It would be interesting to hear from someone who frequently drag races trucks and get their opinion. You'd likely get a better launch in 4x4 because i doubt you could break traction. But there would likely be a penalty paid on the top end.

Maybe someone you know has a G-force tuner? They can estimate track times.

As for using 4x4 on dry pavement, obviously it is not ideal and not recommended.

That being said, my one boss drove his durango in 4x4 on dry pavement all the way to the state's capitol (260ish miles). many turns and hills and in town to get there at speeds from 75 to 80 mph. There were no ill effects. 100k miles later and no service needed to 4x4 ever.

my other boss drove his boat all the way back from the river in 4x4 on dry roads. speeds around 65 to 70 mph. Again, aside from the extra fuel used there were no ill effects.

Both of these guys did this simply because they are idiots.

Using 4x4 on dry roads around here happens once and a while just by nature of the roads. Our highways are clear but the side roads are 100% ice. You need 4x4 to get to the highway, but cant turn it off until you are going straight, so you end up making a turn or two in 4x4 on a dry road. Nothing you can do about it.

I wouldn't worry about it too much.

And obviously, the eaisiest way to figgure out who has the quickest TRUCK is to use a MUSTANG ....(removing tounge from cheek)

 

That must be a Super boat Boats around here only work well in water

 

I'm glad you said it because I was thinking it.

As for all the talk of buying a different vehicle, that's pretty ridiculous. There's always going to be something better at everything. Why not tell the guy to buy a top fuel dragster? So much faster than a Mustang, geez! Looking for a quicker way to get to work, the obvious answer is to buy a helicopter and avoid all traffic!

 

oooooo... now i wanna helicopter!!!

 

I totally agree with this statment. It is very annoying when someone asks a question like this and people tell him to get a Mustang...Obviously if he wanted a Mustang he would have gotten one from the start, I agree...There's nothing wrong with wanting to get the most out of you're truck...I live in Texas and EVERYONE here has a truck...I can go to the local drag strip and there's always a good crowd of people there running their 1/2 ton, 3/4 and 1-ton's down the strip...And you would be suprised at the times some of these trucks are capable of...I've seen stock 5.0L's, Ecoboost and 6.2L F-150's run mid 14's down the 1/4 mile. I've seen modded diesels that can run as low 10 seconds threw the 1/4.

So ya there's nothing wrong with wanting to race you're truck as long as you are safe about it.

 

LOL. That was funny.

 

T/C off
Trans in Drive (anything else and it starts in 3rd gear)
Power Brake to increase RPM

you'll have to play around and find the right RPM to release while floored. to high an RPM and you'll smoke the tires. there will be a sweet spot (depending on road surface as well). you basically want a little wheel spin, but mainly just dig and go


btw, tons of guys launch 4x4 all the time. keep the wheels straight. switch back to 4x2 immediately AFTER getting OFF THE GAS or BEFORE turning the wheel.




disclaimer: Power braking is hard on the trans. You will eventually break something. 4x4 on pavement as well. I never will do that personally. I have wheelspin on command and am good with that. If I wanted a fast vehicle I would've stayed in my Mustang.

 

Thanks 640 CI Aluminum FORD and okstatef150.

I do have a mustang (hence my name!) I was just curious how to get the best performance out of this truck with all of the electronic things such as TC, manual shift, tow/haul, rear locker, and not to mention, 4x4! I am curious on how to make this vehicle go as fast as it can go...I know I can go faster in my Stang, but beating a Silverado or Ram in my mustang doesn't mean very much!

 

FWIW, I ran my 2010 F-150 SCAB, 4.6L 3v down the local quarter mile.
15.4 seconds, 90 mph was the best run of the night.
I also drove my daughter's 2009 F-150 4x4 5.4L while letting mine cool down.

The 4.6 was faster by 4/10s.

All runs were with TC engaged. Got better launches, cars in next lane were spinning tires.

Foot to the floor at last yellow light before green.

 

I doubt you'll have to much trouble whuppin up on a Silverado or Ram. These new F-150's are pretty quick for stock trucks. The only Silverado 1/2 ton I would be cautious about racing would be one equipped with the 6.2L. Even with that engine though I suspect the F-150 would run it a good race. The Ram will probably only win if he can get a substantial lead off the line, which ''unless you break traction really bad''...he wont.

But let us know how it goes! I've got the same truck myself! 2011 FX4 Supercab 5.0L 3.73 Blue Flame.

 

I race mine weekly, sometimes more, always use 4 wheel, tow/haul, traction control off. I used 4 wheel with all my previous trucks, never a problem. I run more air pressure in the fronts to try to equalize the different "squish" of the tires due to weight difference front to rear. I switch out of 4 wheel right after going across the line. I've even tried it 2 wheel vs. 4 wheel & on this truck no loss of et by running in 4 wheel. With a stalled launch in 2 wheel it will blow the tires, at idle launch it usually won't but you were asking for best launch. I did find that brakes wouldn't hold truck when trying to stall it around 2000rpm when new, now that pads are broken in it will hold. I think it's easier on drive train to run in 4 wheel, when I've tried 2 wheel sometimes it will go into wheel hop which is very hard on it. I launch mine at idle now, works best for reaction time in my case & easier on truck even if it slows 60' times down. I bracket race so reaction & consistancy more important than a little quicker et.

 

Mind if we ask what kind of 1/4 mile times an Ecoboost SCrew runs in the real world?

 

My best so far is 14.68 @ 92mph, that's stock.

 

I remember when the new (at the time) mustang gt's would run 14.2's @98mph ... and THAT was fast ..... wow how times have changed.

very impressive for a truck .....