F350 V 10

Diamondpilot · Dec 26, 2007

Why would you be changing the plugs? All gas Fords have platinum plugs that are not scheduled to be changed until 100,000 miles along with most of the fluids. I know tons of guys who drive Fords, I am from a Ford Factory Town, and never heard of this. I am sure it happened to a few trucks and it hit the internet and got blown way out. Long gone is the day where we busted our knuckles ever year or 10,000 miles changing plugs and wires. Which brings up another point. I have never owned a V10 or taken a close look at but currently own 3 Diesel Fords and a 2007 F-150 5.4L and it has a coil on each plug. I believe the V10 does also and has for its entire life.

Chris

patrick_g · Dec 27, 2007

Diamondpilot said:
Why would you be changing the plugs?

Chris

Why put Nitrogen in your tires or a magnet around your fuel line or any number of things touted in advertisements or circulated like urban myths? Because people just do, not because there is good reason to do so. Ignorance and superstition is staging a comeback, a backlash against Science and engineering. Once the state of the art in engineering and manufacturing sufficiently exceeds the common person's understanding it just becomes so much magic and is indistinguishable from the magical claims made for various products.

Note: I didn't suggest anyone prematurely or unneccessarily change their plugs but if they do then a torque wrench might help avoid the problem of having the plugs come out. There are torque specs and too lose or too tight are both wrong.

If properly torqued plugs are popping out of their holes then there is an engineering problem and owners should hold FoMoCo's feet to the fire if the owners haven't changed the plugs themselves and maybe not got it right.

Pat

rback33 · Dec 27, 2007

LOL Come on Pat... u know u put nitrogen in YOUR tires too! We know it's not pure nitrogen but 78% of it is. (by volume)

Sorry... I could not help myself. I really do agree with the post though.

Bob_Young · Dec 27, 2007

Hi unreconstructed,
Glad to hear the new V10 Ford's been working out for you. Been following your posts with interest. Since reading this thread, I've been playing with the "build your own" on the Ford site to get some idea of what a V10 F250 SD would cost. As a result, I've got a few questions for you:
1) Do you know what the rear axle ratio is in your truck? The choices for the F250 were 4.10 and 4.30. I was hoping for a 3.73 or 3.55...
2) What RPM do you turn in top gear when cruising at 55MPH?
3) Is your truck a Dually?

My application would be mostly sporadic towing; either boat (light) or 10K bumper-pull equipment trailer. I do my towing & truck work now with 2 trucks, both over 10 yrs. old; a 4WD F150 w/4.9L 6cyl. and a 2WD Cummins Dodge. Both are economical, run great, and are low mileage but would like to know where to jump if I have to.

Thanks in advance.
Bob Young

Corm · Dec 27, 2007

I have a 2000 F250 V10, manual shift, 4x4, 3.73 gears, long box, 73K miles. It is used as a tow vehicle primarily (30' 5th wheel camper, 18 foot utility trailer , 5x8 dump trailer). Empty I have gotten close to 15 mpg. Towing my camper to Gettysburg and back from Vt last summer I averaged an even 10 mpg, with a high of 11.5 on one tank. I had a transmission problem with it at 11k miles, replaced under warranty. No other problems at all. Been a real good truck.

Corm

NoMo · Dec 27, 2007

I'm lazy and haven't read all 7 pages of this thread so this may be already posted...

For the best info on Ford V10-powered pickups, vans and SUVs visit the forums at Ford Truck Enthusiasts and check out the V10 engine section.

I've owned 4 V10 Super Duty pickups and they've all been terrific; but the new 3 valve mated to the 5-speed auto is the best.

twabscs · Dec 27, 2007

NoMo is right. As I indicated earlier in this thread I purchased an 08 F250 4x4 CC Lariat with the V10 about three months ago. The Ford Truck Site is great for research. As for prices I have the X plan and paid around $38K for my truck (this includes X and the additional $3K incentive at the time). Of course, they had to drive 400 miles to get it (which I paid for), and I didn't have many choices other than looking at dealer websites to find the best set of options for me. Currently the truck as 3K miles on it and I'm very happy I traded in my 05 F250 oil burner.

twabscs · Dec 27, 2007

Bob_Young said:
1) Do you know what the rear axle ratio is in your truck? The choices for the F250 were 4.10 and 4.30. I was hoping for a 3.73 or 3.55...
2) What RPM do you turn in top gear when cruising at 55MPH?
3) Is your truck a Dually?

