V10 being replaced?
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,101
Likes: 40
From: Pa
Just stating facts. A 7, 8 or 9 thousand pound truck is not not known for economy. Just because dropping cylinders barely improves mpgs on a lighter more aerodynamic yukon or suburban doesn't mean it will work on a heavy box like the SD.
The 5.4l V8 and the V10 get very close mpg despite 5.4l having 2 less cylinders and 77 ci less.
If mpg is a concern and your looking at an F-550, maybe you should look at a medium duty F-650 with a diesel, of course there are cons there as well.
Or maybe a 6.4l.
The 5.4l V8 and the V10 get very close mpg despite 5.4l having 2 less cylinders and 77 ci less.
If mpg is a concern and your looking at an F-550, maybe you should look at a medium duty F-650 with a diesel, of course there are cons there as well.
Or maybe a 6.4l.
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,684
Likes: 2
The whole reason I'm looking at the gas engine is the 6.4. I will NOT buy one of those engines. The F650 would not be any better, and doesn't fit the under 7' requirement. Dropping cylinders would help while idling and running the pto. Tow trucks here see at lot of idling time in traffic, hooking up, etc. My V10 gets 6 mpg around town now. My 6.0 gets 10 mpg around town. The 6.4 gets about 8 mpg in a class 4/5 around town. I need to stay in a class 4/5 truck for weight carrying and height concerns. I guess no one has info yet on this upcoming engine. Maybe I'll have to go Dodge/Cummins this time. Not enough feedback out on those yet though. LS
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,684
Likes: 2
You obviously have not read my posts. I have to buy trucks, they are how I make my living! Don't fault me because the cheap azz average American consumers don't understand that fuel cost has gone up. They don't want to pay more because fuel prices went up. I'm just trying to run my business as efficiently as I can, to save guys like you from complaining about the high cost of towing....
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,101
Likes: 40
From: Pa
I may be unconventional in the way I think but (flame suit on) here goes. I'd take a couple of your older F-450s and F-550s and do a cummins 12V or 24V swap. (Going to get flamed big time for this one
) You are not going to beat the cummins for fuel economy and overall high mileage longevity. Even with the cost of diesel you'll still come out ahead. Take the best built truck on the road (Ford SD) and put one of the best diesels on the market in it. (Cummins) and run the truck till it dies. I'm a business owner myself and honestly I can't see buying new trucks every few years, but thats just me. My old neighbor works for a trailer manuf and they have a late 80's dodge with a 12V cummins in it and a 5 spd manual reg cab dually to make trailer deliveries in the NE US states, that things still making runs and has to have at least 500k on it by now. Just a thought. Guys be gentle.
) You are not going to beat the cummins for fuel economy and overall high mileage longevity. Even with the cost of diesel you'll still come out ahead. Take the best built truck on the road (Ford SD) and put one of the best diesels on the market in it. (Cummins) and run the truck till it dies. I'm a business owner myself and honestly I can't see buying new trucks every few years, but thats just me. My old neighbor works for a trailer manuf and they have a late 80's dodge with a 12V cummins in it and a 5 spd manual reg cab dually to make trailer deliveries in the NE US states, that things still making runs and has to have at least 500k on it by now. Just a thought. Guys be gentle.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 327
Likes: 2
hi lloyd. here is the scoop. if i offended you, i am sorry. its just that i have been on this site for 5 years now under 2 names, and the gas mileage thing has been beat and beat and beat to death big time. always the same. i understand you run a business, and you want to get the best mileage to get the most profit margin. it would seem for towing and hauling big loads, you might want to consider some sort of diesel and get maybe 2 miles per gallon better, but spend 75 cents more per gallon to fill it. to me, there is absolutely no gain in buying a diesel anymore unless you are looking for absolute maximum towing. i get 13 mpg all day every day with my 250 v10 six speed, but i drive it unloaded. 6-8 is probably the best your gonna do with much weight in it. a V8 of any sort is not going to get any better mileage no matter what you do with it IF ITS TOWING OR HAULING. unloaded maybe. DKF might have a point. again sorry. matt
