Well I don't know if you remember me or not, but the end of June I bought a 2002 F-250 4x4 with the 5.4L. The truck is a DOG! It downshifts going up slight hills. Have to half nail it to the floor to gain any speed and it tows like crap. I towed a 6X12 flatbed trailer weighing less than 1K over the weekend and within 60 miles I had used damn near half of a 29 gallon tank. That is way less than 10MPG.

So, I have talked to the dealer I bought it from and he is looking for me a 1999 or 2000 Ford F-250 with the 7.3L Will the diesel do better with unloaded mileage (I was getting between 11 and 13MPG empty)and better yet towing mileage and power?

Should the 5.4 be getting such bad numbers? I heard so many people saying how the truck would tow like 4 or 5K with no problem but I don't see it with mine. Do you think there could be something wrong with it, or does this sound about normal?

Lastly, What should I look for if I go to look at a PSD before I buy it? Any specific problems I should look for.

How many miles will one of the PSD motors last? Thanks!!

 

You WILL get better mileage with the diesel empty versus the gasser empty. My 99 diesel has 198K miles and the worst empty mpg is 14 when cold the best is 18.

The late 99's and 00's are a very safe bet with the 7.3. The early 99's are good but have a not so good air filter system and the turbo is louder than the later model 7.3's Some guys swear by the early 99's though. All 99's and 00's have forged rods in the motor. The 01's are known for the dreaded mechinical diode problem in the tranny, be carefull if looking at a 01, crawl under the truck and look for a rebuilt tranny stamp or writing on the pan.

My wifes 00 X 7.3 has 146K miles and runs perfect like the work truck.

Good Luck on your purchase if you buy one!

 

I guess I am a little concerned. I have always wanted a diesel, but I really have no need to have the diesel unless it is going to be beneficial to me. All I know is that the mileage and power from the 5.4 is lowsy and I felt better towing the 6x12 trailer with my Ranger!!! When I think of a V-10 I see dollar signs pulling up to the gas pumps. The main reason I am leaning towards a diesel is because I am looking for something to keep for a lonnng time and working at an RV dealership like I do I see how much more the Diesels can handle as a load.

We have a 2001 Silverado 2500 with the 6.0L
One 2005 Silverado 2500HD with the 6.0L (4x4)
And one 1994 Silverado 3500 Dually with the 6.5L Diesel. No one likes the gassers, and the diesel will pull anything on the lot without much trouble.

I feel sort of stupid trading in a truck I have had less than 2 months, but I don't think even in a year or so I am going to be happy with this truck. I am getting mixed feedback from people as to weither I am making a good choice.

How much more or less maitanence does a diesel take compared to a gasser? Will the maintance costs kill me?

Lastly, If I was to get one of the many chips or programmers out there will I be able to squeeze anymore mileage out of it, or will I lose mileage.

 

One thought is that the older diesels are much more reliable than the new ones.

 

Diesel has hit $3 a gallon where I live..... just a factor to figure into your decission.

 

If you are pulling I guarantee the V-10 will get as good a mileage as the 5.4 . The engine doesn't have to work as hard. Running empty you MIGHT beat the V-10 mileage by a 1 mpg. A buddy has a 2000 V-10 he gets about 12 mpg running empty & with a trailer like yours more tha 10. I get 13 to 14 mpg running empty & 11 pulling a trailer about 3000 lbs. I have an 05 V-10 4X4 CC F350. His is the same set-up. Both with 4:10 gears. The diesel will get better mpg either way ,but maintenance is higher too. Either a v-10 or 7.3 will work for ya. Both are GREAT engines.

 

There have been many, MANY threads on here about gas mileage for the 5.4 vs the 6.8 V10.

The V10 get's maybe 1 MPG worse mileage, and it pulls like a monster.

Matter of fact, many people going from the 5.4 to the V10 report BETTER mileage pulling because they don't need to rev the thing out to the rev-limiter.

My v10 MPG is 15 on the highway, best was 16.5. Stop-and-go, well, I have a very heavy foot, so 5-7 for me, but I can get it up to 10 travelling around town if I'm really easy on it.

On edit: In no way am I saying not to get a diesel, if you can, get one, it'll get better MPG no two ways about it (unless there's something wrong with it

art k.

