Ford 2009 V-10

[Dargo]

I tend to stay out of these "best truck" discussions.

I too have both; a V10 and a diesel. I've owned a diesel truck of some sort for over 20 years. Clearly I haven't had a V10 that long. I do have to laugh at the comment that the guys with a V10 gas are envious of the diesel trucks. Needless to say, that's not the case. I like both engines personally. I can pull more with the diesel, but let's face it, not very many people are hauling at or above their absolute maximum load every time they hop in their truck.

 

[Hematite]

I too have both; a V10 and a diesel. I've owned a diesel truck of some sort for over 20 years. Clearly I haven't had a V10 that long. I do have to laugh at the comment that the guys with a V10 gas are envious of the diesel trucks. Needless to say, that's not the case. I like both engines personally. I can pull more with the diesel, but let's face it, not very many people are hauling at or above their absolute maximum load every time they hop in their truck.

Dargo, you and radman1 are right on the mark!

 

[mjncad]

I finally had my first issue with my V-10, and no it wasn't the spark plugs blowing out of the heads. Something called a DPFE (Differential Pressure Feedback EGR) sensor went bad, and apparently sensors of the 1990's vintage Ford cars and trucks were prone to going bad due to the aluminum housing. Newer sensors use a plastic housing.

I wasn't pleased at the $300 parts & labor bill; but that still is cheaper than a new truck, especially since I'm still happy with my rig.

 

[nmu98]

I too have both; a V10 and a diesel. I've owned a diesel truck of some sort for over 20 years. Clearly I haven't had a V10 that long. I do have to laugh at the comment that the guys with a V10 gas are envious of the diesel trucks. Needless to say, that's not the case. I like both engines personally. I can pull more with the diesel, but let's face it, not very many people are hauling at or above their absolute maximum load every time they hop in their truck.

Its funny to read of the associations that some people have and the effect of marketing on their brains.....

I finally had my first issue with my V-10, and no it wasn't the spark plugs blowing out of the heads. Something called a DPFE (Differential Pressure Feedback EGR) sensor went bad, and apparently sensors of the 1990's vintage Ford cars and trucks were prone to going bad due to the aluminum housing. Newer sensors use a plastic housing.

I wasn't pleased at the $300 parts & labor bill; but that still is cheaper than a new truck, especially since I'm still happy with my rig.

I love diesels... But not when they are out of warranty.... I would gladly pay $300.00 for a fix out of warranty... Most gas engines are fairly simple to work on, and if I were looking for a high mileage vehicle, it would not be a 2004 or newer diesel.... Injectors and pumps are way too expensive.... And way to commonly replaced in the new diesels.

 

[jcmseven]

I have had both the Ford V10 and two PSD's one a 2002 and one a 2008. I now own a GMC 2500 diesel which has almost 6,000 miles on it (owned 7 weeks). Regarding the Ford V10, it is an excellent engine. The power has been upped for 2009 v. the one I had but my truck was quiet, durable and powerful. It did struggle to pull heavier loads on hilly terrain, but would get the job done. Interestingly, the modular Ford gas engines are very durable and will easily give greater than 200K service if well-maintained, even when worked hard. Ford has done a good job with the running gear on the truck. The axles, cooling system, frame, suspension, etc. are top notch. They do give away some drivability for heavy duty stability but I like the fact the new Fords drive the same with 100K on them as they do with 10. Even though I no longer own mine, I really liked the 6.4L diesel. The word of problems in them is much overrated. The radiator position was subject to damage and caused some problems but by and large they stayed out of the shop. Most folks, myself included, who had them were happy with them. I am sad to see its run so short as it had great potential as an engine. I have been very happy so far with my GMC. The fit and finish are great and although it is not as flashy as my Ford, it still looks good and drives like a 1/2 ton. The power cannot be beaten and it gets much better mileage than did my 6.4L, which really wasn't that bad. These things said, if I personally were to buy another 250 right now, I would strongly consider the V10 engine. My understanding is that it also might go away, replaced by the 6.2L hurricaine V8.

