I'm probably going to be parting ways with my 1999 7.3 super duty, and since I don't tow enough to warrant spending the cash on another diesel, I'm going to go gas! I think.

I'm not too familiar with the Ford gasoline engines, so I'm hoping to get y'alls input on drivetrains - which drivetrain has the best reliability and fairly decent power for towing? We pull 3-5k a few times a year. Fuel economy is a plus, but I am realistic about MPG in a truck. This would be a poor weather driver/work truck, now that we're in California it's not going to me my daily driver. Thanks in advance.

 

stay ffaarr away from the 3valve 5.4 motors, they are absolute junk! Everything from broken plugs, bad VCT, cam phasers breaking, electric throttle body motors burning up and costing 500 for a new one. Go with a new 2012 5.0 or ecoboost...

 

I wouldn't go quite that far. First off depends on whether you're looking new or used. I believe 5.4 engines had the plug issue, cam phasers issues and most of the others fixed after 10/2007 build dates (some fixed earlier, some later but done by 10/07 as I understand). I have an 07 that could have had the plug issue, but I had mine changed early (with none breaking) and used the Champions and it's running great. I have not had any other engine issues, though I did have the CD player and window switch problems which were fixed under warranty.

Ironically I looked at an EcoBoost last night while having an oil change done at the dealer. Sorry but $45K is more than I'm willing to spend of a 2012 truck especially since mine is close to being paid off. If I was looking for another truck, if it had a 5.4 I'd look at a 07 or newer as the early issues appear to have been resolved. I've heard about some of the new Ecoboost trucks having drivability issues with momentary cutting out etc so none are perfect.

Good luck, whatever you decide on.

My 2 cents.

 

Let me keep this simple. NOTHING will replace your diesel truck. If your looking for something close to the power and towing your not going to get close with ANY gas engine no matter who you buy it from.

The 5.4 does suck but oh well. The 5.0 is cool but still a gasser controlled by an over protective parent computer system and the ecoboost is a V6 any way you cut it. Made for a car. That's exactly where it belongs.

 

I have a 2007 F-150 FX4 5.4 supercab that I bought used in 2009 with 21,000 miles. I am very pleased with it but I was coming out of a 94 F-150 XL with the 4.9 six. I use the truck to cut grass and to drive in bad weather in the winter. My gas mileage isn't good every time I've calculated it's been between 10-11 but it tows my trailer and has pulled any load I've put in it. 1 ton of gravel was like it wasn't there, that would have made my old truck a low rider. I've put 15,000 miles in my 3 years of ownership and have only had to replace a steering shaft for $500. I wasn't happy about that but I chalked it up to bad luck. Overall I'd buy the truck again.

 

That's true, but I'm finding it more and more difficult to justify the cost of maintaining a 7.3L with 200k miles on it, buying diesel in California, etc. when we only pull 3-5k pounds a few times a year. If I used it to tow heavy on a regular basis, or for work, or if cost wasn't an issue I could get into a 6.4 diesel, but cost is an issue.

 

Okay, so the 5.4 is moderately thirsty and had some early issues. Shouldn't the issues have been handled under warranty though? Were they recalls, or just known problems?

Which models had the 5.0?

 

That is the exact same reason I got rid of my 7.3. The fact that I was putting $150 in it for fuel and then another $200 in it for repairs a week was getting old. The 7.3 is a great motor, but once it gets close to 200k it is going to start to fall apart and need a complete overhaul. Exspecially if it is modified like mine was.

So far, I absolutely love my 05 5.4. It has extremely low miles and has already had the necessary plug change and the cam phaser replacement by the previous owner just so that it wouldn't be a problem in the future. It does like to drink gas, but hey its a truck, what can one expect.

I like the new trucks and all, but like what was said earlier, you can buy an 09 superduty diesel that is in great shape for the same price as one of the new f150s.

 

Well the 5.4 3v isn't absolute junk, yes it had couple issues early in the model years esp with 04-05. Had the 5.4 2v on previous F150, it's great motor. With the 5.4 3v on my 07, it's much nicer to drive and pull my travel trailer better, gets slightly better gas mileage 15-17 mpg on average conservative driving approach. Lot of us here in this forum are happy with our 5.4 3v overall.
If your budget allows for newer vehicle, the 5.0 is available after 2011 model year.

 

I would consider an 05 or newer V-10 SD if buying used. Or any 5.4L 3 valve F150 would do what you want. The F150 brakes aren't quite as good as the SD brakes even though the rotor diameter is close. The SD has much more pad area than does the F150. Also the rear springs are too light to tow with as is. I would add a couple of leafs or install helper springs on any F150 I were going to tow with. I have an 06 F150 5.4L EC XLT that I do tow with occassionally. I tow a 20' enclosed car trailer with a Mustang inside. It weighs approx. 6600 lbs. I had to add some adjustable helper springs to the rear leafs set to the max load for the rear suspension not to drop 3-1/2" with the trailer on the hitch. Now it drops about the same as my SD did with trailer on hitch. I get around 17-18 mpg on the highway and 9-10 mpg towing. The truck tows very well for a 1/2 ton, but I am thinking of getting a SD with the 6.2L next time.