PSD or 5.4 Liter
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 157
Likes: 0
From: Chautauqua County, NY
PSD or 5.4 Liter
I plan on purchasing a F-250 this fall and can't decide whether or not to go with the Diesel. I do a lot of recreational towing in the winter with a two place enclosed snowmobile trailer 2000-2500lbs and in the summer with an extremely heavy tri-hull 19' boat. My old 97 with the 5.4 liter does an adequate job but only gets 13 mpg with the load. I have never owned a diesel and I would sure like to have the towing power and the better fuel mileage. I was wondering what type of additional care it needs? Ie. Frequency of oil changes and will it overly punish the motor to be making short 12 mile commutes to work, etc.
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: Annapolis USA
PSD or 5.4 Liter
Is money a concern at all? 4 g's for the diesel is steep. Yes oil changes are more expensive, you have to change the filter each change and the PSD holds 17 quarts as opposed to 5 or 6 in the gas engine. Fuel filters have to be changed frequently too. You have to turn off your engine at any drive through. You'll constantly be chided by friends about how your 40k truck sounds just like the garbage mans truck! Or the school bus. When you fill up you WILL smell like diesel no matter how careful you are. and you WILL step in the hazardous waste site that appears on the ground around any diesel pump. But it WILL tow anything you want to tow with ease. And get respectable mileage while doing it. There is something to be said for having a large engine that won't have to work as hard to do the same job. I've driven the 5.4 and I'm really glad I have the PSD in my crewcab longbed. The 5.4 should be sold in the regular cab xl trim work trucks. Not in a large 40k truck. Ford really needs a go-between. What happened to the ole 5.7? In closing, I love the smell sound and performance of my PSD. Drive both and let us know what you decided. -Jaseun
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
From: Collin County, Texas, USA
PSD or 5.4 Liter
I think that all of your questions have been answered if you will surf through the "Discussion Topics." It all depends on what you want and how long you care to keep the vehicle. I believe the 7.3DI Powerstroke is a great engine and will last many years with proper maintenance. Also, I learned long ago to use paper towels or gloves when handling the fuel nozzle, then you do NOT smell as some have suggested. Good Luck. 
