5.4 vs 6.8
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 300
Likes: 0
From: Los Lunas, NM
Between the 5.4 or the 6.8 I would go with the V10 for sure. One thing that I noticed when I drove the V10 at work is that it seems as though it has an endless redline. Do any of you guys with the V10 notice this also?
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
From: Yuma
I have both.My work truck an 04 F250 5.4 seems to have get up and go and is not as thirsty as the V-10.I can go almost 400 miles on a tank in town/freeway driving.I have it loaded most of the time and it has pretty good power,but when i get home and drive my 02 F250 with the V-10 there is a major difference.the torque is what is noticible.But you can almost see the gas gage move.The engines both do thier seperate deeds very well.I would only by the 5.4 to use in a utility truck.The 5.4 would not have the umph to tow much in my opinion,Mark
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,181
Likes: 3
From: Eastern CT.
Sparky 04, That seems to be some pretty sweet mileage,your V-10 gets on trips, I would only hope my V-10 with the 6-speed and 4:30s with DRWs could acheive those mpg, I have'nt gone on a trip yet,,but my mileage is over 10 mpg now around town, last 2 fillups proved this 
,, about 6300, miles now on the truck,,and allways loaded, and some trailer towing also,, its been an excellent truck,,,, go with the V-10,,,,later,,,,Mark
,, about 6300, miles now on the truck,,and allways loaded, and some trailer towing also,, its been an excellent truck,,,, go with the V-10,,,,later,,,,Mark
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 767
Likes: 132
From: Lynden, WA
m350, I've found that if I let the engine run about 1800-2200 (60-70mph) and keep it in 6th as much as possible, pretty easy to get 15mpg. When I tow, I usually shift up at 3500 because the 6 speeds have such close gear splits. I think I can get better mileage towing if I wasn't in so much mountain country in BC where I travel for my fishing trips. Pretty sure it would get 10mpg flat land running.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,943
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Originally Posted by rbyledbal
So, now that Johnsdiesel has spoken, I guess no other responses are necessary.
Johnsdiesel,being the wise but ugly fella he is, has a good point. My truck is big, my truck is fast, my truck will really kick your ..........but maybe you prefer to tow a fifth wheel. You need a lower truck with lots of low end power. I sure would not tow a heavy fifth wheel with a 5.4. But if I just wanted to look cool I would not buy a psd. John is saying for this guy to buy what he needs not what he thinks is the coolest, Keep your smart comments to yourself unless you at least follow them up with something productive.
Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Palmerton Pa
Originally Posted by cwb
Well, another noobie heard from.
Johnsdiesel,being the wise but ugly fella he is, has a good point. My truck is big, my truck is fast, my truck will really kick your ..........but maybe you prefer to tow a fifth wheel. You need a lower truck with lots of low end power. I sure would not tow a heavy fifth wheel with a 5.4. But if I just wanted to look cool I would not buy a psd. John is saying for this guy to buy what he needs not what he thinks is the coolest, Keep your smart comments to yourself unless you at least follow them up with something productive.
Johnsdiesel,being the wise but ugly fella he is, has a good point. My truck is big, my truck is fast, my truck will really kick your ..........but maybe you prefer to tow a fifth wheel. You need a lower truck with lots of low end power. I sure would not tow a heavy fifth wheel with a 5.4. But if I just wanted to look cool I would not buy a psd. John is saying for this guy to buy what he needs not what he thinks is the coolest, Keep your smart comments to yourself unless you at least follow them up with something productive.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 162
Likes: 1
From: new columbia pa
buy what/need you want, now with that said.
i just traded traded 5.4 for 6.0 both f250 c/c 4*4, also own 02 ex v10. i pull a sled trailer every weekend in winter months. short local trips were fine for 5.4 but was constandly on gas to keep moving. v10 did not even know there was a trailer behind it. i got better milage with v10 when towing 11 to 13, and on same trip w/ 5.4 was between 10 and 11 mpg
if you are going to tow regulary go with v10, i believe 5.4 would be ok, but i think you will like v10 better in the long run(haul)
i bought 6.0 because already had v10 and always WANTED a deisal.
i just traded traded 5.4 for 6.0 both f250 c/c 4*4, also own 02 ex v10. i pull a sled trailer every weekend in winter months. short local trips were fine for 5.4 but was constandly on gas to keep moving. v10 did not even know there was a trailer behind it. i got better milage with v10 when towing 11 to 13, and on same trip w/ 5.4 was between 10 and 11 mpg
if you are going to tow regulary go with v10, i believe 5.4 would be ok, but i think you will like v10 better in the long run(haul)
i bought 6.0 because already had v10 and always WANTED a deisal.
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: sc
I have a '03 sd 4X4 with 5.4. 3.73 pos rear end .I pull a 98 trans am showcar in a 24' inclosed trailer.I have no problems pulling it.And if 260 hp isn't cutting it,I'll put a super charger on it,And then we'll GO
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 307
Likes: 0
From: Antioch,CA
The Horse power isn't what your looking for in a big heavy truck, it's the Torque.
Also when the max torque kicks in. Lower the RPM, the better.
So saying I have 260 HP doesn't mean *****.
5.4 V8 = 350@2500 pounds of torque
6.8 V10 = 425@3250
6.0 PSD = 560@2000
Also when the max torque kicks in. Lower the RPM, the better.
So saying I have 260 HP doesn't mean *****.
5.4 V8 = 350@2500 pounds of torque
6.8 V10 = 425@3250
6.0 PSD = 560@2000
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: North East
I have a 03 SD CC with V10 and approx 12,000 miles. I love the V10. Once thing i can say is that it does not sound like a v8. If you want the v8 sound, get the v8, but the v10 is impressive.
I still have to get a reprogrammer so that the delay on the throttle is removed and the shifting is not so soft.
I cannot image the weight of the SD and having only a 5.4L. It was well worth the few hundred extra.
I still have to get a reprogrammer so that the delay on the throttle is removed and the shifting is not so soft.
I cannot image the weight of the SD and having only a 5.4L. It was well worth the few hundred extra.