F 450 Super Duty gasser

[JJZ 109]

Making a 6 hour drive to look at a 2001 F450 splicer body truck with bucket. It's a V10 gas job with auto trans. Might be a replacement for my 1997 F Super Duty 7.3 PSD flat bed bucket.
It's got 153k on it, but hours shouldn't be an issue as bucket hydraulics work off a couple of deep cycle batteries like my current one does without needing the engine running. I like the splicer body. It's also got A/C in the cab, which I don't currently have. It also has an inverter, which could be a plus if my generator puked while I was on a job. Very seldom do I find power close enough to run my gutter machine so we're self contained that way.
I generally only put 3000-4000 miles per season on a truck. But it pulls a trailer weighing 52-5500 most every day.
Any particular issues to look for on this motor or transmission? Thanks in advance.

 

[Fallon]

The v10s had a habit of spitting out sparkplugs.

 

[spitter]

I have a 99 f350 v10 it has 375,000 miles on it and purrs like a kitten.:cool2: The 4100 auto trans is alright if not beat on . mine was totally rebuilt at 225,000 miles but i beat the p out of it .It has 6 inch lift 38 inch tires . Towed over 25,000 lbs hald 3500 lbs. Blew 1 spark plug out took it to a regular mechanic he said it was no big deal charged me 150 because it was in back of engine he said comcast has a fleet of them and and towing companies and motor homes getting 400,000to 500,000 no problem just change oil and regular maintance. trans was built to haul 30,000 lbs handle 1000 hp 2000 ft lbs tourque.:thumbsup: V10 doesnt have balls like my 460s or 7.3s but it runs like a clock and u dont even know its running.:drink:

 

[JJZ 109]

I have a 99 f350 v10 it has 375,000 miles on it and purrs like a kitten.:cool2: The 4100 auto trans is alright if not beat on . mine was totally rebuilt at 225,000 miles but i beat the p out of it .It has 6 inch lift 38 inch tires . Towed over 25,000 lbs hald 3500 lbs. Blew 1 spark plug out took it to a regular mechanic he said it was no big deal charged me 150 because it was in back of engine he said comcast has a fleet of them and and towing companies and motor homes getting 400,000to 500,000 no problem just change oil and regular maintance. trans was built to haul 30,000 lbs handle 1000 hp 2000 ft lbs tourque.:thumbsup: V10 doesnt have balls like my 460s or 7.3s but it runs like a clock and u dont even know its running.:drink:

Thanks for the information. As far as balls, my 7.3 is no ball of fire. It does OK, mainly because I chipped it, did a 3 inch downpipe and upgraded the intake. If I buy, and at this point it's only an if, I'd probably take a good look at what it has for a transmission cooler. I swapped out the stock one on my current truck and trans temps are dramatically lower. http://www.dieselsite.com/specialordertru-cool4739transmissioncooler.aspx

 

[Wolfy]

The V-10 was one of Ford's best kept secrets. Think about it, they seldom come up for sale. My dad has a 1999 with a 7.3L. It is no speed demon but it has good torque. I think the V-10 would be cheaper to run.

 

[JJZ 109]

The V-10 was one of Ford's best kept secrets. Think about it, they seldom come up for sale. My dad has a 1999 with a 7.3L. It is no speed demon but it has good torque. I think the V-10 would be cheaper to run.

I think my truck got 10-11 mpg with no load, no trailer on the 6 hour ride home from where I bought it. It's probably more like 8 or 9 hauling my trailer locally every day. Maybe worse, I haven't done any calculations in quite some time.
But then again I'm not looking for a mileage machine. If it were about the same, gas is much cheaper than diesel in these parts. Like 30-35¢ per gallon. The bucket has about the same reach as my current one. I'm more interested in updating a few years and getting that splicer body as well.

 

[JJZ 109]

Done deal. I just have to make another trip to deliver the rest of the money, insure it and get a temp PA tag to bring it home. It'll probably be almost 2 weeks before it's final, but the deposit is there and the truck is mine. Went down and looked it over and drove it about 10 miles today. They showed me all their facilities and introduced me to most of the crew. Quite a selection of bucket trucks there.
Now to get some pics of the current one and get 'er listed. But here's the new (to me) truck.

