Looking at a F250/350 as a tow vehicle. I want a PSD, but the extra 5k is more than I want to spend.

I am looking at a new F350 XL 2wd regular cab long bed with the 6 speed, tow package, AC, cruise/tilt, and thats it well maybe I will spring for buckets.

I have had good luck with chevy gas engines (both small and big blocks) but I am a bit leary of the new ford engines. I have looked on ford-diesel.com. I would probably just get a chevy as thats what I know but my wife is a ford employee so I get a deal on the SD.

What do you think? is the 5.4 or V10 a better engine overall. It will only be pulling 5-7k and will be more of a DD for me.

Please flame away.

Ron

V-10 or nothing. You will hate it when you're doing 45mph up a grade with the 5.4. Don't get me wrong. the 5.4L is a good engine but for a 1-ton pulling a 5k-7k load you want the grunt of the larger engine.


Eric

(Long live the 460....sniff :( )

I now tow with 180hp and 222ft/torque and I thought the SBC in the 98 suburban with 3.42s was wicked fast, I can live with limited power :)

What is the mileage penalty with the V10? Will the 5.4 or the V10 be more relaible/long lasting?

Ron

Well, I'm old school. If it doesn't have push rods it's not worth owning (427 SOHC excepted).

The 5.4L and the V-10 are both of the Modular design. I've never kept up on wether they have any reliablility issues.

Maybe someone else will have better info.

Eric

V-10. I'm pretty sure you can find them with 4.10 gears too, which would be good for towing. I have never driven either, but have ridden in both. My friend with the 5.4 wishes he went bigger....just remember to take the whole gas mileage into account.

I've towed with a 2001 F150 Supercrew with the 5.4 and pulled a total trailer weight of 4000 lbs. It pulled it well but not like a strong V8 should pull... it just didn't have the ass. In the north Georiga "Mountains" (I put the "" because they aren't really moutains) goin up Highway 5 which is a 4 lane road that is relitively flat I couldn't maintain 70 mph. With a heavier truck and more weight that would be impossible. I towed the same 4k with my 91 explorer and I ran 60-65 the entire trip. The Truck would slow down to 60 mph on some grades the same speed my explorer would maintain. It might just be the gears in the rear end made it out of it power curve or something (3.55 gears I believe and the explorer has 3.73 and smaller tires) but my opinion.

V10 or Deisel.

We have a 99 F250, 2wd, V10, Auto, 4.10's pulling a 24' steel gooseneck horse trailer. Approx 8K - 9K fully loaded. Towing mileage has always been 10 mpg. Non towing is between 12 - 13. Power is never an issue.

V10, no question. Probably little mileage difference, higher resale value, and POWER. BTW www.ford-diesel.com has a gas engine section, you might find more information over there.

PSD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

I would get the V-10. The 5.4 is a good engine in the F-150s but the Super dutys are much heavier so the V-10 is the better choice.

Stephen

Thanks,

My wife and I went to drive them today. V10 is what we are leaning toward now. The 5.4 sucks!

The funny thing was that my wife drove the diesel and fell in love with it, so I might have to come up with the extra 4k over the v10 for it. she was also singing the praises of the XL trim level ("I don't know why they put carpet in any vehicles?")

Is the 6speed a good tranny behind the V10? Is it the same as behind the PSD?

Ron

If you can justify the extra 5K for the PSD....DO IT!

We have the F250 V10, but my "company car" is a 01 GMC Duramax dually crew cab 4x4 and we get 17 - 18 mpg no matter what. Same trailer.

I would have picked the Ford but I work for an auction and the GMC was sweet and it's only for 1 year. The Ford PSD's were too old... that should tell you something.

The mileage and low end power are worth the extra $$$$.

flame away but i like my 99 Suburban 2500 with the 454 and 4L80E :D

but i have always wanted an F250 PSD crew cab :(

oh and ron, IMO go with the 250 over the 350. the only thing that changes in the 350 is a heavier duty suspension, and for a daily driver the 250 has a much more forgiving ride. get the 350 if you are going to be hauling 1500lbs of gravel in the bed of the truck twice a week. but if not, stay 250 :D

i just got a 250 CC PSD 6-speed. IMHO, if you're spending this much on a truck, make sure you get exactly what you want. Get the PSD. It's the only engine of the bunch that will never make you wish you had gotten something else. Give the dealership hell at the negotiation table and you should be able to get a very good deal. I took advantage of 0% financing, although I think that deal may be over now. It took me A LOT of time to find the exact truck i wanted, but i'm so glad that I did it. It's always terrible to drop that much $$$ on something and wish you had something else.

-Steve

I am quite comfortable with the V10. both my wife and I live 1/2 mile from work so diesel is not worth it.

I am looking to two a tow car goose neck so I want the 350

Thanks for the help!

:)

Ron

From what I've heard the diesel is worth the extra $4k in the long run---especially towing. That 6.8 sucks gas like a sob. Plus the diesel should last a lot longer and have better resale. At least, that's how it was in tx. Trying to get some info on these myself. PM me if ya here different.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by evilfij
[B]I am quite comfortable with the V10. both my wife and I live 1/2 mile from work so diesel is not worth it.

1/2 mile at a time with any motor, gas or oil burner is just brutal.
Ride a bike to work and get a 350 PSD.
:beer: :beer:
Way better towing performance and you can you won't have to stop at every gas station.

Id get the v10 over the 5.4, but the powerstroke over the v10.......

460 over em all.........:flipoff2:

Just bought a 2000 f-350 super duty with the v-10 and all the good crap. lariat edition. love the truck. no power problems what so ever. just trying to fit it in the drive way is about the only thing right now. and gas is not an issue as long as you have a funnel handy at all times. really roomy inside with the quad cab. any more in fo needed let me know and i will try to help out.:D

v-10 is a good choice would of gone, psd
pay now for gas or pay later
chad