Originally Posted by
Power Kid
I'm comparing it to the competition. If you want to compare it to the 5.3L and then stick your head in the sand, fine. Its very comparable to the 5.3L. Sure the 5.3L will rev at 5500rpm to pull the same trailer up the hill but they'll both get it done. But they offer the 6.0L and the 6.2L both which easily out perform our trusty 5.4L.
The new Ram while it has the motivation, its been positioned for the personal use driver or light tower given its new coil spring rear end. Do you recall the first big comparo when the 04 came out... The titan out accelrated the F150 with 1000lbs in the box and the Ford was empty!
I pull a camper thats 7,000lbs+ and most fo the time I'm fine, but when you get to rolling hills that go on forever, or on a hot day you try to merge into traffic..... Its lethargic. Too heavy.
Will the 6 speed help... YES!
Will 10-20 potential HP help.... YES!
Will dropping some weigh (on all models but the SCrew help)... YES!
But are we competitive with the competitors top V8 offerings..... NO!
I'm as loyal a Ford guy as they come, but I'm not blind. Everytime I or someone else says we want more power we're either given the same old speach about tq, or go buy a toyota then or some other lame stmt. We're allowed to want more power FROM Ford.
I understand your frustrations, and admit Ford is behind the competition, never stated they weren't.
A couple items I must point out are, what % of 1500 Silverados/Sierras are sold with the 6.0 vs the 5.3? So far it has been a rare site here in CO.
I also consider the Tundra a daily driver/light tow truck, as I have yet to see a Tundra locally towing anything, let alone a significant load. Sure by the specs they have the ability, but is also a rare site locally.
Hmm, rolling hills aren't anything. Sure it may seem you are slower in these situations, which may be true. But try some of our mountain passes here in CO and they'll make rolling hills look like speed bumps. When you get to these altitudes, you'll notice most gas motor trucks perform a lot worse and any gap between trucks decreases significantly. Sure the 6.0 GM and Tundra 5.7 get up these passes slightly quicker, but it is an insignificant. Biggest thing in these situatins is to turn your O/D off so you're not constantly jumping from 3rd to O/D. Rarely have I had any other gas powered 1/2 ton pull away when locking out of O/D through the passes.
Heat plays into all vehicles, so you also have to take into account the decrease in performance from these other trucks on hot days, just like the 5.4L decreases.
I admit, all those items will help the 5.4L/F150 and by the hp/lb-ft Ford isn't comparable to the other makes top tier V8, but every other aspect is within reason if not better in some areas. Not giving Ford or the 5.4L a pass, but with any make/model vehicle, it's a give and take situation on what you like/dislike or need vs want.