Why must we ALWAYS trail in HP!

[BrianA]

Reasonable answer. Thanks.
But I guess, in a way, it's kinda' sad if hp is THAT important. There is so much more to owing a vehicle.
The reliability and build quality of my 2 F150s have me prefering Ford trucks over the competition.

[NoMo]

Originally Posted by Ryan50hrl

... you'll never use 380 hp at 6000 rpm towing a camper

I think you'd retract the above statement if you were to drop down to the V10 forum where people actually tow heavy loads and ask what RPMs V10-powered trucks and RVs see.

Originally Posted by Ryan50hrl

... but gm's having all kinds of problems with their 4wd system.

Please point me to instances of "all kinds of problems" with GM's 4WD system. I hang out on the more popular GM truck and SUV forums (I own one of each) and have not experienced nor heard of any problems. I think many of us would like to know what kind of problems to expect and when to expect them.

[150ford]

I think this power issue has gotten way out off control really. Gosh these are half ton turcks not meant to pull huge loads. If you want something to do that you get a superduty. They you worry about power. Do you guys realize lots off those have the same 5.4 that in the half tons an get along great. I think think this power thing has been way over done. GMs new generation trucks are have lots off fuel mileage issues from the forms I visited. Actually getting much worse then the previous generation by far. But they do have more power. Oh well. Frankly I believe fuel mileage should be priority one on any truck improvement. But there must be lots more richer people around then I am. Fuel is expensive anymore. One big reason truck sales have tanked. That an the housing market has put a big dent in truck sales this past year. Not one person has mentioned that better mileage out off there trucks is important thing in a new truck. All they want is more power.Then people gripe about the fuel prices. These trucks are not dragsters. There a truck a half ton truck. Not made to be used like a superduty. Heres my message for Ford get better fuel mileage not more power. Hopefully the new diesel will accomplish that purpose

[fonefiddy]

I wonder what Joe consumer would buy.
Standing there, looking at two trucks.
One has a 400HP engine, and gets 12/16 MPG.
The other has 270 HP and gets 21/25 MPG

[150ford]

That would be easy. The one with better gas mileage. I used to have a 300 six in my truck years ago with out fuel injection. It had plenty off power. Todays current trucks power ratings are fine with me. Like I said half ton trucks arnt supposed to be speed demons. My descision in buying a new truck is not power based its more on what the truck can do for me in other ways. Personally I always thought Ford had the best built trucks on the road today. They just hold up best for the long haul with the least problems.

[mbogosia]

Guys we have to remember that if Ford comes out with a diesel for the F150 it could overlap the f150 and f250 and just move sales from one model to the other. I am sure that is a consideration when deciding how much power to give the 1/2 ton.

[fonefiddy]

Lets go one step further

Joe consumer is standing on the lot looking at 3 F150's

One has a 270 HP engine, gets 21/25 MPG
One has a 400 HP engine, gets 12/16 MPG, the price tag reads +$800 for the engine
One has a 260 HP diesel engine, gets 25/29 MPG, the price tag reads +$1800 for the engine.

What is Joe consumer going to do?

[dwrestle]

He's gonna get on the internet and see what kind of gas mileage the trucks are really getting, and if the stickers are right he's gonna buy the 270 HP gas motor because thats great mileage without the hassle and price of a diesel, and the diesel fuel.

The Hemi is olny 345 HP that one horse per cubic inch and 375 TQ, I don't know where you guys are getting 380 and 400, the 6.1 liter(car engine only and rightfully so) has around 420 HP 420 TQ and it's way over 6000 RPM yeah that really useful. The Toyota has impressive power but I doubt it will pull the 6.0 Chevy(not near as much power as it should have for the size), or the 5.4 Ford the two best half ton pulling motors out.
I doubt that a Chevy 5.3 would out pull a 5.4 Ford in any configuration, the Ford is a heavier better built truck with a lot longer stroke engine, and it would have to have 4.10's or lower to out pull a 3.55 Ford, and yes the transmissions in the Chevy's are better.

