I don't personally advocate chipping anything. I've gotten hundreds of thousands of reliable hardworking miles from my bone stock fords.

Additionally, IMHO you can't go wrong with any super duty setup right now. These trucks are built to take a beating and many do.

Welcome to FTE. I hope you stick around and find a Ford that meets your needs.

 

I have an '08 6.4l diesel. I use it as my "daily driver" as I can only afford one vehicle. Based on my use, I probably should have gotten the V10, but fortunately (?) my daily commute is 50 miles round-trip, most of it on the freeway at 65, so it gets a pretty good workout. I tow my toyhauler with it about once a month (I wish it were more, but work keeps getting in the way of fun). However, I don't regret going with the diesel at all. From what I've read, I probably get about the same mileage in it as I would have a V10. Oh, and when I bought mine (Oct 08), the dealer had prices slashed on in-stock models...and the only V10 on the lot was a King Ranch they would have let go for 39K. A geat price, but my diesel was only 33K. So that made a big diffeence too...

Oh, and don't worry, we won't hurt you...maybe say bad things about you if you don't buy a Ford, but no physical harm...

 

Another V10 owner here. I think both the diesels and the V10 would be a great all-around truck, but one look under the hood of a modern diesel should indicate that it's waaaaay too expensive under there. When something goes wrong, it won't be cheap or easy and if it's off warranty, you get to pay for it. All of it. I love the simplicity of the V10, the horsepower is great, it's quiet and in all honesty, the mileage isn't THAT bad. I get 12+ on a mix of highway/city driving and 15+ freeway only. My 5.7 Suburban doesn't get that good of MPG and has been much less relaible to boot.

 

V10 all the way! or get a 2011 with Ford's new 6.7 diesel.

 

For tuning so far I think the SCT 5 star tunes are what a lot of people here use. I suggest going to that V10 forums and asking those guys.
Modular V10 (6.8l) - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums

 

I agree with the consensus here: If you need to haul a heavy load regularly, go with a PSD; if not, get the V10. The V10 is so quite and smooth that when I first got it, my wife would get in it and would be suprized when i would drive off, because she didn't think the engine was running yet. I use mine for mostly for long trips on the interstate loaded with the tribe and their camping gear. Excellent truck on long trips; roomy, quite, good A/C, and stomp the gas at 70 mph, and it'll kick down a gear and take off like a shot. I have occationally hauled loads (~8000 lbs rented loader, a ton of gravel, etc.) up the mountain here, and it did so effortlessly. I can't comment on reliability of the PSD here as I have no experience with them, but my V10 (and the entire truck) has had zero problems.

--> 2005 XLT crew V10 SB 4x2

 

Go with the V10, you will love it.
I tow all the time and Mine is great.

5 Star is the best, I would get a tuner from Mike.

 

But there isn't a way around the tightness of the engine in the cab.