Hi

Apparently very few V10 owners here? Trying other sites..but so far havent found alot of info.

For those here that tow with this drive train. 03 axle ratings show 3.73 or 4.30. 3.73 would be my preference, based on my load, at least i think it would be ok?

What do you tow/haul-weight wise? Towing up hills..i assume you drop to 3rd/maybe lower? Hows 3rd going downhills? On flat, how's OD? Does this "4R100" hunt for gears alot?

Any a/t problems? My tow/haul wt. is approx. 6000#...not counting passengers/fuel. My load way under ratings.. Just alittle concerned with stock a/t. No plans for bigger TT etc.

TIA.....OT HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

 

You should be good with 3.73s. Mine has 3.73 too but I haven't towed anything very heavy-usually around 4000lbs and at that weight the auto tranny doesn't gear hunt at all. I just leave the OD on unless I'm on a real long interstate hill. I imagine the auto might start gear hunting around 7000lbs. The V10 has a nice amount of low-rpm torque.

My truck with 3.73 is factory rated to tow 10500lbs and if you get 4.30s it goes up to 12500lbs. It's a 4wd supercab V10 short bed. I'm happy with it. I don't anticipate the need to ever tow more than 7500lbs so I think the 3.73 diff was the right choice for me. I drive my truck to work every day too and the 3.73 diff gives a little bit better mileage unloaded but I guess if I was going to be towing something closer to the max rating I'd go for the 4.30s.

Nice to have all these choices to make when deciding what to buy though, ain't it?

 

When I ordered my truck in Sept of 98, the limited slip option was not available with the 3.73's or I would have opted for them. I got the 4.30's and have been happy since. I don't know how the 3.73's would have worked but if I hit the hills at a good speed I can generally make it to the top with only a downshift to 3rd. Anything above 3000 rpms and the truck really pulls. I have noticed that if I do need to shift to 2nd, I have always accelerated. It's nice to hit that gear and actually pick up speed up a hill. I will be getting the 4.30's on my next truck. BTW, I tow about 6500-7000 lbs. You should be OK with what you discribe. You will most likely have a bit more downshifting but that's it.

 

I have the 3.73LS in mine, and don't notice any hunting in OD while towing ~7.5K lb in the flatlands. However, when I get up into the Ozarks, those long grades will get me downshifting - usually to 3rd, occasionally all the way to 2nd on the really long hills. I have been very satisfied with the towing performance thus far - although one of these days wouldn't mind throwing some money at Banks for a boost!

 

Hi

V10man...On your mods. What difference did the cat-back exhaust make? Meaning..just the cat.back mod. by itself.

When i did first mod. cat.back on my 4.6L it was noticeable..some improvement. I assume same for V10, maybe not?

Tks. to all for info. Just about decided on V10.

Anyhow...soon will be the look/see/drive/talk and see how big a wallet i need. If i cant find it on the lot...then it'll be factory order by end Jan03? Not gonna compromise alot, this time.

OT...

 

Hi

Also...on V10...changing oil. Is filter hard to get to etc.

Also..may/maynot know...on 4X4 with skid plates..do they interfere with chging oil f. ? Any other tips?

I'll see for myself... just looking for quick feedback. You know that feeling when your thinking about gettin a new ride.

Tks. again OT

 

There wasn't much gain with just the cat-back. If you're going to do the exhaust I really recomend headers + cat-back.

 

Hi Guys

Do appreciate all the feed back.

V10..i understand what your saying about mods.

I forgot location of oil filter on this engine...hard to change or not?

Any special break end (mileage) required on a new V10 engine?

TIA.....OT

 

On my 4x2, the filter is located on the dirvers side, close to the drain plug. Very easy to get to. A bit messy but lots of room. I use Motocraft FL820S filters. Wal-Mart has them at less than $3 each.

I don't recall if Ford lists a break in procedure. Easy for 500 miles and no towing for 1000 is what I did.

 

The '02 owners manual indicates that "There are no particular guidelines for breaking-in your vehicle. During the first 1600 km(1000 miles) of driving, vary speeds frequently. This is recommended to give the moving parts a chance to break in."

Like V10 man, I avoided any sizeable towing prior to 1000 miles, although I did pull a small utility trailer sooner than that.

 

I have the V-10 crewcab longbed with 3.73's. Pulled a 28' enclosed with 3600 pound car, figure almost 8K total. On flats, no problem in OD. On hills, I usually lock out the OD and stay in 3rd. I've rarely had to downshift to second, it usually pulls up almost any hill in 3rd. With the exception of long hills (or gas stations...), I pretty much don't even notice the trailer is there.

Only mods to the truck are 33x12.50x16.5 BFG AT's, Jack-It 2.5" leveling kits and Bilstein HD's. Truck is much more stable with the wider tires on it.

 

2002 F250 with V10, auto and 4x4. I ordered it with 4.30LS and it tows my two trailers with no problems. Very easy to tow in OD, not very often into drive unless long, steep hill or bad headwind.
My trailers are a 9500lb equipment trailer, low profile, and a 30 ft
travel trailer that weighs over 9500 loaded. I opted for the 4.30 because the equipment trlr is rated for 13000 and I'll probably approach that some day. I also tow the TT in the Colorado mountains and have not found a situation YET that doesn't allow me to gain speed in some gear--have only been down to 2nd so far, haven't needed 1st. Got 4x4 because I am off paved roads often with both trailers and it doesn't take much weight to make the rears break loose in 2WD.

Mileage is 10.5 - 11.0 in town, and 12.5-13.0 hwy. Gets down to low 8s--hi 7s when towing.