5.4 Superduty Question
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Joined: Mar 2008
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5.4 Superduty Question
I currently have a 1997 F150 extended cab, 2wd with a 5.4 V8, 3.55LS rear end, and I tow a 5500-6000 lbs travel trailer.
I am completely content with the motor and the power towing my trailer in my F-150 but I have two growing boys and I can see the extended cab getting cramped in the next few years.
Of course, I am considering upgrading to a Crew Cab. After looking at the prices I can get a Super Duty Crew Cab with a 5.4 for about the same price (sometimes less) than a F-150 super crew.
I know that the Super Duty 5.4 has more payload and towing capacity. I would only accept one if it had at least a 4:10 rear end. Is there a significant difference towing with a SD 5.4 VS my F150 5.4? The SD is heavier, but the rear end gear is steeper.
Also, I commute 60-80 miles per day, so fuel is somewhat of a consideration. I get about 14.5 mpg now.
I am sure we will upgrade our TT in the future too, but we will not get near 10,000 lbs.
Soo, what do you all think? Replacing my 5.4 F150 with a SD F150? Dissapointed? Will I hate myself for not getting a V10? Also, I have to stay Used, I will only have 7-10k in the budget.
No Diesel for me, just personal preference.
Thanks!
I am completely content with the motor and the power towing my trailer in my F-150 but I have two growing boys and I can see the extended cab getting cramped in the next few years.
Of course, I am considering upgrading to a Crew Cab. After looking at the prices I can get a Super Duty Crew Cab with a 5.4 for about the same price (sometimes less) than a F-150 super crew.
I know that the Super Duty 5.4 has more payload and towing capacity. I would only accept one if it had at least a 4:10 rear end. Is there a significant difference towing with a SD 5.4 VS my F150 5.4? The SD is heavier, but the rear end gear is steeper.
Also, I commute 60-80 miles per day, so fuel is somewhat of a consideration. I get about 14.5 mpg now.
I am sure we will upgrade our TT in the future too, but we will not get near 10,000 lbs.
Soo, what do you all think? Replacing my 5.4 F150 with a SD F150? Dissapointed? Will I hate myself for not getting a V10? Also, I have to stay Used, I will only have 7-10k in the budget.
No Diesel for me, just personal preference.
Thanks!
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 336
Likes: 1
Honestly, I'd look for a 5.4 Supercrew F150 for what you need it for. A 5.4 SD is just downright depressing sometimes but 3v 5.4 SDs are a little better. MPGs arent much different between the 5.4 and V10. I'm pushing 13mpg on my truck in my signature but I had to modify some things.
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 311
Likes: 7
From: East TN
I had an 02 F350 crew cab 4x4 but it had the 3.73 gears, I got about 15mpg so gas mileage would probably be pretty close to what you have now. I have also had an 02 V10 that got about 13 mpg. The 5.4 was one of the best combos of power/fuel effeciency that i have owned. I would buy another in a heart beat. I dont tow heavy so it was perfect for my needs but i decided i didnt like the payment anymore 
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
Likes: 1,679
From: Stephensville WI
I replaced my 1995 F-150 (302 with 3.55 gears) with a 2007 F-250, 5.4L Super Cab (5.4L with 3.73 gears).
Towing is a night and day comparison. The Super Duty tows a trailer so much easier, it just feels planted to the road.
The fuel mileage was about the same, which surprised me.
Towing is a night and day comparison. The Super Duty tows a trailer so much easier, it just feels planted to the road.
The fuel mileage was about the same, which surprised me.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,098
Likes: 137
I had an 05 F-150 supercab and I always felt the trailers owned the truck whereas the F-250 has command over the trailer. I don't do any real long distance towing so the 5.4 is good for me. My mileage is incredibly different. Without towing I get 11.5-12mpg consistenly but it is about 40:60 (city/hwy) mixed diving. Towing I am at 8-9mpg with anywhere from a 5200-12,000lb load. I have possibly gotten better numbers on full tank highway trips but my 30 minute commute, following the 40:60, was 11.5-12mpg consistently. I dont tow all the time so I ruled out the diesel and I ruled out the 6.0 for a first diesel. I would have liked a V-10 better even with slightly lower mpg numbers. The F-150 was a 14.5-15 mpg vehicle with the same towing and commuting numbers. The 250 is heavier and built like a cement block whereas the 150 was a bit more aerodynamic and definitely quicker. Mine is a 4x4 so I know that takes a bigger hit on the mpgs. My father has a 2wd 2500HD and gets 14-15mpg unloaded and 8-9mpg with their 11,000GVWR travel trailer (probably loaded to around 9 or 10k) I now have a car for commuting, much better getting 27mpg than 12. The truck is my "Friday" vehicle. 
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