V10 Or Diesel?

[Rufrider]

In the market for a USED superduty.....I have heard negatives about both engines, want to hear from you.

[sickrick]

Look at the resale value. there is a reason the v10 trucks are 60% of the price.

[baja stu]

Go for the diesel . It will have the performance you are looking for and the longevity.
A F250 with 100,000 miles on it is just getting broke-in.

[jeff]

Totally depends on what model year and then which truck. The 6.0L has had all sorts of problems. Certain SuperDuty trucks are major lemons while others have zero problems. Out of warranty you are probably better off with the diesel. I know in my RV I have to rev the hell out of the motor to make any power. If the budget allows I wouldn't even consider a gas motor equipped SuperDuty truck.

Aloha

[tuekwik]

Spend the extra money for the diesel. I had a 2000 F250 with a V10 and got rid of it and bought a 2001 F350 diesel, BEST BUY I HAVE MADE YET!!! I love the diesel, I have plenty of torque to pull my 30FT trailer and overall great mileage way better than the V10. In my opinion diesel is the way to go.

[toyobeater]

If you are going to go diesel, go dodge, no one can touch the cummins

[Ramsey_ElWardani]

I have a 2005 6.0. I'd get the newest, cleanest 7.3 that you can find. Stay away from the V10.

I'd also stay away from the new trucks that will require ULSD. The pump where I filled up on the way home from Laughlin (Bullhead City) had a warning on it not to use their LSD in 2007 ULSD vehicles. You won't be able to get fuel in Mexico or Bullhead City for that matter.

[johnnyweb]

im partial to the diesel i have had many of them. but if it is a truck more for weekends or mexico you can save a bundle on a v10. i have a couple of buddies with v10 they opened up the exhaust,programmed,intakes etc and they are happy. resale is better on diesel but you pay more to buy them. hope this gives you food for thought!!

[sickrick]

If you are going to go diesel, go dodge, no one can touch the cummins

The cummins motors are great to bad about the dodge trannies.

[hammer down racing]

Go with the diesel or you will kick yourself later. I have an 04 with the 6.0 and am very happy with it. I did have a wiring harness issue but it was a recall deal. The 7.3s are an awesome motor also.

When we go to the races I have a 9.5 ft. camper on my truck AND tow a 25 ft. enclosed trailer with the race car and everything else. I get right at 15 mpg doing 70 miles an hour. I have never been disappointed with power or fuel economy. My truck is stock except for exhaust and intake. The V10s lack power and get horrile gas mileage. A little more money now might save money on fuel later.

If you do get a diesel make sure the first thing you do is put a gauge pod on it. The boost, pyro, and tranny temp gauges are the most important thing you could put on your truck.

[amr126]

I personally would wait to see how these new 6.4 sequential turbo motors on the Ford's turn out. Who knows, they may just be the best thing out there...(Even cummins guys can't make a comment on an unproven motor, albiet for better or worse:confused: )

[Goober]

Only bad thing about diesel is how much more gas is.

[toyobeater]

I dunno my buddy has a dodge cummins and all he got is one of those Edge programmers and the thing has 350hp and 750 ft lb of torque, it smokes 35" with 20 mpg and all it cost him for the programmer is $900. He treats it like a ferrarri and the thing keeps asking for more. But yea your right the tranny is its weak point(no problems so far and its a 2000) but like with anything the more power your engine makes the more your tranny is strained.

[Big Oly TT]

Go with the diesel or you will kick yourself later. I have an 04 with the 6.0 and am very happy with it. I did have a wiring harness issue but it was a recall deal. The 7.3s are an awesome motor also.

When we go to the races I have a 9.5 ft. camper on my truck AND tow a 25 ft. enclosed trailer with the race car and everything else. I get right at 15 mpg doing 70 miles an hour. I have never been disappointed with power or fuel economy. My truck is stock except for exhaust and intake. The V10s lack power and get horrile gas mileage. A little more money now might save money on fuel later.

If you do get a diesel make sure the first thing you do is put a gauge pod on it. The boost, pyro, and tranny temp gauges are the most important thing you could put on your truck.

Hey..............how do you get 15mpg??? I have a 2004 f250 crew cab long bed 4x4, with a Lance 835 camper and get 10.5mpg around town and freeway. And I have a bully dog programer set on tow/economy. 16mpg with out the camper? Either way, you would be an idiot to get a gas motor, not to mention that v10.