Pushrods are great but you can't argue with numbers man, OHC engines have better power. Look at Dodge's verry impressive(unlike the Hemi) 4.7 302 HP and 329 TQ(not sure on the RPM but I bet the Torque is still under 4500 RPM), thats 64.25 HP per liter whereas the 5.7 has 60.53 HP per liter, they should just stroke the 4.7 and drop the Hemi because it sucks. I can't think of very many engines that are OHV that put out as much power as OHC engines.

As far as power goes it's nice to have but I was happy with my 210 HP 320 TQ 351 Windsor, and that truck would haul ass too. As far as half tons go you don't need anymore than 250 HP and 350 TQ, and it needs to be way lower than 6000 RPM.

[builtfordtough13]

dwrestle just to let you know dodge for the the 09 Ram bumped the power to 380 hp and 404 ft lbs of torque. I will say it again, the main reason I want that much power is because, hp sells and that would really help out Ford and my dads work.

[150ford]

Nah I know what it is. You come to a stoplight an the Dodge guy next to you come on Ford boy lets go. He beats you to the next red light an you say man I cant stand it. I got to get a Dodge. Hey now thats waht it really is all about. Its the muscletruck wars. Believe me we dont want to think it happens but it does. I have been guilty off it myself. There was this one day this Dodge was behind me. It was one off those hemis. Off course I had my power storke diesel. He thought he was so hot. We were on the highway an I seen him behind me an gaining on me. So I kept going faster an faster. He did too. Then we got to a light on the open highway an man I put the Ford whoppin on him.This was late at night so no traffic anywhere but I polished him off. Hey I dont have that blueoval in the back off my window for nothing. Im proud off my Ford an I want to make sure that it beats anything on the road.. Mind you this was about 5 years ago. Hey I think differentyl now but still think this goes on more then you think. But really trucks arnt dragsters. Be want to think they are.

[fonefiddy]

When Fuel prices reach $3.50/4.00 consistantly. How many peeps do you think are going to buying into the Hemi Ram?

The days of HP selling vehicles is just about done. Soon, peeps are going to look at efficiency, more than just the HP/Tq numbers

I run a small business and the cost of fuel is of great importance to me. As it is with most consumers. Running 3 trucks 30K miles a year, adds up quickly.

[150ford]

Exactly any savings on fuel for a business that depends on trucks can be huge. Could be the difference between profit an loss.

[SMIGGS]

Originally Posted by fonefiddy

Lets go one step further

Joe consumer is standing on the lot looking at 3 F150's

One has a 270 HP engine, gets 21/25 MPG
One has a 400 HP engine, gets 12/16 MPG, the price tag reads +$800 for the engine
One has a 260 HP diesel engine, gets 25/29 MPG, the price tag reads +$1800 for the engine.

What is Joe consumer going to do?

Who knows? That's the problem, NOBODY knows what Joe consumer is going to do. If one manufacturer had that figured out, they would have the truck market by the short and curlies.

[SMIGGS]

Originally Posted by fonefiddy

When Fuel prices reach $3.50/4.00 consistantly. How many peeps do you think are going to buying into the Hemi Ram?.

How many peeps are going to buy a Ford or Chevy? They ( manufacturers ) are all in the same boat.

Originally Posted by fonefiddy

I run a small business and the cost of fuel is of great importance to me. As it is with most consumers. Running 3 trucks 30K miles a year, adds up quickly.

I most cases the rise in your operational costs (fuel) will get passed on to the consumer correct? Some business are always going to need trucks.

[150ford]

Well if your in agriculture like me farmers cant pass the cost to the consumer. They take what the market gives them. Trouble is consumer spending is way down. Mainly due to fuel prices. Manufacturing is down as well. All in all the fuel is the biggest inflation factor we have right now. It drives the whole economy. Maybe we will have solar trucks some day or hydrogen powered vehicles. Who noes it could happen.