Hey
One of my good buddies is looking at a f350 cc/lb . Its a 2008 xlt with 98k on the clock.
I went and looked at it with him last night when the dealership was closed and cralwed all around it....the truck is in pretty good shape looks like it was well taken care of even had the frame sprayed with what looked like bed liner to protext it from rusting. So the truck looks tip top

What im worried about is the motor. Anywhere you go online you read that that thing is a dog. Im worried about it being underpowered expecially in a truck that big.

He only towes 10-20 times a year and its always under 10k. He wants the 350 for hauling.

Will this motor be two underpowered to be able to do that. Hes not lookong for a sportscar but I dont want to tell him I think its ok if hes not gonna be able to merge on the highway ether.

 

The 3v 5.4 is more powerful then its 2v predecessor. That being said the gears are a very important factor. The lower gears (4.10 or 4.30) are going to help the 5.4 move around. It will not pull like a diesel or a v10. It never will be "fast". But it will get the job done. If he's not going to be towing over 10,000 lbs then he should be fine. There are several members on here that regularly tow at the 8-12k Mark with the 5.4 and have no issues.

 

It will do just fine.

 

If he's going to use the truck like a truck it will be fine, a deeper gear always helps but not the end of the world.

If he's going to drive it like a race car wanting to get to the next red light fast, then no it's not the motor for him, get a V10 or DSL.

 

I've towed 10K with my 5.4. (3.73 gears) Does it have the power of a V-10 or Diesel? No. Does it get the job done? Yes. No problem.

Sent from my HTC ONE using IB AutoGroup

 

Must be reading Chevy sites or some other bad info.

The 5.4 should get the job done just fine. It can wind up some RPMs, too.

By 2008 most of the spark plug issues had been engineered out. If the price is right, go for it.

 

Its on this fourm as well as others also. I just dont want him to buy a truck that cant get out of its own way

He doesnt use it like a racecar (he has an a6 for when he has the need for speed) this truck is for work only

i had just heard from a lot of people that it was terrible

 

it's a good reliable motor, I've never heard anything bad about it aside from spark plug and manifold issues from years past, but like stated by 2008 most of the kinks are worked out and the 3V motor is pretty nice. I've driven a 08 CC LB with the 5.4 and I didn't think it was bad at all.

 

Check this thread out - https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/6...ll-5-4-go.html

Post #35 in it talks about a pair of trucks with over 1/2 million apiece on 5.4s.

Not too shabby for a "terrible" motor.

I've seen the criticism from some of the diesel folks, but then the diesels have their own issues.

For how I use my truck, a diesel would be the wrong choice. If it were on the road every day, working hard, then that would be different. But for something that can sit for 3 weeks, and then fire up for a few hundred mile trip - the 5.4 works like a charm for me.

And 2008 is a good year for that motor. Keep that in mind when you read from its detractors. It is the higher HP 3 valve version, and known bugs were fixed.

Let us know what he decides.

 

kinda funny, i bought the same basic truck yesterday - i guess it is all a matter of perspective. mine seems fine. ya, it isn't the quickest off the line unless you get into it (and then, for a ~8000 pound truck)

but then, i'm coming from an 85 F250 hauling.. where sometimes merging on the highway was a little scary.

 

Yes, the 3v 5.4 have come along way from it's predecessors. The engine is a like a dog always wanting to please and give more even if it doesn't have it, a workhorse of an engine.

 

hahah im telling my buddy this quote. I just wanted to hear from some guys cause as im sure you know, their are people who as far as they are concerned gas super duties dont even exist in their world

and 1/2 million miles. How can you not like that

 

They are a awesome motor and their longevity is Impressive

 

.........their

 

Huh .....