I agree. The problem is that independent testing is impossible, as it would require a team of unbias drivers to devote their time just to driving these trucks in these tests, as well as several SD owners to fork their keys over to their possibly $60K+ rigs.
That being said, the habits of each driver will indeed vary in this test, but will give some aid to those considering buying an SD as to what will be best for them, as their driving habits will vary as well. I totally agree that we all have got to be realistic and unbiased for this to produce any scientific basis at all, otherwise it will be a contest of driver and truck, not just truck. I do not plan on feathering the throttle to gain better mileage, I intend on driving the rig as I usually do. I would even go as far as to suggest that an admin clean up all conersation in this thread that is not posted by participants of this contest and does not directly discuss only the facts. Jokes and digs can quickly take this into another 300+ page thread, making any results difficult for anybody to see. Perhaps we can even have a post at the top of the thread (post #1) that is updated with a mileage, cost, and driving habit tally, that way others can easily view the current results. This does not need to be a discussion IMO, but rather a good test with nothing but factual information... factual testing, not entertainment. The only way to do this is to keep it professional and to the subject.

 

I agree with you Tennessee. If a moderator wants to remove everything except data, that's cool. I only wrote up that previous post because some people, undoubtedly, will take the "winning" engine of this test and brag on and on about how their engine is the best. We don't need that kind of junk. Some real world results are all that matters. I also did notice that you're doing five V10s against five PSDs all above 80k miles. That was a smart move and hopefully will indeed give, at least, a decent baseline on minor repairs and fuel costs. Good luck and be safe with this test, and you have one more subscriber to this thread.

Off subject, your dually is gorgeous btw. Mine looks the same, only it's white.

 

OK, I have a few questions and comments on this competition.

How will a "winner" be determined? Total cost of operation? Cost per mile? Is the original purchase price included in the cost per mile calculation? Resale value?

True cost of ownership cannot be calculated until a vehicle is sold. Purchase price, all operating costs, insurance and resale value all have to be included in this calculation to get an accurate cost per mile.

The way I see it now, you're going to calculate operating cost over a time period. This is for the most part a worthless measurement. It means nothing because the V-10 crowd can argue the fact that initial cost of ownership for a diesel is higher. PSD owners will argue that the diesel has a higher resale value.

Boiled down to basics, it looks like just another winky measuring contest to me.

 

Why thank you! I am really happy with it myself. I bet your truck looks great as well, I almost bought a white 350 CC KR... that truck wears white very well.

 

Too bad my 05 6.0 wasn't included. 138,900 miles. The Coolent is the coolent that came in the truck. The Air Filter is the Air Filter that came in the truck. The only thing I have replace on the truck is the Oil & Fliter every 10,000 miles, Fuel Filter every 20,000 miles or so, Tires and the Batteries. Everything else Powertrain/Drivetrain came from the Factory. It never been back to the dealership for service. So far it's been as good or even better then my 01 is. I can't say the same for my 06 but it's not been very bad.

 

If the OP will let us add more, I have anouther V10 we could put in the test too.
That would make it 6 of each.

 

I feel like I need to chime in here. I don’t see this as a contest. The title says “Longevity TEST”, not “PSD vs V10 contest”. There isn’t going to be a winner and a loser. We are all winners because we all have FORD trucks.

It’s also not about the TOTAL cost of ownership for the life of the vehicle. It doesn’t matter what the trade in value is or if the PSD owners had to pay $3k - $6k more up front over the V10. It’s about how much it cost to operate THOSE 10 trucks for one year.

If Phillips91 get 12 MPG and says that he has a lead foot and Mountaineer27 get 18 MPG and says that he usually drive conservatively then we will know that you’ll be closer to 12 MPG if you own a OBS7.3 or are thinking about owning one and drive with a lead foot. If one of the V10 pops a plug then we’ll know how much it cost to repair. Those are the kind of things this thread is about IMO.

I’m excited to see what happens. Thanks to all those who are participating.

 

I agree, and could not have said it better myself.

 

Subscribing

 

Zaner21 excellent observation, maybe someone in the future can get some info out of the thread before buying a truck of their choice and what repairs/cost they might be in for. I think some guys buy these trucks then something breaks or tires need replacing and sticker shock slaps them in the face of the cost to run these pigs.

 

ok, well hers my first post. im headed out to phoenix next week and due a oil change so went ahead and looked the truck over. here what i have.

tested anti-freeze. = boiling point of 215*. time to replace
surpintene belt cracked to hell. been on there since before i bought the truck. time to replace
tanny is new but not sure what they put in it so im replaceing the fluids.
oil has 4156 miles on it. time to change. (this trip is 600 miles one way)
diff fluid was changed when i bought the truck so its good. i rounded up on all the prices


Fleet Charge anti-freeze = $52 for 4 gallons
royal purple ice cold = $17 one bottle
rotella 15w-40 = $56 for 4 gallons
microguard oil filter = $11
fleetrunner kevlar belt = $69 (4 yr warrenty)
powertorque trans filter = $19
trans fluid (royal purple) = $260 for 20 quarts
6637 filter from napa (on order) = $59.


total: $543
tax: $32

$575

now this is all fluids changed and a very expensive non-stock belt and filter.
most trucks with used transmitions will not use royal purple synthetic fluid nor do they have a aftermarket pan that hold 4 quart more. thats why it cost so much. my tranny is about two weeks old. and for the record it didnt not break under normal wear and tear. a storm drain broke as i was driving over it and made a big mess out of it. i didnt pay for the tranny. the contractors working on the road did.


normal price for trans fluid in atf global is $120 for 15 quarts
stock belt is $30
stock air filter is cleanable $0
with stock parts to do this job: $305 + $18 tax = $323

 

I drove 304.8 miles and used 25.596 gallons @ 2.699 a gallon for a cost of $69.08
And 279.4 miles with 27.385 gallons used @ 2.549 for a cost of $69.80.

23.77 cents a mile.

 

Report #1.


Last report: 94,426.5 miles.
Mileage: 94,974.4 miles.
Distance traveled: 547.9 miles.
Expense: $75.00
For: 27.79 gallons of diesel fuel @ $2.69 gallon.
Miles/Gallon: 19.72 mpg
Dollars/Gallon: 13.6 cents/mile

 

Hey guy sorry I'm getting to this thread late. Been on vacation for the last week. Anyway other then reporting my mileage and posting pics (which I will do soon) I have nothing to report. I haven't even started my truck in 2 1/2 weeks.

 

Report #1

Fuel

Last report: 208,001
Mileage: 208,430
Distance traveled: 429 miles.
Expense: $71.33
For: 24.43 gallons of diesel fuel @ $2.92 gallon.
Miles/Gallon: 17.56 mpg
Dollars/Mile: 16.6 cents/mile

Oil Change
3 1/2 Gallons of Rotella 15-40= $42.00
FL-1995 Motorcraft Oil Filter= $9.95
Total= $51.95