Buying new superduty crew 4x4 can't decide which engine to get? Using it to haul one or two cars on a trailer. Any thoughts or experiences?

 

5.4 is currently under the microscope for deficiencies (piston slap, leaky heads).

V-10 commentary is hard to find.

It is hard to prove a cost benefit for the diesel - especially with the punitive taxation on diesel fuel.

It's a crap shoot. Pick your poison.

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Y2K™

Toreador Red, Keyless XLT SC SB 5.4L E4x4 4wDisc/ABS, 3.73LS, Skid, HD 7700# Towing, LT-245's on Chrome, Tube-Steps, Captain's, 6CD, Tonneau, named: "Nick"



[This message has been edited by Y2K 7700 4x4 (edited 06-03-2000).]

 

Yea that's what I'm thinking. My wife has a 97 Expedition 4x4 4.6 and it's been perfect no leaks,knocks,etx. Every one has some problem with ther 5.4/V10 Knocks/leaks and the Power Strokes Crackle/knock problem. What's with ford and all these problems. I don't know what to do I hate to go to Dodge or GM. But I'm sure they have their problems to! My 92 ford 351 is just starting to nickle and dime me to death.

 

Since you plan to tow a couple of vehicles, I'd suggest avoiding the 5.4l V-8. I have the V-10 - and bought it specifically for towing. I wanted the PSD, but my wife claims diesels are "stinky" and "noisy". We test-drove a PSD and I pointed out the superior sound-deadening insulation you get in a PSD truck. I lost the argument.
The extra cost of the PSD is ONLY justified if you plan to drive more than 100k miles. Trailer Life magazine did a great V-10 vs PSD comparison about a year or so ago. The fuel savings of the PSD recoup the extra engine cost at around 80-10k miles. After that, you start saving money.
I'm already planning for my PSD

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1999 F-250 XLT Super Duty Crew Cab Long Bed
V-10, Automatic 4R100, 4.30 Limited Slip.
GVW = 6700# Towing Capacity = 13,300#
4 Wheel ABS disks + Reese 15K hitch
Dark Hunter Green. Ford Running Boards.
Grey Rhino-Liner. Captain's Chairs. CD+Tape
Polished Stainless Steel Wheel-well Molding http://members.home.net/jchartier/jnctrk.html

 

I currently have the 5.4L with 4.10LS rear and am very happy with the truck.. And I'm confident that Ford has already addressed the piston slap problems. (btw: even when piston slap was a production issue, the number of trucks affected was an extremely small %).

Towing a car is no problem..

Towing a few cars, well, I'm sure you'll know they're back there..

Given the truck configuration your looking at : cc, 4x4, auto tranny?, you'll get almost the same mpg with the V10 vs the 5.4L. (maybe 1 or 2mpg less).

When towing, you'll probably do better than the 5.4L in mpg, and you'll have the power!

If you don't mind diesel, and you plan on owning past 100k miles, then PSD is a great option..

I think the V10 or PSD are the way to go..


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Y2K F250 XLT SC 4x2 5.4L 5sp 4.10LS

 

In most cases a 5.4L with low gears is enough. I have driven a 99 Lariat 250 4x4 with 3.73's with the 5.4L and it (only 235hp) wasn't too bad. My dad has a 2000 crewcab shortbed 250 with the v-10 and a 5-speed, ands its a terrible gas hog (best 12). If you have the money, and don't mind diesels, go with it, you won't be disapointed. Also if you consider, wait til 2001, the psds will have 250hp and about 520ft/lbs.

 

I have a Y2K F-250 4X4 SD SC with a V-10 and an auto. I would think that if you are going to tow a lot that you'd be better off with the V-10 or the diesel. I also had to make this same decision when I ordered my truck. In my case, there was no way that I could justify the diesel. The increased initial cost, plus increased maintenance costs were a very important part of my decision. Oil changes are 15 quarts. It also seems that the diesels need fuel additives to run properly. There are also additives for the cooling system to be considered. There is also increased air filter and fuel filter maintenance to consider, plus fuel cost itself. Also, I have to consider keeping it plugged in here due to the below zero winter temps. For me, I'd have to keep it 100,000+ miles to break even. Another problem here is that diesels are usually not very popular with the dealers and buyers. There are very few of any brand on the lots, new or used. As far as economy, my best tank so far was on a trip with 5 people and luggage. I averaged 14.2 MPG on a couple of tanks. I'm extremely pleased with my V-10.

