That has got to be the one thing that really bugs me when people post something like that. Unless you are in the habit of paying MSRP for the vehicle your not going to be paying that for the diesel option. Now granted you'll be paying more then the v10 option(depending on your bargaining power, quite a bit more), but not that amount that everyone keeps on mentioning. That's just rediculous. Most everything else I would agree with as valid concerns and even the above is a valid concern but everyone is in the habit of inflating the diesel option, shop well and you can get a significant cut in that option price. Also bare in mind even with the diesel fuel prices are the way that they are, there is one thing that the v10 still hasn't got on the diesel and that is resale(how much longer that lasts who knows, but it's still the way it is as of my posting) and oddly enough, it is still easier to resale a diesel despite the raising fuel costs of diesel(and you even have more vehicles becoming equipped with diesels which is even more surprising) over a v10. Just some other things to consider.

 

it is crazy, since the 08 came out to today i have only seen 2 V10s at one dealership in the whole RGV the rest were PSD, and no 5.4Ls, and dealerships will not order them, they will only take custom orders for them but not for the lot

 

Go with what's most important to you... the PSD will tow better but can work in the mud. The V-10 is better in serious mud but can tow. The money is certainly a factor!
The biggest thing that turned me to the V-10 was needing constant, reliable cold starts when hunting in the mountains 100 miles from the nearest plug-in. I don't care how much Ford claims cold starting has improved on the PSD. Glow plugs can and will fail, usually in the least favorable moments like those!

As for drinking gas, the V-10 really doesn't use that much more than than my 5.4 did in my '04 F-150. I suppose if your foot is constantly to the floor, that would be an issue.

 

I will most certainly agree that cold starting shouldn't be an issue in Texas. I mentioned it because the OP said he would be in Wisconsin in the wintertime.

I saw it to be an issue in southwest Kansas where I grew up, albeit on older models. I have had to give one 6.slow owner a ride back to town last year because his glow plugs failed. He was really po'd and vowed to trade it in on a V-10.

If he's only going to be in those situations once in a blue moon, I wouldn't worry about it either. Just cross your fingers when you turn that key!

 

cold weather starts are not an issue as long as you maintain your pickup. The glow plugs will fail, but if you check them every fall before it gets cold you should eliminate any suprises. If you are going to be spending alot of time out in the hills then it would help you to learn you gp system and understand how to jump the gpr if needed. I have not had a problem with my psd's in cold weather, except the time I thought I had blended fuel in and it gelled up. My own stupidity! The old idi 7.3 and 6.9 were alot harder to deal with, but I really didnt have too much issue with them either.

 

Understand he's in the deep Rio Grand Valley near Weslaco and very close to our border with Mexico so cold starts will likely never be a problem for him. Texas is so big that I experienced -14 in 1962 in Midland which is 300 miles south of Texas' northern border. A major cold front for him will likely dip into the upper 30's.

 

New here but just as a reference, I was born in Powell, Wyoming as my Dad drilled oil wells there. We also lived in an oil camp 40 miles from Cody in Little Buffalo Basin and later in Casper. I grew up with snow chains and dipstick heaters in the 50's. Trucks were much less capable then. Life in snow country is so much easier today with great Ford trucks. I'm in the Houston area and only have to deal with floods and my trusty '93 F-350 460 four-door dually takes care of anything thrown at it. 130,000 miles with the original water pump. Best Ford truck I've ever owned!

 

He can get the same truck he wants cheaper in the PSD than the v10....This is a no brainer...Get the diesel...

 

When I ordered my truck I chose the V-10 for several different reasons. One was the obvious cost difference. Another was I do mostly short trip driving and a diesel would rarely ever get warmed up. But the biggest reason I chose the V-10 was the fact that I was not going to be a product tester for Ford's/Navistars new 6.4 diesel. All the die hard diesel guys can say whatever they want but the bottom line is a V-10 is more reliable than the current 6.4 diesel. All one has to do is probe around in the 6.4 forum here or even better over on www.ford-trucks.com.com to see what I mean.

Please understand, I'm not a diesel hater as I owned 3 different Dodge/Cummins truck myself and was very happy with the diesel. My driving style was different then because I hauled a fifth wheel camper which I no longer own. I'm also a fan of the 7.3 Powerstroke and the 6.6 Duramax. However, the 6.4 and the 6.0 before it appear to be less reliable than the V-10. I know one thing, I hate leaving my new truck at the dealership for repairs. Especially when the cab has to be removed for the majority of engine work.

Bottom line. The V-10 will perform all the tasks you listed and it will most likely be more reliable than the 6.4 Powerstroke. Sorry if I offended any 6.0 or 6.4 owners but I'm only preaching what appears to be the obvious from my point of view.

 

Without opening up pandoras box (too late huh) I half agree with you. However, the poster is looking to purchase a truck in the near future and I still stand behind my statement that the V-10 is more reliable than the current 6.4 diesel. I'm not saying Ford will fail correct most issue's in the future. But like you said it takes few guinea pigs to make it right. Well, I hate being a guinea pig and I'm sure the thread starter doesn't want to be one either.

 

ok i know alot of you are still taking the $6k engine option as a factor, that is why i wish i could change the first post. I did say that down here the dealer marks up NEW V10s higher than Brand NEW (i mean the thing only had 12miles on it) PSD. Also i understand the concept of not buying the first model (learned this from my mustang, bought a 2006 instead of 2005 and dodged all the TSB BS) So for that i am going to go with an 09 and let these 6.4Ls sink in. Also remember i do make a trip to Wisconsin more than 4 times a year and i will be hualing a car trailer with my heavy **** car in it (thing literally weighs 4500# but i can still run a 13.7 1/4 mile) And the winter time driving will be maybe once every other year so most of the driving will be here in Texas.

 

By the remarks you've made I think you already know you want a diesel. Just remember one thing. The V-10 in most applications is rated to tow as much as the 6.4 diesel so towing your car to Wisconsin will not be a problem. If you towed you car on a daily basis I would give the nod towards a diesel. But a half a dozen times a year does not make a case for a diesel over a V-10.

It's your money and you need to be happy with your choice. However, I find it odd that any Ford dealer would sell a diesel cheaper than an identically equipped V-10. The only way I see it happening is if the diesel truck rebate is much higher than the gas truck rebate.

 

Never thought of it that way. Thanks.

 

that and the dealerships have the same idea that they had with the GT500, that car had a sticker of $45K but alot of dealerships were selling them for $80K+, just for dealer markup

 

Hi, new to the forum but dorve Fords since I was 13. My old '75 F350 had a 460 w/magneto; 4.11 lsd, and C6. Couldn't get it stuck, but you could always count on getting 9 mpg (didn't care about load, wind or terrain) My current '85 F250 has a 7.3 (threw a rod cap, and the 7.3 was a sweeeeeet deal) The torque and sheer pull of this thing would make my much loved 350 jealous. I can also make my own go juice for it without getting an ATF license first. Get the diesel, learn to make your own fuel, and laugh at the gassers crying about fuel prices (at least in summer)