How are the Ford Triton V10's doing?

oien

I ordered an F250 SD 4X4 SC XLT with a V10, Auto
and 3.73LS on Sept 29th. As of now I still don't
have a build date. The dealer is offering me a
PS Diesel with same options for cost. It would be
about a $3000 difference in price. I like the
diesel, but hate to spend the difference in price
and maintenance. I will be hauling under 8000 lbs.

I don't hear too much about the V10's lately. Is
that because everyone is forced to buy a diesel?

I would like to hear some feedback from V10 owners
about how they like or dislike the engine.
This may persuade me to go with the PS or wait for
my V10. Is it worth waiting for?

tilbury

i have a 2000 SD CC 4x4 with the 5.4 v8. it has
plenty of power. i have talked to people who have
driven the v10 and v8 and they cant really tell
a difference, even when towing. My cousin has the
5.4 and tows a 10,000 lb RV trailer, he likes this
engine better than the V10 he got rid of. all the
v10 is a gas hog.

Brutus

If you check out the Superduty topic #1356, you'll get more of a discussion of the V-10 engines.

The 5.4L will get better mpg, depending on who you talk to. One person in the Superduty topic is averaging 15+ mpg just about anywhere. Another claims no better mpg than the V-10s. The average mpg quoted for the 2000 V-10 with 3.73 axle ratio appears to be 11ish in the city and 13.5-14.5 hwy. The 2000 models appear to get better mpg than the 99 models, despite having more hp and torque. I have a 99 F-350 dually 4x4 with the 4.30 axle ratio. The 4.30 axle ratio 4x4 dually combo cost me about 2mpg. I average about 9.5-10 in a mix of city/hwy and 11.5-12 hwy with an average speed of around 70ish.

As far as power, the numbers speak for themselves, especially the torque. If you are hauling heavy loads, especially through mountain passes, you will notice the difference. I live in Alaska and carry a heavy 10'11" Bigfoot 3000 slide-in truck camper. With the camper in the bed, my rig weighs close to 12,000 pounds, including passengers and gear. Most of the roads are two lines that require quick passes into oncoming traffic lanes to get around slower traffic.

The acceleration of the V-10 is great. I have no doubt that I would be significantly underpowered with the 5.4L when it came to passing and climbing with the camper on. I had the 351 in my 92 F-250HD. It was a great engine, but I didn't carry a camper in the bed. I average 8.5-9 with the camper in the bed and my speed in the low to mid 60s on average, and can get 10 mpg on flat hwy if I keep the speed in the 55mph range.

If you don't tow much, the 5.4L might be the engine for you, although I would definitely opt for the 4.10 axle ratio. Just remember, these are heavy trucks, even empty. My 92 truck weighed 5,300 pounds with a fiberglass shell on. My current truck weighs over 7,000 pounds. I have yet to hear of a Superduty that weighed less than 6,000 pounds.

jjones673

I'd test drive the different engines. I found the deisel way too loud, and dealer told me that you'd have to put about 200,000 miles on it to start realizing savings on fuel efficiency relative to the cost of the engine. I test-drove pick-ups with the v-10 and v-8, and found a big difference between the two. The v-8 just couldn't climb the same hill in the same way as the v-10 could.

If you're hauling at all, I would think the v-10 would make a BIG difference. And many posts in the main super-duty section do not report significantly better gas mileage with the v-8 over the v-10.

cowpokes

My 2 cents

I own a 99-350, V-10,4x4, 5psd, 4.30, I love it!

Same thing you have heard before, personal preference. If you love or hate diesels that should be what makes up your mind.

Quite a few people around here own the diesels and only 50% are ever used for hauling. they love the milege and the sound.

The 5.4 is fine if you don't haul anything but people and a few times to the dump. I drove all of the engines and it came down to the PSD and the V-10.
The 5.4 is not what I want pulling me up a hill hauling a trailer. The mpg might be a little different but in the long run the V-10 or PSD should be worth more upon resale.

I have not driven the 2000 V-10, but it should have even more power with the same or a little better mpg.

So I guess it is back in your court, what is your preference?
I have had no problems with my engine, 18,000 miles. I like it so much better than the 460 it replaced and the chevy 454.
I am getting 10.5 to 11 in the city and 12 to 12.5 on the highway cruising at 75.

