[01GTB]

Now I know the consensus says buy a PSD and be done with it. But after reviewing the facts of both, I'm still stuck on this one. I know gassers pretty well and know very little about oil squishers. I will need the truck to tow a 4000-5000 pound load on a regular basis, but for short distances and a lot of start and stopping of the truck for 30 minutes or more. I also want it to just drive around in.

It seems that newer PSD's may be plagued with the cackle knock, often causing fuel mileage to suffer. From what I gather fuel mileage tends to be in the 15-16mpg range empty and 12-14 towing smaller loads. The V10 on the other hand may get 12-13 mpg unloaded and 9-10 towing. The PSD seems like the clear winner.

However, regular unleaded runs about 15 cents per gallon less here and within the last few months was 25 cents less per gallon. Oil change on a V10 is 6 quarts and a filter. Oil changes on the PSD are about 15 quarts and more expensive filter. So the mileage difference seems to be offset somewhat by these factors.

One more thing comes into play, the PSD costs about $3600 more than the V10. But included with the PSD's cost is a 100,000 mile powertrain warranty.

I'd really like to here from owners or operators of both. I'm not ready to buy quite yet, but thought I might ask for some opinions outside the truck forums. I'd like to get unbiased opinions on it :grin: It seems on the diesel forums, most people think V10's are gas hogs. Keep in mind, I drive a 95 F150 with a underpowered 302/5 speed that gets about 8 mpg towing this load, so 10mpg to me doesn't sound that bad :grin:





<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: 01GTB on 2002-03-10 14:08 ]</font>

 

[Nasty Bob]

We have a bunch of guys at work with both and either one is a great choice. Application and how long you plan on keeping the truck are the key factors.

If you plan on hauling a lot of weight for a long time and plan on keeping the truck 10 plus years, Powerstroke, hands down. The 100,000 mile warranty is moot because that engine is designed to run 300,000+ miles before even thinking about major componant service. Major drawback, according to our truck shop manager, the cost to replace the injectors alone is $4,900, so if these take a dump after 100,000 miles, you'll know what to expect to pay. Chances are they won't fail, but if they do........?

The V-10 is also a very good setup, but a lot of these guys used to have 454 Chevys and the V-10 doesn't quite have the overall power and torque of a 454.

Yes the diesel costs more to service, but service intervals are spread out much more than the gas engine, so maintenence costs are about equal in the end.

The diesel is much louder, but interior noise is still pretty quiet.

The Powerstroke will also have a much better resale value.

 

[01GTB]

Thanks for the reply :smile: Yeah, the injectors I have heard about As you said the engine should go 300,000. I guess what concerns me more than anything is the automatic transmission's longevity. As far as resale, would the trade in value be that much greater than the $3600 or so that the diesel costs in the first place? I have no idea myself.

Let's say you have two equal trucks. One has an invoice price of $31,400 (V10) and the PSD has an invoice of $35,000. In, say, three years and 90,000 miles, how much will each be worth on trade or outright, given the same condition?

Thanks,
Keith

 

[Blakwing]

From Kelley Blue Book Online.

2 2001 F250's Super Duty Super cab Short beds.. Sold to private parties, 100k miles, automatic transmissions, the only difference being engine choice

V-10-$17,340

TD- $21,890

Both vehicles rated "Excellent" condition.

_________________
Blakwing

2001 DHG Bullitt #171
100mm Densecharger
Steeda Tri-Ax w/MGW handle
Interior by MGW.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Blakwing on 2002-03-10 18:21 ]</font>

 

[mb4875]

I have three Ford PSD in my Construction company.2-1999, both with over 100K miles. Construction specials, I have a Y2k XLT 4x4 off-road. I love the trucks the more miles on my PSD the milage that I average is going up.We tow up to 18000 # almost daily. I had a V-10 dually and sold it the fuel mileage was bad towing and constant rear axle problems.But it had a standard shift,6-speed.That's my 2 cents. I will buy another Ford PSD with automatic,4x4,3.73 posi-rear axle.

_________________
Black Bullitt # 4875

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: mb4875 on 2002-03-10 18:48 ]</font>

 

[01GTB]

Thanks everybody. That's what I was looking for. It looks like the diesel will be worth a little more than the original difference in cost.

mb4875, what kinda mileage does your diesels get? What did your V10 get?

