Okay so im sure some of you have seen me around the forum in the great debate.. what the hell do i buy.. ive narrowed it down to two trucks...

One being a 2004 V10 4x4 F250 CC LB (11,000 miles) $26,000

Lifted-- all cherried out 50k in aftermarket stuffs.

FLAWLESS BODY


Other choice being

1999 7.3L 4x4 F250 CC SB (180,000 miles) $20,000

**edit, this f250 has complete front and rear end of the 2007, looks virtually identical.

Lifted -- twice as nice as the V10 70k-80k in aftermarket doo dads..

brand new tranny and motor was TOTALLY babied (this guy may have been a little nuts with the motor)


FLAWLESS BODY ASWELL


So heres the debate.. and yes i know im in the diesel forum so obviously the choice may lean one way or another but id like some honest input..

THE DEBATE: the diesel has alot of miles and i MEAN ALOT... but it lasts realisticly 275-300k miles.. so about 100k more miles on that engine...

The gas.. lasts 100k miles and the resale is nothing.

The diesel is 6,000 less.. id bank the 6,000 save for when my engine does go out, and get a rebuilt or new one and boom new truck.

The gas.. has no miles really.. ill get realisticly 120k out of it before its dead..

Now if the diesel dies, i have the money for the engine already saved..

when the gas dies.. im SoL..

I figure they both have the same life left in them.... ones 5 years newer...


PLEASE help me with the decision would ya.

 

I guess you have to look at what are your plans with the truck you intend to buy. We purchased our diesel because we tow stuff A lot and it is pretty good on fuel.

 

IMHO, customs and mods are worth less than their factory original brethren. I can't see where a customized truck is any different than a custom rifle, and given that taste is an individual thing, it might be worth it if everything is to your liking. For example, I'm not big on "lifts" where 2"-3" might look good, but a 6" lift is like a throw-back to the old high boy.

Engine and electrical mods are another area of concern. Hang around these forums and you'll see what I mean. True everyone has a favorite, but there is a reason why "DP" tuners are well respected by the majority of posters. I think this place is great, and no doubt about it, it beats the pants off of the Saturday/Sunday morning hotrod television shows.

 

The V10's are gas hogs, lucky to get 8mpg empty. I'd go with the 7.3 diesel. Diesel may be more per gallon at the moment but the 7.3 uses a lot less fuel then the v10 and will last longer by a lot of miles.

 

I believe you should get a lot of miles out of either engine, assuming you take care of them. 250,000 to 300,000 out of a gas engine is possible. The 7.3 should outlast the truck, assuming you take care of it.

 

I have had the 2004 truck in my sig line for about a month now. I am consistently avg 13.5-14 mpg ( hand calc ). I don't think the mpg difference is as much as a lot of diesel owners want you to believe, but mpg's have a lot to do with the driver so YMMV. I have found in situations like this the best thing to do is look at both trucks and taking out all the other factors decide which one you like the most. If you buy the one you like the most it will be easier to live with the decision. Just my .02.

Chad

 

iv got over 200k on my 7.3 and still runs like bran new, we have a v10 in a work truck with about 170k on it and it misses gets 5-6 mpg (its a cube truck so wind resitance is an issue) and its been less than reliable. iv heard the same miss on alot of other v10's. we have another v10 in an motorhome that runs like glass but it only has like 30k miles on it. but it gets 6-7mpg keeping it below 65 throw a trailer behind it and your looking at 4. my 7.3 i can tow over my gvwr and still get 10

 

That 7.3 sounds pretty good to me. You can get more than 300k on a 7.3 easily. The trannys are what dont last as long.

 

Sounds like you allready made up your mind like you said the v-10 is already almost dead thr 7.3 has pleanty of life and you will have enough money for a new engine or mor likely a trans.

 

People over look one important thing when talking about trucks that are so different in mileage. The rest of the truck! Both engines are great. I have owned a 2003 V10 and two 2005 6.0's. The 7.3 is great as well from what I have heard.

The rest of the truck also has 180k on it versus the newer one which only has 11k on it. Ignore the engines for a second and look at how much life the rest of the components on the truck have left in them. Just a thought.

For $26k you could probably find a lower mileage 7.3. I don't know how you feel about the 6.0's but I found my 2005 for $30k a year ago (before $4.00/gal fuel prices).

If I had to pick between those two based on what you have said...I would pick the V10. Now, if I could shop then I would find a lower milage 7.3 or a newer 6.0 for around 26k.

Just my two cents. Good luck with whatever option you choose.

 

my .02 Go with the 7.3 If it has been taken care of then the motor is just starting to break in at 100,000. Yes diesel is more$$ than gas now, but the v10 is a pig on gas. Tune up=10 spark plugs +wires.....diesel oh ya no spark plugs!!!

 

This goes either way. The V10 is a cheaper motor to replace. The diesel gets better MPG (but that is a wash because here, gas is .50 cheaper a gallon)

buy the one YOU like

 

Oops thought the v-10 had 110,000 on it. I'd still go with the 7.3

 

If they're both lifted to the point that the tires are 35" or bigger, the fuel mileage will suck on either one...so don't let that influence your decision too much. Although, the diesel would probably do slightly better.

 

In my opinion, the 7.3 is your best choice.
I think $26,000. for an 04 V10 is ridiculous. And besides even with a lot of extra goodies that is way too much. And with the lift, it is usually a take away when you go to sell.