Ford 7.3L Diesel vs V10

[tbrady]

So, looking at getting a different truck and have zero'd in on something like 2000-2002 F250/350 Super Duty Crew Cab.  Any thoughts on whether to go with the 7.3 diesel or the V10?  The last diesel I had was an early 90's F250 and that engine gave me a fit until I got rid of the truck...

I will be using the truck to pull a 6k pound travel trailer from time to time but for the most part it is just for hunting/biking etc...


And no, haven't really considered the other brands.   My main criteria is under 10k, crew cab, 4wd and full size.

[Stein]

I think your price will push you toward gas.  I was looking at the same thing and ended up with a smaller truck and was happy with the decision.  If you don't pull much, you can save a bunch on the purchase price, fuel and maintenance going with a lighter duty and gas.

[bod]

Get a newer Tundra

[zwickeyman]

INHO

I had a 1999 F-250 with the v-10. Truck was really fast but didn't pull my camp trailer worth a chit. Traded it for a 97 F-350 with the stroke and was very happy

[cbond3318]

I own an O3' V10 SuperCrew 350. Been a great truck, pulled my 5-6K cargo trailer for work just dandy. It gets worked pretty good with my 13k 5th wheel behind it.

Other than COP's  and alternator it has been trouble free.

9.5 MPG no matter what you do, coasting downhill or wrapped out pulling uphill.

I have no experience with the 7.3.....


@syoungs can provide some great input on both...

[C-Money]

I've had a F-350 V10 for 9 years now. Its been great. Yes...yes...It won't pull heavier loads with the authority the diesel pickup owners describe, especially in the mountain passes. But....I've always got to where I'm going, never felt under powered, and have made many enjoyable trips. I traded a diesel that I owned for a long time in on the V10. It was about the time gas was hitting $4 for the first time. After trade, I walked away with a 4yo 4x4 F350 6speed manual pickup for around $8000. The money you will save on the initial investment would be worth going V10. A diesel dose not sound like a necessity from what you describe in your OP. You will be more than fine with a 6000lb trailer, and will tow with ease. Busses use the V10 and rack up crazy amounts of mileage on them. Long story short, I like my V10, and have pulled enough campers, hauled enough hay, and stock to give a good opinion.

[C-Money]

Wanted to add...took a little after driving an old 6.9 diesel for so long, to train my ears/brain on when to shift the V10. The V10 really makes its power well above 2000rpm. When pulling a load, gotta hit the gas pedal and let the motor eat to make ponys.

[2labs]

My buds motor home has tons of power (v-10) but spits spark plugs! Just something to be aware of. 7.3 would be my choice if you can find one! I have a 99 F-350 7.3 that will be my last truck!

[Timberstalker]

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,216182.0.html

Not exactly what you described, but it's close.

Good luck finding what you want.

[Mudman]

Get the best low mileage stick shift.  Auto trans are not great in that vintage and v-10 and spark plugs beware.

[2labs]

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,216182.0.html

Not exactly what you described, but it's close.

Good luck finding what you want.

Wow, jump on that!

[Buzz2401]

Sounds like the V10 would meet your needs nicely.  You won't gain much going with the 7.3L it has only an extra 75lb ft of torque. They are great motors but not worth the premium price or the additional upkeep.

[Mudman]

Sounds like the V10 would meet your needs nicely.  You won't gain much going with the 7.3L it has only an extra 75lb ft of torque. They are great motors but not worth the premium price or the additional upkeep.

#'s can lie. Trust me it is a big difference.  4500rpm vs 2400rpm as well.  A good v-10 will fit OP well but after running one for several years I wouldn't want it screaming in my ear from gas station to station.

[syoungs]

I went from a tuned 7.3 for a tuned 3 valve v10, I don't regret it at all, I've got friends with the older v10, and they tow great,few small issues that have been figured out very well by now, wouldn't hesitate at all to buy one.

The 7.3s are all getting pretty used up now a days, time bombs waiting to cost you thousands of dollars if the previous owner hadn't Taken care of the big ticket items yet.

[tbrady]

Get a newer Tundra

Yeah, I have a 2000 Tundra now and love it...  I gotta wait a few more years before getting a new one.

Thanks for all the input guys.  Unfortunately the one posted on HW isn't a crew cab which I need to fit all the kiddos.

[Happy Gilmore]

If you want to wander all over the road with your tail draggin get a Tundra because its a light half ton truck...sweet. they sag with a bag of corn in the back. The 1997' PSD was a sweet ride in any configuration. You can pick up low mile 2wd models super cheap. Still wondering how you compare or suggest a Tundra in a heavy duty conversation. Tundras are great reliable rigs but, for much more than a tent trailer or a small boat, they aren't meant to be used for any heavy work afnd when you see them going down the road with a load it makes me queezy and uneasy. Toyota makes rigs I love but, I'd never buy one for hauling anything. Their suspension may as well be in a sleep train mattress commercial.

[PolarBear]

Sounds like the V10 would meet your needs nicely.  You won't gain much going with the 7.3L it has only an extra 75lb ft of torque. They are great motors but not worth the premium price or the additional upkeep.

