I am a long-time Ford Truck owner and have loved all of them. However, I find myself in a neat situation. I need my truck to plow in the winter in Massachusetts (approx 5-8 good storms a year) and to tow a 7,000 lb boat/trailer combo in the summer totaling approx 1200 miles of towing. Furthermore, due to family situation, I only put around 10,000 miles per year on the truck. But, I do like having late model vehicles because of warranties. I currently have a 2005 F-250 Crew Cab Lariat with the 6.0L Diesel. Awesome truck, but I am not being kind to the diesel because a year after I got it I found myself with only a 5 mile commute to work and 5 miles back. Therefore, the diesel never really heats up and I get crappy mileage (around 12-13 mpg) on a yearly avg. I have a chance to get into a similarly equipped 2008 CC Lariat but with the 8 cylinder (gears of my choice) and only have to take 4K out of pocket (after the current rebates). Given I will need tires and brakes at some point on my current one the 4K is not a huge deal. Plus, gas has been running cheaper than diesel roughly 9 out of 12 months of the year as well and of course the diesel is more expensive to maintain. And, of course, the wife does not care for the noise and smell of the diesel but she deals with it. Should I make the move and am I correct in thinking that the diesel is not the way to go for me anymore whereas it once was when I was driving a lot more highway? If I do get the gas job, should I go with 3.73 or 4.10 gears? As an aside, I have no interest in a V-10 with the kind of driving I do.
I'm ready for comments

 

Welcome to FTE!

I tow 8000+ pounds regularly with my 5.4L V-8. I have 3.73 gearing. (See signature and photo).

Having the 4.10 gears will not be real bad on fuel mileage and will help towing your boat, but 3.73 gears will get the job done also.

Mileage won't be awesome, but 15-16 MPG hiway (unloaded) is easily possible. Around town and towing, I've heard the 4.10 gears help a little in mileage, but don't expect miracles.

 

Thanks redford, that helps. Do you agree the Diesel should be traded then?

 

rjbel

You might look in the 6.4 forum and read some ot the threads on the new trucks. Might change your mine, and it might not. If you are looking for fuel miles, check that too. I came so close to buying one, but I found this forum and read lots of things I didn't like about the new 6.4. I have been putting money in my 01'. Good luck

BTY welcome to FTE

 

Thanks miller_feed...but I am going to a gas engine more than likely

 

The 5.4L is great motor for what your talking about, I would get the 4.10 gears because of the extra towing and it will help out when pushing snow, the difference in MPG between 3.73 and 4.10 in normal driving will probably not be noticeable as for the 6.4L is supposed to get bad MPG, but it is a lot quieter (for the wife). Considering what you want is gas I'm not going to try to convince you to go diesel, I love mine but it's not for everyone. I drive similar miles to work around 10mi, but I always warm mine up when the temp gets below 50F. I know in 08 the did some suspension work, so you should be able to turn tighter and carry the weight better as long as you get the snow plow package or similar with upgraded front springs for the weight. Hope this helps.

 

mine is an 08 f 250 5.4 with 3.73 gears and average 17.3 hwy and 16.1 city which is not to bad

 

94yj
Is yours a reg cab, cre cab, 4wd, 2wd??

 

16.1 dam...i want you truck

 

sorry it is mine and the finane co and it is a 4x2 reg cab and it has a stahl full svc body on it

 

4:10 gears for sure. I had a 01 sc 4x4 w/ 5.4 and 4:10 good towing and not that bad on milage

 

rjbel, you have a tough decision. Me, I would stick with what you have and throw some tires on for $500 and keep $3,500 in my pocket. It is hard on that diesel to see such little use though. But, I only put 5K or so on my truck per year, which is why I have an older rig (that and the 7.3's love bio!). Just my opinion

 

Ed In Maine,
Unfortunately, good tires for my rig will run over $1,000 which leaves me with $3,000 and then a complete brake job in a year or two with rotors etc is roughly $900. So, I only have $2100 in my pocket in the end barring any warranty issues that come up from this point forward that are not covered by the 5 year/100000 mile powerstroke warranty. I guess that makes the decision that much tougher. The pluses are that I can get a fresh warranty, a reverse camera (new for 2008 in the rearview mirror...I have kids that like to play outside), powerfold/power retract mirrors and a better riding truck. After thinking about all this I was just about sold but wanted some other truck lovers opinions. I think my head is about to explode.

 

I would go for it... You'll probably never get that good of an offer on your truck again. In my recent shopping visits, I was informed that my '02 was pulling better trade value than most 6.0's and some of the dealers said they wouldn't even want it if it was a 6.0 - can't get rid of them as easy.

 

I can't comment on your neck of the woods, but around here 05 - 06 diesels are hard to come by. They are selling at a premium because people are waiting to see how the new diesels perform, or are scared of not finding the right fuel. I'd check the local papers and internet sales of similarly equipped trucks. If you don't see a lot of them, or they are selling at a premium now might be the time to jump on the offer. You might even consider selling it yourself and narrowing the $4,000 gap a little more.

For your driving habits I don't think there's anything wrong with the 5.4.