Our highway department (county govt) is considering getting a Ford F450 4x4 CrewCab with a 9' dump bed, 10' municipal plow, and a 9' salt/sand spreader body for use year round. Generally it will pull an asphalt hotbox trailer for road patching and summer work like cutting tree limbs, hauling small amounts of gravel on occasion etc. In the winter it will plow subdivision roads and minor county connector routes.

Our current small trucks are (5) single cab 2001 Dodge 3500 Cummins and (1) Chevrolet HD3500 Duramax trucks. They do OK but we want the higher GVWR. (PS The Chevy doesn't get used for plowing...the plow drops the nose on the ground).

Anyhow, here's the kicker. They are trying to save money wherever possible and are considering the V10/Auto drivetrain. I believe the V10 is cabable of this work...but it has to last 10 years. Our shop takes good care of the equipment so that won't be a factor in the truck wearing out too fast. The really do a good job with oil changes and filters.

Anyone see a problem with the V10? The worst case scenario will be hauling 8000lbs of sand and pushing 12" deep snow at the same time. Backing up, going forward over and over in our 84 different subdivisions.

 

Based on the expense and complicated nature of present diesel engines, you are wise to consider the V10. I think it should be very capable for your needs IF optioned properly for the correct springs AND a low axle ratio. The low axle (high number like 5.13 etc.) will make life easier for the transmission. I think the transmission will be the hardest working component in your vehicle.

 

The best they can do is 4:88 to 1 on the ratio. Thats the lowest option available now. I wanted something in the 5's...as I remember that being available at least in 2004.

The transmission on the build sheet says 5-speed. What model is that? I know the older V10's had the 4R100 auto 4-speed.

Whatever trans it is...can we expect it to hold up assuming its not a Torqshift?

They don't abuse the trucks...but they will work them.

The cost of the diesel option...and the unknown history of the 6.7L makes us leery of diesel. That and the DEF fluid requirements, extended idle issues etc etc etc.

I've seen many V10 F-Series trucks getting worked pretty hard in bucket trucks, flatbeds, utility trucks, box trucks and others. I know they've got some good power if you're willing to take the rpm's up to where the powers at. Being used to all diesels now...the drivers may expect to get it down low. We'll have to educate them about the nature of the V10 if thats what we get.

Also...the fleet mechanics use 15W40 HD (with gas and diesel API classifications) oil in every vehicle and engine, small or large. I know the newer cam timing components etc probably won't like that as much as a lighter oil. They'll prolly settle on something like Rotella 10W30. I doubt they'll wanna use 5W20 as Ford recommends. The fire department has runs Shell Rotella 10W30 in a F550 V10...and has done so since 2004 with excellent results.

 

the 4.88's are plenty and they are hard on any kind of mileage, we currently get 6mpg but the V10 pulls fine we have a 3Klb bed on our F450. LS is a must however ours doesn't have it and it is god awful in the snow even with 5K lbs over the rear. We also couldn't justify $8K+ on a diesel that will get marginally better mileage and is unproven. Traded a F350 6.0L in on the '09 V10. Also if you are anywhere near NH there is a Ford dealer up there that has tons on F450 and F550's for very good prices. They had the only one I could find in the country with the options I wanted but we couldn't make it work traveling that far.

 

You will want the 4.88 gears. The 5speed auto is the 5R110, which is a very good trans and is built solid. I don't see any reason the V10 will not last at least 10 years. The truck/engine is made to work. Run the recommended oil weight especially during the warrenty period. If you were to spend the big bucks and buy a new diesel you will have to run the recommended oil also which is not 15w40 anyway. Failure to run the proper spec oil will result in warrenty issues if you have a problem.

 

4.88 is the only gear, and it works well. The V10 is a wise choice, it will last a long time with just routine Maintenance.

 

Yes, this is VERY IMPORTANT!

These engines have been proven to last many hundreds of thousands of miles using 5w-20 oil as specified. The 2005+ trucks have 3V heads with VCT which requires oil pressure to actuate the cam phasers. Improper oil viscosity could cause problems with this system.

Also, as stated above the tranny would be the 5R110 TorqShift transmission. This tranny has a great reputation and is widely believed to be much more durable than the outgoing 4R100.

 

Bullet proof truck.
I would rather have the 6 speed, but thats just me.

They really do need to run the 5w20 in it.


Using a Chevy for real work.

 

Thanks for the input. If this is what we order here in the next few weeks...I will make an issue out of using the proper oil.

We may end up going to regular cab 84" CA trucks with 10' dumps. Of course, 4x4 and LS differentials in any of them.

And with the current budget there is a possibility of getting 350's with the 6.2L new gas engine with the new Torqshift transmission. We may also need to get two tri-axles this year.

Right now F450 V10 Crew 4x4's are showing our price to be $32,800 and around $38,000-$39,000 for the diesel option. Add $15,000 for dump bed, 10' HD plow and 9' salt spreader box. Add another $5000 for full hydraulics instead of using electro-hydraulic power for the dump and plow.

Personally I don't think we need the crew cab. Once in a while it may be nice for patching crews and mowing crews to take one truck...but we also have a decent number of pickups for getting people to and fro. I don't want these trucks to become the new SUV fun wagons for the department.