I'm ordering a brand new "08" Sd 4/4 350 Lariat 4.3 gears..........geeeee I wonder what engine I should get.........V10....V10....V10....V10

 

Especially in Alaska!!!

 

... I have a 99 crew cab with a 7.3. I do not NEED a diesel, but I love it. I do all my own wrench turning. I have a Taurus that is for the short trips when I do not need a truck, and I leave the truck idle while I go in the hardware store or the Wal-Mart. I love the PSD, and wont go back to a gas engine - I am addicted to the diesel experience (scent, sound, sight). I have had gas truck, and am now on my second diesel. It comes down to personal preference. To each his own.

 

I just brought home my (new to me) '03 F250 XLT CC 6.0 PSD 4x4 Auto. The deciding factor for me is that though I only put 5-7K on a truck a year, it is *ALL* towing 5-7K lbs with an enclosed racecar trailer, through mild hills. I know better from my old turbo racecar that manual + turbo == spool recovery unless you are always shifting to where spool is almost instant in the next gear. I'd prefer not to have to drive a truck that way, hence the Auto was the logically choice for me.

My former 2000 5.4 2v Expy would do it, but was on the floor everytime it looked at a hill. The enclosed definately is alot more drag than my old open trailer was with a 2K heavier car (ie, almost identical weight).

I figured, buying this one, with 29K on it, with my mileage, should last indefinately. I'm sure (after reading here) the V10 would probably do just as well, but I had to give up on gas motors and try the diesel finally. I've had a couple of different gas tow vehicles, and they just didn't want to hold the load. I'm glad for all the advice I received over the last couple of weeks on the subject and **For me ** I think this is the right vehicle.

I expect the milege increase (I was getting 9-10 with the expy towing) will offset the gas/diesel cost so it is kinda a wash there. My biggest fear was to buy another truck and "outgrow it" in 18 months as I have my last two tow vehicles. This one is big enough and powerful enough that if I outgrow it, I've gotten a nice raise :P

Jason

 

Congrats on the decision! I have been enjoying my 2 valve v-10 for 172,000 miles of nightmarish towing and long runs. It is a dominant engine. 172,000 of brutality... same engine, same transmission. Crazy thing is my mech says I'll get another 130,000 miles out of this engine. It is immaculate because of the meticulous nature of my care towards vehicles. So for me, a diesel was completely not worth it. I can get the same longevity as a diesel and smoke people off the line... AND... my truck sounds bad A**. People look when I start it, I like this . I may not be able to tow in OD, but I get the job done without shifting much AT ALL on 7-800 mile runs throughout the southeast at a constant 10 mpg with 6-10k loads. I have never owned a better truck, and I will continue to dominate with my 10. And yes, I've towed with the PSD and the Cummins stuff Ram. Great trucks, just don't like em' as much. As stated above, to each his own.

 

Sweet sglynx1
Yeah.. they are both tow beasts from what I can tell. Alot it does seem to be preference. Maybe once you get to extreme weights, constantly, it is different.

From everything I've read, you really can't go wrong with either. Knowing how long I want to keep this truck, I just want to have some headroom to go right to max towing capacity and have it sing.

For that, the PSD sounds like it might have a slight edge (no flames please). From the line, I'm sure I'll get smoked by a V10. Thankfully I bought this to tow 95% of it's life with me versus commute/normal drive it. If I planned on doing more non-towing driving, I probably would have chosen the V10.

Jason

 

Thank God I live in the tropic of AK. Only been single digits for the past week although the windchill has been -50 to -80. But yes diesel can be an issue when its cold. I usually dont get concerned until it gets around -10 then I try to plug it in. The strange thing is that PSD had a HUGE resale up here.

Back to the original question. I've had both and to try to stay neutral I would say go V10 unless you tow alot or have a heavy load. Diesel does cost more fuel wise and maintenance wise.

Now for my bias opinion. I have three trailers and various mountain ranges. 27'enclosed, 36' 5ther and 14k equipment hauler. After towing with V10 and PSD there is no comparision on the heavy loads.

 

Yeah... I definately concede heavy towing to the diesel. No shifting through all terrains... I know I know. That's what they were built for, and they do it well!! A small... -very- small part of me envies the diesels torque numbers... but none of you read that from me...

 

Heheh sglynx1
I hear ya. Again, I'm sure I could have tossed a coin between the two and been fine with my current needs. Just trying to anticipate my needs for the next 5+ yrs and expect the weights to go up on the trailer/towing.

Jason

 

You chose right, based on your needs. It's never a bad thing to have too much of anything... except for maybe alcohol. Other than that, you will be pleased the first time you hook that truck up and yank something with it.

 

From a value standpoint I feel the diesel holds its value much better than the gassers, especially the V10. I own a 2004 V10 and it is a great truck, but try to sell one even though gas is below $2.00 a gallon right now. Look at what you put down, the 60 months of payments and then what you can get for it when its paid off. The four and five year diesel trucks equipped like mine are worth several thousand dollars more than my 04 truck. I still have over 30 payments and I am thinking of trading for a diesel.
For performance I think the V10 will do anything you need but mpg will suffer
under heavy load.

Jack
2004 V10 Lariat