First Impressions

[LSchicago2]

Yes, my truck was covered for all the engine related failures, minus the $100 deductable every 3-4 months. It got so unreliable that I took my V10 backup on the long runs. Ford covered the first trans too, at 32K. The second was at 56K that one I paid for. Every V10 tow truck I've spoke to that had automatics had no troubles before 100K. A year ago my truck was in for head gaskets, and much more, cost was $8900 that one visit. It's been in twice since then, and still has problems. I'm tired of emptying all my gear out of it so they can fix something else. I sure as hell can't keep this thing past warranty. I loved the diesels too, but this 6.0-6.4 crap has soured me, and I'll never own another of them. BTW, my engine troubles started at about 38K.

[chuck_s_jr]

your f550 looks great just look at your PICs. I hope we both no problems. Nice truck setup. What service do you work for I live in the chicago area.

[LSchicago2]

I do hope you got a good one, but I personally can't take the chance on any new diesel right now. Things like that put companies out of business. I know one company had a 6.4 with a blown engine at 5,000 miles, the truck was at Ford for 5 weeks. As soon as he got it back from the dealer he traded it in. A lot of towing companies (not many in Chicago though) are buying Rams now that they have a cab chassis. I see all the problems the 6.7's are having too. To me the gas V10 is the safest way to go right now. I upgraded the wheel lift on my new unit to lift 6,000#, and a 12 ton boom so I can tow all the trucks I've been getting lately. I own my own company, Addison & Harlem Towing. I still feel that Ford builds the best trucks, but as far as diesel, I'll wait until they have something as reliable as the 7.3 was. I thought 2 years would've been enough time to work out the 6.0 bugs, but mine was just not reliable. International really screwed up with the design of these engines.

[6SPDMANUAL]

all this has really go tme thinking of going v10. are you guys really seeing more than 10mpg in town with 4.10 gears?? i mean traffic town, not remotesville usa. anyone even near fl, where the humidity is high and there are no hills, so your truck pretty much pulls the whole time, meaning no down side coasting. i have a f450 6.4l no problems yet thank goodness. nearing 50k on the ticker, no tranny issues either, but the mileage is the worst, i get about 9.5 in town and if i am really lucky i can squeeze 11 highway empty. towing, is about 6.8 sometimes more but sometimes less. our fuel is about 80 cents difference average. so if got a real 9 in town, and even 12.5 highway and same towing, i would be way ahead of the game. and even at oil changes every 3000 compared to 5000, the cost is way less. my thing is, if i am going up that one hill that one day with my trailer, and it starts to huffing, i'll be have road rage against my own truck. i know what i will twoing will be over wieght but i did it two fords, well 2 sticks and one auto and a dodge stick too, all single rear wheel trucks. the f450 does very well, but just ahuge expense. 250 dollar tires, higher fuel rpices sick mileage, and a bad rap, even though my truck has been great.
any stick v10, 4.10 gears single rear wheels out there????

[Pappy19]

I have a SRW, short box, Supercab, with a V-10 and a 4.10 rear, 2008. I first added a K&N dropin air filter and gained 1 mpg. Went from 9.6 to 10.6 almost immediately. I then added a Diablosport Predator programmer and set it at the "middle" setting for 91 octane and "medium" performance and towing. It added another 1 mpg, so I average about 11.6 mpg. Then I decided to remove the K&N and added an Airaid intake system which also added some additional poop and maybe .5 more mileage. So if I don't run around and beat Dodges and Chevies, I can get about 12 mpg on the average. Towing pretty heavy, I get 9-9.6 all day long in the tow-haul mode. This is one cool truck. I wouldn't go back to a diesel for anything unless I was towing a monster 5er or real heavy every day. Otherwise, this V-10 rocks.

[John Rambo]

I'm getting an 08/09 F250 crew. Was leaning diesel but not sure now. All I tow is 2 500lb sea doo. I like the power of a diesel even though it's overkill. I'm getting a 5 in lift with 35's on 20 wheels. What motor works best with that set up? I think I read that the diesels are better if you are going to lift.

[Pappy19]

Unless you go to a F-450, your rear end choices are 3.55 or 3.73 with the diesel. Not too good if you lift and add big tires. With a V-10 you can get 4.10,4.33 or 4.88. I have a 4.10 and tow about what you tow or some more depending. Tows great and runs great.I am not lifted and have the stock 18" wheels. See my pics.

[John Rambo]

Thanks Pap. How come nobody is talking about upgrading the exhaust on the V10 and making intake changes to improve mileage?

[CMB430]

I turned 32,100 miles on the truck over the weekend. The cost of new tires are no cheaper for a V10 from a diesel because the rims are the same, as is the load range so stop thinking that you will save money. As for mileage, my wife drives 9 miles one way, and has the truck for a week or so before we switch off. She gets 13.5 to 14 mpg and the truck does not get hot. When it is hot, town or highway, (empty) I average 16.5 and towing I average 11 with about 7.5K tied on.

