newer truck time

getting a newer truck in about a month..i ruled out diesels...so that leave the 5.4 or the 6.8 v10...it will be either a 3/4 ton or 1 ton single tire no dully...i know that certain years of the 5.4 had spark plug issues...what years ? and what about the v10 ..is it any good ..thanks

I've got a couple of friends that have the V10 and they really like it. A lot more power than the V8 and not much difference in mileage.

I had a 2001 V10 250 Worked out fine, no issues.

Whats your budget and what are you doing with it?

Reason I ask is if your looking at newer stuff, like 2006-7 and up with alot of the finance rates and rebats sometimes it make more sence to look at new stuff.

dfree383 wrote:I had a 2001 V10 250 Worked out fine, no issues.

Whats your budget and what are you doing with it?

Reason I ask is if your looking at newer stuff, like 2006-7 and up with alot of the finance rates and rebats sometimes it make more sence to look at new stuff.

wanting to spend 8-12k....cant afford anything very new...looks like 2000-2004 is in the range..will jst be hauling the race car with it...work is only 30 miles one way..plus we have a van that i drive for work , so mileage is not a big issue

Look into a new F-150, you be supprised at what they can tow and the cost per month vs a 8-10 Year old truck. Something in a 5.4L XL 2wd can be had in the low 20's depending on what you get in it and the can tow 10k no problem.

Low 20's sounds expensive untill you finance it, the used rates for finance ar sometimes double the rate.

dfree383 wrote:Look into a new F-150, you be supprised at what they can tow and the cost per month vs a 8-10 Year old truck. Something in a 5.4L XL 2wd can be had in the low 20's depending on what you get in it and the can tow 10k no problem.

Low 20's sounds expensive untill you finance it, the used rates for finance ar sometimes double the rate.

my credit is crap...the last 2 vehicle i bought was from carmart, they are a tad higher but i had good luck with them , no down payment, always went the extra mile for me etc..only owe 1400 on the van...manager is cool , will find what i want for the price i want to pay..etc..just have to decide what i want....leaning toward the 3/4 ton ford with 5.4 or v10

It was the 97-03 5.4 with the spark plug issues.
Justin

My daily driver is an 01 F250 V10. I love this truck. Gas milage is crap, got 11.6 last week and gets 10 pulling my open trailer and race car. Ive had it 5 years, was a bank re-po, only gave $8500. Been a helluva truck, never any major issues.

jcoxracing wrote:It was the 97-03 5.4 with the spark plug issues.
Justin

the blowing out of the head or breaking off in the head

here is some info for you on my 2006 Expedition with the 5.4 3 valve
https://www.429-460.com/t7603-spark-plug-hell?highlight=spark+plugs

its either a ford or a chevy 2500 HD with a 6.0 or 8.1

johndickjr wrote:

jcoxracing wrote:It was the 97-03 5.4 with the spark plug issues.
Justin

the blowing out of the head or breaking off in the head

The 06 motors are different from the 97-03. The older 5.4 (97-03) motors blow the plug right out of the cylinder head, and when doing so they de-thread the head. Usually it is the #3 and #4 head. They (Ford) says it is from customers not torquing the spark plugs correctly, however the 97-03 aluminum heads have only 4!!! threads holding the spark plug compared to 8 with the 03 and newer 5.4 heads.
Justin

Sorry it is usually the #3 or #4 plug.
Justin

how much of a towing difference is there in a truck with the same motor..say a 5.4 ..but one in a 1/2 the other a 3/4 ton ? the 1/2 ton trucks are more in my price range...if i pull a trailer and car that weight 5500 will it be worth it for a 3/4 ton..anything will be a huge up grade right now my truck--trailer car weight just over 11,000 pounds its a 4.2 v6 1/2 ton truck

I pulled my 24 ft enclosed car trailer with my 3200 lb drag car, 4 wheeler, generator and tools with my 2000 Ford 150 ext cab 5.4 without any issues (except the rear end sag, but air shocks fixed it). The only reason I am getting rid of it is bigger family=bigger truck.

im scared ill get a truck that will blow the plug out and be stuck with a huge bill....the Chevy HD don't seem to have any issues other then crappy fuel mileage...at what mileage do the plugs usually blow out? or is it just when ever? what percentage do it?

The mileage varies. Installing a "big sert" in those heads are actually easier than it sounds, with the time sert kit. I can do it in about an hour if its #3 or #4.