A 5.4 will really struggle with a 6,500 lb. load. The V10 is a good tow vehicle, but works much harder than a diesel to get the same thing acomplished. For towing, you just can't beat a diesel. However, if I were in your situation I'd look into the V-10. The V-8 in a larger truck won't have much oomph, and I can't see mileage being a whole lot worse with a V-10. Heck, I get 12mpg with the 5.4 in my F-150.

BTW, a 5.4 is not stronger than a 460. The 460 is a strong towing powerplant for sure. The V-10 is more on par with the 460.

 

you honestly dont know diesels, If a programer pops a motor it was a terd to begin with, secondly, most programers keep the stock calibrations, so its only a few minutes away from putting the stock settings back into the computer

 

One of the biggest disadvantages to the V10 around here is nobody will touch them used. They have the worst possible re-sale value. People are practically giving them away. The superduties with the 5.4 are going for around the same price. And the diesels are going for around 3-5 grand more (same as what it costs up front).

Diesels are louder, yes but don't buy the hype about them not doing well for "short hauls". A PS diesel will run for substantially longer than a gas motor when they are run under the same conditions. Diesels are more expensive to maintain, and diesel fuel is more costly. Some of that money is made up with better fuel economy.

If you are going to do alot of towing or even moderate amounts of towing with a heavy load. Buy the diesel if you can afford to. If you are doing light towing you can go with either the 5.4 or 6.8. The 6.8 will pull better but you will be paying much more at the pump over time.

 

Ah, that was what I was looking for. Helps give me an idea of it's towing capacity.

 

I am purchasing used, so I am seeing the low re-sale prices.

Where I am (Vancouver BC area) I am seeing a $7000 - $8000 premium on a Diesel over a V10. That is why I am leaning towards a V10.

2001 V10 - $19,000 CDN
2001 7.3 Diesel - $26,000 + CDN

These are Crew Cab Lariat's.

 

I like the V10 its not much for raw power but it gets the job done and it sounda pretty good.

The PSD just really doesnt do much for me its loud and idles rouch compared to the gas and i hate the delay and how they dont respond as quickly.

 

I found a 1999 V10 with 200,000 kms. The price is quite low. How much of a concern are the spark plug issues for that year?

 

Well... I had heard differently so I decided to do some investigating myself and found some info that is completely different than what you are talking about. The new 3V 5.4L puts out a factory rated 300 HP and 360? or 365? (can't exactly remember) FT/LB of torque. The 1996 7.5L (460) was only rated for 240 HP and I'm not sure about the torque. http://www.answers.com/topic/ford-f-series

It seems to me that with more horsepower and more torque this new 3v 5.4L is better suited. Although not as good as either the PSD or the V10.

 

Not sure where you are located but I know of a 2001 Crew Cab Lariat FX4 PSD in mint condition (125,000 miles mostly highway) located just across the border in North Dakota. I think he's asking $20,000 (USD) but would probably let it go for less. I don't know what that is in Canadian dollars, but it is a good truck for cheap. I'd buy it but I'd have to get rid of my F150 first and I owe too much on that.

 

Well thats on paper. The 460 has its power at much lower rpms than the 5.4. It was also rated at 245-250 horse power. And it has 410 ft/lbs of torque. In its final years.

http://auto.consumerguide.com/Auto/U...reviewshowall/

From the way i see it, my 5.8 is like a rocket compared to my grandpa's 1886 F250 deisel. (non turbo) 6.9? I dont remember exactly. But the point is, even though that thing had very little acceleration (it was slower than sh*t), just from the way it drove you know you could pull the foundation out from under your house.

Diesels are great for towing because the make exceptional power at very low rpm. Thats what you want to get your load moving without having to rev to 3 or 4 grand.

And i believe if you do the math, even though deisel is more expensive than gas, the better fuel milage does pay itself off (at least in my area). Plus from what ive heard, you can put large trailers on the deisel trucks and its like you dont even feel them compared to gas. And they dont drop the milage once the trailer is on there like a gas engine will.

Basically in every way i see it the deisel is better than the big V-10.

