V10 or 7.3 power vs tundra 5.7

[woody0331]

So I've known for a long time that I'm riding heavy. I'm now in a better position to try and correct this. I currently have an 08 tundra 5.7 pullin a Dutchman rubicon 1905TH. (19' box, 25' tounge to bumper) Factory weight just around 5800 lbs so some where around 7-8k lbs. (Our toys are 2 bikes or 2 kayaks, no atvs). Factory tounge weight of 810lbs? So realistically actual tounge weight of 1k. We live in denver and our trips consist of just on the other side of the Eisenhower with a few 3-4 hr extended weekend trips into the mountains.
I'm considering an early 2000s v10 or 7.3 for their durability and longevity. But after looking in to the the power on the v10 and 7.3, they are not that much better and I would be dropping from a 6speed to a 4.
My tundra pulls the trailer ok up the the "Ike challenge course". Most of it I put it into 2nd gear, hold 4-4.2k rpm which yields 45mph.
How would the v10 or 7.3 compare in performance.
Keep in mind, I know the truck handling and suspension will be better in a 250/350 I'm more concerned with pulling.

[woody0331]

I agree with the cummins 5.9 suggestions, but those are impossible to find inexpensive without over 200k miles. The 2005 and up v10s are also holding there value as well.
DW and I are thinking of buying a "simple" bare bones or inexpensive camper hauler/second vehicle while putting more money into a family car/daily driver/ winter ski vehicle. Or I'd be looking at these newer trucks out there.

A lot of good suggestions I've recieved already. Thanks everybody.

[mudfuel07]

I would either look at the 7.3 or a 08-10 V10. Depends if you like the gas station or not. The 3 valve V10's had good power but could be thirsty. I would choose either of those over a Maxipad or Cumapart anyday!

[FishOnOne]

rhagfo wrote:

N-Trouble wrote:
Save up a few more pennies and pick up an early 200x Duramax or 5.9 Cummins. I don't think you would be to happy with either of your two current choices.

X2!!!!

If you are considering diesel look at all three, you can find a Dmax or Cummins in newer years that will knock your socks off.

why people think Ford is the only way to go is crazy.
Loyal Ford owner for 43 years, I chose to go with the Ram/Cummins for a Diesel. Never looked back.
Yes my Cummins has 280,000+ miles and is still towing strong, that is the beauty of a diesel.

I thought the same so we gave a 5.9 cummins RAM a try for our farm/ranch use. After constant phone calls of needing to foot the bill for a repair I finally decided to cut my losses and purchase another 7.3 PSD Super Duty. And this is from a long time GM owner.

BTW... My wallet is a witness to the above. :M

[John___Angela]

Powerdude wrote:

valhalla360 wrote:


Isn't the top of that pass around 11,000ft. With a naturally aspirated engine you lose something like 3-4% per 1000ft above sea level, so your current truck is probably putting out the power of a smart car near the top..

Now that's some funny stuff. :B

SmartCar 2014 is 70 hp.

The gassers are 70 HP. My diesel smart car is 44 HP. More torque though. 🙂

[rhagfo]

N-Trouble wrote:
Save up a few more pennies and pick up an early 200x Duramax or 5.9 Cummins. I don't think you would be to happy with either of your two current choices.

X2!!!!

If you are considering diesel look at all three, you can find a Dmax or Cummins in newer years that will knock your socks off.

why people think Ford is the only way to go is crazy.
Loyal Ford owner for 43 years, I chose to go with the Ram/Cummins for a Diesel. Never looked back.
Yes my Cummins has 280,000+ miles and is still towing strong, that is the beauty of a diesel.

[N-Trouble]

Save up a few more pennies and pick up an early 200x Duramax or 5.9 Cummins. I don't think you would be to happy with either of your two current choices.

[Kevin_O_]

If you want the V10 look at a 2005 and newer. They made 362hp/457tq

[Kevin_O_]

spadoctor wrote:
In 2000 the HP and torque of the V10 were higher then the 7.3....but you need to let it rev.

It made more Hp not torque. From 2000-2004 the V10 made 310hp/ 425tq. The 7.3L made 235hp/500tq. The key factor is the turbo diesel really wouldn't be affected with the high elevation like the naturally aspirated V10 would...

[Golden_HVAC]

Don't look at to early of a 7.3L, back in the early 90's they where not turbocharged.

I would pick the V10 if you are just using it to pull the trailer, and not putting more than 5,000 miles a year on the truck.

The oil changes are much more reasonable, and the truck overall is much lighter. Unless you are planning on finding a dually. The crewcab F-250 4X4 only had a 865 pound weight rating with the 7.3L engine in it! GVWR was only 8,800 pounds while the curb weight is nearly 8,000 pounds! The F-350 has only marginally more capacity, at 9,900 GVWR until MY 2004. In 2005, the GVWR of a SRW F-350 went up to 11,000 pounds for the gas engine and 11,500 pounds for the un-desirable 6L diesel engines.

So if you are looking for the V10, check out MY 2001 and later, with 2005 being the 'heavy duty' version with a LOT higher cargo rating. The F-250 in 2005 and later has a 10,000 GVWR, while 2004 and earlier is only 8,800 pounds. Gas engine is about 700 pounds less than the diesel.

GOod luck!

Fred.

[fla-gypsy]

A 2005 or later Ford F-250 6.8L V-10 (5sp) would make a nice improvement over your 2008 5.7L.

[12thgenusa]

woody0331 wrote:
My tundra pulls the trailer ok up the the "Ike challenge course". Most of it I put it into 2nd gear, hold 4-4.2k rpm which yields 45mph.

You need to let it go to third gear. I've pulled my 5er (8400 GVW) many times over that stretch of road at 60 mph, 3800 rpm. Coming up from the east side is a little slower since the road is a little more twisty on that side.

[spadoctor]

In 2000 the HP and torque of the V10 were higher then the 7.3....but you need to let it rev.

[Ivylog]

Try to find a 7.3 with a six speed manual transmission in the later years with 275 hp. The warm-up butterfly can be tricked into a very good exhaust brake. Makes for a great truck.

[jerem0621]

Sounds good, If your over then its time to think about upgrading. IMHO... I'd skip the V10 and go for the 7.3.

Not that the V10 is a bad motor..its great. I just think the 7.3 is better in your case with high elevation. I would skip 6.0's or 6.4's and stick to the 7.3.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[woody0331]

Thanks for the vote of confidence. I figured a turbo would help. I'm not looking at going much faster up the hill. Holding 55 comfortably would be nice. I just don't want to be going slower with an "upgrade" in trucks.
The 2 less gears and lower hp on paper really threw me off.
@ jerrimiah. I do like my tundra but my camper is real tounge heavy. I keep my payload as low as possible in the truck but I think I'm either over or don't have much room to spare. Either way, the bed is not really useful when towing. And I feel the truck is a little too squishy.