[This message has been edited by WWBF150 (edited 06-03-2000).]

 

The late 2001 PSD will be 275 hp w/ the manual trans.
It comes down to personal preferance.
I have the 5.4 and I have driven numerous PSD and the feeling of 500ftlbs moving 8000+lbs is awesome.
Since I plan on keeping my next truck for 250+ miles and 10+ years the PSD makes since.
ALSO diesel is cheaper right now. I've talked to enough people who are getting 18-20 mpg out of their PSD, plus they have the superchips w/ an extra 75-100 hp if they like.
One thing to remember is that the PSD is 444CI of iron where the 5.4 is just about 333CI of aluminum. There is no disputing that the stroker will be able to withstand more add-ons and be able to make alot more torque and last longer.
Anyway there are many things to take into consideration. Id suggest go to http://ford-diesel.com/
ask for more input. A lot of these guys haul and they will normally be happy to share their findings.
One last thing. I had three trucks over a week and a half from the dealer. Make arrangements w/ yours so you can sample yours before you buy. The only thing that kept me from getting the PSD was $$$. I;m saving to "upgrade" around Christmas. This was a graduation gift from my wife so I really can't complain.
Good luck.

 

I ran a 6.2L diesel for 175K miles and never broke even. The oil changes are so frequent that I couldn't afford to use Mobil 1. When things break, they're very expensive. I was able to shame GM into almost all of my repairs -- but some simply don't occur on gas engines (like main bearing leaks, intake manifold leaks, injector pump leaks, starter high-amperage problems, batteries - lotsa batteries, glow plugs -- at least one a year, fuel tax -- 15 cents additional here in MI for each gallon). I intended to run it for 10 years and 250K miles -- well the engine would have made it, but the truck fell apart. Sure, the PSD is probably a better engine -- but you cannot justify it financially unless you're really creative with your accounting. If fuel was realistically priced, perhaps you could -- but that's if you never need to pay for an engine problem -- and that means keeping it no more than 100K miles -- and that means that you cannot financially justify it -- unless by owning the diesel, you don't need a truck that costs $5K more.

I loved my diesel. It never left me stranded. It didn't stink too much. It was quiet (sorry, PSD owners, only the GM version is quiet), It towed my trailer at 12MPG where my 97 did it at 7.75MPG (haven't figured out the Y2K yet). The diesel always started immediately, and always ran like the day I bought it. It never got hot.

My '97 5.4 did all of that, plus was my first new vehicle that didn't need the dealer for the first many months of ownership.

Powerlifter: Nice graduation present from your wife. Please let me know if you ever decide to divorce her.

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Y2K™

Toreador Red, Keyless XLT SC SB 5.4L E4x4 4wDisc/ABS, 3.73LS, Skid, HD 7700# Towing, LT-245's on Chrome, Tube-Steps, Captain's, 6CD, Tonneau, named: "Nick"

 

Y2K:
realistically such a long time frame is realistic for me. I had my last car and put 156+ before the eletrically system started to die. I had it for 9 years and drove it HARD. I've seen numerous ranchers who put those types of miles on their diesels and more and then trade them in every 3-5 years or so. If you been able to experience ranching or farming, or know those who do, you know how hard they are on their trucks. I've seen truck-cow collisions, running into a 6ft ravine, 50mph across a corn row and a few more adventures just to name a few.
The four doors, power potential and the potential for longevity are my reasons for wanting the 250SD w/ PSD.
When it begins to die the first time it will become a project truck. So actually it is a very long term purchase. I plan on stroking it out to about 500cubes tweaking the motor a bit more and w/ 10 inches of lift and 39 inch superswapers, it will become my toy.

Running a by-pass system and using amsoil, I can more than break even on the oil changes and here in TX -normally- diesel is lower than gas. usually. The last year has been wishy-washy but it just comes down to the fact that I like big motors that are noisy and make lotsa torque.

Y2k: since my wife let me spend the last two nights at a "club" w/ the boys, and she doesn't mind as long as i come home and i tell her where i'm gonna play, she can be pretty cool at times. I'll keep you upto date.. LOL

 

Does she have an older sister, perhaps?

 

Does the V10 piston slap less or more than most 5.4's?

 

The numbers of V10's that developed slap was less % than 5.4Ls.
But in both cases, the % was very low.

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Y2K F250 XLT SC 4x2 5.4L 5sp 4.10LS