1) I have the 4.10. Also, IF V10, Only the 4.10 and 4.30 are available in the 2008.
2) It would be around 1700 RPMs. I know 75 MPH is around 2250 or so.
3) Mine isn't

See previous post for pricing on my truck.

Diamondpilot · Dec 28, 2007

I would not hesitate to get a 4.10 or even the 4.30 geared truck. I was schooled a few months ago on rear end gears and tire size. I ran into a guy with the 2008 F-450 and I made a comment on how it only came with low gear ratios, something in the 4.30-5.30 range or something like that. I told him I had 3 Diesel Fords and had 3.73's in all them. He then explained that 3.73's are not 3.73's. Tire size has a lot to do with it. Take my 2006 F-350 PS for example with 275/70-18 and the 2005 GM 3500 DM with 265/75-16 I traded for it. The GM's tires and wheels are much smaller. Using a simple calculator I figured the rolling diameter of the Fords tire is 105" and the GM's is 99" It would take the Ford's 627 revs per mile and the GM would need 658 revs per mile or about 5% more. So what I am getting at is the day of when our dad said get 3.55 for good millage, 3.73 for ok millage and some towing, and get 4.10 for pulling tree stumps all day long. With all the new tire sizes now compared to when everyone had basically the same size on 15" wheels this goes out the door and the manufactures can do about anything to the final drive.

Chris

patrick_g · Dec 28, 2007

Excellent point, Chris.

I have always been most interested in the RPM to MPH ratio. How you get what you got is not nearly as important as what you get. Tire manufacturers (among other data) give revs/mile figures, vehicle manufacturers give differential ratios (turns on the drive shaft per axle turn) but it has been a while since these figures were simple to use for comparison.

Typical transmissions, auto or manual, now often have a top gear which is greater than 1:1 (over drive.) What really matters is what MPH is the vehicle going with the engine turning xxxx RPM, where does xxxx RPM fit in your HP/Torque/efficiency curves, and does the trans offer a sufficient number of gears with properly spaced overlap to bridge between your engine characteristics and your usage.

Of course this is a tad more complicated to consider than just buying 4.10 to tow and 3.56 for ... etc.

My Jeep had 5.38 and my Tiger had 2.88 diff and both did what I wanted.

Pat

yankeerider · Dec 28, 2007

I have an '08 F250 4WD Regular Cab XLT in two tone with the V10 and 6 speed manual (I dare anyone to find that combination on a dealer's lot-yes, I ordered just the combo I wanted) and paid $31K and change on X-plan. This is my 4th F-Series since 1977 and it's the best truck I've owned!

patrick_g · Dec 28, 2007

But Jerry, you didn't say which two tones and a picture would be even better!

Pat

unreconstructed · Dec 28, 2007

Hello Bob.

I have a 4.10.
I have not paid any attention to RPM at 55--I will check it out next time I am out. About 2100 at 70 I believe.
Have a single rear axle.

As to cost, before my contribution to the Governor and trade in- 24,300 for the XL 350. I got steps, the V10, CD player, and sliding rear window as options (not much). The price was after allowance for $4500 of rebates from
Ford. I don't remember all of the rebates--one was for loyal Ford customer, another was for a business owner, and I don't remember the other one. I suppose these "enticements" change all the time.

My first F series I bought new in '72. A two tone job with 4 speed, no air, and a 360. Seems like I got 12-15 mpg on a good day. I am not a techie type at all, but a fella sure can't complain about going from that '72 to the aircraft carrier I drive now and getting air and plenty of power to boot and the same if not better gas mileage.. Of course then, I could shade tree mechanic to keep one running. Now I don't even look under the hood when I shop. If you can't read Greek, why look at it?

yankeerider · Dec 28, 2007

patrick_g said:
But Jerry, you didn't say which two tones and a picture would be even better

It's that new for '08 blue pearl metallic with silver. I'll try to take a pic this weekend.

