Just found this site, lots of great info. I am running around in a 2004 F150 SCREW 5.4 XLT 4x4. Love the truck. I think I remember a power gain in the 5.4 engine in either 2005 or 2006. Does any body know what the difference is bewteen the engines and if there is any way to get the extra horses out of the 2004. Thanks

 

Welcome, the 2004 3 valve motor is already there. 300hp @ 5k rpm. Its the same as a 2005, 06 and 07

 

and 365 lb ft of torque

 

It's pretty amazing to me. The Ford 5.4 has 300 ponies, yet feels like a 6 compared to the competition.

Before buying my '07 Lariat S/Crew 4x4, I tested the competition. Chevy/GMC (new style) and Dodge. BTW, I'm not much of a fan of the Honda or the BIG new Yota. Both look like crap to me. I would not consider either.

Anyway, the Dodge with the Hemi was very quick under acceleration and the Chey with 365 horses was pretty close SOTP off the line. The Ford ... well, I have one in my driveway. And, it's pretty much a slug under the 'go pedal'.

We had an '03 Expedition and it was the same. Sloooooooooooow.

BTW, my fuel mileage with the new F150 at 700 miles is only 12.1 mpg, too. I think the GM would be better with more HP and the Dodge would be less with even greater HP.

Just my opinion, folks.

BAGGER

 

So what made you choose the Ford over the Dodge or Chevy?

I have my reasons why I'm a Ford guy, but seems your unhappy? Hopefully your gas mileage will go up. I consistantly get 17mpg.

 

DRM ...

No, I'm not unhappy. I've had a handful of Ford trucks over the last few years. I like them OK.

But, I feel that Ford has missed the boat regarding horsepower and performance. GM has better motors and Dodge has much better acceleration.

I have no allegiance to any brand. I've had them all.

The reason I chose Ford over GM and Dodge is .... well, GM was not 'dealing' with the brand new '07 trucks. I got $1500 off a $42,500 truck. The Dodge rode like a milk wagon with the 20s and the 18s were not much better. It was fast, but the ride was terrible.

My Lariat Screw 4x4 was over $42K and the cost of leasing was over $200 less than the GM Chevy/GMC ... but they were much nicer on the road and inside, too.

But, 200 clams is 200 clams. The Ford is in my driveway. Plus, I need to plow my drive, too. GM didn't have a great plow, but the F150 did.

Don't get me wrong. The F150 is quit nice. But, the next version should be better I am sure.

BAGGER

 

Take a look at the torque specs we have on the 5.4L. Over 80% of the available torque is available at 1800rpm's. That is what gets your load moving......torque. GM and Dodge, yea they have the torque, but its up higher in the powerband, who wants that, I'm not trying to win a race with my truck. My truck is used to pull loads and haul stuff.

 

Baggerdude I agree. Ford has a lot of us asking what happened to the hp on the 3v 5.4l f150. I have read that besides the extra weight there is a lot of parasitic loss of power especially in the transmission. When ford gets a 5 or 6 speed on the truck that may help to improve the f150's mpg and power to the ground. We will just have to wait and see.

 

Good to know I'm not the only one who feels the 5.4 3V in the 07 is lacking. Makes no sense to me, but my wife's 04 5.4 2V has much more useable power then my new truck. Both are running 3.73's and the Expy is heavier then the 150....

Hopefully a Troyer Performance custom tune will correct the doggie nature of my truck. While were on this topic, how bad is the performance of your tranny? Mine shifts slower then grandma. Shudders when going from OD to 3rd.

Oh well, regardless, I still like my truck. Most comfortable F150 I've ever owned... And I've had 8 or 9 thru the past 20 years.

 

The 3V 5.4L was also designed with fuel efficiency AND power combined. Ford touts it as the most fuel efficient engine in it's class, or something like that. I agree it could use more juice, but to say it feels like a V6 is kind of stretching it. Dodge is in a league of their own with the Hemi, and unfortunately for Ford, you can't compare that engine to the Triton 5.4L. But to have 365 ft/lbs of torque as low as we do helps offset the power difference when it comes to towing and hauling. These are not drag vehicles. Mine moves off the line just fine and pulls nicely up to highway speed. Granted it's not really stock, but it serves it's purpose just fine. And yes, I've owned performance vehicles before, so I do have a baseline.

svt, might want to have the tranny checked, maybe needs a reflash. Mine shifts fine and doesn't shudder.

 

Just an FYI, the throttle by wire has something to do with it also. It was designed to maximize torque and understand drifving conditions. It's just not a straight shot. It actually controls the throttle and adjusts according to the requirement.
As far as mileage my 5.4 Screw Lariat with 3:73 gears averages 15.6 mpg getting upward of 20mpg on the HWY at 76 mph, or 2100rpm.

 

I bought my 5.4 to tow with and it does exactly what I need it to do. The 5.4 was configured for truck duty and the Chevy & Dodge engines are more carlike. If you are going to use your truck as a car, the Chevy is probably a better choice but if you're going to use your truck as a truck, I would prefer the Ford.

 

I also think the current F150 / 5.4 performance in terms of acceleration is lacking compared to the competition based on my recent test drives, but I'm buying some more F150's anyway because I like the truck, the reliability I've had with previous 5.4's, the truck's safety features + design, the pricing I'm getting, the dealership I deal with, etc.

I really like the idea of the Chevy AFM (Active Fuel Management) system (8 to 4 cylinder mode), but I'm concerned about the potential for problems with this technology and what it might cost to fix 'if' there are problems. It's a small but good step in the right direction for improved fuel economy and I hope it ends up being rock solid for the long term when it comes to reliability.

I've heard the newer F150's for '08 might be getting the Hurricane 5.8 or 6.2 engines in addition to 6 speed tranny's (whoohoo, the 6 speed finally!!!), but I'm sure we'll all know more later this year as better & more reliable info becomes available. I sure hope the 6 speeds are coming, but they didn't get here fast enough for the trucks I'm buying tomorrow

I hope Ford gives us more of what the Ashley / Smith off road racing team gets from their F150's. In 1998, I recall that their 5.4's were making close to 700 HP, revving to over 8,000 RPM and sending that power through an electronically shifted 6 speed automatic transmission! Ford has to have learned a great deal from these kinds of experiences since they were involved and hopefully more of this performance finds its way into the F150's before too long

 

AMEN brother Osborn!!!

 

Well when i test drove a 06 F150 Supercab XLT 3.55LS 4x4 5.4L i was abosultely impressed i thought it had awesome acceleration it was pretty preppy didnt even have to step on it that hard and you where gone i dont know if its just me but i say they are pretty powerful yeah by 2009 they say ford is developing a 6spd so its coming i think