How does this 5.4L maintain it's RPM and speed so consistent on the hills?
Granted we don't have many mountains here in Texas but we do have some pretty good long grades. This thing will sit at 70-75mph and about 2000 RPM on these hills and never waver a bit. It's almost like driving my Dad's Power Stroke. It's hard to believe this thing can pull itself this well with this little 5.4L.

 

Ahhhh...the wonders of variable camshaft timing!

 

No mountains in Texas? Uh, apparently you haven't been to the Big Bend or the Guadalupe Mountains. While it's not Colorado, we do have some mountains here!

By the way, good to hear 'bout the torque of the 5.4, as I'm waiting on my new one to arrive.

 

I noticed the torque monster under the hood myself I guess I'm used to driving the old Cavalier...lol Anyway, I put the peddle down 1/4 way or so and it shifts, shifts, shifts...then no matter what, it keeps pulling, pulling, pulling....you get the picture I'm not used to this...it sure is nice!

 

I think I said "not many mountains". I haven't been to the Big Bend but I have been over the Balcones Escarpment and thru LLano Estacado or Hill Country a few times. The '04 is 10X better than my old '93 ever dreamed of with it's 5.0L - 4X2 - .355LS.

 

I know what you mean Mupper. I'm
impressed with the pulling capacity
of this truck also.

'04 Lariat Screw

 

Don't worry, the truck does very well on some of the steepest grades we have here in Colorado, too.

 

Do you guys notice that the tranny is a bit hesitant to bump out of O/D and into a lower gear. It seems that it takes a fairly substantially jab on the gas to get it to actually start accelerating and not choking in O/D on hills or while trying to pass.

Maybe it's partly due to the drive-by-wire, not sure. Seems that by the time I give it enough gas to get it to change gears, the engine finally catches up and it instantly takes off. Doesn't seem to be an inbetween.

I am crazy?

- Justin

 

jmvdigital,
It does seem like the old "shift into passing gear" action is gone. I have noticed that it doesn't seem like your gaining much speed but I'm usually doing about 80mph by the time I've passed someone going 60. It just seems to happen smoothly without any head jerk.

 

I have a 97 F-250 power stroke and noticed the same thing about my wifes F-150. It does pull really well on the grades, but does need a bit more throttle input than the Diesel. Goes down hill like stink too. