5.4 vs 400
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5.4 vs 400
Just wondering what's your guys guesses are before I test them in a towing test with a trailer. A 2009 F150 king cab short bed automatic 5.4 with 4x4 and 35" Toyo MTs(no lift). Or a 78 F150 regular cab highboy 4 speed manual 4x4 long bed with 33" federals with a 400. It has just been rebuilded and has a 650cfm 4barrel and a small high rise manifold mild cam and headers and brand new cylinder heads
Logistics Pro
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From: penn twp.
First off there is no such thing as a f150 highboy. Highboys were only 67-early77 F250 4x4's. Second I have never driven the newer 5.4's, but the early ones such as 99-02's were pretty lame. Third the newer F150's have a much higher tow rating then the ones of this era. However with that said I think we can all agree that these trucks were way under rated. My personal choice would be the 78. The 400's offer great torque and the 4speed helps maximize that. Plus as a bonus the dentsides look far better doing the job!
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: South Jersey
the 99-04 F150 with the 5.4 will be a great tower IF it has the 3.73 gear option. If it has the 3.55 gears just walk away, the 5.4 will get 12-13mpg around town and better on the highway. Ride will be 100 times better as with the nicer plusher interior. I love my 77 F150 but it doesn't compare to my 2004 F350 with 5.4, unless im off roading then the 77 shines
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Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Alabama
I have an 09 F-150 4X4 CC with the 5.4 and all though I don't do a lot of towing, I have hauled my 76 F100 on a trailer from Alabama to Ky and barely noticed it was back there until coming to a stop (no trailer brakes) or going up a steep incline. I don't know what your exact question is but if your asking which one would tow more, I would say the 400 would handle more from one end of a parking lot to the other. But towing something long haul I would go with the 5.4. I also had an 01 with a 5.4 and had no complaints and my 09' gets around 16 city and 19 Highway. About 12 towing.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Grants Pass, Oregon
I wouldnt have thought that 35" tires would fit on an unlifted 2009 F150? What do you mean by "towing test"? just a quick pull across a muddy lot, or a freeway city to city comparison of many miles, where you compare mileage, ability to merge into traffic, etc?.......id second Mike's assessment of which is better suited, and id also suggest that towing isnt really a good way to "play", it adds a lot of risks and variables and probably should only be done by seasoned drivers.......
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I know the 5.4 would be the better choice for long tows especially since its a lariat but with mods I believe the 400 will take it but the 5.4 has a lot more power than most people think that's why I'm testing them. I'm doing it by hooking them up to a trailer on asphalt and add weight
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Logistics Pro
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From: penn twp.
If you want an Idea of what the 5.4 can tow go the 09-14 Forum. Look for the "max tow pushed to the max" thread by Tom. He has a link to his first test involving and o8 I think f150 tow about 10000 lbs. It's very nicely done. Then check to see if he'll let you hook up your 78 in the next meet he puts together. Then report back here with your results.
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From: penn twp.
But Tom's test are real life scenarios. I think you might enjoy it. He follows up with these test each year. Last year he used his 13 F150 ecoboost screw to about 15000lbs. And these are done with other members on here as well. And they are independent truck owners like you and me test and comparing their very own trucks. He even has a video of his egoboost towing the weight up hill from a complete stop. This is not some random magazine staged test.
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