Bob_Young · Dec 28, 2007

twabscs and unreconstructed,
Thanks for the RPM : MPH figures. Doing the ratios for the numbers you both gave, 55 MPH works out to 1650 RPM. Which doesn't mean a lot in itself, but gives me a basis of comparison with what I have now without getting into tire sizes and gear ratios. At least the engine doesn't hafta wind up like a $2 clock just to stay with traffic...which is what I automatically think when I hear 4.10 gears.

My old 2WD '94 CTD turns 1700RPM @ 55MPH with a 3.55 rearend...and delivers mileage in the low to mid-twenties doing it...

Think I should keep her?

Jerry,
That regular cab V10 you spec'd out sounds like what I'd probably go for. Need a long bed, and long bed with long cab is just too ungainly when you're working in and around trees. Was expecting I'd probably have to order it....which is OK, except the "delivery-from-stock" discounts might not apply.

Not to hi-jack your thread, unreconstructed. It's just that the V10 Ford seems to be the most economical way to replace the CTD when the time comes. I'm interested in everyone's experiences with this truck. Thanks for your inputs.
Bob

yankeerider · Dec 29, 2007

For Patrick and Bob Here are pictures of my truck, including an interior shot. When I ordered my truck, I was bummed that the brochure didn't show any interior pics of the 40/20/40 split bench, so that's why I'm including it here. I had captain's chairs in my '88 F250 Supercab, and this bench, with the center armrest/console down, feels just as comfortable, plus the occasional benefit of seating 3 when needed.

twabscs · Dec 29, 2007

Bob_Young said:
At least the engine doesn't hafta wind up like a $2 clock just to stay with traffic...which is what I automatically think when I hear 4.10 gears.

Bob, the new trucks have 5 speed auto transmissions. This makes a big difference and allows trucks with higher rear ends do well with both towing and mileage. At least that's my understanding.

My truck is the same color as yankee's.

I'll post a pic as soon as I figure it out.

Today I towed an empty 24' Livestock trailer about 40 miles. Got around 10 MPG on the HWY and towed like a dream with the integrated controller. I also found a "downside" to a 4-door truck for towing - Hooking up the trailer to the GN hitch. There is no way to see the ball because of the back seat. Oh well.

Here's the pic (the only one I have) - I've since replaced the step with a 5" Ford tubular chrome step. It looks much better. That's the downside of buying a truck 400 miles away. You're not really sure what it looks like. Heck the dealer didn't even have much on the lot, but I looked at lots of pictures.

Marlowe · Dec 29, 2007

I have a '99 F250 with a V-10. It now has around 99,000 miles on it. It hasn't been trouble free, but pretty near it. I didn't buy it to get good gas mileage, but it does get better than I expected. My best is 15.5 empty and 10.5 towing a 22' boat. That's pretty decent for a big truck with a 6.8 liter engine. I got the gearing combination which lets me turn around 1600 RPM's at 55 mph. Because of the relatively low revolutions I doubt that add ons that improve breathing, such as low restriction air filters and dual or low restriction exhausts would do much to improve my mileage. The factory stuff is pretty decent in this respect. Even the single exhaust is pretty large and shouldn't be choking the flow of gases much at the RPM's the engine turns under normal circumstances. On occasion I tow loads approaching 10,000 lbs. I simply press the tow button and the engine turns up a few more revs, and all is good. It never seems to struggle. I'd definitely buy another V-10.

Now for mileage I do own a diesel powered pick up. It's an Isuzu P'up a year or so past legal drinking age. It will get an honest 40 mpg. Coupled with the 20 plus gallon tank you need to think about fuel additives to preserve the integrity of the diesel if you fill it up. It takes a long, long time to run out that much fuel. And the A/C still works.

I drive the Ford though.

Robert_in_NY · Dec 29, 2007

yankeerider said:
For Patrick and Bob Here are pictures of my truck, including an interior shot. When I ordered my truck, I was bummed that the brochure didn't show any interior pics of the 40/20/40 split bench, so that's why I'm including it here. I had captain's chairs in my '88 F250 Supercab, and this bench, with the center armrest/console down, feels just as comfortable, plus the occasional benefit of seating 3 when needed.

Have you found a way to adjust the middle seat forward any? My daughter sits behind the middle section and her legs can't fit comfortably behind that console so she has her feet up usually but that is taking a toll on the console. I do not want her behind the driver and passenger seats for a couple reasons but the way she is growing I am going to have to move her fairly soon unless I can move the center of the front seat forward some.