what size of truck

Next year I'll probably buy my first new truck. F-350, crew cab, 4x4, long bed, dual rear wheel, 6.8 V-10, auto. It'll be an XL trim level with the XL convenience package, dual vinyl bucket seats, and trailer brake controller as the only options. About $32,000. It'd be nice to have a diesel but I'm not paying $6,000 for the diesel option. The V-10 auto option will tow 15,000 pounds and carry 4,500 pounds in the bed.

But 3 big things to remember :

#1 that V10 will never come close to the life span that diesel will.
#2 that V10 will not get the gas mileage the diesel will
#3 you'll get about 1/2 of that $6000 back eventually when you sell it or trade it. The diesel will always be worth more than the V10, so just keep that in mind that it's not really costing you $6000 more when you'll get about 1/2 of that back someday in the price difference of the vehicle on selling or trading it.

Just some stuff to think about.

My F-150 is 27 years old with 408,xxx miles on it. My thinking is that in 27 years or so when I get rid of the F-350 it won't matter if it has gas or diesel, it'll be a $1500 beater truck.

I'm buying a truck for the long haul, not to trade in 3 or 4 years. That's why I'm keeping it simple. Manual windows, manual locks, manual locking hubs, live axle, gas engine, etc. Yeah I might have to replace that V-10 in 12 years or 200,000 miles. The 351W in my F-150 isn't original either. Only reason I'm going with auto instead of manual transmission is towing capacity. The manual is only rated for 12,500lbs towing.

I tell you what I'd like to find is a 73 to 87 Chevy 1 ton 4x4, crew cab, 4 speed, 454. Those are great trucks. I'd probably put an 86 front clip on it if it was pre-86. That was a good looking front end. Heck I'd drop that thing off at a body shop for a frame off make over. White paint, red vinyl interior, black rubber floor, Rhino line the bed, TBI on the engine. They're tough to find though. Usually rusty beyond saving. Or the rock crawler crowd raided the axles and transfercase.

There's a black one in Moscow I've been keeping an eye on for a few years. Hasn't been for sale yet, but maybe someday.

Diesel engines in 1 ton trucks is relatively new. That didn't start until the early 80's, and didn't really take off until the 90's. Before that it was gas engines and low geared rear ends to get the job done. Best 1 ton I ever had was a 65 International with a straight six, 4 speed, and 5.38:1 rear end. I'd still have it if I could get parts for that thing. It was slow, used a lot of gas, but man would it move a load. Only had 120 horsepower or so, but it would tow a mini-ex at 55 eventually. Stopping it with non-power drum brakes was another story...

I guess I'm just used to gas engines, only diesel I've ever had a significant amount of wheel time behind was an old 6.9IDI Ford F-250. Lots of noise, not much action. I wasn't that impressed. The engine was real heavy and subtracted a lot of payload out of the truck. The 460 was a much better choice.

With the new DPF, fuel, and twin turbos I don't see the 6.4 going the distance like the V-10 will. The V-10 is still a relatively simple engine.

My dream truck is still the International RXT. Those things are sweet.

BobsLandscaping said:

I tell you what I'd like to find is a 73 to 87 Chevy 1 ton 4x4, crew cab, 4 speed, 454. Those are great trucks. I'd probably put an 86 front clip on it if it was pre-86. That was a good looking front end. Heck I'd drop that thing off at a body shop for a frame off make over. White paint, red vinyl interior, black rubber floor, Rhino line the bed, TBI on the engine. They're tough to find though. Usually rusty beyond saving. Or the rock crawler crowd raided the axles and transfercase.

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My buddy has a 87 4 door chevy 1 ton red interior gun metal gray outside utility topper for sale I think it is $1200 rust just starting to come through.

I may have the oldest truck for daily use. It's a 73 dodge dually 440 and weghs in at 6,700 empty. It was moddified to pull modular homes around.

I guess my Dodge Dakota - club cab is considered a mini for the poll

In a couple of years I will be switching over to a 1 ton diesel so I can actually tow, and not get stuck waiting for certain deliveries. I might keep my Dakota for the estimates & smaller jobs, but there are times I need the larger vehicle

Bob - if your buying long term & still want a gas vehicle - how about a Dodge with their lifetime power train warranty?

Mike Finley said:

But 3 big things to remember :

#1 that V10 will never come close to the life span that diesel will.
#2 that V10 will not get the gas mileage the diesel will
#3 you'll get about 1/2 of that $6000 back eventually when you sell it or trade it. The diesel will always be worth more than the V10, so just keep that in mind that it's not really costing you $6000 more when you'll get about 1/2 of that back someday in the price difference of the vehicle on selling or trading it.

Just some stuff to think about.

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X2, this is why i bought 2 diesels "Duramax's". I can pull anything i put behind them, nice ride quality, good fuel milage, more longevity and they will retain better value.
The Ford V-10 is a damn good engine and will pull alot of weight but the best gas milage you will see may be 11mpg at best. I say this because a friend of mine has an 08 F-350 RCLB that has gotten a best of 11mpg driving like an old lady. He averages 5-6mpg towing his mini-ex or his Kubota tractor. I still get double that towing my mini-ex so IMO the extra coin spent on the diesel is worth it to me.

92 F-150 w/small block romeo V8. I got 147000 (approx) on it and it still runs great. I tow 8' and 10' trailers without any problems and have hauled an entire deck package (12 x 16) with it. Gets 24 MPG with no load on the highway. Towing and/or heavy payload substantially drop MPG to between 12 to 19 depending on what the load is. Best part is no crew cab = less cleaning and no obnoxious passengers. When I do get another truck however I will probably go with the F-350 diesel super duty (2WD). I'll probably get the tow package installed after I get the truck because they don't have it available (at least that's what the sales guy told me) in a standard with the tow package.