 

[strokerswild]

PSD all the way. A buddy has one with over 200,000 miles on it and it still runs like a top, no problems whatsoever. If I ever have the need for a big tow rig I know what to get.

 

[01GTB]

I get the idea the diesel is well liked :grin: Now I need to find a way to afford it :wink: Ford has a good rate for 48 months, but 48 months and a $35000+ truck equal really high payments.

 

[Blakwing]

Have you looked into leasing? While you may take a slight bath come time to re-new or purchase at the end the payments may be better able to fit your wallet.

 

[01GTB]

Hadn't really looked much into leasing. Not really sure how much mileage the truck would get, but I would assume about 35,000 miles per year. I just found out the 48 month finance rate I had seen last week was a misprint. The rates are 2.9% for 48 months rather than .9%. 60 months, I believe is 3.9%, so that's probably what I'll go with.

 

[crs2879]

I know it is probably a old wives tale (but there is usually some truth in those too); I have always heard that a diesel is designed to work best under towing conditions (load)and that if you rarely, or never, tow a heavy load, diesel is not a good idea.

On-the-other-hand, Ford does warrant the thing for 100K. I am a big fan of the PSD Ford Trucks. It will probably be my next truck when I turn-in a POS '99 GMC Z71.

 

[Bullitt4601]

The only thing I would add is that diesels don't like short trip, shut if off/crank it up, stop and go driving. If that's how you drive, and the load's only 4-5000 lbs., I'd think gas (maybe even the 5.4). Make sure you buy enough rear end (3.73 minimum).

Like everybody, I love the PSD, but don't buy more truck than you are going to use.

 

[01GTB]

See, that's kinda what I was talking about. I had heard similar things. We have a landscape maintenance business an often it will be making short runs between jobs. Sometimes 2 minutes, sometimes 15. We also go out of the area and those trips will be an hour or more. So it is a wide variety of driving.

 

[TXBullitt]

Although I traded my 96 F250 Supercab short bed on my 01 Expedition, a few more comments if you wish.

My truck had an AT with the towing package, 4.10 limited slip, etc. Freeway mileaqge at 65 was always 22 or better. loaded, it still got 20 mpg. Avg. in-town mileage was 18.5. No gasoline engine even comes close, even unloaded. On trips, I could just pull into the diesel islands at any truck stop - a lot cheaper than the corner gas station with a diesel pump.

Towing package requires 4 full gallons at oil change because of thr oil cooler plumbing. That's something not in the manual; it only states 15 qts. Worth every penny though because I never had heat problems even in the summer highes idling with AC on.

You absolutely should use the recommended 15W40 long life oil because of the PSD's 2 stage oil pump. The low pressure stage lubes the engine, and the high pressure stage, nearly 3000 psi, powers the fuel injectors. The HP stage can foam regular oils badly. You can tell who's changed their oil using the regular bulk 10W30 just by the engine sound. Yes, it's cheaper at the oil change, but the foamed oil eventually ruins the engine by cavitation instead of lubrication and corrosion from the air entrained in the foam.

A bonus here in TX was that diesel trucks have been exempt from emissions testing at annual inspection time. The $29.95 test fee that i didn't have to pay in addition to the inspection fee could be used for other more impoortant things - like emtpy beer cans to fill the pick-up bed. :wink:

In 6 years of ownership, I never spent a dime on mechanical or defect repairs - never had to. Just routine servicing and truck accessories.

 

[Bullitt 289]

I find the PSD a better buy. We travel a great deal between CT and FL. I have a F-350 4X4 dualie with 3.73 gears. When I don't tow, I get 17 - 18 mpg. Towing (6500 lbs trailer and vehicle) I get about 15 mpg, and thats traveling at 70mph. In either case, if I was driving at 55 - 60 mph, I figure I would pick up no more than 1 - 2 mpg extra.

Truck when registered in CT was exempt from emmisions. Has 11,200lb springs, but registered at 9900 gvw.

Bottom line, if you plan on keeping the truck or plan on long hauls, diesel is the only way to go.

Hope this helps :-B

 

[01GTB]

After seeing what the gasoline prices have done here in the past 3 weeks, the diesel is looking better and better. Diesel fuel is now about the same price as 87 octane now.