help in buying F250, different 5.4 gearing
 

I have a choice in buying a new 2006 F250 S/C 4x4 with 5.4 and 4.10 axle & 5 speed auto, or 2006 F250 S/C 4x4 with 5.4 and 3.73 axle & ZF 6 speed manual.

Which would have better throttle responce up hill at 65mph, the manual or the auto? Also, how long would each engine hold up in miles. Mostly highway, with light load.

How does this motor also compare to the 6.8 V10 with 4.30 gearing?

From what I've been told, the 5.4 will last just as long as the V10, over 200K miles if it's maintained properly, and even longer than that if you take good care of it.

The lower gear will always work better, auto or manual. Automatics nowadays lockup the torque converter most of the time, so any difference in performance is negligible. And the extra gear will help anyway.

One thing about the Ford modulars, they don't really care much about the gearing (within reason), in terms of MPGs. So don't let the 4.10's scare you... ;)

The V10 with 4.30's will pull like a diesel (or close to it). It doesn't sound like you need that... but they ARE fun to drive!

I've heard people complain that the 5.4 in an almost 7000lb truck is underpowered, and with the hills I have in this area on I84, I don't want this truck going in and out of over drive, yet at the same time the V10 with 4.30 would eat way more gas than a V8 with 4.10, right?

With the Auto and 3.73 gears it is underpowered, slightly. Once you get the motor into an efficient spot, fuel mileage would be the same. I have a couple of customers who have identical trucks to mine except they have 4.11 gears and they are getting 3mpg better than me. So my gears/tires are extremely inefficient.

So with the 4.30, the engine doesn't have to work as hard as it would with the 4.10. Displacement will make some difference in mileage, but it shouldn't be huge. Your right foot will be the main factor in mileage either way you go.

Loaded, the 5.4 w/4.10's will probably get WORSE gas mileage than the V10 w/4.30's.

Unloaded, the V10 MIGHT be 1MPG less than the 5.4, but not usually, especially in the same exact truck.

It's been said over and over on this site, that the 5.4 gets the same MPGs as the V10 in the exact same truck, in the exact same conditions.

Oh, and with a gasser, dropping out of OD isn't such a bad thing. More gearing, better pulling. You just have to get used to doing 3000-4000Rpms - which won't hurt anything.

I'd get the auto with 4.10's myself.

If I could do it again I'd get the auto with 4.10's.

How about a 6 speed manual w/ 3.73 gears? Would this combo be equal to 4.10 w/ auto?

The thing is I assume the truck would have towcommand with the 5r100 that would be much better than anything the 6spd would have no matter the gearing. Until you have driven with the Tow Command it is hard to explain how nice it really is, it has pretty much eliminated any need for a manual transmission in almost any condition.

I would disagree with that. 4.10s will pull a load better, but 3.73 gears will pull fine also. The 3V 5.4L engines make enough low end torque for the 3.73 gears.

I pull a 24 foot enclosed car hauler with a 4500 pound car. I'm not lugging the engine and the truck has no problem getting up to traffic speed before merging.

I am towing in the midwest, which makes a difference. If you are in the west and towing over 8000 pounds I would recommend the 4.10 gears.