Has anyone had experience downsizing from a diesel to an 05 or 06 F150? I have had a 97 F250 powerstroke for 10 years w/ 258k miles and operating costs especially fuel (+.80/gal v. gas) are killing me. It's a work truck, usually loaded with tools so power is important but I really need to cut expenses. Any thoughts, experiences, recommendations would be appreciated.

Skip

 

i'm not a previous diesel owner, but i can vouch for the F150. i have an '08 with the 5.4 and its a very capable truck. i often have 600lbs of tools in the bed, sometimes tow a trailer with materials probably in the 3500-4000# range and there's never a problem with that. good luck!!

 

I'm a former diesel owner who has downgraded to a gas engine. Actually, downgraded isn't the right word in this case. I used to drive a 93 F-250 with the 7.3L IDI (read: Non turbo diesel, read: worse mileage than a powerstroke), and I currently drive an 08 F-150 with the 5.4L.
Looking at the towing capacities, mileage differences, and reliability, my new F-150 has been great if not better than my old diesel.
I have tons of power to tow around a 6000# trailer full of tools, the mileage is still better than in my old diesel (about 4-5 mpg better while towing), and it just feels like a nicer ride.
On the plus side, gas in now cheaper (for now), and a new truck just feels great.

In your case, I would suggest getting an 06 f-150 with the 5.4L engine and the 3.73LS rear-end. It's easily enough to tow with, and get better mileage.

That's just my two cents though.

 

I'm not a former diesel owner, but I have an uncle who is. Based on his experiences with his 2007 F150 XLT 5.4 it was a good change for him.

Except for one thing, after owning several trucks with diesel motors in them most of his 60 plus years. And having a few 12 ounce curls after a long day of work. Filling up and running your new 2007 F150 5.4 with diesel doesn't do the truck good.

It cost him; $500.00 deductable and countless years of abuse from his family and friends.

 

Not a diesel owner but, I had a 2006 F250 Crew Cab and bought a 2008 F150 CC 4x4. I like the F150 but, the 250 even your old body style F250 really have a heavy duty feel to them that the F150's do not. I feel the 97-08 F150 springs and axles are a bit small for day to day heavy loads and the 04-08 4spd auto suck compared to the 5 spd torqueshift transmission found on all 05 - current super duty trucks. I say my F150 is a 4x4 Crown Victoria (just kidding). Why not look at a gas super duty? Lose the expense of diesel and keep the workability of a heavy duty truck.

 

jOSHN,

Thanks for your input. That's the way I'm leaning. We tow snowmobiles so towing capacity is important. I am concerned about the spark plug issues with the 5.4, but will get the plugs changed out before I take delivery.

Skip

 

Crabhab,

Thought of a gas super duty but figure the MPG would be better with the F150. I use my truck for tools and materials, not gravel or heavy cargo.

Thanks for your input. Skip

ps - I have a Crown Vic (ex-cop car) and love it!

 

Unless you regularly carry heavy loads, say in excess of 1500 pounds, or tow loads regualrly over say 8,000 pounds, the F150 is great.

I love my 2007 supercrew, with 6.5 foot box and 4x4, its got the 5.4 motor and does very well as a daily driver, hauler, tower.

 

i think a '04-'08 F150 with the tow package will fit your bill quite well...

 

Mileage is not as far off as one might think. My 06 (2wd but 1000 pounds heavier) got 14.5mpg empty day to day driving. My 08 gets 16mpg empty (has a fiberglass Leer top) The torqshift transmission is the cincher. Give it a chance try; out a superduty 05- current if you work a truck hard. I have an office job and just wanted a 4wd for the beach and to tow my 5500 lb travel trailer 10 times a year. BTW my F150 (I know it has the smaller 4.6) cannot pull my travel trailer in Over Drive on level ground. Superduty would pull it no problem.

 

What gears do you have?

My 2007 F150 would not even work hard at all, to tow 5500 pounds on flat ground.

I tow 8500 with mine, and its fine on flat ground, although it does have to spin some revs and work when I get to a steep hill towing it.

I have 3.73 gears, 4x4 with 5.4 motor

 

I have 3.73 gears, crew cab, 4.6, F150. I think the key is the 4.6 people with the 5.4 are alot happier with the tow performance. My owners maunal is showing 6600 pounds as max trailer weight. My superduty was only like 9600 pounds trailer rating with the 5.4 and 3.73 gears It sounds to me like this guy works his truck therefore the recommendation for the superduty.

 

I have never owner the 4.6 in a truck ,so cannot say first hand.

Sounds like it just lacks the torque required.

I am very impressed what my 5.4 pulls like.

 

i had the 4.6 in my '02 s'crew 2wd. it was a great truck, i love that engine, but its not a towing engine. the same 3500# load behind my 5.4 vs the 4.6 is an uncomparible difference.

 

Some more insight that I can give, I had a 99 F-250, with the 5.4L engine. The mileage was terrible. Towing with it was the exact same it was with my 97 F-150 with the 4.6L.
Not to mention that I had to deal with the wonderful spark plug popping issue on that engine.
I would not recommend a super duty with a gas engine. Why pay more money to get a heavier truck with the same capabilities as the F-150?

And as for the 4.6L engine. Like I said, my 97 had one, and to this day it was still the best truck I owned. I managed to tack on 350,000 kilometers (roughly 186,411 miles) in 2 years. I towed a lot with it, and it towed great. I towed roughly 7000lbs + from Houston Texas up to Canada, and I never had an issue. I removed stuck vehicles from the local mud pits without a problem. And the truck only had 2 major (not really major) repairs that needed to be done. 1. The alternator died driving through a heat wave in Kansas (250,000 kms into it's life) 2. The rear diff. had started to pop and was on the verge of locking up. (300,000kms into it's life)

So if somehow Ford managed to make the 4.6L engine worse than before, it's a great engine. It can actually tow.