First Ford.....maybe
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3
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First Ford.....maybe
Hello everyone. This site seems like it'll be a great resource... if I decide to pull the trigger on this.. which is why I'm here.
The only trucks I've ever owned were chevys/gmc's. Lateley though I've been looking more and more at fords. I found one i like, price seems reasonable, the only problem is.... I dont know a d@mn thing about Fords, so I was hoping i could get your opinions on this truck. Any potential problems/recalls etc? Prone to rust in any particular spot? Anything you can tell me about motor/trans.? Should i be looking for a particular gear ratio? Really anything at all any of you can offer is greatly appreciated.
The truck is an '03 F250 XLT crew cab, 4x4, V10 with 51,000 miles. Asking price is $13k.
Primarily, this will be my personal vehicle. Occasionally it'll have to pull double duty towing a trailer, but nothing serious, maybe 5,000lbs.
Again, I really appreciate any advice you can offer.
The only trucks I've ever owned were chevys/gmc's. Lateley though I've been looking more and more at fords. I found one i like, price seems reasonable, the only problem is.... I dont know a d@mn thing about Fords, so I was hoping i could get your opinions on this truck. Any potential problems/recalls etc? Prone to rust in any particular spot? Anything you can tell me about motor/trans.? Should i be looking for a particular gear ratio? Really anything at all any of you can offer is greatly appreciated.
The truck is an '03 F250 XLT crew cab, 4x4, V10 with 51,000 miles. Asking price is $13k.
Primarily, this will be my personal vehicle. Occasionally it'll have to pull double duty towing a trailer, but nothing serious, maybe 5,000lbs.
Again, I really appreciate any advice you can offer.
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 812
Likes: 3
From: Mad River Valley
Welcome to FTE
The first thing that you should do is get the VIN# and submit a request via the OASIS request folder. The Oasis report will tell you about all of the warranty work that Ford has done on that truck.
Some other guys will probably chime in on the engine. From what I've read, the V10 is a great engine. And the one that you're looking at has really low miles. Good luck
The first thing that you should do is get the VIN# and submit a request via the OASIS request folder. The Oasis report will tell you about all of the warranty work that Ford has done on that truck.
Some other guys will probably chime in on the engine. From what I've read, the V10 is a great engine. And the one that you're looking at has really low miles. Good luck
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,974
Likes: 15
From: Millersburg, OH
The V10 is a good engine and will easily handle your towing needs. The engine is solid and generally does not have any day to day cronic issues. By that year they fixed the "plug popping" issue with more threads on the head. The exhaust studs still tend to have an issue in that model year but not a bad DIY project to replace them if that is even needed.
As snelldawg suggested get an OASIS report and this will let you know what has been done by any Ford dealer. If that comes back clean then I would say you have a good deal on a good truck.
I never owned a Ford truck before this and now I would not own anything but a Ford. They are simply soild and depenable. The same can be said about the V10.
As snelldawg suggested get an OASIS report and this will let you know what has been done by any Ford dealer. If that comes back clean then I would say you have a good deal on a good truck.
I never owned a Ford truck before this and now I would not own anything but a Ford. They are simply soild and depenable. The same can be said about the V10.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 547
Likes: 2
From: Darien
Exhaust manifold studs break/rot later in life. Otherwise the Engine is pretty good with just normal routine maintenance.
Gears should be 4.10's or the 4.30's The later is more desirable, but pulling just 5k or so the 4.10's should do just fine providing your not lifting it or adding oversized tires to subtract away from it. I test drove an 03 with 33's and 4.10's prior to buying my 01. Spun the tires leaving the first few stop signs getting used to it. It had plenty of power.
It should make for a good truck. Check the OASIS report for anything suspect and go from there...
Gears should be 4.10's or the 4.30's The later is more desirable, but pulling just 5k or so the 4.10's should do just fine providing your not lifting it or adding oversized tires to subtract away from it. I test drove an 03 with 33's and 4.10's prior to buying my 01. Spun the tires leaving the first few stop signs getting used to it. It had plenty of power.
It should make for a good truck. Check the OASIS report for anything suspect and go from there...
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 342
Likes: 1
From: Maple Ridge, Canada
All great advice in the previous posts.
TSB and recalls are at the top of the page so feel them out. You can also use search to sniff out any questions. This site is pretty sweet. You for sure want to know your making a good choice. Based on more than just biased opinions.
With that aside, If you can tolerate 10 mpg overall average the V10 is really a nice power plant for puttering around and for towing. Mine doesn,t leak any oil never has and likely never will. I,ve had manifold studs break but that wouldn,t stop me from getting another one.
The trucks speak for themselves "They,re calling you".
TSB and recalls are at the top of the page so feel them out. You can also use search to sniff out any questions. This site is pretty sweet. You for sure want to know your making a good choice. Based on more than just biased opinions.
With that aside, If you can tolerate 10 mpg overall average the V10 is really a nice power plant for puttering around and for towing. Mine doesn,t leak any oil never has and likely never will. I,ve had manifold studs break but that wouldn,t stop me from getting another one.
The trucks speak for themselves "They,re calling you".
Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
I recently bought a 2003 crew cab v-10(2 wd) (Approx. 3 months ago).This was my first SD. I really love the truck.I've owned other brands in the past, and i like this one the best.I tow a 24ft camper with no problem at all. Only wish gas milage was a little better.Right now im getting 11-13 aruond town.I have not checked it while towing .I think you will be happy with the room and power the SD will provide. The price sounds good for only 51,000 miles. Hope this helps
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New User
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Thank you all for the helpful posts. I hadn't noticed the recall/tsb button up top, thank you.
I had read about the issue with the plugs, good to know it was on the older models. And I'm lucky to be getting 10mpg with 8.1L GMC (which I'll be keeping), so if I can get 11-13 with the ford it'd actually be an improvement.
So far I can't find a reason not to buy this truck. Looks like friday morning I'll be making an offer on it.
Again, thank you all for your opinions.
Who knows, if all goes well with this truck, I may be replacing my work truck with a ford also. I think my father is going to stop talking to me.
I had read about the issue with the plugs, good to know it was on the older models. And I'm lucky to be getting 10mpg with 8.1L GMC (which I'll be keeping), so if I can get 11-13 with the ford it'd actually be an improvement.
So far I can't find a reason not to buy this truck. Looks like friday morning I'll be making an offer on it.
Again, thank you all for your opinions.
Who knows, if all goes well with this truck, I may be replacing my work truck with a ford also. I think my father is going to stop talking to me.
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Elder User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 547
Likes: 2
From: Darien
Nah, I told my Mom if see ever broke down on the side of the road in her Buick I'd leave her there years ago and I did. Everyone in the family now is on the same page. All Fords. My point is I didn't stop talking to her. I just didn't stop period. 
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,974
Likes: 15
From: Millersburg, OH
Now that's dedication to a brand! That needs to be in a Ford commercial.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,181
Likes: 3
From: Eastern CT.
Sounds like a nice truck,,only thing I can add is Ford has 2-4x4 systems,,,the old reliable manual hubs and floor shifter,,(which is only one I will bye) or the slightly more problematic ESOF,mostly problems with the vacum hubs,,,check the 4x4 operation if it is the ESOF system,,dont just rely on the lights coming on,,,get her in the dirt,,and find out if the 4x4 is working by tromping on it,,see if it hooks up or not !
If you do buy it,,and tow with it,,dont be afraid to put your foot in it,,she dont start coming alive till about 3,000 rpm,,and will run all day long at 5,000 rpm and more,,I had an 04' V-10, F-350 6-speed DRW w/4:30's, was a great truck,,I just wanted to get away from the DRW,,somebody got a great truck !
If you do buy it,,and tow with it,,dont be afraid to put your foot in it,,she dont start coming alive till about 3,000 rpm,,and will run all day long at 5,000 rpm and more,,I had an 04' V-10, F-350 6-speed DRW w/4:30's, was a great truck,,I just wanted to get away from the DRW,,somebody got a great truck !
Super Moderator
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 8,547
Likes: 6
From: MA
Welcome to FTE. It should be a very stout truck. My father had an 04 similarly equipped, and he got 12mpg with the 3.73 gears (and he flogged it). I have an 08 V10 with the deep 4.30s, and I am averaging 12.5. You should be happy with all aspects of that truck.
As a side question... you from New England, or just a Sox fan?
As a side question... you from New England, or just a Sox fan?
Hello everyone. This site seems like it'll be a great resource... if I decide to pull the trigger on this.. which is why I'm here.
The only trucks I've ever owned were chevys/gmc's. Lateley though I've been looking more and more at fords. I found one i like, price seems reasonable, the only problem is.... I dont know a d@mn thing about Fords, so I was hoping i could get your opinions on this truck. Any potential problems/recalls etc? Prone to rust in any particular spot? Anything you can tell me about motor/trans.? Should i be looking for a particular gear ratio? Really anything at all any of you can offer is greatly appreciated.
The truck is an '03 F250 XLT crew cab, 4x4, V10 with 51,000 miles. Asking price is $13k.
Primarily, this will be my personal vehicle. Occasionally it'll have to pull double duty towing a trailer, but nothing serious, maybe 5,000lbs.
Again, I really appreciate any advice you can offer.
The only trucks I've ever owned were chevys/gmc's. Lateley though I've been looking more and more at fords. I found one i like, price seems reasonable, the only problem is.... I dont know a d@mn thing about Fords, so I was hoping i could get your opinions on this truck. Any potential problems/recalls etc? Prone to rust in any particular spot? Anything you can tell me about motor/trans.? Should i be looking for a particular gear ratio? Really anything at all any of you can offer is greatly appreciated.
The truck is an '03 F250 XLT crew cab, 4x4, V10 with 51,000 miles. Asking price is $13k.
Primarily, this will be my personal vehicle. Occasionally it'll have to pull double duty towing a trailer, but nothing serious, maybe 5,000lbs.
Again, I really appreciate any advice you can offer.
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Just thought i'd add my two scents here. I was in the same boat owned chevy's only. After 5 chevy's with fourhweel drive and brake trouble i decided to go ford. So far i've had the truck a week and i don't regret one bit of the move
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,595
Likes: 0
From: IL
I come from a diehard shivy family and used to own nothing but gm/shivy's, but that was many moons ago. I learned my lesson about gm's early in life and have no good memories regarding. I just look back and smile now!
Good luck with your new/used truck, you'll be pleased.
Good luck with your new/used truck, you'll be pleased.