V10 vs Powerstroke
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 681
Likes: 5
From: Athens,Texas
I won't bash a 7.3 because my wife has it in her 2000 Superduty. I do like to drive it, especially after adding speed mods. But, after talking with friends that have the 2005s, I wouldn't buy one. Way too many problems and the gas mileage sucks compared to the 7.3s. By the way, I have the 2002 Superduty with the V-10. Even adding all the speed mods, I still get 14mpg. And after 32,000 miles, I still haven't been back to the Dealer to have any warranty work done. Maybe I got lucky and they built it on the right day and the planets were lined up just right. 
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Traverse City, MI
It all depends on what you are going to do with it and what makes you happy.
I have an F-250 with the V-10...I took the $ I "saved" by going with the V-10 into a 6" lift, 20" wheels, 38" tires, cutout flares, etc...I rarely tow, so this setup is great for me.
My wife has an Excursion with the 7.3...we take this on any long trips or when we need to tow...added a nice exhaust, intake and tuner...which makes this a great setup for my wife (and me too every now and then).
Hitch
I have an F-250 with the V-10...I took the $ I "saved" by going with the V-10 into a 6" lift, 20" wheels, 38" tires, cutout flares, etc...I rarely tow, so this setup is great for me.
My wife has an Excursion with the 7.3...we take this on any long trips or when we need to tow...added a nice exhaust, intake and tuner...which makes this a great setup for my wife (and me too every now and then).
Hitch
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,074
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas
Originally Posted by KSims1868
And THERE is the difference you notice when you have a diesel engine - more torque, so it doesn't have to work as hard at low speeds when pulling...therefore...uses less fuel.
Really???? That clears it all up
Did you "forget" that to get that economy you have to fork out nearly $5000 more upfront and pay 2X+ for oil changes and other various filters?
The "justification" post has never come up for me. I can buy what I want.
I DON'T LIKE DIESELS!!!
That, however, is a totally subective comment.
Like said in countless posts prior, drive 'em both and then decide..........even though you already made the right choice by picking the V10
On a side note, if the truck was used for a high mileage, always loaded, commericial application........and I had drivers working for me
, the diesel makes a lot more sense.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,508
Likes: 0
From: Utopia
Did you "forget" that to get that economy you have to fork out nearly $5000 more upfront and pay 2X+ for oil changes and other various filters?
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 677
Likes: 0
From: Shawnee, Ks
Originally Posted by Big Orn
My 1999 Super Duty V-10 Superstroke still runs like a new one.
I say V-10 Superstroke all the way...once you drive one...you'll understand.
I say V-10 Superstroke all the way...once you drive one...you'll understand.
I did drive one, actually I drove a few. A 2001 and a 2005 Excursion, also test drove a 2002 and 2005 Superduty. The 02 I actually drove for a couple days and it didnt do anything for me so I made the right decision and went with a 2001 7.3 Excursion, now I dont have to worry about the spark plugs blowing out 
This is one of those things that as long as there are V10's and Diesel's this will always be argued about
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 896
Likes: 12
From: Kenna,wv
I have had all three. A 99 V10 5 speed 4.30's, 03 5.4 auto 3.73's, and now an 03 7.3 auto. I was proud of each because they were a Ford, and second because they were SD's. All were 4X4's and the 2 gassers were SC's and the diesel is a crew cab. The V10 was the most fun although it had only 275 hp. It would pull anything I put behind it. Unloaded in mixed driving it averaged 11mpg. Never seen 12. The 5.4 averaged 11mpg and seen 15mpg on all interstate. The 5.4 ran better than most think, but it struggled on the hills loaded or unloaded. The diesel is my favorite overall. I added a SCMT and the thing will fly for such a big truck. My last two road trips have averaged 19 mpg. Locally I get 15. I traded the 5.4 for the diesel with another owner ( he was a moron). He has already traded it for a V10. If I was buying new, I would struggle with the V10 vs. the 6.0. A friend of mine has an 03 6.0 and runs 8.60's in the 1/8 mile. It has had many problems obviously such as blown headgaskets, broken rear axle, transmission, and something in the front end.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 677
Likes: 0
From: Shawnee, Ks
Originally Posted by skipperw
bigdaddy, the sparkplug issue ended with the 2002s.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,221
Likes: 5
Originally Posted by bigdaddyTank
I did drive one, actually I drove a few. A 2001 and a 2005 Excursion, also test drove a 2002 and 2005 Superduty. The 02 I actually drove for a couple days and it didnt do anything for me so I made the right decision and went with a 2001 7.3 Excursion, now I dont have to worry about the spark plugs blowing out This is one of those things that as long as there are V10's and Diesel's this will always be argued about
But, I have to admit, it is a pain in the a** to change the rear plugs.