The '05 and later Super Duty is a fantastic towing platform! Work through your 'irrational fear' and get a V10 F250, especially if you get an '05 or later truck with the TorqShift transmission.

You'll be glad you did.

 

Of the four trucks you listed (I'm counting your current F150), I would say keep your F150 and regear it with 4:30's. It will feel like a new one after doing that.

But if you just must have a new payment - don't buy anything with a 5.4. You already know it's limitations, and although the new ones are better, it won't rock your world. The V-10 would leave you smiling for most of the new loan term.

 

If you decide to go with the SD gasser, then the V10 would be my vote. better to have the extra power and not need it, then to invest cash in the 5.4L and be wanting more.

 

Depends on the diesel in question, some took to the new equipment requirements better than others...

Now as regards V10 vs 5.4, get the V10. Also, the 1/2 pickups are good for grocery getting only, I'd get a heavy duty truck if you want to haul anything of note

 

I bought a 250 c.c with the 5.4 and long bed last year. I use the truck for work and it does just fine. It is not as powerful as my last diesel truck, but it handles everything I need to do well, my truck is loaded with parts and tools and has a camper top, and a 100 gal. transfer fuel tank and weighs right at 10,000 lbs., no problems with the 5.4. It sounds like you do not tow much, so the 5.4 with then 373 gears will be the best choice for overall fuel economy as a daily driver, the 373's will tow just fine. At first I thought the 5.4 would be too small, but it is plenty strong, 300h.p., usually I go with the bigger engines, but I do not regret getting it. As for the 150 vs 250 thing I guess it is just personal preference. Drive them both and you might be suprised and like the feel of the 250 they are smooth and quiet. If the trucks are close to the same price, you would get more truck for your money with the 250. I own a business and have been through many trucks, have had all the models and engines and overall the 250's are the best choice for durability and longevity, and the brakes are way better than the 150's. I would have to say this is one of the nicest trucks I have owned in the past 20 years, for me it is a no brainer.

 

I have an '09 F-250 spec'd with the 5.4L & 4.10 gears. It does just fine commuting daily to work. It tows well for being called a "pig," "underpowered," or my personal favorite, "gutless.".

The best thing about the F-250 with the 5.4L is its decent payload capacity, unlike the F-150s you were reading about. Some of those fellows have payloads a low as 900 lbs; however, many are over 1000 lbs. A lot depends on whether the truck is crew cab and whether a lot of options are added on.

My 5.4L SD has a GVW of 9400 lbs. The max payload, for example, is listed on my door as 2375 lbs. Add four 200 lb people in the cab, and that brings the total payload down to 1575 lbs. Now add 700 lbs of tongue weight from a 7000 lb trailer and you would still have room for at least 800 lbs of gear in the bed, which is quite reasonable. The 3/4 ton gives you a definite advantage over the 1/2 ton here.

I'll buck the trend here and say that if you don't live among too many mountains, then the 5.4L will serve you well. I mean, you're only towing 8-12 times a year here. Whatever you do, please get the 4.10 gears.

 

I have a 2008 crew cab 4WD automatic with the 5.4 and 3.73 rear, and I am pretty happy so far. I was actually looking for a leftover F150, then ran across this truck early this year (leftover '08) for a bargain price. I am very glad I ended up with the SD. I bought skid plates and installed them (no off road package on mine), and was impressed with the chassis/axles, etc. This truck should last a very long time. The full floating rear axle is another nice upgrade over a 150.

I think the diesel or V-10 is overkill if only moderate towing is needed. I tow cars/ATV's/equipment (4,000 to 7,000 lbs total or so) in an enclosed 20 foot trailer with no problems. I think the newer 5 speed auto is finally a decent Ford automatic which helps the 5.4 squeeze every bit of usable power out of the mill. When "floored," it shifts at max power (5,000 rpm) and power drop off between shifts is nil even with the 5.4/3.73 setup, and the 4.10 will be better. A 3.55 is now available, but I think the 3.73 is the highest I would consider. If I special ordered it, I'd get the 4.10 (only $50.00 I think) with the V-8.

My only mod is an Airaid intake. Once I broke 2,000 miles, my fuel economy picked up a bit, I now average around 12-13 in town and 15-16 on the road. My family auto is a VW diesel wagon (6 speed manual), now that little rascal is powerful and economical (35-45 mpg)...

I think the deciding factor is how much (weight), how often, and in what terrain you will tow. The people on this forum seem to think a 2-3 mpg or so difference (between the V-8 and V-10) is no big deal, but I think we could be back to $3.00 to $4.00 (or more) a gallon for gas soon, and it will make a difference at that point. I think the 5.4 will handle the towing you need, but if you are considering a bit more weight to tow and want a gasser, it's hard to discount the relative "bargain" that the V-10 is. I only tow moderate loads about 1/3 of the time, so in my case I'll stick with the V-8!

 

This is great! I am getting exactly what I want from this thread; real world view points from the SD perspective. My desire to move from my 150 to a 250 is based on the standpoint that I believe my 150 is over the limit when I tow the Jeep. I know people do this all the time without issue; however, I am in a position where I can do something about it for my family and get into a truck platform that will put some safety margin into my towing trips. I'm not convinced the 5.4 is a poor choice for me given my needs vs my wants. As a daily driver the 6.8 and the 1-2 mpg difference adds up over time. Better to suffer poor mpg while towing when that is about 10% of my driving. Hopefully I will get to test drive the exact 5.4 250 I am looking at, so I will have a better idea then.

Thanks again and keep em coming!

 

For about the $600 upgrade to the v10 it seems to me which option is best hands down...

 

I agree. Now if you want to give up all the advantages mentioned above then go for the SD which is what I did. I love my truck but I also can afford the extra cost. I've always wanted a diesel so i got one and its awesome. Keep in mind though that with the 5.4 its a dog and thats just how it is. I think your choice needs to be SD V10, SD 6.4, or 2009 F150 5.4 which are very nice. Drive um all and see what you think.

 

There is an ongoing extra cost with this option too; spending more per year for fuel costs for the 10% of time I may like having the extra power. I have concerns about what 'dear leader' will do with a gas tax in the future so saving every little bit on mpg cannot hurt. Yes, I realize it is minimal, but it is still there. Although I wonder if the 4.10s will reduce the difference between a 5.4 and a 6.8 w/3.73s.

 

What are the real world fuel mileage numbers people are getting with the 5.4 in the superdutys. I can not see how the 5.4 working to move the weight of the truck and the v-10 moving it easily can compare. I am now curious for myself. I know jeeppuller is going to get what suits his needs and he is comfortable with.

 

Having a 6 speed, like your truck, changes everything. I would drive a 5.4 with a six speed, but I think the OP wants an auto.

 

I think you described it pretty well. And then for towing prowess, we have to add "it does okay", "it gets the job done", and my personal favorite "it's not a V-10 but it ...".

 

I agree about all the name calling, come on people itis a 330ci motor pulling 7k around, it does fine. If you want towing prowess step up to a bigger power plant.