 

[Wolfy]

Neat how the boom is mounted on an enclosed bed. Around me, all you see are booms on service beds. My brother and I went to a DPW auction one time. We bid on a 1970's F350 bucket truck. We didn't win. Just wanted it to limb trees and whatnot.

 

[JJZ 109]

Neat how the boom is mounted on an enclosed bed. Around me, all you see are booms on service beds. My brother and I went to a DPW auction one time. We bid on a 1970's F350 bucket truck. We didn't win. Just wanted it to limb trees and whatnot.

The motor & electronics are inside the splicer box, keeping that stuff out of the elements. First time I'd ever seen a setup like that.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Great buy. My uncle has had three V10 Fords. All great trucks.

Chris

 

[JJZ 109]

Great buy. My uncle has had three V10 Fords. All great trucks.

Chris

Should last me many years. As stated earlier I only do 3-4k miles per season. The truck is off the road for the winter months, so salt, etc. shouldn't be an issue.

 

[merlynr]

The V10 is a 5.4 with 2 more cylinders. Part of that modular series of engines.

 

[JJZ 109]

The V10 is a 5.4 with 2 more cylinders. Part of that modular series of engines.

Hopefully a blown out spark plug doesn't become an issue. It seems to run very well at this point. It actually goes someplace when stepped on, unlike my 7.3 (even with the mods).

 

[RollingsFarms]

The V10 and GM 8.1 are sorely missed in my opinion and no the 6.2 and 6.0 gassers don't replace them in my opinion. Around here anytime a V10 or 8.1 come up for sale it sells a whole lot faster then a diesel most of the time.

 

[QRTRHRS]

I have an 04' E450 box truck, V10 with about 185k. It had 180 when I bought it so obviously, I don't use it much but it's quiet and burns zero oil. Having the aerodynamics of a flying cinder block, it gets maybe nine on a good day but so what? I mostly haul a load of hay home for my horses and take a load of "stuff" to the flea market once in awhile, maybe use it on the rare occasion that the roads are slippery. Works for me.

 

[Wolfy]

My good mechanic/friend tells me that 1999 V-10s were the most prone to spitting spark plugs, and also broken off plugs, since they were a two piece design. In 2000 they went to a solid plug. Even so, there isnt much else to go wrong, unlike the diesel.

 

[Green Power]

Enjoy your new truck JJZ!

 

[JJZ 109]

Enjoy your new truck JJZ!

Thanks! I should have it in time for a few end of season jobs.

My good mechanic/friend tells me that 1999 V-10s were the most prone to spitting spark plugs, and also broken off plugs, since they were a two piece design. In 2000 they went to a solid plug. Even so, there isnt much else to go wrong, unlike the diesel.

Good information. This truck is a 2001 so hopefully I'm beyond that issue.
But truthfully, I haven't had much of anything happen to a 17 year old 7.3 PSD other than batteries. Hopefully the luck continues.
It's listed on my local CL if anyone needs a good used bucket truck!:thumbsup:

 

[puckgrinder85]

I've never seen a V10 blow a plug out, only the 5.4's so far. Either way its an easy fix with the right tools and knowledge.

ps- the v10 is in the F650's now as well.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I've never seen a V10 blow a plug out, only the 5.4's so far. Either way its an easy fix with the right tools and knowledge. ps- the v10 is in the F650's now as well.

I saw a 2001 F350 blow 2 plugs out. $80 per hole to fix plus a new plug and coil pack so less than $250. It pulled home a 10,000# boat on 8 cylinders.

That truck has had 2 owners, both my customers and has been worked to death. Had a snow plow put on around 2004. Both guys in the construction trade. It has nearly 200,000 miles and the $250 plug fix has been it other than a new alternator wiring harness and a full brake job including calipers and rubber hoses. All in all its been bullet proof even with the beating it's taken.

I would guess it's had a trailer behind it for about $150,000 miles. Either a 10,000# boat, a 14,000# dump trailer, or a 12,000# enclosed mobile shop.

Chris