Have fun with your decision and enjoy your truck when it shows up.
Cowpokes

oien

Thanks for the responses from all. I haven't
heard too many complaints about the V10. I have visited the diesel sites and I hear problems with
cavitation, starting, fuel injectors, power loss,
hoses coming off of turbos or intercoolers, glow
plugs, future emission concerns, knocking noises
for one reason or another, be real careful where
you buy your fuel, high maintenance costs, ..etc.
Is this common? When I ask people how they like
their diesel, they say "We have never had a problem......O ya, except for the time." Four of
my friends that have had the 97's or below have
all had to replace some of the fuel injectors
between 60K to 115K miles. They love their PSD's.
Is this kind of like the people who love the child the most that gives them the most trouble? Hmmm.
I better stop rambling. I'm open to more feedback.

modvptnl

I'm sold on the V-10 because I can't stand the diesel characteristics. I agree with cowpoke about a test drive, some people think the PSD is the only way to go. My feeling is if you hate it from the beginning you're not going to learn to love it. The diesel does have a 100,000 mile engine warranty so if you only plan on owning the truck for that long it should ease your mind a little. 8000 lbs isn't anything for either motor. Drive one and let us know your opinion.

modvptnl

Your truck is exactly what I plan on ordering here very shortly. Is yours a crew cab? My only concern is the 5 speed I drove seemed very notchy, almost reluctant to engage gears. I don't expect it to shift like a sports car but I thought maybe because it was still tight that that might be the problem. How does yours shift? Any feedback would be appreciated.

oien

I've driven both and I like them both. The 2000
diesel is quieter than the 98's and down. The v10
is smooth and quiet. I guess I'm just a little leary of high PSD maintenance because I will keep
a truck for probably 150k to 200k. Maybe the
v10 will need a rebuild by then. I'll guarantee
the diesel will need injectors by then. The dealer
quoted my neighbor $4000 to put in new injectors
on his PSD. He had some injector seals replaced once at a cost of $450 but but they only lasted for 15k miles. I guess you can have problems with
a v10 also but I don't think it will hit me in the pocket as much.

jraske

I own a 00 F350 CC DRW 4X4 PSD and I love it so far,Even the noise, speed wise it is just as fast as a Dodge V-10. And the only high maint, is the cost of 15qt oil per oil change compared to about
7 qts for the V-10 BIG DEAL!
John

modvptnl

Correct me if wrong. Not only the extra $30 for oil but isn't the filter double? Don't you have to do fuel filters way more often? Water/ fuel separator(that might be the same fuel filter) Change the coolant at double the intervals? I know the gas motors still have plugs and plug wires but they're supposed to go 100,000 miles. It seems all over these sites more often than not people are replacing injectors between 100,00 and 200,000 miles at a great expense. Sure, all the trucks are speed governed to the mid 90's but you know the V-10's will get there muck quicker empty and about the same with up to 8000 lbs(maybe not 90mph) Glad you like your truck and I hope it does everything you ask of it. The debate has always been if the extra $3000-$4000 up front is worth it.

Brutus

The V-10 does not have plug wires.

Both trucks will get up to speed plenty fast.

Who drives over 90mph except to see how fast the truck will go?

Trailer Life Magazine did a comparison of the 99 Ford V-10 vs the 99 Ford PSD. The breakeven analysis pretty much equaled what most of us on this and other sites have said....it depends. It's somewhere between 80,000 and 180,000 miles, depending on fuel costs and how much of your mileage is towing vs running empty.

As far as performance, the V-10 held it's own in the tow test, including some runs up 6%-7% grades. However, the test was pretty vague as to how big the trailers were and how extensive the tests were. The trailer looked to be in the 7,500-9,000 range. I got the feeling they just ran the two trucks on some different grades and a few flat out runs, but didn't do any kind of extended trips. I'd expect the PSD to do better towing a decent load on an extended trip through the mountains because of the torque advantage. It should also have a clear advantage at higher altitudes since gas engines lose anywhere from 4%-10% power for every 1000 miles in altitude, whereas the diesel won't lose power until about 10,000 feet. As for mpg, the PSD will get about 5-6 better running empty and 2-3 better towing.

