Ford 2009 V-10

johnk · Jun 5, 2009

Does anyone on here own a Ford V-10? I just traded my 2005 5.4 in for a new Ford 350 v-10 because I couldn't stand the lack of power in my 250 when I was pulling my trailerand all around driving. I couldn't justify buying a diesel because I only had 25K on my 2005. I have been averaging between 13.2 and 14.4 all around driving unloaded with 4:10 gears with the V-10 and it is brand new and not broken in yet. My 5.4 in my 250 got between 10 and 12.5 unloaded doing the same routes. Maybe the F150's get better mileage due to the aerodynamics but I couldn't take the lack of performance in the F250. I also heard they are having problems with the twin turbo diesels blowing O-Rings and radiators..

chh · Jun 5, 2009

I've got an '08 F350. 10' flatbed, 4wd and lower geared than yours, pretty happy with it overall.

Dmace · Jun 5, 2009

Good looking truck!

The V10 is certainly the best option Ford has for their trucks, the V8 5.4l should be left for the Ranger/Explorer and the Diesel is far from a proven engine.

That fuel mileage with a 6.8l and 4.10 gears is great! Are you calculating it by hand too or just going by the on-board computer? I have never driven a V10 but anything with 450+ lb.ft. of torque and the smoothness of 10 cylinders must be nice.

robertm · Jun 5, 2009

Don't get too excited. By the looks of your photo, you are looking at the Lie-O-Meter on the dash. Do some had calculation and I think you'll be pleasantly surprised if you can break 11 around town and 13 on the highway. I spend way too much time on the Superduty boards as I am a diesel fanatic, but with my most recent 6.4L purchase I scrutinized the V-10 closely. To date, I have yet to see anyone get an average of 14 15 with a V-10... unless it is in a late year Excursion... highway driving only. After not being able to find a V-10 available on the lot a few months ago, I opted to go diesel again. I watched tire size and rear-end options to get the best mileage I could. I average 15-16 with my 6.4L, but I am the exception... still. The V-10 is still no match for the diesel if you get a good 6.4L and haul heavy trailers, but if you drive the few miles you do, then I agree you made the right choice. I have had my 2008 F-350 now for about 2-1/2 months,a nd I have 10,000 miles on the ticker, and haven't really had a chance to drive it yet.

RollingsFarms · Jun 6, 2009

awesome looking truck, congrats! may i ask if you ordered that truck or just found it on the lot? the reason i ask is because in my area you have a hard time finding a SRW f-350, 4x4, extended cab, with a V10 much less a diesel. i've never seen one on any Ford lots.

mjncad · Jun 6, 2009

John:

I have a 1999 F-250 4x4, V-10, 5-speed, 4.11 limited slip rear end, extended cab, long bed, XLT & trailer & off road packages. All in all, very similar to your truck minus the improvements/upgrades Ford has done in 10-years time.

I average around 13 MPG of mixed 70/30 highway/city driving. Although I could afford the diesel when I ordered mine, I knew I wasn't going to drive it daily or tow very often, so the V-10 was the right choice for me. To show you how little I drive it, I've got just about 33,000 miles on it.

I am happy with the truck.

Groo · Jun 6, 2009

The V10 can be had with 4.30 gears in a 4x4 srw, the deisel is limited to 3.55 gears. That massive price premium for the deisel will buy plenty of gallons of gas for the V10.

johnk · Jun 6, 2009

RollingsFarms said:
awesome looking truck, congrats! may i ask if you ordered that truck or just found it on the lot? the reason i ask is because in my area you have a hard time finding a SRW f-350, 4x4, extended cab, with a V10 much less a diesel. i've never seen one on any Ford lots.

I actually searched the dealers inventories online and found it on the lot that way. Took a ride over and there it was. Like you said, there aren't too many around sitting on lots. I think I made the right choice with the driving I do.

Dargo · Jun 6, 2009

I have both; a V10 and a diesel Ford. In mostly 'all city' driving I get about 9 mpg if I drive easy with the V10 and 13.3 on straight highway unloaded. With the diesel ('06 4X4 crew cab dually) I get about 12 in straight city and about 16 unloaded straight highway. The operating costs have had wild swings lately. When gas was 30% to 35% less per gallon than diesel, I favored the gas. With diesel 10% to 15% cheaper than gas now I strongly prefer the diesel. FWIW, I absolutely love the '06 PSD. With the SCT tuner I get huge power and the engine has been great. It had a couple of oil leaks when I bought it (used) that were covered under warranty. During the fix my dealer installed ARP head studs I provided for no extra charge and the ERG went MIA. Since then I even like the 6.0 PSD as much as I liked the 5.9 Cummins I had for a decade. With just the SCT tuner, it runs amazingly strong.

Based on what several guys I know have told me, I'd definitely opt for the 6.8 V10 over the 6.4 PSD. The 6.4 PSD was already terminated by the time the first ones hit the dealer showrooms. They will have a total run of 2 years. The 6.0 PSD only had a 5 year run. How long has the 6.8 V10 been out?

GATC35 · Jun 6, 2009

I believe the first V-10 came out in 1999, it was 290 HP and had a EGR system. In 2000 they deleted the EGR and raised the HP to 310. I don't remember if it was 2003 or 2004 when they came out with the 3 valves per head and boosted the HP to 364.

I had a 2000 F-250 4x4 with the V-10 I put 158,000 miles on. Great truck, great engine. I don't understand why the v-10 gets such a bad rep. Yes most V-10 F-250's get 12 MPG in normal driving, but a 5.4, old 351 or even a 460 will get the same or worse MPG.

I currently have same truck as above but with 7.3L Powerstroke Diesel. It's a good engine also, just more routine maintenance that the V-10.