[85yota]

My friend has the v10 and just blew a plug out of the head. Good thing he paid for an aftermarket warrenty or he'd be out some serious money right now. I'd go with the diesel, the v10 tows his ranger fine but it kills us in gas money.

[GHAcompanies1596]

i have had 2 v10's, they are huge piles of crap. slow as hell, i had a v10 excursion with exhasut and intake. thing ate so much gas and was a sled, also had a f250 v10 with a vortech supercharger, 14lbs pulley, intake, headers,full exhaust,gears and some other minor mods.. it ran awesome and sounded mean. but i got like 4 mpg haha. it sucked plus it was on 42's and i was 16 yeards old (got me in alot of trouble)..

i have a 02 7.3 that ran very well, towed anything i put behind it. i had alot of work done to it as well.

if your going with a ford diesel (ford) and you plan on modding it go with the 7.3..stay away from 02's because that year had the weakest rods. PMR as they call it. powder metal rods. 99-00-01 are good years for 7.3s..

i have 2 6.0 f250s, if you keep them stock they will live.. i have alot of diesels and have even more friends with diesels..right now i can think of about 7 people i know who have 6.0's that are modded and have nothing but problems, people think you can just go throw an edge chips and some exhaust and think they have rocket ships haha, more power= more money in the long run. the edge chips blow. sct has probably the best runnning-shifting-and reliable tune out right now, basically if you get a 6.0 and you plan on making it last/reliable and want to tow. i would take it down throw on some head studs right off that bat, guages (pyro+boost),a nice sct tune(tuned to your driving style) probably a turbo back exhasut and a decent intake. you will have a great running truck.

im a total ford guy. but if you want to make some sick power i would go with a duramax, i have some buddies with duramax's in the low 12's high 11's, one buddy put down right over 500 horses and 1180 ft lbs of tq and tows his bobcats and backhoes all day long with no problems...

here is some good contacts for diesel world

john woods automotive- ford EXPERT guy is awesome. he is sick with trannies. he has done 3 of my personal trucks and like 6 of my buddies 760-356-9421

redline diesel performace- anything diesel,speacializing in durmax's. builds some quick trucks- call info for number they are located in corona

brandon rhodes- personal friend and durmax fanatic. has some records under his belt and has some of the fastest durmax tunes in the u.s 760-272-8001

hope this info helps.. sorry for going on and on. i am bored :D

[Young&Fast]

I have a 2005 6.0. I'd get the newest, cleanest 7.3 that you can find. Stay away from the V10.

I'd also stay away from the new trucks that will require ULSD. The pump where I filled up on the way home from Laughlin (Bullhead City) had a warning on it not to use their LSD in 2007 ULSD vehicles. You won't be able to get fuel in Mexico or Bullhead City for that matter.

Sorry, just was funnny to me after fdoing homework for 5 hours strait.

[Rufrider]

Ok thanks for the info. After pricing the used fords$ 21,000-25,000 80-100k miles, I can get a chevy 2500 big block HD for $22-24,000 with only 20,00-30k miles?


Now comes the decision.....

[GHAcompanies1596]

Ok thanks for the info. After pricing the used fords$ 21,000-25,000 80-100k miles, I can get a chevy 2500 big block HD for $22-24,000 with only 20,00-30k miles?


Now comes the decision.....


id stay away from gas. thats just my .02

[toyobeater]

20k miles on a gas engine is like 300k for a diesel, that chevy will prolly last 30k more miles before it starts having problems. Chevy's have terrible tranny's unless it has the Allison

[fordtacorunner]

if you get gas or diesel get one with a tranny temp guage or put one in if you plan on towing or even 4 wheeling. my buddys 01 super duty had the v10 it lacked on power, but when we tried a hill climb the tranny got hot, burped on the exhuast and caught fire. we got it out with sand and about a 12 pack. get a temp guage!

[Brice]

go diesel. my dad just picked up a v10 and it has zero balls.

[Ryno]

Diesel is the way to go. However, if you are lacking the funds...the chevy 8.1 isn't bad, all things considered. I have an 02 2500HD with the 8.1/ Allison, and love it. My next truck will be diesel, but in 02 chevy had MAJOR problems with the injectors. The 02 model year has the injectors warrantied for 7 years or 200k miles. The Duramax is a damn good motor.

At work, we have a fleet of Ford f250's/ 6.0. They are all stock, and run all day long. They are NOISY, compared to the duramax.

