As ya'll know I have a 550. now heres the question, why is the 6.4 derated in the 450 and 550? Seems odd to me.

 

My guess is because they are geared lower, so less HP is needed to get them moving. Also, my opinion, is that many are bought as fleet trucks, and the company owners don't want their employees driving around hotrod trucks. My 08 is was also de-tuned, but the delete and H&S fixed that. Also re-geared it with 3:73 gears. Should've went with 4:10's though.

 

Got to be something more. I'm sure it is expensive to write the programs to de-rate. Must be a gubment deal. h&s fixes that eh? good to hear. gona delete the bs and put on h&s.

 

Oh yeah!! My 08 has been deleted. Power is not a problem! Unless too much is a problem! I've been running it in a tow tune. Don't remember which one though. The aggressive tunes are scary strong to be in a work truck.

 

They are derated for a few reasons... First is longevity, the 6.4 in a 250/350 is trying to compete directly with Ram/Cummins. We all know how easy it is to make big power with a 6.4 but even the stock power levels are pushing the pistons that ford designed. For someone using the truck as a DD and weekend pull pig its just fine. But once you start really working the truck that extra timing really does take a HUGE toll on the motor. They also did it to attempt to help that dreadful fuel economy.

Everyone assumes that the 6.4 is a bad motor and a huge problem child. What everyone fails to understand is it was never designed for what ford was asking of it. The pistons are designed to trap "cool" air that acts as a dampener to protect the piston during regen. Well unfortunately that cushion actually creates a shockwave that can and does cause them to crack. That's why if you crack a piston you really should swap them all over to international HD pistons.

But anyway, Ford tuned the medium duty platforms in a way that promotes longevity at the expense of fuel economy. Remember the emissions requirements are different for the medium duty trucks as well. Gearing is different and in many cases the trans is different. The 450 pickup has the light duty tuning whereas the cab and chassis version has the medium duty tuning. Remember as well that these trucks are also designed with idle time in mind along with pto use.

 

Sounds reasonable to me. Sure was looking to hang it on the gubment though.