I need help. (not that kind of help :P). Buying a truck again. Had a '97 diesel. Liked it, but not big enough for the new family. Sadly had to sell it with only 84,000 miles on it.

So, how is the 5.4 in a crew cab long bed (four wheel drive, of course)?
Same for a V-10?
Or, should I get another diesel?

Price Range: under $10,000. So far, found a lot of all three engines in the above configuration.

Diesels will have 200K miles in that price range. Is that ok? I haven't dealt with light truck diesels over 200K miles. How are Strokers at this mileage and typically what needs replaced, besides the tranny?

At work, we have a 2001 x-cab shortbed with the V-10 andd it does awesome. Granted only 43,000 mies, but is really strong and seems versatile.

I will be towing a 6000# travel trailer occasionally. And dirt, rock, lumber, you know all the husbandly duties a pickup sees.

Not really concerned about mileage. I live only a half-mile from work. In the winter, I'm concerned about starting and stopping in such short distances with the diesel. Is this an accurate assumption? I suppose I could just walk.....

I prefer diesel, but in Oregon it's freakin expensive. Gas is as well, but more plentiful it seems. Just took a trip to Colorado, and both gas and diesel were substantially cheaper. What about just general maintenance? Having previously owned a powerstroke, I have decent knowledge about diesels (except for the engine being stuffed under the dash). Having my profession deal with equipment helps too.

It seems my era is caught up in the diesel craze, and you're not cool unless you get diesel. The v-10 and the 5.4 just plain suck. I don't want to believe that. I know there's a place for each of those rigs, and maybe a spot in my driveway. Or get a first-gen powerstroke, or late 90's F350 with a 460?

I prefer a stick, but auto's are plentiful. Any thoughts on a stick vs. auto with any of the above configurations?

It really comes down to personal preference, I know. Just shoot me some opinions and personal experiences to better sway my decision for my next truck.

What does everyone think? Am I leaving any pertinent information out?

THANKS!!

 

I picked up my truck a few months ago and love it. I don't think there's anything I could throw at it that would stump it. Towing a 6,000 trailer would be a piece of cake. I simply don't have a need for a diesel, so the V10 suits me fine.

 

I like my V10 equipped truck. Does pretty well, fits the wife and kids, pulls trailers from time to time. I know what you mean though, especially here in So Oregon, seems all the cool kids drive diesels If you have a $10k budget I'd really think you're getting into a truck that will need service/maintenance due to age/mileage related parts. So, I'd take into consideration what needs to be serviced at the mileage you're looking at and what kind of costs are associated with that? Maybe a gas truck, or a diesel truck, at that price will have different mileages and different "needs" associated with where they are at that price. So, I don't know, I guess I'd look at that too, and I don't know how many miles you might expect on a $10k truck (gas or diesel).

 

Love my V10

 

If your only looking at towing 6k#'s even the 5.4l will easily fit the bill. Your short trips could be a problem in any vehicle, more with keeping the battery's charged. Short trips like that also can also create sludge build-up over time if full operating temp hasn't been reached on a regular basis and probably isin't too good for a higher mileage motor.

The diesels will have higher maintenance costs as well.