Hi all,
We have an Expedition that's doing OK, but it's getting a little long in the tooth. We tow a small TT with it, around 5k lbs, which it handles OK.

We're thinking about replacing it next year (yeah, I know, way ahead of myself), and after some looking, it sure looks like a crew cab F250 XLT with a manual 6 spd and a 5.4 would cost less than an F150 XLT with the 5.4. Am I missing something? Wouldn't the 250 tow better due to the wheelbase alone?

I don't think we'd put enough miles on in a year to justify a diesel. If we did decide on an oil-burner it'd pretty much have to be a Cummins, so that's a non-starter.

Just thinking. Any opinions?


H

 

The 5.4L in an F250 is about the same as a 4.6L in an equivalent F150. It will get along, but don't expect very good performance from towing. For this reason I'm looking for another truck. I have a 4.6L and I pull an 18' trailer with a Ranger on it. If I have a good stretch of flat ground it takes 2-3 miles to get up to speed. If I hit hilly ground or head winds I can't hold speed. There is a very nice 00 F250 at the local dealership with a 5.4L which I looked at and decided not to buy it because it would put me in the same boat that I'm in now. Since you're looking at a crew cab you're going to really hate pulling with that truck. With a crew cab thats going to be pulling at any point I'd be looking at either a diesel or a V10. For pulling my trailer I'm looking at an F350 that has a CTD swapped in. Just pukes oil from the valve covers so not sure if its worth getting, but after driving it and seeing the power its got there is no comparison to my F150 or the F250 with the 5.4L (ext cab short box 4x4) that I drove.

 

I almost never have the pedal all the way down on the Expedition, and I'm not totally convinced that I'd need the power, 95% of the towing would be on reasonably level ground around the midwest.

The only time I've had real power complaints was while driving an 88 Ranger with a 2.3 around NM, pulling a 1000 lb trailer.

Mostly I was intrigued that a 250 can be had for less than a 150. The 150 only comes with the 5.5' bed, and the 250 shortbed has something like an extra 10" of wheelbase, plus you can get it in a stick.

That said, I was awfully glad to see the new F-150, it is a whole 'nother thing than that amorphous blob it replaces.

H

 

If you're dead set on getting an F250 with a 5.4L, especially a CC, I'd get a 6spd with 4.30 gears (don't go any lower than 4.10s). From what I've seen from most the trucks setup like that those that didn't have 4.10s wished they had them, and most with 4.10s wished they had 4.30s since they are the ones who try to pull.

 

I wouldn't buy a SD with the 5.4. I think it is unnderpowered for an SD. If you don't want the diesel ( God, how I love mine. Mine is a daily driver.), then get the V-10. I traded my 00 V-10, for this 04 CC, 4x4,FX4, Lariat, SB, loaded, power everything!

 

No, I'm not dead set on a 250 w/ a 5.4. Nor do I particularly want or need 4x4. My commute's short enough that I normally ride a bicycle to work and it would be awfully hard on a diesel.

If, after driving one, I feel as strongly about the 5.4 as most seem to, we'll probably go with brand D or the 150 but not the V-10.

Thanks again,

H