Hello all!
I'm new here but have been reading hard for about the past two weeks . I recently bought an 2008 F250 Lariat 5.4l with 46,000 miles on it. It came with backup sensor, remote start and a nice stereo/ GPS Pioneer system. I traded my Expy, which I loved and towed my ~7,000# trailer just fine but knowing I was at or probably over payload make me nervous with the family on board. I haven't towed with it yet but am wondering will the 5.4 perform close to the same or not? I've read a lot of the negative feed back about the 5.4 in the F250, so I guess I'm hoping for a little good feedback on them. To be honest, I bought the truck 5 days ago and it has been in the shop 4 of those days getting the left upper and lower ball joints replaced, steering damper replaced, collapsed brake hose replaced and a air bag sensor! I know right!! What the hell?!? I guess if there is good news.. I talked them, well harassed them to buy 4 new tires on which we all know isn't cheap! This is all being fixed at their expense but as you can see I'm trying to find a light at the end of the tunnel! So bring on the good stories... Please!

 

Sorry for got a few things. I do have the 3:73 Axle ratio which I feel is going to be fine because I only tow during camping season which is end of may til September here in WNY. So about 10 or so trips a season. It's manual 4 wheel drive( which I didn't even know they still made) but don't really see much disadvantage there. Stock tires and no mods but maybe soon when I get the extra flow.

 

forget the naysayers and go out and enjoy your new truck...once they fix it and you get those new tires.

I've had 2 of the 5.4 3v motors (2006 F-150 and 2008 Expy EL) and I love that motor. It makes 80% of torque at 1,000 rpm. very capable motor. Especially behind the 5 speed transmission your truck has.

the 5.4 3v isn't a race horse. it will do the job you want without major drama though. just put your foot down on the hills and let her rip. your MPG might suffer, but she'll get you there and back no problems.


pics? Welcome to FTE. hang out awhile and hide your wallet.

 

Thanks for the reply! I'm not expecting to win races, just wanna be comfortable making it to the finish line! I'm not worried about miles per gallon as my 07 Expy got about 8-10 mpg when towing. My goal is just have a capable and safe ride for the family and I and look good doing it! Def gonna wait to see if she can tow just fine with no mods, if so then she is staying as she rolled out of the plant!

 

My 2007 5.4L regularly tows in excess of 8000 pounds without missing a beat.

 

I have a 2010 F-250, CC, 5.4l, Torqshift, 4:10LS. I bought it new. And have since towed a 7,500 lb. TT, with the truck bed fully loaded, all over the eastern seaboard and into Canada. We live in western PA and travel the Alleghenies regularly towing the TT. Blue Ridge mountains and other eastern states mountains too. The truck and engine have performed flawlessly. The truck is a rock solid tow vehicle on the highway. In fact I'm typing this reply from a CG on the Outer Banks having recently traveled the PA Turnpike, I95 and such easily at speed and passing when I so chose without drama. Flat terrain and mountainous. My truck does have the 4:10 gears which help out, no doubt. I've found the truck gets the best towing mpg at around 62 mph.

Enjoy your new truck. Its a good truck for the use you describe. Forget all the "engine is screaming and ready to blow" comments as the 5.4l, like many new gas engines including the V-10, make their power in the higher rpm range, just as they're engineered to do. And they'll do it all day long for many years and miles with nothing more than routine maintenance. However, unless we're on some steep, long climbs I'm rarely above 4,000 rpm for long. Regardless, some don't care for that and that's fine too. And very heavy, routine towing may dictate other engine choices. Personally, I enjoy the sound of a gas V-8 making power.

Relax and have fun with your truck.

Hope this helps.

 

Most of the complaints about the 5.4 are the mpg/power when towing at 10k + lbs. Some people's expectations are just unrealistic. We had one that gave us 100k trouble free miles... Enjoy your new truck.

 

I'm at 100,000 miles and have had nothing ever go wrong on my 5.4!! It tows anything and everyting most of the time it does'nt even know anything is back there!!.

 

250 did you get it from Pioneer Auto in Avon? I have the same rig. So just ask. Once I worked the kinks out of mine its been good so far. Do yourself a favor and rip the foam out of the rear wheel wells and soak it down with something fluid film or take it to Ziebart. Still cant believe they actually thought this was a good idea. The engineer is hopefully out of work or at min got his hand slapped...but they've been doing this for 12, 13, 14 years! And running. Thats my biggest complaint.

 

I got my truck from Towne Mazda in Orchard Park, it was a trade in. Why do you ask if I got it in Avon? I suppose it may have come from there at some point. It's white, tan leather interior. Looks like it may have had maybe an electric cover on the bed cause their are wires ran to the bed. And everyone else, thanks it good to hear the good about these trucks but its usually the complaints that are usually posted!

 

Checked car fax and monitor was not from Avon. It's been around this area during its short lifetime.

 

Here is the key to towing with a 5.4L 3V engine.

Activate Tow/Haul mode. Put the transmission in Drive. Leave it there. Let the transmission decide on what gear it needs. Don't worry about RPMs. You will not over-rev the engine, it will not overheat from climbing a mountain pass in third gear at 4000 RPM. This will not damage anything.

A lot of guys will back out of the throttle, thinking the engine or transmission can't take it. The 5.4L can take the abuse.

 

Thanks again Redford for the advice! I will definitely let the engine work. I know this isn't the mechanics forum but since I'm here...... I got my truck back after the repairs and it seems better but still seems to be play in the steer and as responsive as I would think it should be. Aside from the steering damper, upper and lower left ball joints, brake hose and new tires, they also said they checked the steering box and it was fine. I know if I bring it back to the dealer they will say its fine or normal so I'm looking for a little info on what else it maybe!? Tie rods? Right upper and lower ball joints?

 

What symptoms are you experiencing when you drive the truck?

 

remember that you now have a truck with a live axle up front. no more IFS like your Expy was

the live axle just cannot and will not drive as nice and tight as you are probably used to. even with brand new components everywhere, there will be some slop. still, it doesn't hurt to check into the looseness

what symptoms are you seeing/feeling?