I bet that TS tranny makes a big difference w/ the 5.4 motor. I had that tranny in my '04 PSD and man did i love that thing. Always seemed to shift perfectly and when it should.

This 4spd in the '06 5.4 seems to studder abit. Say you're pulling hard up a hill with a full load, as you crest the hill and let off the gas to go down the other side, it studders with a small clunk. I learned to time it a bit better and be very smooth letting of the gas in that scenario. otherwise it does great.

In general, I've been reading up on quite a few of the new cars and trucks and automatic transmissions are getting better I think. They are locking up the torque converters sooner to realize better fuel economy and power to the wheels. I think the TS always did a good job of that. the new early release 2011 model talks about this as well...so a new TS tranny coming.

Mediamanrit: Too bad you are coming out of a lease in January - you'll probably be able to get a smoking deal on a leftover, but sure would be nice to get the new technology. I know what you mean about being a guinnea pig, though. The truck itself would be fine - no real huge changes, but the new engines would maybe give me pause. I think Ford builds an excellent engine. The Triton series have been amazing motors overall and I would be confident in Ford to release something quality right off the start.

Look at it this way, they can't AFFORD to screw up with this truck. The F150 and Super Duty are their bread and butter. Given the condition of the auto mfg's in general, Ford is the only one to go it on their own and they are doing a damn fine job. I think these new engines will prove very good right off the line. Sure, there may be some niggles to work out, but that's what a warranty is for.

Just my .02.

 

I think i am going to have to concur here....

For what ever my opinion is worth..... Here it is,
From what I am understanding about your needs for a truck I would say the V-10 would be a good fit and here is why,
Like others have said about the SD line you will have a more stable platform for hauling and towing (breaks, suspension and so on)
Again like many others here I have had most of the trucks in question. 5.4, 5.7. 6.8, 7.3, and now 6.0 and 6.4. All of them have had there place and performed well to there ability.

What you really need to ask yourself is (what do I want out of this truck?) IMO if you want to tow anything with a Super Duty then the v-10 is the choice for most. IF you plan to use it as a daily driver as well you should be expecting to see 10 to 15 MPG for daily driving. I have had 3 V-10s and that is a real world average of what I got. I still have a 99 E-350 6.8 and see no need to get rid of it. It is a great platform! NEVER been in the shop with 130 some thousand.

I do not intend to sound like i am on a soap box or anything.... I truly want to be helpful and give you my 2cents well 1 1/2 anyway

If MPGs are what you are worried about with the 6.8 vs the 5.4.... Don't be. Think about how many v-8s we all have had and he MPG gotten. I at best only got 16 to 17 on the highway and around town.... Its been about the same as the v-10. Towing my boat is about the same, Towing the camper....... Te PSD has them all beat to death! My current camper, lets just say 9 to 10k. V-10.... 6 to 8 MPG. PSD.... 9 to 13 MPG.
Keep in mind my definition of "handled the load" is going the speed limit or a little more and towing with ease.

So to conclude this way tooooo long of a ramble.... Don't let MPG's scare you away from the v-10. I think you will see only a small difference from the V-8 and the benefits are substantially better.

Besides..... How are you ever going to make the jump to a PSD if you dont give the V-10 a try Just kidding.

 

Well douchebag it did handle the load just fine without the CAI and the tuner. And I might not swap out the gears cause it cost 1800 dollars to do the front and back. And I know you *******es don't know what you are talking about cause you don't own one. You guys have no idea what a super duty with a 5.4 can handle. I get 18 mpg on the highway empty before I got the tuner and CAI. What does the 6.4l diesel get bone stock? What does the V-10 get bone stock. I bet they don't get 18mpg on the highway. And I didn't pay anything extra for my engine too. Do I plan on towing anything heavier then 9500lbs? No. So why spend the extra money. So yes I am alot smarter.
And when I mean it did just fine means I got up to highway speed just fine and yes I did feel the load but towing 9500lbs any truck would feel the load. I'm sure a diesel could get up to highway speed faster but the 5.4 can handle that load.

 

Exactly what makes him, well, in your words a "douchebag"?

Too much name calling anymore.

 

jac08f250, you really sell your ideas well.

The OP asked for opinions. Yours is one of many that will represent the cross-section of the whole. With this topic there is no right and there is no wrong; just likes and dislikes. So quit attacking people for the slightest disagreement with your point of view. Looking back at your previous posts it might seem that you're just having a bad day? Everybody has those now and then.

 

on the risk of being exiled on my first post, I own a 2010 F350 with the dreaded 5.4 :-), I came from a F150 5.4 I increase the size of the truck to handle a snowplow. I had the advantage of driving a 2010 V10 F350 for about a week it averaged 5 miles to the gallon around town and 9 miles per gallon highway both trucks have 4/10 rear ends and automatic transmissions my 5.4 is getting 17 highway and 12 around town my truck has 110 transfer tank and toolbox in the bed most of the time the fuel Tank is empty not bad for a 1 ton truck. One other thing you asked how does it move I think fantastic , something about that transmission it shifts so fast compared to my F150 it's a totally different ride, as far as pulling weight using my brothers trailer I pulled my 8600 pound tractor up to my cousin's place in Speculator lake about 55 miles north of my house mostly mountain roads I really didn't think it was struggling I had no problem maintaining 60 mph on some 6 mile steep grades. the total weight was probably close to 9700 with the trailer and as I stated I had no problem at all but if you're going to pull heavy every day I would definitely go with the diesel and skip the 10 don't believe anyone telling you the gas is about the same as the 5.4 I've used both trucks that 10 is a pig and not worth the extra torque for a few pulls that you might have to go a little slower with the 5.4 and be able to afford too drive it every day or just go full diesel the only reason I didn't buy a diesel I just don't trust the diesel on -25 below zero mornings it's a pain in the a## plugging them in anyway you can't go wrong with super duty whichever one you get take care

 

You pretty much said what I said but nicer. I don't know why people think its underpowered. Compare to all the other v-8's ford has used in the super duties. This is by far the best one. I mean I avg 18 mpg in a 7k pound truck. I would love to see a v-10 owner or a 6.4l owner do that. Oh and I didn't have to pay extra for my engine.