Maintenance issues...after the radiator I have had zero engine issues. I had the doors adjusted, the DPF replaced and the new flashes that made me loose 1 mpg (I used to get 17.5 average empty), for 15 months of driving I am pretty happy for what it is. I did look at getting a V10, but the hit I will take on this trade is keeping me in the 6.4. Until the Car CZAR gets his hands in this, we will have a choice

[Pappy19]

Originally Posted by John Rambo

Thanks Pap. How come nobody is talking about upgrading the exhaust on the V10 and making intake changes to improve mileage?

After 2005, Ford upped the hp on the V-10 from 315 to 367. They changed out the exhaust manifold, Y pipe, and added a cat to both sides as the exhaust comes off. It's a pretty neat setup. From what I read in the truck mags, all manner of experiments have been tried to increase power and increase mileage. All were either "no measureable increase" or very little. The only exception is the adding of an intake system and a programmer. The exhaust just makes it sound better, but had little effect on performance or mileage. Earlier V-10's can benefit from a new Y pipe, exhaust, intake and programmer. Real early V-10s had a problem with spark plugs blowing out of the heads, but that was fixed a long time ago, so isn't an issue anymore.

[John Rambo]

Pappy will the programmer void the factory warranty? Can you set the system to default when you have to get service done?

[Pappy19]

I am sure that if you went into your dealer without putting the stock program back into the computer, you would be asking for trouble. I have not seen any TSB's for reflash on the V-10, so it may not make any difference. If at anytime I needed to go to the dealer, I would put it back to stock, just to be on the safe side. I've had my 2008 since August 2007 and have yet to take it back to the dealer; now have almost 30k.

[Brad777]

Originally Posted by LSchicago2

Your truck is what, maybe a year old? Come see us in 4-5 years and tell us about your 6.4 then. You will have many issues by then. Even my 6.0 was good for a year and a half. Then all hell broke loose, one thing at a time. Well over $20,000 in engine & trans repairs, before 80,000 miles!

Not to start an argument, but don't assume that all 6.0s had problems and that all 6.4s can expect to have problems just because they are a new design. While there have been a few minor problems with them, there are still a few problems that still pop up with the V-10 also...my cousin has a 2005 that he's not so happy with as we speak. With the tens of thousands of gassers and diesels that are built, there is bound to be some problems that pop up. Unfortunately, the majority of what we hear about is from those who have some problems, not those who have have few to no issues. Regardless and Thankfully, most of us get the bugs worked out during the warranty period. My advise is to buy what works for you and take really good care of it. This seems to be the most surefire way of making something last and to avoid future problems. Best wishes to everyone here.

[LSchicago2]

Originally Posted by Brad777

Not to start an argument, but don't assume that all 6.0s had problems and that all 6.4s can expect to have problems just because they are a new design. While there have been a few minor problems with them, there are still a few problems that still pop up with the V-10 also...my cousin has a 2005 that he's not so happy with as we speak. With the tens of thousands of gassers and diesels that are built, there is bound to be some problems that pop up. Unfortunately, the majority of what we hear about is from those who have some problems, not those who have have few to no issues. Regardless and Thankfully, most of us get the bugs worked out during the warranty period. My advise is to buy what works for you and take really good care of it. This seems to be the most surefire way of making something last and to avoid future problems. Best wishes to everyone here.

I'm not assuming anything! Show me ONE V10 truck that has had 2 engines replaced in 10 years. I can show you SEVERAL 6.4's that have had 2 and 3 engines replaced in ONE year. And there are a lot of 6.0's on replacement engines, something that is very rare in the V10 community. Don't assume that I'm assuming.

[Brad777]

Originally Posted by LSchicago2

I'm not assuming anything! Show me ONE V10 truck that has had 2 engines replaced in 10 years. I can show you SEVERAL 6.4's that have had 2 and 3 engines replaced in ONE year. And there are a lot of 6.0's on replacement engines, something that is very rare in the V10 community. Don't assume that I'm assuming.

While part of your statement is true, the fact is that the majority of 6.0 and 6.4 trucks are not running on replacement engines...Your assuming a bunch. In fact, I know of many people that despite a couple small glitches with their 6.0s, their elated. BIG DEAL, you know there are a few that have had the engine replaced a couple times. This can, will, and does happen to anything that is mass produced. In many of these cases, you have to wonder how much could be the fault of a crappy mechanic or a lack of owner maintenence? One engine, okay, but two spews neglect. Additionally, It is very obvious to me that this situation occurs with a minority, not the majority. You need to read ALL of the posts...not just those relating to someone having an issue. To assume that the 6.4 is destined for problems just because the 6.0 had some early on, is a bad assumption also. I have a cousin who has an early V10 that he dislikes due to a lack of power and a few problems he has had with it. Common sense tells me that this doesn't rule ALL V10s as bad. Duh!! The mine is better than yours mentality that your portraying makes me laugh. I thought my pre teen boys were bad. LOL!!