Is 5.4 strong enough?
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Tuned
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 466
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From: South Central KENTUCKY
Is 5.4 strong enough?
I am looking for anouther truck. I found a newer f350 that i like and the price is right, but it has a 5.4 triton. Just curious is it is strong enough for a ton truck. My 95 has a 5.8 which is ok, for gas i would prefer the 460, but what can you do. So 5.4 good , bad, or ugly.
Motly i just drive, occasionaly i pull a horse trailer, or trailer load of hay, the occasional tractor what ever, but it wont be a daily hauler by no means.
thanks
Motly i just drive, occasionaly i pull a horse trailer, or trailer load of hay, the occasional tractor what ever, but it wont be a daily hauler by no means.
thanks
Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 45
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From: S.Fork The EdistoRiver
i would say yes if you don't pull a lot with it. My neighbor has a f250 w/ 5.4 and it does ok with his 30' camper, but he only pulls it to the coast and the lake, all with in 100 miles one way. If the price is right i'd say go for it.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 215
Likes: 25
From: Massachusetts
I have a 250 with the 5.4, and haul with it fairly often, a few times a week. She does well on that task.
But if I was going to get a 350, I'd definitely spend the money and get a bigger engine. If for nothing else I think of the resale value down the line. just my 2 cents.
But if I was going to get a 350, I'd definitely spend the money and get a bigger engine. If for nothing else I think of the resale value down the line. just my 2 cents.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 466
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From: South Central KENTUCKY
theree\ are not many options to go bigger are there? the v-10, and i been seeing alot of those with bad engines for sale, or the diesel, which doubles the cost. I dont know any others, but i am not up on the newer models
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
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From: Stephensville WI
I pull 8-9000 pounds on a regular basis with my truck (see sig). I have no problems. The truck isn't at all underpowered. I mean, it's 300 HP, which is more HP than the mid 90's 460s. It won't win any drag races pulling 9000 pounds, but it'll easily get the job done.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2003
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From: Lyndonville, Vermont
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Posting Guru
Joined: May 2007
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From: the woodzies
You will be fine with the truck. I know a few people who are in the same situation as you and have 5.4's and they do just fine. I have a 5.4 with 4:10 gears and she hauls just fine.
do you know what gears are in the truck?
do you know what gears are in the truck?
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Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 466
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From: South Central KENTUCKY
No and i doubt the seller does either. Says tranny shifts hard but goes through gears and all. But when i asked if it would be ok to drive 1000 miles home, said i should have it shipped. but i aint buying till i drive it. so what do you do.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2007
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i have a 2003 f350 4x4 sc sb srw 5.4 auto. i have a big tex 12 gn 25' gooseneck. i'm always towing my jeeps around. no problems with power. but i get around 11 to 13 mpgs. thats normal driving with 3:73s. hope this helps. 
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2007
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From: the woodzies
Originally Posted by reddogracing
No and i doubt the seller does either. Says tranny shifts hard but goes through gears and all. But when i asked if it would be ok to drive 1000 miles home, said i should have it shipped. but i aint buying till i drive it. so what do you do.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2007
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i tow 10,000lbs 5th wheel with mine and lots of cars. i am happy with it. it will do better than your 5.8l. my dad has a 1996 f250 w/ 5.8l. when we go camping he starts to fall back when we get into the hills and i am about 2,000lbs heaver than him.
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Tuned
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 466
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From: South Central KENTUCKY
1FTSX31L5XEA39548 http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...TODAY.m238.lVI
hope i dont generate people to bid against me, lol.
i sent him this message.
"would you be afraid to drive this truck to ky"
i really can't say to tell you the truth... i would be afraid myself... i would look into transporting it it i have done it in the past and with a flight and gas and food... it worked out cheaper
hope i dont generate people to bid against me, lol.
i sent him this message.
"would you be afraid to drive this truck to ky"
i really can't say to tell you the truth... i would be afraid myself... i would look into transporting it it i have done it in the past and with a flight and gas and food... it worked out cheaper
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2003
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All you need to do is get the year and axle ratio and you can look up the specs online.
For instance, on the 08 F350 5.4 auto 4x2 single axle regular cab (you didn't mention cab style) you can tow 10,100lbs with the 3.73 axle and 12,100 lbs with the 4.10 axle.
If you don't overload the truck, there's no reason why it can't perform as a full-time tow vehicle. You run into problems when you exceed the manufacturer specifications.
Don't forget that the F350 also has a beefed up drivetrain ( no matter what engine you buy), and that problems can appear in the transmission before the engine, since that runs hot when towing.
No matter what engine you buy, just keep it within specs and you'll be ok if you keep it serviced properly.
For instance, on the 08 F350 5.4 auto 4x2 single axle regular cab (you didn't mention cab style) you can tow 10,100lbs with the 3.73 axle and 12,100 lbs with the 4.10 axle.
If you don't overload the truck, there's no reason why it can't perform as a full-time tow vehicle. You run into problems when you exceed the manufacturer specifications.
Don't forget that the F350 also has a beefed up drivetrain ( no matter what engine you buy), and that problems can appear in the transmission before the engine, since that runs hot when towing.
No matter what engine you buy, just keep it within specs and you'll be ok if you keep it serviced properly.