 

The 5.4 ain't that bad. I always wanted a V10 before I got my truck, but I'm very pleased with the 5.4 (bought the truck used). The V10 doesn't suck down the gas as bad as some say. It is just a little worse than the 5.4. But in my mind you shouldn't care about fuel economy. Economy flew out the window when you decided to buy a 3/4 ton pickup. Buy a dirt cheap used honda to drive on the days you don't need the truck. The 5.4 in some of our eyes is the little engine that could. It may be small but there is power there. If you do decide to go with a v8, get 4.10 gears instead of 3.73's.

 

That's the only thing I wish I did different to my truck. Oh well live and learn.

 

Actually, a small improvement in fuel economy goes a long ways with a truck. If you're only getting 10 mpg and you increase fuel economy by 1 mpg then you get 10% cash savings back into your wallet. And that's a lot of dough over the life of the truck. This could be marked down in the "pros" column for 5.4L in the list of pros and cons of 5.4L vs. V10.

 

So in theory, I could go to my local dealer as soon as Jan-Feb 2010 and put my order in...that's not too bad...I was expecting May 2010 since that's still technically spring. I've got a car I can drive around for a few months, and just beg and borrow truck use as I need it. Which...from what I'm reading about the 2011, and from what y'all are saying, would be the way to go.

Also talked about it with the wife...and if we can save the car payment I've been putting on the Colorado and add it to the down payment, I can swing the diesel engine in the 2011.

Again...all good info everyone! Thanks so much...very much an eye opener! I'm VERY happy I've asked y'all for opinions! Now I need to be even MORE patient to get my new toy.

 

I don't mind spending the money if 1) I can afford it and 2) I can get what I need & want. I got into this Colorado I have now, and have been very unhappy with it...it was a bad decision that was budget pushed...and long story short...I needed a vehicle right away and my choices were limited. So I expected to go to a Ford dealer and order EXACTLY what I wanted, and expect to pay almost MSRP for it.

If anyone is curious, I'm not going with another GM vehicle because of what they did to the US tax payers. And Dodge screwed my father over on a warranty/defect issue years ago..so they are done.

Which leads me to your 2nd point directed to me...about being a guinea pig. That's one of the reasons I decided on Ford...Ford trucks are just...well...it's a Ford. They just work (with a few exceptions). They rely on their truck line...you aren't the #1 selling truck just because the paint is pretty. You have a very good point...which I kinda knew I guess, but it took you pointing it out to me to prove it. Ford can't afford to screw it up.

Thanks again for your eye-openers / head smacks!
--Brian

 

I appreciate your candor...thanks I'd love the PSD, but just can't afford the extra ~8k at the moment...that's why it got vetoed. The V10 surely seems like it's the better chose if diesel isn't an option (if I can hold off till the 2011, then I can save up some cash to get the new PSD). I'm glad to hear you easily broke 100k on it without any problems.

As far as MPG...I guess my source of data for the V10 is flawed. One of my coworkers has an '03 250 with the V10, and gets a whopping 7MPG on it according to his math...and that's with no load (all local driving). Technology has obviously changed quite a bit.

Again, thanks for you input! It's very appreciated!
--Brian

 

I appreciate your input and taking the time to help out a newb, but we don't need to start cursing at each other. We're just talking about everyone's opinions and experiences. There's no right or wrong answer here...just experiences...and everyone's is different...which is why Ford offers options...which is why I'm asking y'all. A large group of Ford Super Duty owners, who love their truck. I'm hoping to learn from other people's mistakes & regrets from what they purchased vs. what they are doing with the truck as a tool.

I totally believe that the 5.4 gets better MPG...that's why I was looking at it. But it does sound like you're doing mods to the truck to get more power out of it. Which tells me (from your experiences) that if power is more important to me the MPG, the V10 would be a better way to go for sure...especially since you wouldn't have done the mods if you didn't think they were necessary for your application of the truck.

Again...thanks again for you input. Everyone is entitled to their opinions, and I do value everyone's opinion....let's just all get along.

--Brian

 

Very nice summary, thanks! I do not pull everyday...that's for sure. Most of the time I go with little (hundreds of lbs) to no load. My average commute is between 20-50 miles...sometimes as much as 150, depending on the job. My problems have come with my current truck when every time I need to do something, it can't...the bed is too small, the towing capacity can't pull ANYTHING (my current truck tops out at 1800 lbs...less then 1 ton!), and the bed can't take much weight either. I've been borrowing a Silverado 1500...and while it's better, I feel that a Super Duty would be a better investment as a long-life tool.

What cab do you have on your 350? The SC or CC?

Thanks very much for your input!
--Brian