It's really perception. Just like people think of diesels to be slow moving monsters that you hate to be behind and I end up having to teach the backwards people here the error of that on a daily basis(I love it when I minivan mom tries to whip around me and she realizes that she can't, atleast not easily).

 

I`d go with the v10! I`m a diesel man , but with the mpg that the new diesels get , plus the fact that diesels is always higher at least 9 months out of the year, it`s not worth it! Plus the new diesel cost more!

 

7.3s have been known to go a million miles. A lot of folks on the 7.3 forum have over 500k (some WELL over 500k). That's what attracted me to it in the first place. Sorry, but I think the PSD wins the reliability category.

 

Redford, I checked before I posted this, and you're right, on a 3 year old f250, there is only a $5700 difference between a truck with a diesel and a V-10. And as far as which one lasts longer, I don't know much about the longevity of the V-10, but personally, if I am looking for a 400k or even 250k mile vehicle, it's diesel all the way.

Please don't flame me, I'm not trying to start any gas vs diesel thing here. In addition to my F250 diesel, I have a F150 gasser that I really enjoy. I think they each have there own place.

 

Dont know or care about gas vs diesel, but if u could find one i would definatly go with a standard. i have an 03 v10 with a stick and it is awsome. I have 4.30 gears w/35 in tires and a six inch lift. thre is nothing like a standard. This truck is extremly quick for its size and u can control the rpms alot more than with an auto.

 

You can control rpms on an auto thru custom tuning. I used to have a stick, I'm glad that they have improved the auto trannys, nothing is worse then hauling a load thru town and having to be constantly shifting thru stop and go traffic. However, a good custom tuner(the person) can have have the shift patterns changed to where it comes very close to having a standard. Those that have tried the race tunes that Matt puts out fill very much like it used to when your banging thru the gears trying to race someone. Technology is wonderful at times(when it works especially).

 

I think a V-10 would suit you just fine. You do some towing but not really hauling extremely heavy loads. I haul with my truck but pretty heavy loads at times so a diesel is a must for me. Diesels have a lot that famous down low torque which is critical for moving heavy loads from a stop. But in your situation a V-10 should just suit you just fine.

 

The autos seem to be a bit quicker than the sticks, too (at least in the 7.3 world). If I have to put in a new 4R100, it's going to be a BUILT one because I refuse to do it more than once.

 

I heard that. The torqshift that's on mine seems to be holding up well enough, but when it does crap out, I'm going to get Matt to build it up stronger(hopefully they will have their own rebuild kit by them, but who knows with as many miles as I put on the ole girl).

 

Yes, I've checked also. The added value of a used PSD over a gasser seems to be on a sliding scale. On older trucks (1999) you'll see about $2000. That gap widens as the trucks get younger.

I'm also not trying to start a gas vs. diesel thread. I'm just pointing out that I have a hard time recommending someone purchase an F-250 or F-350 SRW with a Power Stroke, starting with the 2008 model year. The engine cost $6500 more, doesn't get better fuel economy, cost more for maintenance through the first 200,000 miles (maintenance cost may equal out at about that point), fuel is more expensive and isn't rated to pull or haul a heavier load.

Yes, you will get back some of the investment when you sell the truck, but you won't get the $6500 back.

As for diesels lasting 1,000,000 miles, that may be true but most owners don't keep them that long. There are exceptions, but I see most guys selling or trading the trucks before they hit 200k miles.

With an F-350 DRW or an F-450, sure, get a PSD, 4.30 gears (or even 4.88 on the 450) and go for it.

I understand that some guys love diesels and will buy the trucks regardless of the cost or benefits. It's like guys in the 60's purchasing Hemi 'cudas, RAIV GTO's or a dual quad 409 Impala.....a guy's gotta do what a guy's gotta do.

 

I believe with the 450s you don't have a choice you have to get a diesel.

 

Its much easier to sell a PSD then comparable gasser. Just simple fact off the matter. That being said. There are some great buys out there on used V-10s. They just depreciate more initially when there new then a diesel but will do the job just fine. To me the 5.4 is alright but really for a few bucks more a V-10 is the way better option. Remeber these are heavy trucks an need power to pull themselves around. The V-10 answers the call an your gas mileage will oprobably be better then the 5.4 since it doesnt have to lug the motor down as much. Like I said if your pulling constantly diesl is the only way to go. If your just occasionally hauling a load and using it as adaily driver get the V-10.

 

Yes, but then someone else drives it for another 200k, trades it.....

Yeah, I freely admit that I just wanted a diesel. *Partially* because of what you said, but also because they keep going, and going, and going...

But getting back to your point, I do think the 7.3 is like the engines/cars you mentioned. It's the last of the breed. Now that diesels are getting choked by the EPA, they're getting crappy mileage and some of the parts they added are failing (like the 6.0 EGR problems).

 

And that's were the delete kit comes in handy. Never had an EGR problem and I don't suspect I will or atleast if I do I won't know about it and won't have to worry about it.

 

Only the pick up. In the F450 or F550 chassis cabs you can get the V10.