That's why I want a diesel, the power and longevity can't be matched by a gasser.

 

If you get caught with dyed diesel in your on road vehichle it will be a 10,000$ fine at the minumum

 

Darn, when I ordered my truck the difference was $8000 (the gas motor had a better rebate+sales tax on the difference). I just could not qualify the 8 grand for pulling a car trailer 8K miles a year (total use). 30,000 miles/year? I think it would be closer to 20K to make a financial difference.

I am happy with the gas motor. It gets 12mpg empty and 8mpg pulling almost 10K pounds. The $8K difference will buy alot of gas.

 

Yeah, 30,000 pounds is a bit much, the SD is only rated up to 17,000. I'm going to have to find a new rule of thumb for whether or not you need a diesel.

 

I went with a V10 and never looked back because it just made the best sense for my needs.

1. Diesel costs more than 87 octane here where I live. Right now at the cheapest staion in my area 87 is 1.82 and auto diesel is 1.98. As it gets closer to winter I've seen diesel go for as much as 30c more per gallon. During the summer months the difference is not as much though.

2. I only drive my truck about 15K miles per year. I sat down and figured up after considering the higher price, increased finance cost/tax, better mileage and all the other factors it would take me nearly 10 years to break even.

3. Longevity? I'm starting to see plenty of V10s going well over 100,000 without any repairs other than maintenance. There's a few guys at some of the websites that are approaching 150000 with no problems. I know diesels can do better but the V10s ain't exactly falling apart early. With all due respect, some of the 6.0L PSD owners got a lot of nerve using reliability/durability as a reason to go diesel with all the problems the early 6.0Ls had and have.

4. It gets cold here about 5 months of the year. Jan/Feb mornings are often 5 or 10 below zero. I don't want to fool with the cold weather diesel issues. I've ran mine for 2 winters now and in temps down to -15 it's started up with 2 or 3 engine turns without fail. No block heater and it sets outside all the time 'cause my garage ain't big enough!

5. The heaviest load I've ever pulled was about 7500lbs and I could hold 70mpg up all the highway hills around here in WV without trouble. It drops to second occaisnally on long grades but it's designed to do that. Not towing I have yet to find an interstate hill I can't hold 70mph on in OD @ 1900 rpm easily. In other words to the occasional diesel owner who tries to make it sound like the V10 is gutless...you're full of B.S. case closed! PSDs have more torque down low but the V10 is a true workhorse in the gas engine world. The '05s out-perform GM 8.1L and get better mileage to boot!

6. It costs me about $15 to change my oil and filter every 4000 miles. I do it myself and that's the only motor maintenance I've done aside from cleaning my air filter. Got almost 30K on it and not a problem to speak of since I drove it off the lot over 2 years ago. Had to get my rotors turned down once but that's not an engine issue.

7. Diesels weigh more, I think about 500lbs more. More wear on the front tires and suspension and it's a negative for driving off road on soft ground. I own land, I'm offroad in mild conditions a few times a week with this truck-alot of the time in wet grass and thin mud and more weight up front means increase rear axle-wrap if you drive uphill on slick grass or mud.

I've driven and towed with a few diesels and I just don't like the feel of the extra weight. Some guys will say there's no difference but to me there is! I can feel it when I hit rough ground or take a turn at med/high speed on pavement.

Just an FYI-I get a little over 12mpg for mixed driving and 13 to a little over 14 for highway at 65 to 70. Towing about 5000 to 6000 lbs it drops to 9 or 10 highway.

Not meaning to start a diesel/gas flame war but just voicing my thoughts. Alot of guys say they'll never go to a gas engine after having a diesel-well I'll never go to a diesel unless I have to. I think I made some good points here as to why a diesel isn't a catch-all for everyone. If you need a diesel for towing heavy, driving alot of yearly miles, or just want one for the torque and bragging rights that's great. I can see where a guy who drives 30K miles a year would recoup his costs in mileage savings real quick. Especially in an area where diesel is cheaper year-round.

If I got something wrong, hit me up!

 

I had an 00 V-10, and traded it in March of this year for the 6.0. Let me tell you, I LOVED my V-10, but I LOVE my 6.0 w/ TorqShift even more!! The gas mileage improvement is amazing!! I got 12.5 around town w/my V-10, and I am getting 15.9 with my 6.0. I HIGHLY recommend the diesel.

 

Why does everyone make the V10 sound like a little weiny engine? If you've ever driven one, it makes the old V-8s looks silly. As for the diesel, yes they are better for towing, and they don't lose as much power at elevation - but they are a very pricey option, and have much higher maintenance costs.

I drive a 02 F350 SRW w/ 3.73 rear end often, and it is a strong engine. I had never driven a diesel until recently - my office has a 03(?) 7.3 PSD, and I took it for spin the other day. It has a flat power band, and continues to pull after 80, but overall I didn't think it lived up to the praise it is given on these boards. It definately didn't throw me back in the seat like the V10 does.

 

Hey Crash!,

I guess my only concern is paying $40K for a new truck and then voiding the warranty by installing a $6500 Banks kit.

I'm just not that rich. My old V10 is pretty slow, but it tows my 10K lb. trailer trailer just fine.

Doc

 

Get the diesel. More power, better fuel economy, longevity, and they are easy to upgrade too.

 

And they have better resale. Don't forget to factor that in.