Hey guys! I have gone through a lot of posts and done a search and I can't really seem to find the info I'm looking for.


I'm looking at 2 trucks. One is an 05 Lariat crew cab with the 5.4 and the other is an XLT super cab with the V10. Both have 3.73 gears and are both 4wd. I guess my main concerns are the following:
-Is the 5.4 a decent engine power wise? I have a 2000 Excursion V10 that I love. I don't pull or haul anything so I'm assuming it'll be fine.
-Is the rear seat in a super cab roomy enough for a 4 year old in a car seat and 2 small teenagers? It won't be our primary family vehicle but a short test drive at the dealership isn't a really good test.

Just looking for opinions and real world experience. I'm leaning towards the V10 because of the cheaper purchase price and the engine but the crew cab would be better for the family.

I can't imagine putting more than 7-8,000 miles a year on it so fuel mileage doesn't concern me.

 

If it were me, i'd go for the V10. I have a 2006 5.4l f350 CC. It'll do the job, but it can be slow and struggle.

 

V10 in my opinion but I'm biased. I would think the back seat is fine for the young ones while they're still short.

 

I've been in favor of V10's since they came out. My 2000 V10 Excursion has a lot of torque so I gotta believe this 2005 will blow my mind. The CC is a Lariat so it has more bells and whistles. The CC would be better family wise but again, it won't be our primary family vehicle. My requirements are AC, auto and 4wd which both trucks have. The 6.8 is just the icing on the cake for me. It's also $3k cheaper so that makes it easier too.

Keep the opinions coming. I appreciate them.

 

Based on my experience, Idon't think so.

Unless the car seat is a booster seat style and very straight up-and-down style (right pic) it'll be a PITA to put behind the passenger seat. If we put a 3 y/o in what I'll call a car seat booster (left pic), where it's a booster seat but all one piece and kind of tilts back somewhat still, there's not enough leg room to put it behind the passenger's seat and leave reasonable room up front. Putting it in the middle is iffy, I have the flip up 40/20/40 console and it puts the console into their feet.

I'm a small guy at 5'9" and I don't like the rear leg room of a Super Cab, it sucks. When the wife/her friends get stuck in the back seat they complain incessantly about their knees being jammed up, and they're in the low 5' range. Hip room is fine for two, but two plus a seat is tight.

 

Booster seat for us. More like the pic on the right. Good info. Thank you. I'm only 5'9" but have found my Excursion doesn't have enough leg room. With that said, my seat is either all the way back, or with someone sitting behind me, I'm even more uncomfortable.

 

Yah supercab is tight imo too.

You mention you're not going to pull or haul anything with it. If that's the case than imo the 5.4 would be fine. You aren't gonna be winning any races or roasting the tires with it though.

 

I had a 99 heavy half ton F-250 with the 5.4 and the third suicide door. Had that truck up until the kids were about 8 and got divorced. The kids had plenty of room and I never had a problem putting the car seat in. Started with the car seat that clicked into a base then moved up to the forward facing kind that was never removed. I used to tow my parents hi-lo 20 foot camper and it did fine. If your not towing or even do the occasional U-haul type thing then the 5.4 is plenty. I think its basically a 330 cubic inch displacement. I've known several that have owned the V10 and weren't happy. I have never had a V10. Take time test driving both and getting kids in and out of both.

 

Super cab is a no-go, imo.

 

Go with the v10 you'll be happier in the end. I'm currently in a 2012 f250 4x4 extended cab my 6 and 12 year old fit back there but I wouldn't make a long trip with them in the back seat just not enough room. Around town they make it just fine but on a long trip I guarantee someone won't be happy. Go crew cab if you'll be making long runs with the kids.

 

I am a huge fan of the V10 but unless you need/want the power it seems the V8 is a fine motor, especially the 3 valve version.

Before I got my first crew cab my 3 kids were that same age. I test drove an extended cab with the 2 older ones in the back seat, but looked over my shoulder and envisioned picking them all up from school and then driving through McDonald's and their space suddenly shrunk in my mind to the size of a prius.

Been driving crew cabs ever since with no regrets!