Greetings folks. I am a n00b looking at some used vehicles (namely the excursion) for my growing family. I initially preferred the diesel since I have read in the past of diesels being "the last vehicle you need" purporting the longevity of diesel engines. The cost of even a used SD (I was told the Excursions run on a SD platform) with a diesel is significantly higher than that of a gasser. However since being introduced to the "Gas Engines" folder of the DieselStop I am now second guessing my initial decision. Here are my current concerns:
- I flat tow my offroad International (scout2) about 3-4 times a year. It is about 5k lbs wet.
- We plan to get a camper (nothing big) and will probably do about 3-5k miles a year with that. This is part of reason why we would like the Excursion vs the Expedition.
- Some of the posts I have read appear to have a diesel to gas mentality. Diesel costs too much, maintenance is too much, etc.
But what about longevity? How does a V10 hold up to 200k miles compared to a diesel? Are the used V10s (2002 and up) the same venerable engine as the ones currently used or are these new ones "better cooked"?
I sometimes fear that I am researching myself out of the best vehicle available...
Thanks in advance to the moderators and to all who reply-
I see this is your first post, so welcome to the website, and the V-10 forum. Check out this POST from a few months ago, that dealt with the same questions you have. Unless you can honestly justify a diesel (or just plain want one) , I think you'll be happy with what both the 2 valve and 3 valve V-10 is capable of.
__________________ FOKISD Charter Member from Hillsboro, OHIO
'01 F-350, XL, SC, LWB, V-10, 4R100, 3.73 LS, High Back Buckets, TT Mirrors, Roof Lights, Camper Package - Check my Photo Gallery for modifications. Michelin LTX M/S on Mickey Thompson Classic II's, A.R.E. DCU cap, Reese Titan V and Draw-Tite front reciever, Audiovox cruise control, Wolf center console, Truck-Lite rear ID bar, Hella FF75 driving lights.
Any V10 that's been taken care of will easily make 200K. By the numbers you're the perfect candidate for a V10 unless you're driving 30K miles/year in addition to what you mentioned above.
There's a hotshot driver that picks up weekly here where I work. He's got over 250K on his V10 and it's always loaded heavy. There are other members on here reporting high mileage too, I just can't remember their screen names right now. I'm sure they'll chime in shortly.
Thanks to your replies and for the welcome. The post you had answers my initial questions. It seems I need to search on durability as opposed to longevity [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif[/img]
One other question I have - is there somewhere on the web a breakdown of maintenance costs of a diesel vs a gasser of similar size/power/usage? I have been sold on the "diesel good - gas bad" for such a long time that I need something to sober me up.
Off topic - this is the second time in as many weeks I have seen the term hotshot. It seems to deal with pulling loads like a truck driver, but what is the difference? I know I am showing my ignorance...
If you are considering a V-10, which I have and love, you should look at one of the newer one's with the Ford TorqueShift transmission. I have it with a 4.10 rear and it tows like a dream. If you are lucky enough to find a used one, better get it.
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2002 F-350 SRW Lariat,4X4, PSD with too many goodies to list. 182k and a very strong 7.3. SOLD
2008 F-250, SC Lariat, 4X4,Shortbed, Pueblo Gold/black, V-10, 4.10, auto, Delivered on 9/7/07, great looking rig. South Texas bumpers front/rear, K&N dropin, Diablosport Predator, Husky's, JJ's, Ford alarm/remote start, Marathon seat covers, Sirius, PIAA, Access cover, Weatherguard tool box, Rhino liner, Michelins, Duraflap mud flaps, Escort 9500i.
2007 Lincoln LT (wifer's grocery getter)
1996 Ford Bronco EB; almost stock
2007 Kubota 900 RTV diesel with goodies. pappy's truck
I don't own a V-10, but just with your description of what you will be towing with it, I say a V-10 would be just fine for your needs,couple that with a lower purchase price of the gasser & much lower gas prices VS Diesel & it should make the decsision even easier,BTW let me throw my welcome to TDS in here Too!
__________________ 2005 F250 XLT wedgewood blue 4x4 C/C SWB,6.0L PSD, Auto.(Member of 05 STC Failure Club ) 2006 Expedition Eddie Bauer,5.4L (Wife's) NRA Life Member. TSRA Life member.
Funny when I bought my truck thier was a 250 just like it next to it but it was a V10, diesel was cheeper back then but now if you tow a little and just want a bigger truck the V10 is just as good. you might not have the tranny probs that the diesels have.
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Early 99 F250 PSD 2WD,6B DDP4s,HTT66SP/SS13,Oringed,studed,ported
I love my 350 gasser - it's an eight, but the "feel" of the powertrain is good. The ten should "feel" even smoother. But if I was getting a '99 to 02 SD or Ex, I'd try to get the 7.3. The diesel still lights a smile on my face when I start it up--even though it's so old. I believe like my Ex'es value might bottom out and even start appreciating in a few years--just a thought.