Except the 7.3 (at least mine) will get almost twice the mpg and will last twice as long. I get 21-24 mpg towing or not  I doubt you will ever get that towing with a v10

[n_mathews13]

I have a '01 crew cab , 7.3.
Get 16-18 mpg
It tows our 31' camp trailer a lot, done well on the grades I've gone up.
 If we go on a trip everyone asks to take the truck, so it's turned into a family rig ( also have a sequoia )
It is noisy
If I had to do it over again I would have got a manual. 7.3 tranny isnt the best .
I have done a few mods to make it run cooler while towing, just pulled the engine out and redid a few thing this last winter.

I can't say I'm In love with the 7.3 as a engine, but it's tough to beat the cab space with a 8' bed.

But you will have a heck of a time finding a good 7.3 that's in that budget.
I paid a bit more for mine, but it was worth it
   

[baker5150]

My old man had a mid size motor home with the v-10 and would tow his boat with it all the time.  Maybe 5-6k lb boat.  Never an issue other than planning trips between fuel stops.  Made the trip over 20 plenty of times and kept up with traffic as you'd expect.  Both are good choices, have their ups and downs. 
The v10 truck is probably harder to find in low mileage.  There are some dandy 7.3 trucks out there with plenty of life left, some within your price range.

[bearpaw]

So, looking at getting a different truck and have zero'd in on something like 2000-2002 F250/350 Super Duty Crew Cab.  Any thoughts on whether to go with the 7.3 diesel or the V10?  The last diesel I had was an early 90's F250 and that engine gave me a fit until I got rid of the truck...

I will be using the truck to pull a 6k pound travel trailer from time to time but for the most part it is just for hunting/biking etc...


And no, haven't really considered the other brands.   My main criteria is under 10k, crew cab, 4wd and full size.

A v-8 gas in any full size pickup will pull the travel trailer, if you aren't needing the diesel or the v-10 for any other purposes than occasional towing the trailer I would reconsider wanting either. For 10k you'll have a hard time finding a 7.3 that doesn't have a lot of miles, the motor itself may be good but lots of very expensive problems can crop up when those trucks get lots of miles and your 10k truck can become a 15k or 20k truck real quickly. If you buy the v-10 you can get a truck with fewer miles for the same price but your going to have terrible gas mileage all the time. I'm also not sure if the ford v-10 is as dependable as the dodge v-10. I can attest that the dodge v-10 is a strong motor that lasts a long time, I have one and know of others with 200,000 to 300,000+ miles. You can probably find an older lower mileage dodge v-10 pretty affordable and it will have the power to pull your trailer if you think you want to live with the lower fuel mileage of a v-10. I like the comfort of the fords better than dodge, but I think you'd be better off in the long run with a v-8 gas in a ford if you are only towing occasionally. 

[C-Money]

I have a friend that works at a city bus garage. The buses with the V10 have been very dependable long past 500,000. Ambulances AMR runs around with the V10, you would be surprised what the odometer reads on those things!

[bearpaw]

I have a friend that works at a city bus garage. The buses with the V10 have been very dependable long past 500,000. Ambulances AMR runs around with the V10, you would be surprised what the odometer reads on those things!

That's good to know, I wasn't sure about the ford v-10!

[syoungs]

Sounds like the V10 would meet your needs nicely.  You won't gain much going with the 7.3L it has only an extra 75lb ft of torque. They are great motors but not worth the premium price or the additional upkeep.

Except the 7.3 (at least mine) will get almost twice the mpg and will last twice as long. I get 21-24 mpg towing or not  I doubt you will ever get that towing with a v10

I've never seen a 7.3 anything get 24mpg, much less towing. The fuel economy is better, but not that much better.

[Happy Gilmore]

Sounds like the V10 would meet your needs nicely.  You won't gain much going with the 7.3L it has only an extra 75lb ft of torque. They are great motors but not worth the premium price or the additional upkeep.

Except the 7.3 (at least mine) will get almost twice the mpg and will last twice as long. I get 21-24 mpg towing or not  I doubt you will ever get that towing with a v10

I've never seen a 7.3 anything get 24mpg, much less towing. The fuel economy is better, but not that much better.

The tank is a 36 gallon not a 72 gallon .. hahalol

[Wacenturion]

I recently had a Bigfoot motor home with a V10 and I also have a 2002 Ford Excursion Ltd. with a 7.3 diesel that we use to pull a newly acquired Bigfoot 25' trailer.  Both are powerful engines and will pull any trailer without much difficulty.  I have to say I was really impressed with the power the 09' V10 in the motor home put out.  Hills didn't exist for the most part.

Let me put it this way.  If I were looking for a good tow rig for our trailer, and had difficulty finding a 7.3, I would not hesitate to purchase a low mile V10 for less money.  Yeah the milage isn't as good, but then again the purchase price is lower, so initial savings.  I for one really don't even think much about milage.  If you are towing or pushing a big RV down the road, even at 8 mgh a gallon with the V10, moving the family and all your stuff is a bargain.  I would not want to walk 8 miles for $3 and change.  It's all in how you look at something I guess.....and that's coming from someone that grew up in an era of .17 to .25 cents a gallon gas.