2008 F250 4x4 Diesel or V10?

[MACDABS]

I have a v-10 f250 toolbox truck loaded with hardware, and a 7.3 f350 utility toolbox dump. We tow a 12lb trailer with rebar or equipment in the steepest mountains in Pa to maintain or build communication sites. The diesel will always out haul the gasser hands down .Both will eat you out of fuel at the end of the day. If we are hauling light or just need the truck the V-10 is the way to go less noise, smooth ride and cheaper to run day to day type driving. If you tow twice a year heck a 1500 hd would work. Towing on a 7ooft elevation , you don't need alot of motor.

 

[bigshovel]

I have owned Ford diesel's since 1988. The first being a 4 speed, the other four all automatics. My last 2001 F350 7.3 ltr was traded at 421,020 miles. Heavy towing and extreme abuse. Two tranny's and 1 rear end replaced. None of which i purchased new. I always let someone else take the first big depreciation, I usually buy them at 20,000 to 30,000 miles at almost half of new price. It still leaves me most of 100,000 mile warranty. With that savings, The diesel is a no brainer. My 2006 6.0 ltr Excursion is at 90,000 miles and still feel like the day I bought it at half off with 29,000 miles on it.
I just flat out can't see taking a $40000 dollars and making it worth half of that in 18 months. Just my opinion.

Brad

 

[AGRIMAN]

IMO, Gm axed their big block gas earlier than Ford because GM had a more successful launch than Ford with their diesel and Ford needed to keep a hefty gas engine around for the Ford faithful who are leary of the Ford diesel.


WHAT? Wishful Thinking!

 

[mjncad]

I have a 1999 V-10/5-speed F-250 that I ordered, and I opted for the V-10 because I couldn't justify the diesel for what I planned to use the truck for. Plus at Colorado's altitude, there is no replacement for displacement.

Now if I planned on towing regularly or using the truck as a daily driver I would have bought the 7.3 diesel no questions asked.

However, based on what I'm reading about poor diesel mileage with the new emissions equipment; I would have to think long and hard before plunking down an extra $5k to $7k for a diesel.

On another diesel note; I heard a member of our legislature is crafting a bill to require owners of off-road diesels (e.g. construction, farm, etc) to upgrade their equipment's engines to modern cleaner burning power-plants. That could put a big economic hardship on small companies in my less than humble opinion.

 

[Builder]

IMO, Gm axed their big block gas earlier than Ford because GM had a more successful launch than Ford with their diesel and Ford needed to keep a hefty gas engine around for the Ford faithful who are leary of the Ford diesel.


WHAT? Wishful Thinking!

OK, so Ford's 6L had a more successful launch than the GM DMAX?
Ummmm, no.

 

[Builder]

I have owned Ford diesel's since 1988. The first being a 4 speed, the other four all automatics. My last 2001 F350 7.3 ltr was traded at 421,020 miles. Heavy towing and extreme abuse. Two tranny's and 1 rear end replaced. None of which i purchased new. I always let someone else take the first big depreciation, I usually buy them at 20,000 to 30,000 miles at almost half of new price. It still leaves me most of 100,000 mile warranty. With that savings, The diesel is a no brainer. My 2006 6.0 ltr Excursion is at 90,000 miles and still feel like the day I bought it at half off with 29,000 miles on it.
I just flat out can't see taking a $40000 dollars and making it worth half of that in 18 months. Just my opinion.

Brad

I totally agree with that line of reasoning, except I can't ever find a diesel truck with 20-30K miles for half price of new, they're more like $30-$35,000 (3/4 the price of new)

I know you're gonna hate on me for saying this, but is there any chance you got a 6L Excursion for 1/2 price because the Excursion has been dropped by Ford and the 6L engine is perceived as problematic?

 

[beefeater]

A couple details I liked in the new F250-

The power retracting/extending/heated tow mirrors.

The fact that my elbows had a resting place while my hands were on the wheel.

The audio and climate controls built into the wheel.

The backup cam in the mirror.

The roominess of the crew cab.

The step in the tailgate.

The appearance of the dash.

The retractable bed extender.

 

[Z-Michigan]

I have a 1999 V-10/5-speed F-250 that I ordered, and I opted for the V-10 because I couldn't justify the diesel for what I planned to use the truck for. Plus at Colorado's altitude, there is no replacement for displacement.

Actually at altitude the best thing you can get is a turbocharger. Whether your engine is gasoline or diesel, but good luck finding a gasoline truck engine with a turbo. Otherwise altitude is nice, you get better mpg because you have less air resistance AND your engine is making less hp.

On another diesel note; I heard a member of our legislature is crafting a bill to require owners of off-road diesels (e.g. construction, farm, etc) to upgrade their equipment's engines to modern cleaner burning power-plants. That could put a big economic hardship on small companies in my less than humble opinion.

Sounds just like what California enacted about a year ago. A horrible thing, IMHO.

 

[Builder]

Sounds just like what California enacted about a year ago. A horrible thing, IMHO.

I wished I lived in a state bordering CA. Great deals on equipment being sold out there b/c it doesn't meet their emmissions reqs.

 

[beefeater]

Strange thing,

I just checked Ford's online truck locator. None of the five dealers in the area had any trucks with the V10. That's out of over 50 trucks on dealer lots.

Odd. Has anyone seen a V10 on the lot lately?

Regarding Turbos, I always thought Superchargers would be best with a truck due to the fact that most of the boost/power occurs at lower RPMs. Not sure about altitude effects on Superchargers vs Turbos though.