__________________ 2008 F350 XL Reg Cab 4x4, 5.4, 15,000 mi on 5/08. Blizzard 810 plow, Polycaster spreader.
2000 Excursion 4x4, 7.3, 176k mi on 5/08. Some mods but nobody cares (;
2007 Edge AWD, 5k mi on 5/08.
2001 Honda Rancher ATV 4x4, plow, 3,400 mi on 5/08.
I have an 03 F450 with 134K miles. It is very reliable, only sensors & coil packs so far.With 4.88 gears, mine probably has equal to 160K miles compared to a pick up. Keep in mind diesel is cheaper in the summer, and gas is cheaper in the winter. This is because of season specific formulations. Sounds like a V10 would work well for you. LS
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2005 Bold yellow (code BZ) F450 XLT Supercab, 6.0, Torqshift, 4:30 Limited Slip, Alcoas with mustang Spinners, 50 gallon transfer flow tank, upfitter switches/tow command. 60+ LED lights including a 911EP Galaxy STT bar, Whelen strip lights, & many marker lights, & tail lights. back up camera with 7" monitor, DVD player, & inverter in custom console. Pioneer CD/cass with polk 6.5 components in front, kenwood 6X8's in rear, Bazooka tube, And XM satellite receiver. Passenger airbag delete with 7" widesreen monitor. Garmin 2620 GPS, & cobra radar. Billet grille, custom aluminum light mounting panels, 05 Harley F250 replica flame decals (gold/magenta) Collins 5.70 dollie wheels with telescoping aluminum tubes, motorcycle tow kit, deck liner coating, Goodall 30' 2 gauge jumper cables. Viair 460 compressor with 9 gallon tank under cab, train horn under stainless steel Vulcan 810 Intruder body (self loader) pics @ www.AddisonHarlemTowing.com
I have a 99 V-10 with 149000 miles on it. Engine has been reliable. I wish I had the MPGs the powerstrokes get. MPG drop to about 7 mpg with heavy tow load such as 5th wheel or cargo trailer loaded down. Also when towing uphill it could be better.
I just gave up a 2000 F250 w/ V-10. It had 263K miles with the original engine and trans. I work for a John Deere dealer and towed almost every day with this thing. The loads were not light either - varying from 5K to 10K lbs. I think the V-10 would fit your needs perfectly. I now drive 70K + miles a year and the diesel was more fitting.
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2008 F-350 4wd Crew Cab Long Bed
6.4 Diesel w/ Torqshift
If you don't tow heavy then buy the V-10. Diesel fuel and maintenance costs too much to justify the extra badges.Welcome [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif[/img]
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'02 Black F-350srw Lariat. 7.3/CC/SB/OR. TN .84 w/Hi-flow outlet,Non-EBP ped,BWD coated/bellowed up-pipes,D.P.F5(stock,Hi-idle,60tow,80econo,120race),4" SS Magnaflow,BDS stabilizers ,Fluidampr,AFE Stage2w/PG7&pre-filter,Spearco 6.0 IC,Sonnax,FT T/C,PML pan,6.0 cooler,HPOX,Airdog,ITP reg.return,MAP Maximizer,8 spring front, BFG 315/75/16 AT's,DTS 4.56LS gears,untrue Truspeed,Mag-Hytec cover,Dieselsite SS ESOF lines,coolant filter,203* stat w/billet&Fleetrite,Optix fuel on column,Ultra-Lite trans,pyro,boost on pillar.All fluids Mobil1,Energy polys,Centramatic,Fumoto,Billet,Line-X,Husky box,Extang,EGR,Alpine,Viper,Dynamat,Sirius,PIAA,Hu sky-Liner,Bilsteins. Door ding,overhead console,Snowman,Zoodad,Harpoon,AIH,Marinco,CCV,foi l mods.
i have almost 700,000 on my f350 dually, only thin i have replaced is my # 8 injectors, i keep it at 60 mph and get about 18 mpg on the hiway, get 13 on the streets, but when i go long haul i usually slip in behind a trucker and get 22 mpg at about 55 mph, then i flip my gearvendors on get almost 26 mpg, i would always recomend a diesel, i would suggest getting a used one with a 7.3 and get used to it before thinking about a new one
Larry, that is a bunch of miles on a V10!
Great MPG too.
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Don't tell my cattle I got leather seats!
2006 F450 CC Hauler bed 4x2 6.0 L Pstroke/Torqshift, Lariat, 4.88 r/a.
2006 F350 Lariat CC Dually 4X2, 6.0 TQShift 4.10 LS, STOCK.
36 feet on the floor Elite/Outlaw LQ horse trailer. Sooner 6 horse large dressing/ mid tack.
15 horses with good balance from being hauled behind a P'stroke.
2005 F250 XLT wedgewood blue 4x4 C/C SWB,6.0L PSD, Auto.(Member of 05 STC Failure Club 
) 2006 Expedition Eddie Bauer,5.4L (Wife's) NRA Life Member. TSRA Life member.
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