The tests are pretty close. Luckily I don't race so the test justifies preference over performance.

The REAL test is which truck burned more gallons of fuel to perform the shootout? My guess is that the 4.30 gasser won that too!

 

The V10 has slightly more HP. I think that if the grade were longer, the V10 acceleration would have flattened out too, but at a slightly higher speed (which it had already reached in the test).

BTW, why is the 6.4 in the F-350 rated at 350 HP, but the one in the F-450 is only rated at 325 HP?

 

Well I think that is a given.
If you want a diesel (or a gas) truck, go buy one and be happy with your decision.
I think the issue in this thread is that a number of individuals have justified their purchase of a diesel based on its superior towing performance, when arbitrarily that doesn't seem to be the case.

I have no problem with people purchasing what they want (in fact I am all for it), but if we are arguing about superior towing performance one needs to overlook personal preferences (and/or buying decisions) and look straight at the facts.

If I was in the market for a new pickup today, it would be a diesel no question about it. It wouldn't be because it is the smartest decision, its because I could rip off all the emissions crap, put a tuner/exhaust on it and have 550rwHp with a 3.5ton pickup, and do burnouts and pump out smoke to my hearts content. It would be a hoot, but if I was interested in a more objective purchase (which I am not), the V10 would look a lot better.I think there is no question about it, the gas engine would have burned more fuel, although that difference I would hazard to guess may not be that great.
I am disappointed in that test they did not include fuel consumption results, because while I am sure that the 6.8 out drank the 6.4 (especially while towing), the anecdotal results by reading the 6.8 and 6.4 forums here respectively lead one to believe that the mileage benefit of owning a diesel with the current EPA requirements isn't as good as it once used to be.
No doubt it would have, everything has a limit - its just that in that test it appears that the V10's limit was higher than the PSD's.It is dependent upon configuration. you can order an F-450 w/ a 350hp 6.4, but it has to be automatic with 4.30 gears. Manual with 4.30's = 325hp as does either transmission fitted with 4.88 gears.
Given that it only comes in this configuration I suspect that they place the power limitation for the reliability of the drive line (I am guessing the pinion gears).

Adrian

 

OK, you ruined this thread with LOGIC

 

Agree !
Buy what you WANT....
So far, the CHANGE has not changed that --- yet

But don't through up a comparison of apples and oranges like the following
that's why this thread is so entertaining !!!! a lighter truck with more gearing against a heavier truck with highway gearing !!!!

That's funny right there.... !!!

Why don't we compare an offensive linemen with one leg against a track star ?

It IS a comparison

 

I purchased my diesels based on more than just towing. Mileage, longevity and resale value are some of the other factors. The V10 may compare on towing and longivity, but the rest it falls short.

 

The weight is one thing, but traditionally a dually F350 will only weigh about 250lbs more than a similar equipped F250 SRW.
Given the GCW in this situation (I am guessing about 19,000 lbs) this will account for 1-1.5% more weight on the PSD over the gas engine.
If you feel that this soley accounts for its 4% worse performance in the 7% grade with 10,500lb trailer, I am all ears.
Strangely enough, if one did purchase the F250 PSD SRW, one would get the 3.55 rear gears today, which would reduce gearing to the rear end by a further 5% - negating any advantage by the reduced weight, and actually worsening the PSD's position.

As for the gearing selection they chose, they run them how they brung them, you can't get anything but 3.55 gears with a SRW pickup today with a PSD, and you get the 3.73 gears with the F350 DRW. The only way to improve that is worsen the already substantial price differential by adding the $715 tow boss option on the DRW with the 4.10 gears.
And also with the gearing, thats a function of the engine. Its a given that a gas engine will come with shorter gearing, their powerbands are in a higher rev range, and they have a much higher redline. Might as well fit the gears that use it!There are many reasons for purchasing a diesel engine, as mentioned above, if I was in the market for a new pickup, I would purchase a diesel, but it wouldn't be for its (stock v. stock) towing performance, and it appears that it is one of the big bonus factors that is seen by those in the market.

 

My "objective" purchase ideas went out the window when I decided to sell my 1/2 ton F-150!

 

According to my definition of superior, a psd does demonstrate superior towing performance. Then again, I don't do much drag racing up short hills at sea level. The hill near my house is 16 miles long and goes from 4,000 feet to 9,000 feet along the way. I have been stuck behind many a gasser that couldn't maintain the 45 mph speed limit on the way up. I never seem to have that problem behind a Duramax, Cummins or psd.

 

Were they V10's?

 

I am sure for some people it does.

I don't know if those trucks you were referring to are current model V10's or older trucks, nor whether the diesel trucks were modified in anyway (my experience is that most diesel owners are willing to tune their diesel than gas truck owners, and even if it is a tuned gas engine, their disparity in performance to a tuned diesel engine is quite great).

Nonetheless, despite that, I am certain there are instances whereby a V10 would be beaten by a PSD stock for stock.
Towing really large loads up steep grades at high elevations I would anticipate that a V10 would be outclassed by the PSD, and while I sure you do buy a truck to get up the hill by your house... most people don't.

 

The 3V with 4.30s will beat a 6.4 PSD.

 

At higher elevations, the V10 is not as good as the power stroke.
That is one of the many things I have learned in this thread.

I still prefer mine over a PSD, but i am at 700 feet above sea level.

 

And me, at home, I'm about 37 feet above sea level

 

Truth that defies the opinions of pretty much all PSD owners.
JL