'03 Ford F-250 with V-10 gas engine

[Dmacman]

Hello fine people:
Tomorrow I go to look at a 2003 F-250 for sale. It has the 6.8 ltr V-10 gas engine with 425 lb ft torque and 165,000 miles.

It is 4wd and has many options that look attractive including off road package that will be helpful for my farm. After we buy a truck then we'll buy a Travel Trailer.

I would appreciate advice about the following:

1) Longevity and overall reliability of the Ford V-10 engine?
2) Truck has 35" tires and is lifted. Could this present issues in connecting Travel Trailer?

Thanks!

[DaveF-250SD]

No issues with my 04 V-10 whatsoever. The heads have 8 or 9 threads for the plugs beginning in '03, some sources say late 2002 as well. Dana 60 front axle standard starting in '02. I narrowed my choice to the '03 or '04, as I wanted the good heads, Dana 60 front, and leaf spring front suspension. The V-10 is a great power plant.

[colliehauler]

Dmacman wrote:
Thanks everyone! Many good replies with much good info. I decided not to purchase this '03 F-250 based upon the advise of my mechanic. There was just too much rust including on the drive train. Plus the issues with the Lift and the after market tires and wheels. As Grit Dog said, too many issues to pay later.

After driving it I do like the 6.8 liter V-10:) And I'll continue looking at more F-250's and maybe 350's if I can find the right price.

It might be worth your time to search Texas or any southern state for a truck. No salt on the roads. I would stay away from the coastal areas as well because of the salt issue.

[Grit_dog]

Not sure where east you are but if you're looking for 10-15 year old trucks and you're in a rust area, do yourself a favor and start looking outside the snow belt.
Even most well cared for vehicles in salt land are rusting from the inside out after 10 years.
That's tough though if you're relying on your local mech for advice.
Nothing wrong with a lifted truck but the chance of getting an old one that's not wrung out already is slim. Chance of getting a nice grampa truck that has been wiped with a diaper is slim, but IMO most importantly, the V10 will can't afford to lose much hp to unnecessary losses like wooly booger tires and a lift.
The gassers run best with small 16 and 17" tires that allow more rpms. Like gearing down for free!

[jerem0621]

V10's are great. I loved my V10 and will own another if we go back to a bigger camper.

Thanks!

[Dmacman]

Thanks everyone! Many good replies with much good info. I decided not to purchase this '03 F-250 based upon the advise of my mechanic. There was just too much rust including on the drive train. Plus the issues with the Lift and the after market tires and wheels. As Grit Dog said, too many issues to pay later.

After driving it I do like the 6.8 liter V-10:) And I'll continue looking at more F-250's and maybe 350's if I can find the right price.

[Grit_dog]

Buying a lifted truck for a tow rig is like gettin with a hot chick with a std. You look cool but you're gonna pay in more ways than one.

[carringb]

Big Katuna wrote:
Best to my knowledge the E series never got the three valve or the big trans.

Correct on the 3-valve.

TorqueShift came out in the E-series in '04 for the PSD and '05 for the V10. It was never offered with the V8 vans, but was optional with the V8 cutaways.

2016 E-series still have the V10 and now it is paired with the 6-speed TorqueShift.

[Wadcutter]

A friend had one. It would pass anything on the road except a gas station.
9 mpg, didn't matter if he was empty or pulling his 35 ft 5er.
My parents had a V-10 in a Class C one of the first years for that engine. 8 mpg was the best it would do.

[dodge_guy]

The V-10 never got cam phasers, so no can phaser issues. They did all end up being 3 valve which gave it a spark plug removal issue.

Either way the V-10 is a good motor. If driven moderately it is not the gas hog it is made out to be!

Let's put it this way. It would take 2 Hondas to do what the X can do so you take a fully loaded down Accord with 4 people and luggage that will get 30 mpg (you'll need 2 Accords to handle what the X can on its own). Divide 30mpg by 2 and you get 15 which is what 2 Accords will get!

[carringb]

colliehauler wrote:
Someone on the forum said Ford went back to the 2 valve version in Heavy Duty trucks that still use the motor. The 5 speed torque shift transmission would be nice.

The big trucks all have the 3-valve motor still. What they did was revise the power ratings. Torque went up slightly, and is available at a much lower RPM. However, the published HP is down to 320 HP, also a lower RPM. I'm pretty sure they had to re-rate them at a lower RPM to meet the new noise restrictions for MDT trucks. Ford had to do the same thing to the 6.2L in the cab-chassis trucks. Same motor, some output, lower numbers simply because its certified at a lower RPM.

[Big_Katuna]

Best to my knowledge the E series never got the three valve or the big trans.

[colliehauler]

htwheelz67 wrote:
v10's are gas pigs but they tow very well and are very reliable, I'll second 05 up, the 3v v10 is much better than the 2v version and you get the 5 speed trans. the ford v10 reliability is right up there with the 7.3 diesel, I even saw an airport shuttle van with almost 900k, but 250-400k+ is very common for the Ford V10 if maintained. Again its a gas pig, my 09 rarely gets over 12 mpg's hwy. But towing my 30 ft toyhauler 7-8 mpgs.

Doesn't the three valve motor use cam phasers? Someone on the forum said Ford went back to the 2 valve version in Heavy Duty trucks that still use the motor. The 5 speed torque shift transmission would be nice.

[dodge_guy]

With 35" tires does it still have the factory gears or did they replace them. You will want a minimum of 4.30`s with those tires, 4.56`s would be ideal.

As for longevity, no need to worry they go a long time upwards of 400k miles with no issues.

The spark plug problem was fixed in 02.

Gas mileage should be decent for what it is. I can get 14 (with 4.30`s) on the hwy. towing my 9200lb 11 1/2 foot tall trailer I get 8mpg. no its not a diesel but OK none the less.

Check the exhaust manifold bolts. they are a known failure. mine has 2 broken ones now that I will be fixing this winter.

At that mileage and with a lift check the front suspension. wheel bearings, ball joints, tie rod ends, etc.

Good luck!

[Dmacman]

Thank you all so much!