[Devin J]

Having been in the diesel industry for some time, I will tell you this much. Don't buy a powerstroke or 6.0L, unless you like throwing money and parts at them. Buy a Dodge, the cummins engine is the most reliable, affordable, and proven pickup engine out there. I've worked for both companies ( cummins and international ) I've seen plenty of powerstroke issues - not too many with the cummins. I could fill up a whole page with spare parts to keep in your daily driver Ford, and list three or four items for the Dodge. Cummins engine = 1,000,000 miles longevity / International = 350,000 maybe. Can't argue with statistics.

[Moneypit]

I have an 01 4x4 7.3 diesel, and luv it. The Chevy 8.1 big block is nice especially cuz the 8.1 comes with the Allison tranny, but if you are going to tow at all I would go diesel

[toyobeater]

Id rather be Cummin then Strokin

[85yota]

Didn't want to start a new thread so I thought I'd just ask here. I found a 99 crew cab 4x4 short bed F250. it's got the 7.3L diesel but it's a manual tranny and has 217K on the ticker. What would you think a reasonable price be for this truck. And are those manuals like dump truck trannies, where it has a 2ft throw or are they nice like a ranger/f150 manual. Thanks.

[85yota]

here's a pic of it, the itnerior is perfect and the ouside is good besides the dent in the fender.
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b199/85yota/f250.jpg

[johnnyweb]

Didn't want to start a new thread so I thought I'd just ask here. I found a 99 crew cab 4x4 short bed F250. it's got the 7.3L diesel but it's a manual tranny and has 217K on the ticker. What would you think a reasonable price be for this truck. And are those manuals like dump truck trannies, where it has a 2ft throw or are they nice like a ranger/f150 manual. Thanks.

any big truck stick tranny shifts notchy. i would not pay more then 10-15k max for that truck. the motor will run well into the 3-400k mile range but with over 200k on it other maintence items are going to start to have to be adressed. i have a 2000 power stroke with 185k and runs great i have had no problems other then genaral maintence, oh and one cam sensor. i have friends with 300k on there power strokes and they are still going strong. alot depends on how it was driven and maintanced. i would see if you can get service records to help your decision.

[Devin J]

any big truck stick tranny shifts notchy. i would not pay more then 10-15k max for that truck. the motor will run well into the 3-400k mile range but with over 200k on it other maintence items are going to start to have to be adressed. i have a 2000 power stroke with 185k and runs great i have had no problems other then genaral maintence, oh and one cam sensor. i have friends with 300k on there power strokes and they are still going strong. alot depends on how it was driven and maintanced. i would see if you can get service records to help your decision.


I'd offer them 10k , no more. Get ready to put in a high pressure fuel pump, cam sensor, and buy a spare to put in your glove compartment along with a 10mm wrench, plan on a turbo soon also. I would also recommend running a full synthetic oil, like Schaffer's if you would like to stretch some more life out of it.

[johnnyweb]

[QUOTE=Johnson328;248388]I'd offer them 10k , no more. Get ready to put in a high pressure fuel pump, cam sensor, and buy a spare to put in your glove compartment along with a 10mm wrench, plan on a turbo soon also. I would also recommend running a full synthetic oil, like Schaffer's if you would like to stretch some more life out of it.[/QUOTE
i understand why you would steer him away from the 6.0 liter but why would you steer him away from a 7.3 they have a good rep? i have had 4 my self and multiple friends and we have all been very happy with them. never heard of the fuel pump going out. only problem we have ever encountered is the cam sensor thing. of course i do maintain my truck well and run synthetic oils.

[sigmatero]

On a similar note (not quite hijacking this thread)... based on the discussion thus far what would you all recommend for a *diesel* (no gas) that can tow a race truck (<4000#) and still carry two adults and six kids (and a dog)?

[68FORD]

I'd offer them 10k , no more. Get ready to put in a high pressure fuel pump, cam sensor, and buy a spare to put in your glove compartment along with a 10mm wrench, plan on a turbo soon also. I would also recommend running a full synthetic oil, like Schaffer's if you would like to stretch some more life out of it.

the 7.3s do not have a high presure fuel pump. they have a high presure oil pump known as huei pump, same on all small cat engines. only have had 2 fail that ive seen in 2 years. im a diesel mech and i see alot of fleets of superduties with 7.3s, great engine, cant go wrong, keep a cam position sensor in your grove box and change the oil often so the crap doesnt get into the injectors, thats the biggest issue with any huei systems.
everyone and their mom says dont buy the 6.0, theyre snapping cranks faster than they can make them, even the guys at my work, however, ive yet to see one fail.
but imo the cummins is by far the best engine, hands down, but chevys got the good trans.

