Good evening forum,

As this is my first post, let me give a little background so that you can help me with my decision. I am a past '00 V10 Excursion 4x2 owner. I loved that truck, but I really need 4x4. So I traded it for an '02 Chevy Avalanche Z71. I must say that the Avalanche rides very nice, and (after being chipped) has great acceleration and towing. However, it's not a REAL truck... it's a suburban with the rear end cut down.

So it's now time to go back with my heart and get a 250 Crew Cab. I will primarily be using it as a daily driver (about 3 miles to work), but I also haul Scouts (and a 5000# trailer) on long trips about once a month. I also do some volunteer work with the local Emergency Operations Center and may be out in all kinds of weather (depending on if we get a hurricane in Florida this year, it may be worse).

I am torn between a nice reliable gas engine (now with 355 HP for the '05), an engine that I know well, an engine that gets REALLY poor gas mileage (compared to my 5.3 Chevy) or the PSD, which has less HP, but will last longer, will idle forever, gets better MPG, but costs $5k more.

The advantages to the PSD that are important for me are MPG and stock dual alternators (I suck a lot of amps with the equipment that I use). The advantages to the V10 are LOTS of power off the line (okay, I have the need for speed - I can admit that) and less $$$.

Since it is now an option for '05, I will be going with the TorqueShift tranny no matter what engine, so... What are some realistic expecations for MPG for the PSD 4x4 ?? V10 4x4 ?? Has Ford fixed the problems that the earlier PSDs were suffering from ?? Will the short trips to work cause any problems with the PSD since it will not get a chance to really get warmed up ??

If it was your choice... what would you do ?? Thanks in advance for your advice,

DavidC166

 

This WILL be a "warmly" contested discussion - I promise...
but my vote ?
The 4x4 PSD with 3.73 gears and 5 speed torqueshift ,,,
check my gallery for the dyno runs.... 375 HP and 710 ftlbs's with ONE mod...
Choctaw Bob's PSD had 387 HP with two mods... (and that was with a split intercooler hose on the day we dyno'ed)

I venture to say that the v-10 would have difficulty beating the 6-oh !
(let the flames begin ---- and we need to find someone that has dynoed or has 1/8th mile times for the v-10 OR that live in the DFW area so that we can know once and for all !)

My 03 8K Ex... which probably weighs 1500 or more lbs more than the SD...
9.5 & 73 MPH in the 1/8th with a 2.3 60 foot on street tires is not bad...
And realistically I get about 16 mpg around the DFW area...
Diesel is typically 20 to 50 cent sper gal cheaper around here too...

It's really your choice.... boxers or briefs...
maybe get one of each and drive the one you like best !

 

I think you already know what you really need in a truck.

It's not my place to say, but why don't you stop trading every couple of years and get what you really want and hold on to it?

If you do that, then most all of your questions are answered. Get the '05 PSD, drive it for at least six years. When you finally get to where you absolutely can't get away from the smell of a new vehicle, you will get a lot of money back off the PSD.

 

Get what you want, but I think you already are leaning toward the diesel My opinion, short trips to and from work, infrequent towing, I believe I'd go with the V10. In fact...I did I have a 04 on order from Jeff here on FTE. But I will be towing 4 days a week, but relatively short distances with frequent stops and sitting for several hours at times. As far as getting beat by 6.0's, I can live with. I'm not looking for a race truck. I have a Mustang in the garage for that

 

jdadamsjr, Catfish_Man, & Keith W... thanks for the input !!

The Excursion was a lease... I was actually 14 hours away from home when my F-150 died... Ford offered me a deal that I couldn't refuse on the lease, but I knew that I wouldn't be keeping it (since it wasn't 4x4). The Avalanche was just a poor choice.

I'm actually leaning toward the V10. My experiences ten years ago with the 7.3 Diesel were all in emergency equipment, and they were always VERY slow. I'm not looking for a race truck either (altho' it would be nice to have a Lightning if they made it 4x4), but acceleration is important to me.

I think that I'll just have to wait until some '05s show up on the lot and drive one of each... I'm probably going to order what I want anyway, since I want a Lariat Package with Cloth Bench Seat. Is there any merit to holding what I've got and waiting for the 2007/08 redesign that's rumored ??

Thanks again,

David

 

buy what you want, period...

i 've got both 02 v10 ex and 04 f250 c/c 6.0

the only difference imo is that the 6.0 never shifts once you get there.

example passing on local hill the v10 will shift down, the 6.0 just accelerates with great ease with just a little foot into the pedal.

mpg v10 4.10 12.8 city/highway

mpg 6.0 3.73 16.7 city/highway

in the end you are the one paying the bill, get what you will be happy with

i traded 02 f250 c/c 5.4 for 04 f250 c/c 6.0, when i bought the 02 f250 i was tring to save a buck and was never really satisfied, now with 6.0 all smiles