Looking for a newer truck for my 1990 Lance Cabover Camper (2200 lbs dry weight) and am curious about the 1999 to 2003 4x4 Ford F250 v10 gas rigs. They keep popping up on Craigslist with low mileage and they are much less expensive than the 7.3L diesel rigs of the same vintage.

At the moment I have a 1990 Ford F250 regular cab with a 7.5L gas engine that works great (assuming that 8 mpg is not a problem) but we desperately need a king cab for kids and dogs (as in more than one). The dog sitting on the lap mode of transportation is getting very old!

Thanks for any advice.

 

It should do very well. The power curve of the v-10 is different than the 7.5, the 10 being more of a revver and the 8 being a lower RPM machine but total power is about equal. A 5.4 would do the job also. I've towed really heavy with mine (13k lbs) and it doesn't like it, but that camper should be fine. I've only towed modest weight once, about 4k lbs., and it was a breeze.

 

See my sig. Our slide in weighs probably close to 4k fully loaded.

Love our V10. It's been very reliable. No problem hauling the camper, but I did install DIY leaf spring spacers to address what I thought was excessive sag.

 

I have a newer lance 865 and it tows it like a dream.

 

Be aware that the 99 v-10 is well down on power compared to 01 and later years. After owning a 99, id personally buy a slightly newer one to get the PI motor.

 

I agree with 530 on the 2001+ as you get a bump in power.

My 99CCSB is rated at 8800GVWR and wieghs around 7k lbs. I have had 1800lbs worth of catch basin in the bed no problems.

Later trucks will also have a Dana 60 front instead of Dana 50 like mine. If this is a dedicated hauling rig I would definitely search for one with a 4.30 rear end.

 

Mine was a 99 CCLB dually with 4:10s. Pulling 5k trailer and dirtbikes in the bed it was a dog. I added borla headers and cat back exhaust hoping to improve power but really didnt do much. Im sure 4:30s would have helped a bunch as it was either screaming or lugging. Figure on 6-7mpg,when towing and 10-12 unloaded on the freeway if you keep your foot out of it.

Im sure the later model 385hp and torqueshift was a whole different experience. Gaps just seemed too wide with the lower power of the 99.

 

My dad has a 1996 F-250 with the 460 and he is looking to get a cab over camper. They made a bunch of motor homes with the 460 engine. Different frame, but same engine. I would personally just use what you already have, unless you "want" a newer truck.

 

2000 is when they changed to the pi motor not 01 that went from 00-04. That being said I wouldn't even consider a 99.