5.4 vs V-10
Guest
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,988
Likes: 55
From: north west new jersey
ace
sounds like where i live mountais and valleys. the v10 is a 600 dollar msrp option and 510 invoice. and its worth the money if you have to pull a tow up a hill . love mine one of the best of 15 brand new fords i have had . but all my good ones where over 400 cubic inches any way, 427, 428, 429, 460, and the 415 v10
sounds like where i live mountais and valleys. the v10 is a 600 dollar msrp option and 510 invoice. and its worth the money if you have to pull a tow up a hill . love mine one of the best of 15 brand new fords i have had . but all my good ones where over 400 cubic inches any way, 427, 428, 429, 460, and the 415 v10
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 287
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by captchas
ace
sounds like where i live mountais and valleys. the v10 is a 600 dollar msrp option and 510 invoice. and its worth the money if you have to pull a tow up a hill . love mine one of the best of 15 brand new fords i have had . but all my good ones where over 400 cubic inches any way, 427, 428, 429, 460, and the 415 v10
sounds like where i live mountais and valleys. the v10 is a 600 dollar msrp option and 510 invoice. and its worth the money if you have to pull a tow up a hill . love mine one of the best of 15 brand new fords i have had . but all my good ones where over 400 cubic inches any way, 427, 428, 429, 460, and the 415 v10
Sums it nicely
I have had both. 5.4 is "fine" for short hauls. I found it wanting on long hauls. When ever I see this question my response is; If you even question it, go for the V10, its not much $$$ ($600 in 04), and gas milage is so close its not an issue.
New User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
I have towed a TT weighing nearly 7500 lb. with a 5.4L., 3.55 LS RA, 4X4, Supercab f-150. With the WD Dual Cam system on the hitch, I have never gotten below 9.5 mpg in the hills of WV. On flatter terrain, 11-12 mpg is normal. W/o towing, I got 15-18 mpg, depending on the use. The problem with long distance hauling is the 25 gal. fuel tank. Range is limited. I put Air-lift bags on the rear to help stabilize the truck. It worked great but I needed more carry capacity for retirement in the near future, thus I just got an e-350 with the V-10 AND 4.10 LS RA. What a rush driving this. First fill up got 13.3 mpg.
The biggest problem with us and the F-150 with the GVWR and GCWR of the F-150. 13,000 lb.(GVWR) isn't all that much when you have a high tongue weight and a heavy trailer. For anything else, the p/u was great. A different R/A would have helped, but not that much. We traveled as much as 600 miles in a day. Too far for this arrangement.
Good luck.
Froggy
The biggest problem with us and the F-150 with the GVWR and GCWR of the F-150. 13,000 lb.(GVWR) isn't all that much when you have a high tongue weight and a heavy trailer. For anything else, the p/u was great. A different R/A would have helped, but not that much. We traveled as much as 600 miles in a day. Too far for this arrangement.
Good luck.
Froggy
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 794
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From: MA
You cannot get a V10 with 4:30 rears unless the truck has dual rear wheels. You'd have to go with 4:10. But if you opt for the V10, you'll be just fine with 3:73s. You'll get better mileage that way. My uncle has a 2001 V10 with 3:73s, and tows his 10,000lb camper without any problems.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 775
Likes: 0
From: Northern Va
Originally Posted by DD1684
You cannot get a V10 with 4:30 rears unless the truck has dual rear wheels. You'd have to go with 4:10. But if you opt for the V10, you'll be just fine with 3:73s. You'll get better mileage that way. My uncle has a 2001 V10 with 3:73s, and tows his 10,000lb camper without any problems.
Knowing what I know now, I would have opted for the 4.10's, but 3.73's are fine. The fuel mileage difference is minimal and a very good exchange for the extra power.
