Doesn't VVT also help with fuel economy a bit more?

 

I believe it was only the 5.4 that got VVT and it was after '08. Don't believe either engine had it prior to '08. If you don't want the two peice plug scenario during the 08 model year they changed the plugs out again so a 9 or 10 should be a good truck. Here in eastern Canada most trucks with the older two piece plugs 05-08 run $5-800 for a plug swap at Ford with no guarantee they don't lose porcelin in the engine.
I had two 2v 5.4's the 2wd would give 16 mpg (4.5 liters per gallon hand calculated, not 3.78 litres per US gal) the 4wd was 12-14 loaded or light milage didn't seem to be affected. I currently have a 3V V10 8-10 mpg, I plan on getting a tune from Mike at 5 star after I get some current issues straigtened out. I believe these trucks with a tune to make the fly by wire throttle more responsive would be pretty impressive.
I had a '96 Chevy 3500 DRW 4x4 with 4.11's 454 auto. In comparrison I believe my 2wd 5.4 pulled better. Light the chev would eat it, but put 4 ton behind them and let them work the 5.4 would chug right along and get the job done for a fair bit less fuel.

 

Ford does not like to be nice to the customers by going back and forth between plugs. Any ideas on what month and year of production they made the change? Or was it that some got the two piece and others got the single?

 

05+ 5.4L got VVT.

 

Between '05 and 08 the plugs had a long nose about an inch and a half past the threads that would carbon up in the head and break off when trying to remove. Then you needed a special tool to remove the remaining part of the plug. I believe that was corrected for the '09 model year. That being said if I found the right truck that was in those years I'd still buy it. I bought an '05. Just be aware if you take it to a shop it will likely cost $500 plus to have the plugs changed. If you take it to a shop that doesn't know what they are doing you may end up with engine troubles if they drop the porcelin in the head.

 

That's why I do this stuff myself. Matco sells a broken spark plug tool ($100 or so USD). Took my current truck into a shop in town to have the plugs done because they were a pain and the kid that did it tore the coil pack boot and a few days later the plug came out. Fortunately it did not destroy any of the threads. And since then we've done our own plugs.

Is there anyway to really avoid that plug issue on the new trucks?

 

Buy a diesel or an 09 up gas.

 

If I did more towing maybe I could justify buying a diesel. But the extra costs of maintenance and $0.78-$1.00 higher for fuel, I cannot justify those extra costs. That's why I'm looking into a V10. Extra power when I need it and the fuel economy is about what I am currently averaging. Maybe if diesel prices would be cheaper than gas and stay that way then I would consider it, but as of right now not a chance.

One thing I am somewhat surprised about is that there is really only a $2 or $3000 difference between an 05 and 09 V10 F250. With the Lariat crew cab short bed auto, its maybe $17,000 for a 09. Plus it has the better body style IMHO.

 

I paid 11'500 can. for my '05 dually. It had 75 k miles on it but I've spent 5k on it in the last six weeks now the rear end needs work.

 

Previous owner must've worked that truck hard and did not changed out the rear diff fluid like they should've.

 

The service manual for Dana 80's with synthetic lube say changing is not necessary unless submerged in water.

 

Oil still breaks down. Ford recommends changing it every 30,000 miles or add a prolong to extend service intervals.

 

There were very few '08 models that had the 2 piece plugs. Mine had a build date 9-07 and I had the 1 piece plugs. Don't let a two piece plug scare you from buying a truck, just change them out at 50k intervals.

 

The Ford manual says synthetic gear lube oil change is not necessary in the Dana 80, unless it has been submerged in water.

 

I'm not too worried about it. I just like to be ready for the worst case scenario. Too long have I used the wrong tool for the job. I doubt they come apart too easily. I bet it takes over torquing or taking them out at the wrong angle to break one.