I currently own a 01 f-150 2wd v6.... i am upgrading to a new truck. now my question is if i want to go with the 5.4l v8 in a f-250 will that just suck gas down like its nothing because its carrying around all that extra weight in a bigger truck.... or go with the f-150 5.4l v8 since its the same engine.... and i was thinking about doing some snow plowing and maybe a trailer hook-up for some lawn equip.... i am asking because my buddy said you'll get the same performance out of the engine, its just that the f250 is a lot heavier and its not worth it... your inputs.. thanks!

 

Back home i see alot of half tons for plowing, unless you need a super duty you should get the f150. if you need the super duty get the diesel or v10.

 

You shouldn't plow with a 1/2 ton truck, the front frame isn't built for it and on new F-150's, Ford will void your warranty if you plow with it. The BEST bet is upgrade to a 2011+ F-250 with a 6.2. If you are looking at earlier model years, the V-10 gets almost as good mileage as the 5.4. However, the 5.4 will pull a F-250 around, it just won't be very snappy. The 5.4 3 valve has more power than any engine from 20 years ago in any size pickup.

 

oh and by the way im looking at used ford trucks... whats your opinion on a good year and engine? i have about 9k to work with

 

**disclaimer we use older trucks for plowing i smh everytime i see a new truck with a plow on it.

OP, 9k should get you into a early 00-03 f150 with a 5.4l. i just bought my 05 back in june and paid 11k for it with 65k miles. This also depends on where you live, back in Michigan (where im from) trucks are cheaper than here in OK where i reside. You might squeak out a 04-05 with a 5.4l though.

 

yeah im from ohio so not much of a difference. But i think im going to go with the f-150... i hope to get an 03 or 04 with the 5.4l v8 4x4. maybe a lift kit and magnaflow

 

Big difference between those two, my dad has a 03 FX4 that he souped up (airraid intake, flowmasters, new tuner) and it pulls his 24' double deck boat around fine. When i went back in late june i pulled his boat with both trucks and mine was a lot smoother. this was before id did my Gotts mod, troyer custom tunes and maggie cat back. needless to say get the best truck you can with the funds availible. i wanted a FX4 terribly bad but settled on this because she was 3k cheaper than any FX4's i could find. F150 would be fine for lawncare business. back a few years ago my dad and i used a 97 ranger with a 5 spd and 4 banger pulling around a couple zero turn toros and weedwackers when he had that side business. never had a issue pulling around the gear with that truck. Ford tough for sure!

 

oh i see haha, now how do you feel about a body lift modification? worth it? or go suspension

 

my only gripe with Ford is that i can see part of the frame under the truck, i had a 07 ram with a hemi and the frame wasnt visible. Body lift IMHO would make this worse. if i were to do a lift i would go suspension but there are people with alot more knowledge than me on here and im sure you can find a answer in the suspension subforum. personally all i did to my truck (old pic in sig) is install a Rancho quick lift and new RS9000 shocks to give me the extra clearance up front to go down oil lease roads for my job. Plenty of clearance and a decent price. So far no complaints. I had a 90 GMC Sierra 2500HD I used for plowing and it had a body lift on it and i didnt like it.

 

as stated before, if you get the F-250 or larger the V-10 is the smallest motor you want



if you're planning on towing and plowing then don't even consider a half ton...

 

you want to plow, so that eliminates the body lift as a smart option...

 

troll CL for trucks with snow plows... you can find many cheapies, then spend your money on a decent truck. but no smaller than a 6.8 in your 3/4 ton. if you decide to buy an all around truck.