 

https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=249401

 

The 6.0 does not get better fuel mileage...at least not THAT much better, reguardless of what you're told. At best, I've seen 16-18 MPG from a 6.0. The 7.3's didn't do much better stock (no chips or programmers). My boss has an '03...I drive it every now and again when delivering equipment....gets 14-16 mpg unloaded. 2003 F250 FX4 ext cab auto/Lariat. With the trailer on the back and only a total load of about 6500 lbs, it gets around 10-12 mpg no matter how it's driven, and don't get in a hurry going anywhere. It's slow, stinks, rattles like a bunch of marbles in a tin can, but I will admit...it is kinda neat sitting next to a soccer mom and watching her rub her eyes and hold her nose because of the stench of the diesel fumes. BTW, it's a 7.3 not a 6.0.

If you have to drive it everyday back & forth to work unloaded, it'll get old fast (the diesel). The 6.0 has a LOT less turbo lag but it is still very noticeable and compared to a comparable V10 (especially the 3V) it just feels very sluggish. Don't get in a hurry. For me, it would take a LONG time to make up the difference in fuel mileage to justify spending the extra $$$, not to mention the maintenance costs. As a side note, last Sunday at the drag races, a '05 F250 reg cab 4x4 with a 6.0 PSD got SMOKED by a '94 Ranger with a 3.0 V6/5 speed. I'm sure the PSD would out-tow the Ranger by a long shot, but for everyday driving, it would get really old really quick. I think the PSD ran a 13 second....1/8 mile....at something like 48 mph. BUT, add a chip/programmer and you can drastically improve the acceleration and towing performance....but you also decrease reliability. Ford designed that engine to have a certain amount of power & torque RELIABLY, beyond that and you're on borrowed time. Kind of like modding a 2G Lightning....they hold up well if left stock; add pullies, chips, CAI's, nitrous....and you had better have another short block in the shop ready to drop in.

If you're looking at a used pickup, be sure to take into consideration maintenance and repair costs. Keep in mind that the newer diesels can cost thousands to have a seemingly minor repair done, like an injector replacement or HPO pump. If I was needing something to pull 10,000 lbs, I would look into a PSD...but it'd have to be NEW and have warranty. Especially with the 6.0L.

Im anxiously awaiting the new 6.4 (I believe thats what it is) PSD diesel to be unvailed. Should be interesting. Just my $.02, FWIW (not much these days)

 

Like I mentioned in the other thread, there is simply no replacement for displacement when towing. The 3V 5.4 would probably get down a dragstrip faster than a 460, but hook up any load and the 5.4 will be at an extreme disadvanatage. I have heard guys badmouth the 460 because 'its not fast' and such. The 460 is an incredibly torquey truck motor and a very capable tow vehicle.

Just keep in mind, the V-10 replaced the 460. The 5.4 replaced the 351, and the 4.6 replaced the 302. The 5.4 is probably stronger than the 351, but certainly not the 460.

 

4.6L = 281 cu/in.
4.9L = 300 c/i.
5L = 302 c/i.
5.4L = 330 c/i.
5.7 L = 351 c/i.
6.5 L = 390 c/i.
Displacment = overall torque with consideration to the engine design and equippage for the intended application.
Trying to compare old engine with todays PCM controlled systems often makes it look like the new is weak because of the less than best factory tuning used.
I could gaurrentee that a well setup 460 will out pull all the smaller power plants.
You see 485 and 535 hp 460 crate motors, but no modulars, at that power level.

 

4.6L = 281 cu/in.
4.9L = 300 c/i.
5L = 302 c/i.
5.4L = 330 c/i.
5.7 L = 351 c/i.
6.5 L = 390 c/i.
Displacment = overall torque with consideration to the engine design and equippage for the intended application.
Trying to compare old engine with todays PCM controlled systems often makes it look like the new is weak because of the less than best factory tuning used.
I could gaurrentee that a well setup 460 will out pull all the smaller power plants.
You see 485 and 535 hp 460 crate motors, but no modulars, at that power level.