I am looking at replacing my 2004 F150 supercrew with a 5.4 and 123K. I am wanting to get a F250 or F350 supercrew. I think I will stay away from a diesel because of my driving habits. I live 2 miles from work and put approximately 5k miles a year on my truck. I use it for driving to work, hunting and pulling camper a few trips each summer....4 times this year so far. The camper is a 20 ultra lite that weighs about 4000lbs empty, more when loaded with our gear and water. I noticed on this latest trip that on some hills that were pretty long in distance, the truck seemed to struggle a bit. That's the big reason I want a bigger truck because I think we are going to look at a bigger camper down the road. I am also going to look at getting a cheap beater car to drive around and back and forth to work to keep miles off the truck.

Just looking for suggestions or comments. Like I said, I think a diesel is off the board. I'm just kind of torn between the 5.4 or V10. I found an 04 F350 supercrew dually with a v10. What do you think mpgs would be on city, hwy, towing? Wondering what the extra weight of the truck will effect it. What would the 5.4 compare to the v10 in like vehicles? Thanks in advance!

 

I have a 5.4 in my 250 and with the 4:30 gears I had installed it does a great job at pulling my fifth wheel which comes in about 10,000 pounds. If I were looking again for a replacement though I would probably look for a V10 only because you get the extra power and it really doesn't do any worse on fuel. Personally I would look for a 2005 or newer because you get the 3v and a much better trans..

 

I would agree with Bigpipes. If you are looking at getting a new truck and looking at getting a bigger camper, an 05 or newer would be your best bet with either the 5.4 or the V-10. I am running a 2003 F-250 SC short bed with the 5.4/Manual Trans combination and 4.88 gears with 315/75/16 tires. The truck does fine towing a ~5500lb trailer over the mountain passes here in Colorado, but if I were going to be towing a larger trailer I would definitely want more engine than what I have. The 05+ 5.4 has higher ratings than the 04- V-10, but for regular towing I think you would be happier with the 05+ V-10. I really like my 5.4 the overwhelming majority of the time, but there is something left to be desired when you strap another 5k+lbs on behind it.

 

I have a 2004 F350 with 5.4 and 4.30 gears and yes its fine 90% of the time in this trim but when I tow heavy over 6k the truck does it but a V10 would do it effortlessly. Like said above look for a 2005 up V10 and make sure it has 4.10 or 4.30 gears, dont even second look at 3.73 geared truck that was a mistake on Fords part

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had a 5.4 CC 4X4 SRW and not have 6.8 CC DRW. The performance and extra capability was a must have for me. MPG tanked on the 6.8, but I needed a larger truck.

other issues is higher tolls, and in some state higher registration costs.

 

2005+ in either engine has the 3v motor with variable valve timing and lot more power. I would go with what truck you find in the best condition and price.

 

I'd go with which ever you find a good deal on. The towing you're doing is no sweat for the 5.4 unless you're planning on getting a huge camper in the future, in which case a diesel may be more appropriate.

I suppose it would be nice to have a little more power with the V-10, but I found a deal I couldn't refuse on mine with the 5.4. I've towed 10,000 lbs with it, which really was no problem at all.

I would definitely look for an 05 or newer. Not only do you get the more powerful 3V engine, you also get a much better transmission, stronger frame, and better brakes...all of which are more important for towing than horsepower.

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Oh yeah, 2005 has coil spring front end with 5' shorter turning radius. Oh, and upfitter switches too.

And yes, I went 5.4 because the truck I just bought is 9 years old and looks like it's a year old. Of course I'm researching V10 swaps, haha, but I'm going to leave it alone.

 

And integrated trailer brake controller, I forgot about that one.

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While 4.30 gears and a 3 valve 5.4/6.8 are better than the older 2 valve platforms I'm not afraid to hook to any trailer on a regular basis. I'm 3.73 geared. Live in Ohio with little to moderate hills. In the mountain states 4.30 gears would be my choice. Actually they are a wish now just because. LOL!!!!

 

A 3/4 ton with a 5.4 is not going to have more power than your half ton with the same motor.

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This is a good point, but as noted there are several other factors that will make the 3/4 ton tow better than the 1/2 ton. It is important for the OP to note that he already has the 3V 5.4 in his 2004 F-150.

 

And one very BIG factor that will make it tow worse: Weight. The OP's truck probably weighs around 5,500 lbs; a comparable Super Duty will weigh between 7-7,500 lbs.

The OP's truck has a relatively ancient 4R75E; there will be a noticeable improvement towing with the much better 5R110 found behind all engines from 2005-2010. Trading his 2004 F150 for a pre-'05 5.4L truck would be a step in the wrong direction IMHO. And yes, I've towed heavy things with half-tons as well as Super Duties.

 

I've had 2 04 F150s with the 3v 5.4 and 2 2v V10s and now a 3v v10. The first 3v f150 was a reg cab 2wd with 3.73s and that would have kept up with the 3.73 geared excursion 4x4 when pulling. The 2nd f150 was a crew cab 4x4 with 3.55s and that was a dog compared to the 3.73 geared excursion. The 2nd 2v v10 was an 01 reg cab f250 with 3.73s and it would have eaten the 2 F150s for breakfast. The 3v v10 is in a league of its own mainly because of the transmission and the 4.30 gears. The 04 f150 may have the 3v 5.4, but it has a turd of a 4 speed transmission, the 4R75E, that was its main let down.

The 04-08 F150s are not exactly light, the crewcabs are probably over 6000 lbs. Not superduty weight, but enough to matter. I remember Ford was proud in 09 for dropping like 500 lbs, and still ended up being the heaviest half ton out there...

MPG wise, the 2wd reg cab F150 obviously did the best but the crew cab f150 did only about 1mpg better around town than the excursion, but highway it did about 2-3 better. For how much that truck struggled to get out of its own way, the excursion would have ran circles around it and was much happier when towing.

My advice to the OP, if you can swing it, 05+ v10 with 4.30s. If you need further convincing:

PickupTruck.Com - Part 1: 2007 PickupTruck.com Heavy Duty Shootout

Look at the diesel vs gas comparisons.

 

Thanks for the wealth of info guys....now just need to decide. Sounds like an 05 and up 5.4 or v10 will be the ticket. Anything pre 05, and I'll stick with a v10.