Ford Truck Forums

[Icecreaman]

Yeeep, I belive it... As much as I like a diesel, the V10 for a tow rig would work MUCHO better for me...

I don't think you'd say that if you owned one. The early V10 is a glorified small block. My nephew had F 350 4x4 he towed a 28' 5th wheel with. After putting a fresh air intake system, cat back exhaust, re-gearing the diff, and reprogramming with an Edge programer, he sold it and bought a 6.0 diesel. He got tired of getting smoked on any hill no matter how slight by me (7 .3 Powerstroke)and his dad (6.6 Duramax). The 6.0 once the week links (egr cooler) are dealt with are much better tow vehicles, better mileage, and a shit ton more power.

[2manymustangs]

I don't think you'd say that if you owned one. The early V10 is a glorified small block. My nephew had F 350 4x4 he towed a 28' 5th wheel with. After putting a fresh air intake system, cat back exhaust, re-gearing the diff, and reprogramming with an Edge programer, he sold it and bought a 6.0 diesel. He got tired of getting smoked on any hill no matter how slight by me (7 .3 Powerstroke)and his dad (6.6 Duramax). The 6.0 once the week links (egr cooler) are dealt with are much better tow vehicles, better mileage, and a shit ton more power.

I dont have a 28' 5th wheel OR ever plan to have one... Just small boats or my kayaks... MAYBE a small camper, thats just me though... Note that I said "would work much better for me" Also, I dont push my stuff up the hills, I let them fall back except for my mustangs...


But for someone that is towing big stuff OR for a work truck towing big loads IF I wanted a modern truck I would go with the Dodge Cummins 24v monster if I really needed the power and wanted it to last...

[28eliminator]

I don't think you'd say that if you owned one. The early V10 is a glorified small block. My nephew had F 350 4x4 he towed a 28' 5th wheel with. After putting a fresh air intake system, cat back exhaust, re-gearing the diff, and reprogramming with an Edge programer, he sold it and bought a 6.0 diesel. He got tired of getting smoked on any hill no matter how slight by me (7 .3 Powerstroke)and his dad (6.6 Duramax). The 6.0 once the week links (egr cooler) are dealt with are much better tow vehicles, better mileage, and a shit ton more power.

If your towing 10,000 lbs constantly yes.. If your towing 6 or 8000 lbs occasionally, doesn't make any sense at all.. The extra initial cost, and substantial maintenance costs far out way the gains for a part time tow vehicle IMO.. The V10 has been a good, reliable hard pulling motor for me for 130,000 miles..


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[Slacker]

I'm sure you got a good truck for what you are using it for. We used the ford v-8 and v-10's 2000 to 2003 in the mountains of Colorado at the ski resort and they didn't fair to well on the mountain roads, they saw very Little pavement. We were pretty hard on them.

[niceguyeddie]

I'm sure you got a good truck for what you are using it for. We used the ford v-8 and v-10's 2000 to 2003 in the mountains of Colorado at the ski resort and they didn't fair to well on the mountain roads, they saw very Little pavement. We were pretty hard on them.

Yea I feel pretty happy about my choice. Ford builds a pretty tough truck. I could've got a half ton to fit my needs but I always believed in having a lil more truck than you need. I store my boat at the river so it's not going to be towing very much.


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[SnoC653]

If you're not towing a lot, the V10 is a good compromise. The coils on the front make a world of difference. The longer the wheelbase the better they ride as well. I had a 2000 F350 and the only real problems I had with it were: brakes, ball joints (towed a lot), and the body control computer. The later was the reason I got rid of it. Bought a new 08 which I loved the power and ride, but it got worse mileage than the gas trucks. I now have a 03 6.0. With the tuner and exhaust work, I get 18 to 20 MPG so diesels aren't that bad a deal.

If your V10 doesn't have a tuner you will probably want to get one. I like the Edge products for the Fords and they have a dash pod that will make it look a lot better. I doubt you'll have a problem with your door seals freezing, but keep them lubricated and they don't get as much wind noise. Same goes for the door ajar sensors. Back doors are notorious for sticking and leaving the dome light on, or the idiot light on saying door ajar.

[niceguyeddie]

If you're not towing a lot, the V10 is a good compromise. The coils on the front make a world of difference. The longer the wheelbase the better they ride as well. I had a 2000 F350 and the only real problems I had with it were: brakes, ball joints (towed a lot), and the body control computer. The later was the reason I got rid of it. Bought a new 08 which I loved the power and ride, but it got worse mileage than the gas trucks. I now have a 03 6.0. With the tuner and exhaust work, I get 18 to 20 MPG so diesels aren't that bad a deal.

If your V10 doesn't have a tuner you will probably want to get one. I like the Edge products for the Fords and they have a dash pod that will make it look a lot better. I doubt you'll have a problem with your door seals freezing, but keep them lubricated and they don't get as much wind noise. Same goes for the door ajar sensors. Back doors are notorious for sticking and leaving the dome light on, or the idiot light on saying door ajar.

Exactly. It was a compromise.

Great info. Thanks!

I defiantly want to tune this thing. I already ordered a 50 series Flowmaster (it's too quiet) and I plan on an intake too. Does the mileage improve much with the tuner?

The truck is on 37s with stock gears. I expected it to be a complete pig but it's not that bad. My buddy put bigger gears in his and he said he burns way more fuel on the highway now.

I did miss the huge cab in the Ford compared to a Chevy.




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[SnoC653]

Exactly. It was a compromise.

Great info. Thanks!

I defiantly want to tune this thing. I already ordered a 50 series Flowmaster (it's too quiet) and I plan on an intake too. Does the mileage improve much with the tuner?

The truck is on 37s with stock gears. I expected it to be a complete pig but it's not that bad. My buddy put bigger gears in his and he said he burns way more fuel on the highway now.

I did miss the huge cab in the Ford compared to a Chevy.

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The tuner will help with the mileage, especially if you find someone that can do a custom tune once you get everything on the engine you plan on putting on it. I'm not sure if the newer Edge tuners will calibrate for the tire size or not on the 2000. I know the older ones wouldn't when I had mine. It's worth it to have the dealer re-calibrate the speedometer so the computer knows where the shift points really are supposed to be and can keep the engine in the happy range.

[Icecreaman]

I believe his trailer is 4800lbs empty. Add a sand rail, a quad, food and water, I'd be willing to bet the GVW is under 7000lbs.
To each their own and this is just my opinion, but the misconception that some how a diesel costs considerably more to operate than a gas truck is crazy. My truck gets 5-6 mpg more towing than his did and maybe 8 mpg more empty. Purchase price of the truck (used) will vary more depending on add-ons than gas vs diesel. On my diesel, I do an oil change once a year which is maybe 4000 miles. The gas engine needs more regular maintenance, has to work harder, wears out 3 times faster, and if it's a Triton motor, wait till it starts puking spark plugs.
I've owned several trucks, both gas and diesel. IMO, for a daily around town driver and occasional tow vehicle, I'd maybe go gas. For a truck that's mainly used as a tow vehicle only (like mine), I'd go diesel every time, but that's just me.