I'm in the market for a new truck and been looking around for a halfway decent 2500 in my $3k price range when i came across what seems to be a good looking V10. Downside is that she's a 96 and has 193k miles on her. Personally I've ever owned one(or a 5.9V8 for that fact), been driving a 5.2 for a long while now but i've bottomed her out on more then one occasion so i need to step it up a notch. I don't do a lot of towing save a dump trailer maybe a few times a month but I do haul a lot, wood, brick, ect.(im in constuction.) The 360's in my range are all around 165k miles and from what i've gathered they only avg 13 or so mpg compared to the 10mpg for the V10(please correct me if im wrong). If that's the case then mpg difference isn't a concern. Now if we was talking 16mpg to 10mpg i might think twice, but my 5.2 don't even get that! im not trying to soup her up or anything, just want something to last awhile, maybe a 100k mi or so. So the lack of aftermaket isn't a concern either. Just looking for another opinion, what do y'all think. 5.9v8 or V10? $2k for the truck by the way.

 

uhhhhh 3k for a cummins is awfully low. somethings about to go. but what do I know lol.

 

sorry, should probaly clarify, im looking at the v8 5.9. bout to edit it now.

 

Who said cummings? He said 360 witch usually means the magum. The V10 is 488 cubic inches! When i was looking at trucks a diesel would have been nice but at the time they ran 25K and up. The V10 used to much gas(from users on the forums) so the 360 it was. Depends on how you use the truck and miles you drive. I think the average for the V10 is lower but i'm sure you will hear from some users with them.

 

your right. I was confusing it with the 12v. carry on.

 

I average 20k miles a year and have a full bed(heavy 1/2ton with the 1500) probably three times a week, give or take. And i don't hot rod my trucks! (Well maybe once in a blue moon!)

 

Well, just got some more pics of the truck and the frames def seen its better days! so i think im going with the 360! But id still like to hear yalls inputs.

 

I have a 98 with the V-10. Stump-pulling torque, plenty of power, much more responsive. Far superior engine than the 360 in my 96.... except for the gas mileage....... But, it will pull whatever I put behind it it, without a problem. (12 foot dump trailer full o' dirt, for instance) You don't need the right tires to pull the house off the foundation. Pass anything but a gas station. Most come with the 34 gallon tank, even on the short-beds. Mainly because... it needs it to have decent range.

I love everything about it, except it being so thirsty. Given my choice, I would go for the 8 liter again. I am addicted to the smooth power delivery......

 

yeah, from all the googling ive been doin it seems like the clear choice between the two and if it wasnt for the frame id probably go with it! How many miles have you gotten it upto? I managed to get my 318 from 150k to320k with just a water pump, alt replacement and radiator + a few hoses and tune ups(engine wise anyways!),still runnin like a champ! Id expect the same for the 360(almost identical if im not mistaking). Are the V10's typically long lived motors?

 

Yeah, run from that truck!

V10 is awesome but there's really no aftermarket for it (much less than V8 anyway) if that's your thing.

The 5.2 and 5.9 are so close in power (15hp) that either one will pull/haul whatever you like. Might consider beefing up a 5.9 to haul better like gears, bags in the rear, etc. But if you feel the 5.2 isn't up to the task, neither will the 5.9.