Will The 5.4 Be Enough?
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 148
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From: Elm City,N.C.
Keep in mind that over 50 percent of the psd buyers seldom hook a trailer of any magnitude behind it. If you do the math and are honest with yourself you will find that it would take well over 200k for you to start seeing a return on the investment.I've had the 5.4 and its a fine motor.And if you are looking to any mods to it the parts are more plentiful and a lot less expensive. My 2 cents worth.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 306
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From: NW Illinois
I drove some with the 5.4 and I didn't like it in the SD's. I had also driven a F-150 in it (an '04) and was amazed at how much difference there was. The half ton is a lighter truck and I believe the 04's ( 1/2 ers) are around 300hp. The SD's didn't have that much horsepower until '05. The 5.4 is all right in tghe SD but I had a 93 with the 5.0 in it and I was sick of a truck that didn't have any guts. So I spent the extra money and got the diesel. But I also have that deal where I always have to have more power! 
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 152
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From: Kiln, MS.
BSHORT
You just made my "RESALE" point. I don't have a problem other than that. I have 4.56 gears & 35" tires and at a local back woods truck & tractor pull I out pulled 2 PSD 4X4 duallies, Dodge Cummings 4X4 (he needed tires), for second place. Yes, it was, a bad #ss F350 "SRW" Diesel 6 gun bulldog 38s................that took first place.
You just made my "RESALE" point. I don't have a problem other than that. I have 4.56 gears & 35" tires and at a local back woods truck & tractor pull I out pulled 2 PSD 4X4 duallies, Dodge Cummings 4X4 (he needed tires), for second place. Yes, it was, a bad #ss F350 "SRW" Diesel 6 gun bulldog 38s................that took first place.
New User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
I have a 99 250 with a 5.4 and I wish I had more. I have 3.73 gears a I have a hard time pulling a 5000 pound trailer. Friends with a F-150 seem happy, but their truck is a lot lighter. The engine also seems noisy. I am considering changing to 4.30 gears to get some umph.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,378
Likes: 3
From: nebraska
Personally if I was you Id get the V-10. My theory is if I need the power it will be there. With the 5.4 youll be lacking at time. And the MPG difference will be neglidgible. Go see if you can find a nice V-10 youll never regret it. I should talk I have a 7.3 powerstroke. Was lookin for a gas superduty. This deal came along. Im a diesel guy now. Sweet I would nt think about a gasser again. Man this thing has power and im gettin upward of 19 MPG. Resale value will always be good. A dealer in my area never has a powerstoke diesel on the lot for long. Always sellwithin a week. Did have a 5.4 though. It sat for 3 months before it was sold. Dealer probably had to lower the price to move it. V 10s move pretty quickly too. Get the V-10. Im sure it has better resale then a 5.4 if you want to sell it and get the powerstroke. Im not makin to many friends on this thread. Sorry about that. Just some observations.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
From: Valpo, Indiana
What's your definition of adequate??? 
I've got the 5.4 in my F250 crew short wheel base with 3.73 and overall it serves it purpose, but I think it works harder than it should. It gets the job done, just not very fast.
The next superduty will definetly have the V10.
I've got the 5.4 in my F250 crew short wheel base with 3.73 and overall it serves it purpose, but I think it works harder than it should. It gets the job done, just not very fast.
The next superduty will definetly have the V10.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 867
Likes: 0
From: Fairbanks, Alaska
BSHORT, I drive a 2004 Excursion (it's still a super duty!) with the 5.4L engine. Like you I don't really pull anything with any real weight - just a small enclosed trailer - and the 5.4L is more than adequate for my Ex. And the Excursion is a heavy vehicle to begin with...7,000 lbs!
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Elder User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 848
Likes: 3
From: Kokomo
The sad part is most of the real work trucks have 5.4 and they are used and abused, I got a good deal on my 5.4 and wounld do it again, you can't touch a powerstroke around hear for under $20,000, 5.4's and 6.8's go cheap all the time. I would do it again, yes it would be nice to have the V10 but..... The sad part is that the 5.4 has a lot of power compared to the old 350's and 351's, think of what these engines did, I know one of our old pick-ups had a TBI 350 and it hauled a gooseneck with a backhoe and pulled trailers every day, that truck had 220hp and 330tq, the 5.4 is what 260hp and 360tq, it will do just about anything you can do with a truck.
New User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
I have an 02 SD Ext. cab 4wd with the 5.4. When I first got it I came to this forum
and thought that I'd made a huge mistake. Comments like; the 5.4 is so weak it can
barely get out of it's own way and many others slamming the 5.4. I can honestly say
that I've been pleasantly surprised with this powerplant. If you're not going to be
towing alot, it is more than capable of hauling its' stated payload. I also have no trouble hitting the speed limiter on the highway. You can never have too much power
The question is do you need it. I have a 2400ft. climb in altitude over 15 miles just to
get home every night, many times with 1-2000 lbs in the back. Seems to handle it just fine. Would I like to have the V10? You bet. Do I need it? Probably not.
and thought that I'd made a huge mistake. Comments like; the 5.4 is so weak it can
barely get out of it's own way and many others slamming the 5.4. I can honestly say
that I've been pleasantly surprised with this powerplant. If you're not going to be
towing alot, it is more than capable of hauling its' stated payload. I also have no trouble hitting the speed limiter on the highway. You can never have too much power
The question is do you need it. I have a 2400ft. climb in altitude over 15 miles just to
get home every night, many times with 1-2000 lbs in the back. Seems to handle it just fine. Would I like to have the V10? You bet. Do I need it? Probably not.
Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,220
Likes: 1,423
From: CA
Thanks For All Of Your Honest Advice. One Thing I Like Is A New Sd With The 5.4 Retails For 36k And I Can Pick Up A Nearly New One For 23k. Big Savings! The 5.4 Sounds Like It Will Suit My Purposes Just Fine. The Need For More Is Always In The Back Of My Head And The V10 Sounds Great. Im Concerned With The Spark Plug Popping Issue With The V10. I Know It's There With The 5.4 As Well, But It Doesn't Seem To Be As Common.
New User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
I occasionally haul a firewood in my truck(03 f250 CC 4x4 Auto w/5.4). With or without a load, it won't win any speed contests, but it tows and hauls just fine. As a daily driver it gets me about 14 1/4mpg on 87 octane. I, too, looked into a diesel, but I just couldn't justify the additional expense. I've got 25k on my truck with no major complaints, other than front rotors warping(probably my fault, I have a traffic light on a 7% downhill grade on my way to work-welcome to WV). I don't think you'd go wrong with either one, the gas will be cheaper to buy, but like others have stated, it won't bring the resale the diesel will. One fly in the ointment though, there are a ton of diesels for sale on Ebay and very few gas Superduty's. That would tend to make me believe that people are keeping their gassers and selling their diesels. Go figure!
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
From: Nation Wide
Mine is doing just fine, 305's with a leveling kit and in the mud quite a bit and it is a very good Tk. I just passed on getting a H2 and decided to keep my truck another year and get my Foreman a new HD, 04 CC. I like the 5.4 just fine!!
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