[68FORD]

one more thing, do the math. figure out how much the diesel will save you in the long run
more initial cost.
more maintinence cost.
more cost on fuel per gal.
just went to school in vegas with my forman in a 4x4 hd with 8.1 gas, got 14.5mpg going consistant 70-75. with buying new trucks, it would have taken him around 175,000 to 200,000mi before the better gas mileage would pay for itself.

[Devin J]

the 7.3s do not have a high presure fuel pump. they have a high presure oil pump known as huei pump, same on all small cat engines. only have had 2 fail that ive seen in 2 years. im a diesel mech and i see alot of fleets of superduties with 7.3s, great engine, cant go wrong, keep a cam position sensor in your grove box and change the oil often so the crap doesnt get into the injectors, thats the biggest issue with any huei systems.
everyone and their mom says dont buy the 6.0, theyre snapping cranks faster than they can make them, even the guys at my work, however, ive yet to see one fail.
but imo the cummins is by far the best engine, hands down, but chevys got the good trans.


Here at the International dealership where I work, they refer to them as a high pressure fuel pump, same part-different nomenclature. We see at least one a week with a bad H.P. pump, injector problem, turbo failures, cam sensors, IPR vales, IPR sensors, etc. Oh yeah, one other thing - BE SURE TO KEEP UP ON YOUR DCA ADDITIVES TO AVOID ELECTROLYSIS! hopefully everyone knows this, as engine overhauls are expensive. If you like to whiz away money at a rapid rate, buy a 6.0 liter, there's a reason why the production run for those engines didn't last long.

[Devin J]

On a similar note (not quite hijacking this thread)... based on the discussion thus far what would you all recommend for a *diesel* (no gas) that can tow a race truck (<4000#) and still carry two adults and six kids (and a dog)?

30 + foot motorhome w/a Cummins B series or C series

[johnnyweb]

Here at the International dealership where I work, they refer to them as a high pressure fuel pump, same part-different nomenclature. We see at least one a week with a bad H.P. pump, injector problem, turbo failures, cam sensors, IPR vales, IPR sensors, etc. Oh yeah, one other thing - BE SURE TO KEEP UP ON YOUR DCA ADDITIVES TO AVOID ELECTROLYSIS! hopefully everyone knows this, as engine overhauls are expensive. If you like to whiz away money at a rapid rate, buy a 6.0 liter, there's a reason why the production run for those engines didn't last long.
my old 95 p/s had to get injectors put in it, but that was at like 200k. and only because it was running rough. it never died i sold it to a family member and wanted it right for him. he still driving it to day. but i don't know what the milege is know.
how often do you work on cummins motors and what are some of the problems with them? the dca additive would be for are motors not just ford right.

[68FORD]

the first electronic isb cummins engines in dodges were really good as far as any issues, but they do have their fare share of high presure fuel pump problems, just ask a cummins guy and say vp 44 fault code 268, he should know exactly what your talking about, withe newest isb cummins with common rail ive only seen fuel lift pump problems, they get changed out under warranty.
the dca additive is for all diesel engines, isnt nearly as important in non wet liner engines(snall stuff in pickups, non comercial). however if you buy an international with a 7.3, most of the time it will come with a coolant filter like the big cat and cummins engines.

[Devin J]

my old 95 p/s had to get injectors put in it, but that was at like 200k. and only because it was running rough. it never died i sold it to a family member and wanted it right for him. he still driving it to day. but i don't know what the milege is know.
how often do you work on cummins motors and what are some of the problems with them? the dca additive would be for are motors not just ford right.

The pre-98.5 cummins B series are excellent, they will outlast the vehicle chassis. The 98.5 and later 24 valve (or ISB) engines are also great, except for the fuel injection pump issue - which 68FORD mentioned. The main problem is the transfer pump is under too much of a load pulling from the fuel tank, and will eventually lead to a failure of the transfer pump, which in turn puts all of the load on the fuel injection pump, (a.k.a - VP44 pump). The price tag on the pumps is approximately $1600.00 + labor. The fix for this is to plumb in a secondary transfer pump between the tank and the stock transfer pump, there is even a nice aftermarket kit to do this. The next thing to do is to plumb in an L.E.D. warning light and a pressure sensor to let you know when the fuel pressure drops. When the light is off, pressure is good, when the light comes on - get the vehicle looked at!

As far as DCA additive goes, you are correct, it's for all diesels, and should be checked at every oil change.

[lvsteve]

In the market for a USED superduty.....I have heard negatives about both engines, want to hear from you.

Get the diesel, but if you do buy one that has the 7.3L it is a much more durable engine than the 6.0. my friend baught the v10 and regrets it every day. I have an 02 and I love the truck

[johnnyweb]

The pre-98.5 cummins B series are excellent, they will outlast the vehicle chassis. The 98.5 and later 24 valve (or ISB) engines are also great, except for the fuel injection pump issue - which 68FORD mentioned. The main problem is the transfer pump is under too much of a load pulling from the fuel tank, and will eventually lead to a failure of the transfer pump, which in turn puts all of the load on the fuel injection pump, (a.k.a - VP44 pump). The price tag on the pumps is approximately $1600.00 + labor. The fix for this is to plumb in a secondary transfer pump between the tank and the stock transfer pump, there is even a nice aftermarket kit to do this. The next thing to do is to plumb in an L.E.D. warning light and a pressure sensor to let you know when the fuel pressure drops. When the light is off, pressure is good, when the light comes on - get the vehicle looked at!

As far as DCA additive goes, you are correct, it's for all diesels, and should be checked at every oil change.
ya thats what i thought i periodically dump abottle or so in my coolant reservoir but not every oil change. i run amsoil synthetic oil and change the oil at about 12-15k so i should be doing the coolant at the say time? does the transfer pump deal apply to p/s as well?

[pphat]

I could fill up a whole page with spare parts to keep in your daily driver Ford, and list three or four items for the Dodge.

I'm curious: what would that parts list for the Cummins include???

[68FORD]

nothing, just install a fuel presure sensor after the secondary fuel filter so if the lift pump fails or if the filters clog, you wont starve the vp44 pump for fuel.

[Devin J]

I'm curious: what would that parts list for the Cummins include???

The ever-famous lift pump, a serpentine belt, fuel filter, oil filter, air filter (if stock set-up) oh - and oil.

[Devin J]

ya thats what i thought i periodically dump abottle or so in my coolant reservoir but not every oil change. i run amsoil synthetic oil and change the oil at about 12-15k so i should be doing the coolant at the say time? does the transfer pump deal apply to p/s as well?

If you're going 12-15k I would check the DCA at 6-7k, just to be safe.

The transfer pump issue is a dodge/cummins issue.

[johnnyweb]

If you're going 12-15k I would check the DCA at 6-7k, just to be safe.

The transfer pump issue is a dodge/cummins issue.
i have been changing the oil filter and top off oil at about half that milege.

[championship]

We have had both a diesel and V10....dont buy a V10 it is a gas hog. We have blown the spark plugs out of the head and it cuts out under a load and no one can figure it out. Our diesel was a work horse and never let us down...

[Ol' Curmudgeon]

A buddy of mine got the V10, smokes like a diesel! He's a big time Ford fan with numerous 56's, a dd '66 shop truck, and an 86 460 4x4, but he's glad he went for the extended warranty on the new one!

[pphat]

The ever-famous lift pump, a serpentine belt, fuel filter, oil filter, air filter (if stock set-up) oh - and oil.
Thanks!

[Wild Wild West]

I work on Cummins engines quite often and the fleet of service trucks are Fords and dodges.

The Fords are all gas and the dodges are diesel.

I do agree,that the cummins are great engines,but 1,000,000 motors?HARDLY.
Most of the service trucks equipped with cummins engines have between 120,000 and 180,000.
We have had to replace one block,because it was cracked
Weve had to replace a couple of engines,because a valve broke and it fell into the cylinder causing major engine damage.
And weve had to replace 2 injection pumps.If i remember correctly,the injection pump was close to 4,000 dollars.:eek:

Not to mention the numerous transmissions weve had to replace.
The only dodge tranny that hasnt be replaced is the stick shift.All the autos have acted up.
Plus the dodges are not that reliable when it comes to wiring harnesses and the A/C systems.

I would not buy a dodge truck,just because it has a good motor in it.
IMHO the Ford truck is a better truck than the dodge or the chevy.
and the 7.3 is a damn good motor,so buy ford and buy 7.3

[1wayne]

7.3 POWERSTORE the only to fly.I have a 2002 with 83000 miles on runs great pulls awsome best truck I have ever owned.