Gents, I have no intention in starting a fracas here, but I really need some help in making a decision on what engine to get in my about-to-be-ordered F250 SDCCSB. Do I get the PSD or the V-10?
I have some concern as to the reliability of the 6.0 PSD, particularly on the open road and possible high maintenance costs.
On the other hand with the V-10, I am concerned over the possibility of wretched fuel consumption not just while towing but when running around empty!
SO! All fish stories aside, what has been your experience with reliability issues, unplanned costs, and true MPG on average when towing and general running around town with your PSD
I really need to hear from owners of -05 and -06's as this is too pricey a purchase for me to be dealt any unpleasant surprises.
Thanks for your help, guys,
Tim
FYI, I'm posting a similar request in the V-10 Forum

 

Bought my 05 F250 FX4x4 in April. I now have over 33k on it - that's about 3500 miles per month. This has been the best truck or car I have ever owned. I have had absolutely no problems. I take it to my Ford dealer for regular maintenance - oil changes @ 6000 miles ($60 to $90); fuel filters @ 15,000 ($50 to $100) and air filter @ 20 - 25,000 miles ($50 to $90).

I get an average of 16-17 mpg, with as much as 20-21 mpg on pure highway travel. I seem to get on the higher side of what most folks on this site get. I tow a 5000 lb trailer about once a month.

The fuel is more expensive; the maintenance is more expensive; the truck rides rough around town (I have the camper package); the truck is loud when in the driveway and you have to shut it off to order in a fast food drive through.

At 3500 miles per month, I'll be at 125K in three years and over 200K miles in 5 years. And that's why I chose the diesel, plus it tows like a dream.

This is my first diesel other than my tractor. Things I've learned from this site: 1) Use Diesel Kleen; 2) shop around to different dealers for your service because the prices vary greatly; 3) drive it hard every now and then to blow out the carbon; 4) you can have a race truck with tuners and mods, but you're more likely to break something and may void the warranty 5) the 3:73 rear end gets better mileage.

 

Dido here....this is my fourth diesel, and so far, so good. I have only 5400 miles in 6 months, with the majority being highway. Yes, some have had issues, but look at the number sold to the number with issues. I see so many 6.0's running around, and even the UPS trucks around here have them now. The '06 should be a pretty good engine. I have the Fx4 option and it too rides a bit bouncy. But I love the look and love the truck. Just recently I finally got the truck up to 3000 rpms from a stand still to get ahead of a car and wow, that baby doesn't even start to put out until above 2500. With a rev limiter of around 4500 rpms, who needs a tuner? I would leave your truck stock and enjoy it.

 

have had 2 6.0s. An 04 and an 05
The 04 got to 30,000 w/ only an oil leak @ the HP oil pump, and a mild incedent w/ a chevy doing 50.
Hence the 2nd 6.0.
05, 4x, transfer case went out @ 2500 miles, apparently was missing a part or 2. And recently @ 15,000 the glow plug module went bad.
I do my own oil changes w/ synthetic and it costs around $70. significantly cheaper w/ non-syn oil. Mileage city w/ a heavy foot 14, highway 17 @ 75MPH. Towing 10-12k highway, drops to 13-14, depending on the hills involved.

I have loved both of these trucks, both have run a banks six gun, recently moved to the SCMT 1704. I will never buy a truck without a diesel engine. And I will probably always run it w/ a tuner.

 

Tim,

I had a '98 V-10 almost identical to the 03 PSD I now have. The V-10 got 12mpg no matter what. The PSD gets 18 unloaded @ 70, & 14 towing 7k TT @ 62. W/ 42k on it, I love my truck & its NOT FOR SALE.

Having gone diesel, I'll never own another gasoline powered car/truck/boat again. Why? Biodiesel. Its that important. Biodiesel is better for the environment, economy, vehicle. Its the easiest thing an individual can do to protect our country & environment. PM me if you want more info.

 

Tim I just purchased my 06 F250, also my first diesel. I purchased this truck for towing. On a recent trip I averaged 11 mpg towing a 12k fifth-wheel RV. Do they cost more to operate? Yes, with out a doubt but historicaly a diesel will out last a gas engine. THAT's why I bought it.

The 6.0 Grin

 

couldn't have been put any better
IMO

 

I have had my 250 FX4 for 2 months with 3500 miles so far. MGP pulling my 16' enclosed trailer with about 4500# is about 12mpg so far. But that is running 70-80mph. The enclosed trailer has a LOT of drag. I slowed down to 60mph and it was showing 16mpg.

Yesterday I took a short run down the interstate. With A/C off at 65mph the LOM said about 21mpg after a few miles average. On the way back I slowed to 60mph and got right at 24mpg!!!

Also my first diesel. Am thinking hard about making my own biodiesel as well.