John M

 

[Builder]

I agree, JCM. If I had to buy gas, it would be a Ford V-10 as they have the best gas truck engine out there right now. With the 8.1 gone, GM & Dodge really don't have a truck-like engine. The way diesels are going, I'll probably go back to gas on my next new truck unless things improve with diesels. I'm holding out hope for 2 of the non-Ford brands to offer exhaust brakes on their pickups to decide. IMO, Dodge has the best chassis package right now, (Cummins/Ex Brake/Aisn/11.5" rear) but their future is so muddled right now that buying is out. Let's see what FIAT does with them for a few years. Besides, you can't get the Aisin in a pickup, must be chassis, but that works for me and my service body.
However, the V-10 is not a substitute for a diesel IF you're using a heavy duty pickup for its' intended purpose. The obvious fact is that the torque just isn't there. If it was, they'd be stickin V-10's or other gas variants in bigger trucks and they'd be outselling diesels, but they're not. It's not even close.

My FIL has a F-350 with a V-10 and it's a blast to drive empty, but when he hooked only an 8K trailer to it, you could really feel it back there. Not from a suspension standpoint, but when we hit the hills, it just downshifted & revved a lot and that's when they really gulp the fuel. If you had to tow heavy year round with the V-10, it would cost considerably more than a lower revving, higher MPG diesel, even if diesel costs 25 cents more/gallon. That's the beauty of torque down low in the RPM range-the fuel savings and longevity on the internals.

Glad to hear all is well with the GMC. The fit & finish, although thoroughly trashed by most, is just fine on my truck, too. I haven't had anything to complain about at almost 40,000 miles except my seat has a tiny squeak when you sit back a certain way. Have you had a chance to play with the Allison manual shift paddle? I use mine all the time and love it when towing. I can feather the gears with just a tap of the toggle switch, works like a dream for slowing the beast down!

 

[mr4shootin]

Ward's automotive did a study a few years back on resale value of full size diesel trucks versus full size gas trucks.

At 100K miles, they found that a diesel truck is worth $5,000 more than a comparable gas truck.

So if this guy "keeps his truck for a while" (100,000 miles is a while for a gas truck) he would probably get ~ $5,000 more for his truck, not $1,000.

That may be but it it cost at least $5000 more to begin with.

 

[jcmseven]

Duane,

Not to get away from the original discussion, but I have been very impressed with the workmanship on my GMC. It is tightly made and very solid in feel. I have had a couple small interior rattles which I called to the dealer. They hopped on it right away and fixed them. One thing I can say so far: the dealer with whom I am working is on the ball in service and sales. I have owned Ford products for my entire driving career and bought many of them from our local dealer with whom I have a friendship, Despite this, the Ford dealers--even this one-- with whom I have worked have fallen far short of this GMC dealer in service. I must say this is the tightest, best fabricated truck I have owned. Not to say it is the most-heavily made, but it has the best workmanship that I have seen. No wonder GM is in protection, they replaced two small interior panels for me to fix my small interior problem, even though I did not think they needed to. The SM said it was the right way to do it and they do things the right way. He is pretty sharp and I believe him.

John M

 

[mwb]

Michelins LTX AT2 is the best all around tire out there right now ..... check it out .....

I agree!

 

[Diamondpilot]

Duane,

Not to get away from the original discussion, but I have been very impressed with the workmanship on my GMC. It is tightly made and very solid in feel. I have had a couple small interior rattles which I called to the dealer. They hopped on it right away and fixed them. One thing I can say so far: the dealer with whom I am working is on the ball in service and sales. I have owned Ford products for my entire driving career and bought many of them from our local dealer with whom I have a friendship, Despite this, the Ford dealers--even this one-- with whom I have worked have fallen far short of this GMC dealer in service. I must say this is the tightest, best fabricated truck I have owned. Not to say it is the most-heavily made, but it has the best workmanship that I have seen. No wonder GM is in protection, they replaced two small interior panels for me to fix my small interior problem, even though I did not think they needed to. The SM said it was the right way to do it and they do things the right way. He is pretty sharp and I believe him.

John M

Sounds like you found a good dealer. I have noticed in the last month while having over $2000 of work done to my dads Corvette that the GM dealer was great. Not my experience in the past. I guess they are now taking things seriously.

Chris