OK Superduty owners. The 5.4L F-150 & Expedition owners swear the 5.4L walks on water in their trucks. So, I've gotta ask~ how does the 5.4L handle the girth of the F-250 CrewCab.

I'd been thinking of gettign one, but I don't need the full capability of a SuperDuty- I just like the look; I don't want a snail either, so I ask you-

Is the 5.4L in the SuperDuty enough engine? Oddly, EVERY SD the local dealerships have is he Diesel, and I'm not sold on owning a diesel.

 

Bighersh - I asked the same thing a few weeks ago as my brother was looking to buy an 03 250/350 crew cab.... since he was looking for an 03, the majority reccomendation was get the V10....just a little bit too much doubt to go with the 6.0 diesel. Almost everyone said NOT to get the 5.4L, particualry since the V10 is only $600 List more... (scroll through this forum for thread).

If you're getting an 04, you may do OK later on this year with the 6.0 diesel as they are supposedly fixing the errata....

 

Well I'm not a SD owner, but I may be soon.

I would say, you might want to check out the new 04' F-150's.
They have the new 3V 5.L motors, and the window belt line is identical to the F-250's.

My wife and I test drove an FX-4 ext. cab last night with the 5.4L, and I'll have to say, it is a quiet, tight truck!

No squeaks, or rattles, very nice interior!

Lots of looks BTW!!

Maybe this helps?

 

Bighersh,

I used to own a SuperCab F250 with the 5.4, and it was more than adequate for the truck itself. If you don't plan on doing a lot of towing/hauling on a somewhat continual basis, I would think that the 5.4 would do fine in a Crew Cab. However, as Mike pointed out, for the relatively small cost differential, it is well worth it IMHO to go with the V10 so you have the power if you ever need it.

Jeff

 

Bighersh

Here are my thoughts, the crew cab is a big truck, doesn't matter if it's the longbed or shortbed. Yes the 5.4 will move the truck along, especially if you don't plan to do any towing. However for the low cost of a $600 increase you get the V-10. People spend that much in a shiny FIPK and muffler to get more power so why not just do it bigger right out of the gate. The second part to this is the mileage is not much better with the 5.4 than it is the V-10. I get 13-14 MPG mixed city/hwy with mine and I drive it with a heavy foot. Mine is also a 4x4 longbed.

As far as getting an 04 F-150 that could be as dicey a gamble as buying the 6.0 diesel. Buying first year big changes is never a good thing. Yes they have made some body changes to the F-150 but park it side by side with a Superduty and it's still a F-150.

In the end it will be your truck so you must make that decision. Good Luck with your search

 

I recently traded in a 2001 F-150 with a 5.4L. I had added the FIPK and dual exhaust. Even with those mods, the truck really worked hard to tow my 26' travel trailer (6800lbs).

I towed the trailer about 250 miles on one trip earlier in the year. The 5.4L truck had to stay over 5000 RPM's the majority of the time. I know that I was crusing along at a pretty good clip... My fear was that the engine or tranny was going to go at any moment. Then there was the ridiculous crawl going up mountain passes towing the trailer.

I upgraded to the 03' F-250 with the 6L. As opposed to others, I have not had any problems. This truck was made to haul.

I would highly recommend not getting the F-250 with the 5.4, if you plan to do any towing or real work with the truck. IMHO the 5.4L should not even be offered in the 250.

 

I have a 2002 F-250 SD Crew Cab, Long Bed, 4x4, 5.4L, 3.73ls. I don't tow and never loaded the thing anywhere to it's capacity. And when I come close, it is only 1 or 2 times a year. I got it for the ability of 6 passengers and an 8' bed. I really use it as my "Home Depot Truck". My kids were getting too big for the back of my 1998 F-150 ext cab.

As for the 5.4L it's fine, but if you can get a V-10 I'd get it. When I bought mine there were no V-10's around. My the dealer said they only order the 5.4 and the diesels. He said they might only see one V-10 a month. They just pushed the diesels, to the guys who had to tow and were high mileage drivers. George K

 

I would assume the 2004 F250 SD would come with the 5.4L 300hp and 365 lbs of torque motor. The one with 3V. If it does
then I don't see how it would not be adequate for towing/hauling.
My old F250 HD with a 460 only had 245hp and 385 lbs of torque and it was a hauling and towing fool.

The smaller 5.4l almost meets the towing torque as it is only 5.2% less than the old 460 I had. Is their something I am missing.

I would think the new F250SD would still have the heavy transmission as the V10.

Just inquiring,
fknipfer

 

The new 5.4 may be adequate for towing purposes, but I stick with the idea that the old one just is not the best option for a truck this size. In towing my trailer (+/- 6800 lbs) I was working the motor to the extreme. My average fuel mileage was also only about 8 mpg.

Now, after trading in for a new 6L, I have had the opportunity to tow the same trailer. My truck pulls like no other, and my mileage has been 14 mpg on three trips.

I'm not bashing the 5.4L, but I feel that the V10 or diesel just makes more sense with the F-250. Even if you don't tow that often, you will have a more potent motor all the time. Your mileage will be much better on the highway with the diesel - saving some bucks. Let alone the savings at the pump: Diesel is going for about 1.60/gallon vs. 2.00 for gas.

Just my .02

 

Diesel here is $1.35..regular is $1.50...LP is .95 gal...

7.3 rules...

6L will work as well..

If going gas then the V10...

I have to agree with the 5.4 shouldn't be offered in a SUPER DUTY...

My opinion...

I dont think the SD is going to be 3V...Yet.....