Looking for some experienced guidance on a purchase - drove a buddy's 00 X over the weeknd and I loved it. I have 3 boys and want the extra room - alos tow a 4000 lb torino around on occasion among other small towables. For the three engine choices - 5.4, 6.8, and PSD, what are the pros and cons? Obviously I know the legend of the PSD - had one in my 00 crew with over 300K, but I see that the V10's are getting around 12, how does the 5.4 do in this truck? My F150 only got about 14 with the 5.4. Also, many differences with the 4x4 option? Just kind of looking for some real advice for a teacher with not a lot of money to get into a used X, using it mostly for mixed highway/city, and occasional towing of about 5500 lbs.

 

v10 - milage sucks! But I didn't buy it to save dino juice. 10.5 in town, 13.5 on the highway w/ AC on, 8 towing my 7800# TT. It tows well (power wise) with some required suspension upgrades - namely a rear anti-sway. That is my experience.

I would think that the 5.4 would be way under powered for all but the lightest and smallest towing. Remember that even a light trailer can have a large wind profile making it hard to tow. It isn't so much the weight as the wind resistance at highway speeds.

Diesels have higher cost of ownership (you probably already knew that) but tend to get better milage.

 

My V10 also gets about 10.5 in the city and 13.5 on the highway. But im gas pedal happy and my highway mileage was at a 75-80 mph cruise. Stay out of the gas pedal and dont fly down thye highway and your mileage can go up a bit. At 55 i was getting 16.5 reported by the overhead counsole which is known to be a lil bit high on some vehicles. The V8s typically get at the most 1 more mile per gallon. Many say theres no difference due to the motor having to work harder to move the heavy truck.

Diesel gets better milage, but your looking at about 5 thousand more to get into a diesel with similar mileage. Also oil changes are quite a bit more expensive and they require a little more maintenence like fuel flters etc. The V10 will tow anything the diesel will, you will just have to rev it higher to do it. The diesel guys will cry and say its not true, but it is.

Diesel advantages in my eyes, it seem slike your not pushing the vehicle as hard when you are towing a big load up a hill lets say. Only cause its turning lower RPMs though. You get significantly better range out of a tank of fuel. Power upgrades are plentiful, and a simple change in the computers tune can yield big power gains. Sometimes you can gain power AND add fuel mileage.

So if your looking to modify your truck for more power the diesel is the way to go. If you want a (imho) cleaner truck thats more family friendly and lower maintenance that you dont plan on modifying for more power, the V10 is for you.