which engine?
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which engine?
I plan on trying to find a 04 350 in the next few weeks as soon as I finish with the hay. I am trying to decide upon which engine I should get. Here is how I plan to use it, 3 times a year a 16 or a 20 ft. gooseneck loaded with calves 120 miles one way moderate hills, hauling about 1000 small rolls of hay within 10 miles, and fert. and feed. The rest of the time 3 miles to work round trip 1 of which on the main road. I love the diesels but I am afraid of the daily driving to work and not heating up the engine. I leave at the last minute. Also I have only put 22k miles in the last 4 and 1/2 years on the one I have but they have been hard ones. Would you guys reccomend a v10, 5.4 or 6.0 for this useage?
Patrick
Patrick
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Joined: Jun 2003
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From: NE Texas
Welcome to FTE, poorboy! 
Hang10 is prejudiced…
But, so am I.
What matters most is which one you like the most. Drive ‘em all, then make up your mind. Those calves are not that much weight – maybe 5K plus the trailer weight? The 5.4 can do that, but it would not be an easy haul. As for the small rolls of hay (4 x 5?), it depends on the amount you haul at one time. Still even the 5.4 can deal with it unless you haul 15 or twenty at once. But the more powerful V10 would pull it better and the 6.0 even better.
There’s no bad choice, just a matter of choosing, IMHO.
Hang10 is prejudiced…
But, so am I. What matters most is which one you like the most. Drive ‘em all, then make up your mind. Those calves are not that much weight – maybe 5K plus the trailer weight? The 5.4 can do that, but it would not be an easy haul. As for the small rolls of hay (4 x 5?), it depends on the amount you haul at one time. Still even the 5.4 can deal with it unless you haul 15 or twenty at once. But the more powerful V10 would pull it better and the 6.0 even better.
There’s no bad choice, just a matter of choosing, IMHO.
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Yeah, I am prejudice. Go to fordvehicles.com, click on superduty, click on specs, click on towing. You will see that in some configurations (gear ratio) the V10 is equal to, or in some cases, better than the Diesel as far as towing. In my case, I have a V10, 4X4, manual transmission with 3.73 gears. The most I pull is a bobcat and a bed full of tools and materials. A lot of times up pretty steep grades. My truck pulls just fine. I considered the Diesel but after all was said and done, I couldn't justify the extra $4,000 for that motor when the V10 does just as well. Also like you, I make a lot of short trips from one end of a project to another, at times less than a quarter mile. That is bad on a gas engine, probably worse on a Diesel. Like Big Orn said though, whichever choice you make would be a good choice.
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Thanks for the replies, I think the v10 will be close to what I need but I will keep an open mind when I start test driving. Any advice on the running gear. What would you guys reccomend for those applications? Although mileage isn't the deciding factor I would like to make from one station to another. This would be a 4x4 manuel f350 supercab. Sorry for all the questions but for 30k+ a fellow can't make many mistakes.
Patrick
Patrick
Last edited by poorboy; Jun 29, 2004 at 08:38 PM.
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From: Colville
gear ratios depend a lot on where you live and drive. It's all mountains here in the Pacific North West. 4.35s would be nice, if you live where it is flat and you just get a load moving then cruise than the 3.73s would probably do you just fine.
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When I test drove them, they were of course empty. I couldn't tell any real difference at all. Loaded I am sure it's different. All I personally can go by is my own experience. Like I said, I have no problem what so ever pulling, or hauling. In my opinion, having the manual kind of takes the gear ratio out of the equation to a point. That is versus having an auto and sticking it in 'D'. Just my opinion. On the other hand, I don't think the fuel mileage is really appreciably better on a 3.73 geared truck. I don't have any evidence of that but I kind of doubt it if you do the math with the RPMs and all. I think Ford even states that it is like 2.5% - 3% difference. When you are talking a tank of gas that's maybe what, a gallon a tank for a 39 gallon tank.
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Maybe. So far I have been on several trips over 100 miles. I don't know what you classify as "rolling hills" but so far, no problems at all. Most I have ever had to do was drop from OD to 4th and that was because I was behind a semi doing 50 up hill.