 

My 2000 5.4 F250 usually got 12 to 13 mpg empty, best was 16.5 mpg couldn't drive like that too often. With a 1,000 Lb trailer you shouldn't have noticed much worse mileage unless it was a large box sticking in the wind back there. If you used a approx. 15 gals in 60 miles that's not even 4 mile to the gal. There is something wrong with the truck or how you drove it. I towed a 18' open car trailer and a 97 conv. Mustang from south west Mich. to Nashville, TN. and got as high as 10 and as low as 8 mpg. The 8 was my foot in it the whole tank. The 5.4 is too small of a motor for this heavy of a truck but it sounds like yours needs some attention.

 

Well I am in a dilemna. Seems the truck I just paid 20K for is only worth 17.5K! I am under it by 2K. I found a 1999 F-250XLT with the 7.3L auto ext cab, short bed, Bla Bla Bla with 78K on it, The guy said with taking my truck back in on trade I would be looking at about $400 a month. Right now I am paying 389.98 Is 78K a lot of a diesel? He sent me some pics and the truck looks great, but they have had it for like 2 months so it worrys me as to why it did not sell with such a low price. Carfax shows 14 records, but I have not bought the full report to see why.

Also it has the receiver hitch, but I did not see any 7way plug which means it was probably never towed with? It is about 45 minutes from here so i have not gone to look at it yet.

I am just worried I will do this deal and then like the one I have now, find a whole list of things wrong with it. Although I really want the diesel now!

If it were you, how would you go about this?

 

Normally, diesels last A LOT more than gas engines (check some tractor-trucks sale pages if you want to see how much a real heavy diesel lasts), if you constantly do towing i would recomend it... And stop worrying, just make your mind, try both models if you can an see how you feel in them (the V10 probably will accelerate better, so don´t decide just on that). Either of the engines will be a good one i think...

P.S.: Most of the possible modifications you do in your engine will hamper your fuel economy

 

Just wondering what gears you have in it. A 6x12 trailer or anything around 1K shouldn't even make a dent. If you have the 5.4 and the 3.73's it's gonna be a little bit of a dog. Your moving a 6K - 7K truck with that motor nad with 3.73 gears, it's gotta work. If you like the truck otherwise, you may just want to consider getting some 4.30 gears. You'll be much happier with the truck. It's a lot less expensive than getting a new truck too.

 

The truck does have 3.73's. I have only had the truck a little under 2 months, so if i am going to get out of it without losing many car payments now is the time. I am not happy with the gas mileage, or the power. The fuel guage is irratic and the power mirror does not work. I got taken on it! I had to buy an owners manual, new front hubs, headlight ****, etc. Needless to say I will be looking hard at anything I look at from now on. GRRRR.

Oh and it has some strange sounds from the motor when under load. I cant explain it, but it does not sound normal!

 

Does indeed sound like you landed a dog.

Best bet is to go over and drive the potential rig. In fact, ask if you can borrow it for the night (dealers have let me do this in the past), run over and hook your trailer to it, and see how it compares. My guess is that you'll be soundly surprised.

As for longevity, diesel engines are built to last. This, simply put, means that it is not unheard of to hit 3 or 400K with one. I know a couple of guys that are well above even that. The only reason they might look at another is to get a newer style or some other luxury that they don't currently have. The engine will likely outlast the rest of the truck.

As for expenses, yes, diesel's are more expensive to repair. That said, marry it with the fact that diesel fuel is typically cheaper (maybe not in today's crazy market, but in the general sense), and the longevity of it, in my book it makes a for a good buy.

As to your current ride. Did you buy it from a dealer or from some Joe Consumer? If it was from a dealer, you might be able to see what they can do for you. When they discount your claims, get a bit pushy and force the issue a bit, however I'm sure they'll drop the "you bought it as-is" line on you...

In any case, try the other out. That will likely make your mind up for you.

 

Ahhhhhhhhh, never mind. Trade it.

 

I haven't seen diesel prices below 87 octane gas for the last 10 years. Especially here in Metro NY. NJ and PA, I've paid attention to, and still, diesel is more than 87 octane gas, usually by at least $.05-.10

Sorry to disagree, but I have to counter that point.