 

Jan 5th I traded my 04, F-350 V-10, on a 06' F-350 6.0, still got the simple price plan, which was a big difference,,was looking at the new trucks for a few weeks,,drove several 6.0's,,drove one new V-10,,since I had a V-10, which never gave me a bit of trouble, thats what I was leaning towards,,,when I looked at the 06' V-10,,it was way more conjested under the hood then my 04' was, lots of plastic, including the intake manifold, and many hose's,,it also had the 4:10 LS,,,when I drove it, it definately was not as snotty as my 04' was(break in time makes a difference I guess),,But all the 6.0's felt about the same nice pull off the line, and thats with 3:73 rears, To me it just felt right to go with the 6.0, should get better mileage with 3:73, so my Dealer found one with all the goodies I wanted:
06' F-350 6.0 XLT
SC S-Bed, 3:73 LS
Polished tube steps
Man Hubs and transfere case
Tow command, 18" pol Alum wheels
12.5 K hitch, plow pac
Arizona Beige
Dealer installed Fisher MM truck mount and wire harness, so I can push my 9' plow
Towed with it first time yesterday, turned 500 miles while towing, tow command is awsume, whole truck is a dream to drive,,was parking my trailer,,It's warm here,like 50 degrees yesterday,, in like 4" of mud, making the truck work just alittle to move the trailer,,,turbo sounds cool with windows open,,, ,, I am glad I went with the 6.0,,I filled it up and though not great mileage I still got 1 mpg better then my 04' V-10 ever did, and thats with only 370 miles on the truck !
You cant go wrong either way, V-10,,6.0 Just go for the one you want !

Sorry for the long post ! Later,,,,,,,,,,Mark

 

I bought an '04 back in Feb of '04. So it's almost 2 years old. I have 41,xxx on the truck now and have perfomed all my own maintenance. I did have the occasional bucking/surging, but it was never bad enough that I thought my motor was going to jump out of the hood like some people on here make it out to be. I got the latest recall done at the dealer and all has been well for around 10,000 miles now. This is my first and I too will never have another gas truck, unless diesel jumps to $4.00/gal while gas is at $2.00/gal. I love the truck and bought it to run it. I don't plan on trading for at least another 5 years (7 years total). That would put me at about 140,000 miles which you can still sell a diesel truck with that many miles and get something out of it.

 

I see you live in Florida. Diesels work well in hot/humid weather. If your using the truck for merely a personal vehicle and an occasional load it would be your choice.

Your initial investment is higher and resale value is strong. Some have argued resale values, as to the validity of my statement do a search for a used cheap diesel. I rest my case...

 

My 2006 Diesel (see signature) is my first Diesel.

I have no regrets. 6900 miles so far. No issues. I'm not worried. I think the critical flaws were worked out of the engine in the earlier models and I've got a warranty.

A diesel isn't for everyone I suppose. But I love mine.

I'd echo what namrehs300 said.

I love the sound of the truck, (except when I'm in a drive-thru)

In stop and go driving (short trips cold weather) I get 13.5 mpg.

On the freeway I've seen as high as 19.4 mpg cruising at 66-69 mph

And the truck EVEN stock is FAST for a 7500 pound vehicle.

When my friends who drive mid-size SUV's are riding with me they are shocked and jealous of the gas mileage I get with such a HUGE truck while they get not-much better with a cramped SUV.

I LOVE it when someone who knows nothing about diesel compliments the size of my truck but then says "gas must kill you" and then I tell them I get over 19 mpg freeway.

For me, a truck like this with a diesel is "having your cake and eating it too"

 

I will not go into to much detail here but I have alot of problems with my 05 F350 6.0. Three different oil leaks, 1 no start, 1 exhaust leak, 1 4x4 low range not engage. The big problem I am having is the oil leaks. Go to your local dealership and look under the 6.0 for oil. I did and found seven out of ten were leaking. This is not assembly lube! I also have looked under 6.0 on the street I would say about five or six. Everyone was wet with oil. few of them were 05 and 06 one or two alittle older. I love the looks of my truck and the performance when it is not leaking. But I do not like cleaning oil off my driveway as well as cleaning a undercarriage! One more thing I have had five ck engine light experiences. Was told it was internal back fires and would clear codes in three cycles.

Good luck

 

I'm just curious... How does one go about determining if a vehicle is leaking oil by looking at a vehicle in the street?

I mean nearly EVERY parking space I've EVER seen has oil spots on it.

And there is NO way to know if EVEN fresh oil was there from the car parked there 10 minutes earlier.

Are you getting down on your hands and knees in parking lots and on streets looking at the bottom of an engine to SEE oil drip?

 

YOU BETCHA! My wife thinks I am nuts. But since I am trying to get ford to buy back this leaker I do as much research as possible. This includes looking under trucks in parking lots for the infamous bell housing drip. I even went to a auto show in Dec. and tried to make a bet with the factory rep as to whether or not the 06 PSD on the show floor was going to be leaking. He did not take the bet, and oh by the way it was wet! It was not just a little wet either, you could see where it was dripping down from the above the starter.