 is working its tail off pulling 6000lbs at 70mph

Okay, live with
>the gas mileage for the amount
>of miles you may tow, but
>stopping every 2-3 hours to refuel
>is heartbreaking.

Lemesee, by your earlier statement and using you figures - 2hrs @ 200 miles, oh I see, your towing at 100mph

The long bed is
>only 18" longer but has a
>larger tank.
>I have a couple of buddies with
>V10's and you guys are getting
>awesome mileage even if you are
>riding light. I only got 10-11
>mpg with mixed driving.

Yup I'm getting around 12-12.5 in traffic to and from work. doesn't change - always around that mileage. And I don't drive like a little ole lady believe me.

I'm a
>leadfoot, but still! My wife has
>the 4x2 and she gets 9.3
>mpg as of tonight WITHOUT towing.
>
>I was told by people I respect
>that OHC engines are not towing
>engines.

I'd either change the people I hang out with or change my definition of respect. If anybody I respected made a statement like that you can be sure they would never work on anything mechanical that I own. Total Nonsense


>The dually F350 diesel I now have
>gets 15 mpg towing at 70mph.
>38 gallon tank. I stop every
>400 plus miles.
>4500 bucks or whatever it is for
>the stock diesel over the V10
>may be big bucks, but it
>is well spent. Add another $500
>for a 'chip', $300 for the
>gauges to make sure it's running
>right, and it blows the V10
>into the weeds AND you get
>good mileage. 'Chipped' diesels run 300
>bhp and 590 # of torque.

If I had your money I'd burn mine

>The engine is well able to
>manage it.

Ford won't warrant that 4R100 with that kinda power. It'll blow before the life expectancy is up. Guarrenteed especially with your lead foot in it all the time. Just ask the dodge boys why they detune that cummins


>A 'breathed on' V10 is still OHC
>and you still have mileage to
>worry about.
>As I said, the longer bed helps
>if you want to go gas!
>

No worry here I got $4500 in the bank collectin interest - and that'll buy plenty of gas.

Best Regards

 

With over 20,000 miles on my Ford crew cab 3.73
v-10,I couldn't be happier with it's smooth
preformance,towing ability and quiet.Average miles
are 9-10 city with 12-12.5 hiway with lumber rack
and tool boxes.After owning ford diesels for the
past 13 years there was no economy in driving the
diesel.