I've been looking to get a F 350 Supercab 4x4 long bed. I want a 6 speed instead of the auto. I don't tow a lot but at least 6 times a year need to tow about 10k pounds. I put about 20k miles a year on a vehicle. Gas prices are now $0.50 a gallon cheaper than diesel. My '98 Expedition has 169k miles on the 4.6 and I run it hard. I'm first off the light with the pedal down. Will the diesel take it? I drove an '03 F250 SC LB 4x4 auto at work for about 2 years and it got about 9 to 11 mpg. I'm assuming the V 10 will get about the same.

 

Your not gonna be 1st off the line with a 6.0 and a manuel trans.
The turbo needs to spool up and does a much better job with a tq conveter.
Better find one to test drive 1st!
The newer 3V V10's are nice.
I've had a 2V V10, 7.3 and 2 6.0's and now drive a 3V and life is better for me.
BTW one of my 6.0 was a manuel trans.
Gene

 

Both engines are work horses, and deserve their place in the Super Duty, and the debate between them will outlast the engines themselves. Any such long-lasting rivalry is just an indication of how closely matched they really are. Just do some checking here in the Super Duty section, and you'll find countless threads on this very subject.

To that end, I would hazard to say that this is going to come down to your personal choice and may be somewhat influenced by availability in your area when you decide to pull the trigger--if you don't custom order.

 

well, is the diesel option a 7.3 or 6.0?

in my opinion, the 7.3 is better off with a manual transmission than a 6.0. the 7.3 has alot more torque down low, plus it has better take-off torque until the turbo spools up. the 6.0 with a manual tranny has to be driven like you are racing it, that is keeping it above 2250 RPM or so, to get any useable power out of it. the 6.0's like to be revved, i personally think their sweet spot is about 2600rpm.

the 7.3's peak torque is 1900ish, and you can lug them down around 1200 and they just keep chugging along.

of course, the 6.0 is more powerful, so it will get you more enjoyment if you know how to drive and shift. in my opinion, the 6.0 is better with the automatic and the tow/haul feature, becuase the tranny can keep the engine in it's peak power spot.

we also have two v-10's and they are a beastly motor. they have tremendous off-idle torque, and it is an awesome engine, we have 4.30's in the truck that pulls the mower trailer, and a 6.0 doesnt have MUCH on it, and this is a 2000 2-valve motor. the only holdback from the diesel is the mileage. when pulling a trailer, you can actually watch the v-10's gas gauge move. we don't worry about mileage in the business, however a personal owner will care what mileage they are getting.

if i were you, it would be a 7.3 powerstroke with a manual transmission. bullet proof motor and a bullet proof transmission.

 

Buy the rolling furnace!!!!

Gassers have their place, no question....just not in a Super Duty.

 

I've driven 7.3's but only one was a 5 speed '97 F250 regular cab 2wd. It smoked the thru 3rd! It was the first turbo diesel I had ever driven. I have not been in a 6.0 yet. I've ridden in a '00 v 10. I would try to get 3.73 gears with the 6 speed.

 

The original question will be answered by how much you have to spend. I have an 01 F250 Crew V-10 and pull an 8000 lb camper almost every weekend from April until mid November. There is no loss for power, but yes, as someone said you can watch the fuel guage drop. On the other hand, when not towing, it gets around 15mpg driven conservitavely.

So, how long will you own the truck,,,, will you pay back in fuel savings to pay for the diesel option? Good Luck

 

I figure it would take about 5-6 six years just to break even driving 20k a year at your current $.50 more per gallon of diesel fuel with the PSD vs owning the V10.

 

I agree with that Statement 100%

 

I have had the Expy since new in '98. My wife drove it for a couple years. I had a work truck for a couple also. It would be over 200k had I not had a company truck. I would keep a new one at least 6 to 8 years.

 

did you take into consideration how the diesel will get roughly twice the mileage of the gas engine when pulling a trailer? how about the fact of having more torque under your right foot?

 

Towing mileage is only significant when you tow a significant amount of your mileage. He said he didn't tow much. In an empty truck, the V-10 and diesel will each give plenty of power under your right foot. Since the original poster is planning on driving with both feet my nod would be toward the V-10.

Diesels certainly have their place and sometimes it's in a pickup. Sometimes gasoline engines fit the need better. Why do some insist there's no choice? If there wasn't a choice, he wouldn't be asking.

 

Your question 'V-10 or Diesel' is a no-brainer in my mind. Get the V-10 and 4.30 LS gearing and enjoy!

 

I took that into consideration to come up with 5-6 years to break even. It costs several thousands more for the diesel option ignitially and more for maintence. It just doesn't pay right away unless you are really putting on the miles pulling all the time. I'd say for "MitchPeters" and his limited pulling/20k per year he could probably come out with the diesel if he so wished if he kept it a few years after it was paid for. For myself I put 10k a year on the pick-up so having a diesel makes no sence period. The truck would fall apart long before I ever recouped the raping of buying the diesel.

 

Buy the rolling furnace!!!!

Gassers have their place, no question....just not in a Super Duty.
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with out causeing any problem. this sounds like you have not had the chance to drive a 3 valve 10 yet. please try to do so. no matter what motor the truck is still a ford super duty capible of doing lots of work.
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did you take into consideration how the diesel will get roughly twice the mileage of the gas engine when pulling a trailer? how about the fact of having more torque under your right foot?
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kris here as some one who has owned 7.3's, 6.0's and now a 3valve v10 all of them have given me the same fuel milage towing my 11k boat/trailer combo on it's tri axle trailer.

there is always going to be the people who will say this and that about both the gas and diesel motors and it still brakes down to what the person who will be driveing the vehicle can afford to buy at that time he does.

no matter what motor in the truck, it's still a ford super duty work horse capible of lots of hard work for a long time. and i agree with the others who stated the lengh of time and miles to over come the large extra in cost price of purchase. esp as diesel around me right now is $.75 more then gas per gal.

i ask for thoughts of how many people thinking of a 08 as i am. will think serveral times about the rumored almost $10k price of the 6.4 over the about $600 price of the v10.. i know i am allready, esp after driving a 3 valve v10 for 2 years and finding it a very capible machine. and i do mean capible it's been over loaded several times carrying 2 complete marine 8 v92 tia's at the same time to the shop rebuilt and back to my former boat to be reinstalled . kris i know. knows first hand how much they weigh.

each to his own guys .just the cost right now. who knows how sales are going to go