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,684
Likes: 2
No problem Matt. Every 3-4 years I get one new truck. I'm just over 3 years since my last one (6.0), and it has 78K miles. I honestly don't want to keep it after the warranty expires. I'd love to stay with Ford, But I will not buy a 6.4 The MPG is terrible, too many problems, and they are shoehorned in there so that you can't even work on them. My V10 truck has been great, (very reliable) but fuel economy is only 6 around town. I would rather buy a V10 again, than the 6.4, as reliability is more important than fuel economy for me. My other option is the Dodge 5500 CTD. I'm really not sure I want a dodge though. I still believe Ford builds the best cab & chassis. I just don't want to order a new truck, and find out a month later that a better engine is 6 months away. I will at least wait until the 09's can be ordered. Lloyd
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 355
Likes: 4
From: Central Pennsylvania
No problem Matt. Every 3-4 years I get one new truck. I'm just over 3 years since my last one (6.0), and it has 78K miles. I honestly don't want to keep it after the warranty expires. I'd love to stay with Ford, But I will not buy a 6.4 The MPG is terrible, too many problems, and they are shoehorned in there so that you can't even work on them. My V10 truck has been great, (very reliable) but fuel economy is only 6 around town. I would rather buy a V10 again, than the 6.4, as reliability is more important than fuel economy for me. My other option is the Dodge 5500 CTD. I'm really not sure I want a dodge though. I still believe Ford builds the best cab & chassis. I just don't want to order a new truck, and find out a month later that a better engine is 6 months away. I will at least wait until the 09's can be ordered. Lloyd
LSchitown.
Sounds like you would have 4.88's or 5.whatevers. Chances are that over half the time yoiu wouldn't need that short of gears. Might want to consider a Gear Venders unit. Or consider a hydrogen vapor add on.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Tuned
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 347
Likes: 0
From: ind. (kc)
hey ls, you cry about the mpg with your v10 but your stroker is only a couple of mpg better after a chip/progarmer, isn't your real problem a small gas tank?? did you ever own a 460 in a truck like this?? fuel costs go up& you have to charge more. v10 isn't any worse than a 8.1 chevy ,& a 5.7 dodge would'nt do the job . if you do the math now the v10& 6.0 psd have be about the same cost per mile [fuel wise] any way all our complaining isn't going to lower gas prices bseg barry
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,684
Likes: 2
hey ls, you cry about the mpg with your v10 but your stroker is only a couple of mpg better after a chip/progarmer, isn't your real problem a small gas tank?? did you ever own a 460 in a truck like this?? fuel costs go up& you have to charge more. v10 isn't any worse than a 8.1 chevy ,& a 5.7 dodge would'nt do the job . if you do the math now the v10& 6.0 psd have be about the same cost per mile [fuel wise] any way all our complaining isn't going to lower gas prices bseg barry
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 951
Likes: 7
From: So Cal
Sounds like you have more info than anyone else , Who ever told you about the V-10's future should have all the rest of the info also No?
I head the V-10 will be around for awhile , They have no replacement for the H.D Vans and the F53 Motorhome chassis. The V-8 Boss will be a nice upgrade from the 5.4 but will not and can not replace the V-10 and all its applications
With all the Drama in the Diesel world that extends the V-10 lifecycle even longer
Ford Has stated no cyc deactivation coming but who know's
Tuned
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 347
Likes: 0
From: ind. (kc)
hi, my f450v10 auto 4x4 cc 9' tow body draging my 20k excavtor and trailer,around a hilly city gets more than 7.5and emty as much as 10. don't know what the truck weighs but it's heavy . lots of tools prob. 10k-12k. i have a friend that has a 550 with a 6.0 get about 2mpg more . charge more . bseg barry
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,684
Likes: 2
460 was an auto, but on a 9500# f350 instead of a 11,000# F450. Also, I would change to 4.10 gears on the V10 if it drove more highway. Around town, it won't get any worse mpg with the 4.88's. LS