6.8 vs 5.4
New User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
wasnt going to get involved in this pi$$ing contest however, park ranger wow! i have an 05 250sd 5.4 and its an animal...out excelerates my dodge ram tows my 22 foot cabin cruiser like its not even there..i had to get a longer tongue jack because my 250 does not squat an inch when the trailers on it..when i feel like getting into the pedal..it does just fine..2nd through third gear is impressive...so bottom line if you have a v10 great and if you have 5.4 thats great too
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 432
Likes: 0
i had an 05 expy with the 5.4, darn that thing was weak. Likely due to gearing (3.55) but this was a 2wd xlt, no add ons adding weight. I'm sorry but based on this, I would never promote the 5.4 in a SD. My 01 CC, LB, 4X4, w/36 x14.50s would eat it up every time I drag raced my brother, he was in my truck and I was in the expy, there was just no comparing the 2. I am in no way trying to bash, just my experience, which is what the OP was asking for.
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,158
Likes: 0
From: Paramount, Ca
i had an 05 expy with the 5.4, darn that thing was weak. Likely due to gearing (3.55) but this was a 2wd xlt, no add ons adding weight. I'm sorry but based on this, I would never promote the 5.4 in a SD. My 01 CC, LB, 4X4, w/36 x14.50s would eat it up every time I drag raced my brother, he was in my truck and I was in the expy, there was just no comparing the 2. I am in no way trying to bash, just my experience, which is what the OP was asking for.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 287
Likes: 0
From: Calgary Alberta Canada
I get 17 +/- in my 2005 5.4. 60-65mph highway.
I've never gotten less than 15mpg. on any tank
I went 504 miles and put in almost 30 gallons to top it up. on my last tank.
3 mpg is like 20% less fuel economy. in my view it's wasted money unless a guy really needs the extra juice.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 325
Likes: 0
From: Lower Hudson Valley, N.Y.
Thanks,
Later...
Brewster...
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
Likes: 423
From: Long Island USA
On long highway trips, I can wring out 16MPGs with my V10, and have gotten 17 once or twice.
It's not impossible.
I notice on those trips where I get the best mileage, I don't let the engine lug while going up hills, or trying to catch up with traffic, or to merge.
When I'm driving, as I lean into the gas, there is no more power after a certain point. I try not to hit that point. If I lean into it and feel that point, I back off to a certain degree.
I believe that is where most people don't get the highway mileage they think they should be getting.
I've noticed that if I don't care about it and don't back off, I get much worse mileage.
It's not impossible.
I notice on those trips where I get the best mileage, I don't let the engine lug while going up hills, or trying to catch up with traffic, or to merge.
When I'm driving, as I lean into the gas, there is no more power after a certain point. I try not to hit that point. If I lean into it and feel that point, I back off to a certain degree.
I believe that is where most people don't get the highway mileage they think they should be getting.
I've noticed that if I don't care about it and don't back off, I get much worse mileage.
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New User
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Bear in mind, that the river boats we use are 22 ft. but weigh about 7000 lbs. and the hill has a steep upgrade, tough little motor for smaller jobs, but when you need to pull a large load any where, v-10,remember this is my opinion. this my 12th ford from f-150 t0 a f 350, right now im pulling a 36 ft. forest river travel trailer with 3 slides, total loaded weight 11.585 still getting 10 mpg at 70mph
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 325
Likes: 0
From: Lower Hudson Valley, N.Y.
The cap detracts from mileage?!? I thought they'd help, albeit slightly. I'm wondering, would a soft fast-back cover be better? I'd think about getting rid of the cap for 3-4 MPG.
Thanks,
Later...
Brewster...
Thanks,
Later...
Brewster...
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
I'll second that! My 03' SD250 has a cap on it as well and I'm getting around 12.1mpg according to the trip computer. Mine is a Crew LB 5.4L auto w/C2 axle code (4.10 limited) so I figured this was just what I had to look forward to. I had planned on removing the cap for summer but will do it sooner for improved mpg.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,215
Likes: 8
From: WV
Minor hijack here.... 
I often see folks comparing the 5.4L's in SD's to those in 1/2 ton trucks. Posts like "I had a 5.4L in an F150, I couldn't imagine one in a big ol' heavy SD" or similar.
Does anyone know if the two motors (how they're tuned, etc) are identical between the SD's and the F150s/Expeditions? How about the gearing.. can you even get 3.73's in a 1/2 ton? Also how about the tranny's? Do the SD's use the same tranny (gearing again) as the 1/2 tons?
Just curious if its really an apples to apples comparison.
Maybe I'm just easy to please but I have no complaints in the power dept with my 2V 5.4L and yes, I have towed with it.
I often see folks comparing the 5.4L's in SD's to those in 1/2 ton trucks. Posts like "I had a 5.4L in an F150, I couldn't imagine one in a big ol' heavy SD" or similar.
Does anyone know if the two motors (how they're tuned, etc) are identical between the SD's and the F150s/Expeditions? How about the gearing.. can you even get 3.73's in a 1/2 ton? Also how about the tranny's? Do the SD's use the same tranny (gearing again) as the 1/2 tons?
Just curious if its really an apples to apples comparison.
Maybe I'm just easy to please but I have no complaints in the power dept with my 2V 5.4L and yes, I have towed with it.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,719
Likes: 1
From: PA
Minor hijack here....
I often see folks comparing the 5.4L's in SD's to those in 1/2 ton trucks. Posts like "I had a 5.4L in an F150, I couldn't imagine one in a big ol' heavy SD" or similar.
Does anyone know if the two motors (how they're tuned, etc) are identical between the SD's and the F150s/Expeditions? How about the gearing.. can you even get 3.73's in a 1/2 ton? Also how about the tranny's? Do the SD's use the same tranny (gearing again) as the 1/2 tons?
Maybe I'm just easy to please but I have no complaints in the power dept with my 2V 5.4L and yes, I have towed with it.
I often see folks comparing the 5.4L's in SD's to those in 1/2 ton trucks. Posts like "I had a 5.4L in an F150, I couldn't imagine one in a big ol' heavy SD" or similar.
Does anyone know if the two motors (how they're tuned, etc) are identical between the SD's and the F150s/Expeditions? How about the gearing.. can you even get 3.73's in a 1/2 ton? Also how about the tranny's? Do the SD's use the same tranny (gearing again) as the 1/2 tons?
Maybe I'm just easy to please but I have no complaints in the power dept with my 2V 5.4L and yes, I have towed with it.
Having that said, my 5.4 has never felt sluggish. Weather it was pulling a car hauler, boat, or a few atv's, it had plenty of grunt. As to the guy who said one wouldn't pull a 7000 pound boat up a grade, that is hogwash. The 5.4 bests the old 460, and I never hear how gutless it was.
As to the mpg thing, I know of multiple friends who have the V10 and consistently duck into the single digits in fuel mileage in everyday driving. Know of 2 who got rid of them for just that reason. It is really going to depend on where you are and how you use it if the V10 will be anywhere near the 5.4 in mileage.