2004 F-350 V-10

[Builder]

Buy the gas station that goes with it. Are you serious ? In less than 2 years gasoline will be 8 dollars a gallon. I have a friend with an 04 V-10.... no local dealer will even take it in trade. Those trucks are sale proof. If you need a puller get a cummins... or at least try one out.

But if that's true, then diesel fuel will be 10 dollars a gallon.

I think the newer version of the V-10 is the best "big block" gas choice right now.

Today, the big difference between gas & diesel is the longevity of the engine-generally a diesel will outlast a gas engine by 2-3X the miles or hours and the MPG advantage once a load is attached to the truck. Diesels don't suffer the dramatic drop in fuel economy that gassers do once the big trailer gets hooked up.

Ford was rumored to be doing away withthe V-10 for the "Boss V-8" 6.2l 400hp replacement, but with truck assembly lines basically being shut down at Ford, I don't think much of Ford's little money they have left is going into truck development.

 

[dgl24087]

Actually, Ford has plans to introduce a smaller version of the F150, codenamed P525 and likely to be badged as an F100, scheduled for 2010 or 2011. Powerplants are to be a 4 cyl. and an Ecoboost (gasoline direct injection and turbocharged) V6. Also in the works is a Ranger replacement, codenamed T6, also to be introduced in 2010 or 2011. This truck is to be built in Thailand, South Africa, and Australia, possibly Mexico as well. The Thailand built truck cannot be imported to the US due to the "chicken tax". 4cyl. engines, gas and diesel, are rumored, and V6 engines, gas and diesel, may be available as well.

 

[Builder]

Actually, Ford has plans to introduce a smaller version of the F150, codenamed P525 and likely to be badged as an F100, scheduled for 2010 or 2011. Powerplants are to be a 4 cyl. and an Ecoboost (gasoline direct injection and turbocharged) V6. Also in the works is a Ranger replacement, codenamed T6, also to be introduced in 2010 or 2011. This truck is to be built in Thailand, South Africa, and Australia, possibly Mexico as well. The Thailand built truck cannot be imported to the US due to the "chicken tax". 4cyl. engines, gas and diesel, are rumored, and V6 engines, gas and diesel, may be available as well.

Well yeah sure, but notice the few new trucks they are introducing are smaller, lighter & more economical?

You'll find very few plans for new big block gas sucking engines......except to drastically curtail production of them.

I read that GM plans to introduce hybrid technology to their full size trucks by 2009.

 

[Bird]

2000-2004 6.8L V-10 is rated at 310 HP and 425 ft.-lbs. of torque. I believe your 454 is 230 HP/385 ft.-lbs..

I sometimes wonder whether the engines are actually that much more powerful or whether it's just the way they're measuring horsepower and torque now. I think you're right on the ratings. I used to pull the fifth-wheel we lived in with a 1989 Chevy one on dually with the 454 and I think the 230 hp was right. Then I traded truck and trailer for a 40 ft. Bounder motorhome powered by a 1991 Ford 460 V-8 gas engine and I think it, too, was rated at 230 hp. Of course in those days both of those vehicles just had 3 speed automatic transmissions. I put a Gear Vendors overdrive on the Chevy and a U.S. Gear overdrive on the motorhome.

 

[bake321]

Boy, I hate to even speak up here because I know where these threads tend to go. I have a 2004 F350 V10, bought it new, still very happy with it. Yeah it uses gas, but guess what?, anything that hauls uses gas. I have horses, cows and a big old 5th wheel camper. I need a big truck. I have 70k on it and hope to get 200k which will take ten years. God Bless America and drive what fits your life.

Semper Fi,
Bake

 

[Treemonkey1000]

Ok I am not trying to stir the pot at all here. I started doing some googling on the V-10 and Duramax diesels. Taken with a grain of salt I know that most any vehicle can be put on a pedestal or be buried in a pile of bad publicity. Here is what I found. The F-350 V-10 looked great. I am trying to justify how much to spend on a vehicle that I may put 3000 miles a year on. Of that 3K miles 80% will be not towing anything. Maybe hauling a bed full of chips and logs.
10 Worst Used Cars and Trucks
Spark Plug Ejected From Engine - Ford Problems.com

Chevrolet fail to warranty Duramax Diesel Engine - Trucktrend.com Truck Talk Forum

Drove around today looking at several car lots. Quite a few V-10's to be found. Some Duramax trucks. The nicest was a 2005 Dodge 5.9Liter 24 valve Turbo diesel.. Now that would last me till the cows come home...

 

[mjncad]

The V-10 is a good engine and I average 13 - 13.5 MPG empty on my F-250 4x4 with 5-speed manual and 4.11 limited slip rear end. I don't tow often, so I don't have towing MPG available; but when I do tow something it does just fine. The heaviest thing I've towed with it was a Bobcat mini excavator.

For the amount of miles you plan to put on yours, the V-10 should be more than satisfactory. Mine gets the same light usage you plan on Tree.

 

[dmccarty]

Another thing to consider, can you get an Excursion with the V10. You would have to check the towing ratings of the X compared to the truck to see if would handle what you need to tow.

The X's were made up until 2005. The 6.0L diesels had a bad reputation. The 7.3L are pretty good. We are watching the prices drop on the X's and might get one in the next 6 months or so. The prices for SUVs have dropped 25% over the last few months and I think the trend will continue. You might be able to get the V10 for real cheap in an X.

Later,
Dan

 

[Builder]

Ok I am not trying to stir the pot at all here. I started doing some googling on the V-10 and Duramax diesels. Taken with a grain of salt I know that most any vehicle can be put on a pedestal or be buried in a pile of bad publicity. Here is what I found. The F-350 V-10 looked great. I am trying to justify how much to spend on a vehicle that I may put 3000 miles a year on. Of that 3K miles 80% will be not towing anything. Maybe hauling a bed full of chips and logs.
10 Worst Used Cars and Trucks
Spark Plug Ejected From Engine - Ford Problems.com

Chevrolet fail to warranty Duramax Diesel Engine - Trucktrend.com Truck Talk Forum

Drove around today looking at several car lots. Quite a few V-10's to be found. Some Duramax trucks. The nicest was a 2005 Dodge 5.9Liter 24 valve Turbo diesel.. Now that would last me till the cows come home...

Well, the engine might, anyway....Dodge trucks have had numerous problems over the years. Everything from "death wobble" in the front end which is a mysterious wobbling of the steering system that on all accounts can be downright scary to extremely weak automatic transmissions that collapse behind all that Cummins torque.

The 5.9L Cummins does not escape problems, either. In the past, they have had the dreaded #53 block, which was cast too thinly resulting in massive engine failure and the "killer dowel pin" problem, causing massive engine failure, too.

remember, a diesel engine is only part of the equation. There's thousands of other parts that can fail and cost you thousands, too.

I think your best bet is to buy the best value truck for your hard earned money and forget all the "sky is falling" crap you read on the internet.

 

[RollingsFarms]

I think your best bet is to buy the best value truck for your hard earned money and forget all the "sky is falling" crap you read on the internet.

I agree! gas can double for all I care, but I am still going to hold onto my paid for 2004 Z71. what's the use of having a gas sipper if I can't use it to do any of my work? times are tough but as the old saying goes, "things aren't as bad as they seem"