The two main reasons I opted for the V-10 my or may not be real issues. One was the fear of potential big ticket maintenance and repair costs after I get past 100,000 miles. The other was concern over cold weather starts since I plan to do some winter camping. I had to give my neighbors diesel truck (Chevy 6.5L) a jump two days ago with my V-10. Neither of us plugged in and the temp dropped to about -10. My truck hadn't been started in over 36 hours, but cranked up. His wouldn't start after sitting out overnight. I think the newer diesels are better at cold weather starting, but I didn't have a warm and fuzzy feeling about it.

modvptnl

I forgot about the coil on plug arrangement, thanks. What's best has been beaten to death. I think the only time a diesel has an advantage is under full loads towing the majority of the time and racking up 30,000 miles + a year, otherwise the gas motor is a better all around , every day motor.

rrichf

modvptnl,
All rationalization aside, drive what you enjoy. My preference is diesel and others prefer gasoline. All the numbers in the world aren't going to change anybody's preference. Just drive and enjoy.
Rich

modvptnl

I agree 100%. But half(or even more) of the posts are trying to convince people of their slanted views(me included). Some people just do it in a more civil manner than others. I hope I'm in the former category. Enjoy your diesel, I do think they are excellent trucks.

cowpokes

Hello M

I have the Crew Cab, long bed, sorry I thought I had all the info included. CC is the only way to fly with Munchkins, and rodeo, hunting, Etc.

I would say the 5spd is a little notchy and has stayed that way for 18,000 miles I have on it. I still like it.
I have alot of friends that have the auto and love it.
And you can bet your tail end, that if I lived in Denver and dealt with traffic more than to visit relatives I would own the auto, rowing through a couple of traffic jams convinced me.
I don't think that the reliablity is much of a concern, not much difference when you really use the truck.
The only bit of advice that I will give that may start a tussle is:
Order the the cheapest tires you can and replace them as soon as the truck shows up, I have never been satisfied with the firestone truck tires.
I replaced mine the week I got my truck and have never thought about the tires again.
Sorry to all those who love the Firestones, just personal pref.

Have fun
Cowpokes

Brutus

I agree with the "drive what you like" philososphy unless you are towing heavy alot. I did a lot of contemplating the diesel vs gas engine before finally deciding on the V-10. I suspect the decision on the next truck will be just as difficult. In 4-6 years, Ford will have had their next generation PSD out, which is rumored to be a 6.0L with 305hp and 550 torque. At the same time, I suspect they will have made more advances with the gas engines (maybe a V-12?). Each change with the gas or diesel seems to provide more power, better mpg, lower maintenance costs and more longevity.

modvptnl

Thanks for the info. There is a place in California that does a 4" lift with wheels and tires for under $3000 so your advice on the tires is appreciated and usually the first thing I do. I'm hoping to get a credit for the "brand new" tires. We'll see.

rrichf

Brutus,
The smaller engine sort of scares me. I'm from the old school where "There ain't no substitute for cubes."
I have trouble thinking truck and overhead camshaft together.

Cubes and push rods forever!
Rich

powerisfun

I think that overhead cam engines have gotten associated with high revving, low-torque, high-horsepower because they were mainly used for cars. The OHC allows for higher rpms and therefore higher horsepower (for a given torque), so manufacturers designed the cams and tuned the engines to do just that which allows them to claim high horsepower numbers in their brochures.
However, this doesn't mean that OHC engines have to be that way and Ford's OHC truck engines are a perfect example of what I mean. The Ford V8's torque comes on at a much lower rpm than either GM or Dodge, and it has the most torque of the big 3 (even though Dodge has the biggest displacement (I'm comparing the Ford's 5.4L, GM's 5.3L, and Dodge's 5.9L)). So in a way, there is a substitute for cubes, at least to a certain degree. The OHC allows for better control of the valve timing, and has less rotational inertia, hense more torque.
In short, if I were to show you the torque curves of each of the above mentioned V8s without telling you whose was whose, and then ask you to pick which one looks like the best engine for a hard working truck, I can almost guarantee that you'd pick the Ford.
I own a '98 GMC, by the way, so I'm not biased towards Ford, I just have to give credit where credit is due.
-powerisfun

meredith

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