I'm looking to buy a F-250, Crew Cab, 4x4, 5.4L. Is it enough? My requirements are for a truck to take tree stumps, and loads of junk to the city dump on occasion; move furniture for friends (who doesn't when you own a truck)on occasion; and room for five frequently. Usually, I go it alone without a load or persons. I do HEAVY Los Angeles city miles on my truck though, 25,000/yr. Now I have a 1993 Chevy 1500, extra cab w/ PEELING PAINT EVERYWHERE!!!(GM said I parked it in the sun too much!? I must've bought the indoor version).
Any suggestions? Thanks, Mike

 

With a crewcab and 4x4 you should definitely get the V10. The V8 just don't have enough power for that big of a truck. Fuel economy won't be much less since the V10 won't be straining from the heavy weight of the truck all the time. I have driven both and highly suggest the V10. Benjamin.

 

I own a 5.4 4:10 rear extended cab 4x2 sd250 Long bed. I am perfectly happy with it. I only do the occasional heavy haul and it suits my needs just fine. If i had more work for it to do i would have to get the v10. i have to agree with Ben on the v10 with the configuration you are wanting. Good Luck this super duty series are workhorses as you will see when you get it home.

 

I was in a similar situation. I wanted a truck that would seat at least four people in comfort, but that had an entire bed. I really don't need anything as stout as this truck, but it was the only thing that met those requirements (plus it looks REALLY cool :-) ). I wanted to optimize my fuel mileage as well, so I had decided that I wanted the 5.4 with a 3.73 rear. However, I test drove a 2WD CC with the 5.4 and 3.73, and was not impressed. It just wasn't a truck that seemed to want to accelerate into traffic. So, I test drove the V-10. Power is absolutely NO concern with that powerplant! After doing some searching on here and in the ford-diesel.com gas engines board, I decided that I could live with the 1-2 mpg decrease that I might see with the bigger engine.

Of course, I'm still waiting for my truck, so I might think differently in a few months.

Ordered 8/14/2001, Delivery scheduled for 10/1/2001:
2002 F-250 2WD CC Lariat Short Bed. Red/Parchment. V-10, Auto, 3.73LS. Chrome steps, cab lights, powered tow mirrors, captain's chairs.

 

Whats the difference between a V-10 with a 3.73 and a 4.10? Is it enough to really make a difference like in the V8?
Thanks for the info., really!

 

gears make a huge dif. that truck is avalible with 4.30 gears too. I know i ordered one last year with a 5-speed, unreal pulling power! Ive also got 44" tires so i needed that kind of gearing. still run 95mph at 12mpg. (gearing)

 

V-10 all the way. Re-sale on a V-8 4x4 crew cab will be depressing all the way around, no matter which rear you get (3.73 or 4.10, 4.30 is V-10 only). The V-10 is a big motor hardly working, the V-8 is a small motor working hard to do the same job. My truck is 90% commuter, and I'm very happy with the V-10/auto/3.73LS setup. The bigger motor also comes in handy if you want bigger tires. I run 305's on mine with little difference in performance.

 

The V-10 isn't available with a 4.10. You've only got 3.73 and 4.30. My truck will spend a fair amount of its life above 55 mph, and so I went with the 3.73. I've currently got an Isuzu pickup with a 5-speed (don't laugh, I've had it 10 years, and it's been the best vehicle I've ever owned!), it's geared pretty low and the gas mileage at highway speed sucks (comparatively).

So, it seemed to me (WARNING: Completely unsupported conjecture here!) that the V-10 with a 3.73 would be comparable to the V-8 with a 4.10 for most of my uses, but just might get a little more power for similar fuel mileage.

Ordered 8/14/2001, Delivery scheduled for 10/1/2001:
2002 F-250 2WD CC Lariat Short Bed. Red/Parchment. V-10, Auto, 3.73LS. Chrome steps, cab lights, powered tow mirrors, captain's chairs.

 

I Have a 250 super duty 5.4 with a 4:10 rear end, 5 spd ,I pull a older camper weighing in at a total of 5800 GVWR, I just pulled it to South Carolina with "NO PROBLEM" 13.5 mpg, my dad has a F-150 with a 5.4/3:73 rear end,towing a 25 ft Fith wheel 7900lbs. Truck has plenty of pulling power although he did beef up the suspension a little. The 5.4 really does well for every day use.

 

It looks like I'm edging towards the V-10 (CC, 4x4, SB, SRW). What is the mileage difference in the V-10, between the 3.73 rear and the 4.30 rear? 2 miles per gallon adds up to over 50 miles per tank. Does this really mean anything, if I consider the power lost?
I suppose it's like: Do you go for the pretty sister who can't cook, or the ugly one who cooks, cleans and overlooks all your faults? I think I'm the "ugly sister" type.
In other words, which is the best trade off? Thanks for your help!

 

It sounds to me like you will be driving without a load most of the time so you should go with a 3.73 LS. It will give you better fuel mileage and you don't need a 4.30 for just driving around empty most of the time.

 

I just got my 2002 V10 powered F-350 SRW last week. We opted for the 4.30 because we put larger tires on it, and plan to haul a 10.5 foot camper through the mountains. My father has almost the same truck but with 3.73 gears and stock tires, and only occasionally pulls a load. He is very happy with this setup. If I was in your shoes, I would get the 3.73 with the V10. For what you want to do, I think you will be pleased.






2002 F-350 SC,LB,V10,4.30,4x4,XLT

 

Its seems that what you need is the v10 with 3.73 rears but be forwarned that this superduty series is not an economy champ when it comes to everyday commuting. If your trying to replace your older truck with something that gets the better mileage take your time to make your decision. Especially with the possibility of rising gas prices and unstability in the mid east.
Good luck!

 

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 19-Sep-01 AT 09:36 AM (EST)[/font][p]I took delivery of a 2002 250 CC 4x4 V10 3.73 LS in August (ordered in June). B4 I ordered I was right where you are. Drove a new V10 and a 5.4 in a 150 Screw. At that time could not find a 5.4 SD CC on a dealer lot anywhere! Postings on this and other boards lead me to believe that the 5.4 with 4.10 axle would get the same mileage as the V10 with 3.73. I drive 4 miles each way to work, and in the last month, have driven just over 500 miles. Trip computer average mileage settled in at 9 around town then jumped to 10 after a trip that was 1 hour of highway each way. I feel that 10-11 in town as I drive and 12-14 on extended highway trips is obtainable after break in. My wife is driving a 2002 Caravan and in town it's computer shows 12 mpg, on a 5 hour (each way) highway trip it only managed 20, (it has 1000 more miles on it than the SD)

Ford's projected retail mix for CC Super Duty trucks is: XL: 42% XLT: 15% Lariat: 7%. But this includes 4x2. If resale value is any concern, consider a V10.

 

I own a 99 F-350 w/V-10. The only upgrade I've done is a KN filter and a better flowing muffler. I use my vehicle for towing a thirty-five foot Alpenlite Fifth Wheel. I like the vehicle alot I have had no problems with it. Here comes the BUT, it is a gas hog. When towing in Arizona where I live I get about 6 to 7 miles to the gallon. The power of this engine is way under-rated. I will need to do some major after market work to bring it even with the diesel. I have always owned Chevrolets but I have switched for good. So if you can swing the diesel I recommend going that way. The extra money now will pay off when time to sell. Good Luck
philandbev@qwest.net