The 5.4 is fine, but not the best choice for towing.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 208
Likes: 0
From: Under a rock in PA
I tow a 3000GW utility trailer and usually have the bed of the truck full enough i am on the helpers and don't have any problems until i am pulling large hills. Once you hit the big hills, don't expect to accelerate fast. Some days i wonder if i should have gotten the v10, but 99% of the time i am more then happy with what i have.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
From: OH....IO
I've driven all four motors. Both diesels, the V-10, and I have the 5.4 in my truck. Yeah the V-10 is stronger, it's bigger....DUH, but only marginally better from my experience. The diesels are in a class by themselves. For your needs sounds like the 5.4 will be fine. I occasionally haul bobcats and landscape materials and it pushes snow like a mother! I don't regret my choice and I don't think you will either. I'm so sick of the 5.4 bashing on this site. To each his own. Just my two cents.....
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,708
Likes: 3
From: North Dakota
I don't think anybody is really bashing the 5.4L, we just all are very pleased with our V10s which work great for towing and for everyday use. I think someone had mentioned to maybe get the V10 with 3.73s for fuel mileage, I only wish I would have gotten the 4.10s or 4.30s instead of the 3.73s. There's nothing wrong with them but the 4.10s seem to really wake it up as do the 4.30s. Lastly, someone correct me If I'm wrong but I don't know that you can even get the 3.73s with the V10 any more. I think its either the 4.10s or 4.30s in the 05s and newer, not sure but I thought I had heard this somewhere, could just be hog wash! either way you'll have a great truck.
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Guest
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,988
Likes: 55
From: north west new jersey
sle
correct man. only 410 or 430. and the 430's are turely the way to go with a v10. i have the 10's and wish i had listened to fredvon4. it needs the 30's. and the people with them seem to be stating the better fuel milage
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,142
Likes: 2
From: Denver, CO
Unloaded the V10 and 5.4L get almost identical mileage. Loaded they are almost identical. The 5.4L has to work harder and turn more RPMs to tow the same load the V10 would. For the cost of the option ($500) get the V10. I have been a bigger is better man when it comes to trucks. I wont even look at a 5.4L. I was the same back in the old days, would have never concidered getting a 351.
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
From: new britain, ct
I gotta 2004 5.4. sc 4x4 auto 3.73's srw stock. I have loaded that truck til the tires went half flat, over 6000 lbs. the truck had plenty of power, only problem was the rear tires (e rated pirellis). I have pulled a 15,000 lb backhoe + trailer on I-90 at 75 mph ( in od on the highway) and the worst thing there was the breaking distance. It pulled hills just fine only downshifting into 3rd. Doesn't the new 5.4 have similar power numbers to the older v-10's? Guess they didn't belong in a super duty either. I think that salesman that said 5.4's don't belong in superdutys should sell yugo's instead.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
yeah if it does not have W100 AND 5000HP dont buy it.yeah some guys likes it
BIG.But get what u want,everybody got needs.thats why there regular cab,
supercab or crewcab out there,if you think u can do the job with v8,get v8.
if not get a w100 or better yet,get a diesel.
BIG.But get what u want,everybody got needs.thats why there regular cab,
supercab or crewcab out there,if you think u can do the job with v8,get v8.
if not get a w100 or better yet,get a diesel.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,142
Likes: 2
From: Denver, CO
Horsepower numbers are close between the old V10 and the new 3V 5.4L but the tq is not even close. the 2000 on V10's have 425lb tq and the 3V 5.4L has something like 369 or 379lb tq. If you are not trading anything off for getting the V10 than why get the 5.4L? If mileage is the same and both engines are reliable (and they are) then why not get the V10. Unless you are buying used and can't find the exact truck you want with a V10 dont bother with the V8.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 775
Likes: 0
From: Northern Va
Originally Posted by Ace!
What is the mileage to be expected...with either? unloaded vs. ~3500 lbs towing?
I get between 7-8 towing a 7k+ fifth wheel. I have gotten better than 14 on the hwy cruising at 70 unloaded, rolling hills in north western VA.
I have a friend with a short bed, 4X4 super cab V10 that babied it to just over 15.. but who wants to baby a V10??
Other factors include 2WD or 4WD, body style (crew cab, super cab etc) and how many frosty beverages you bring..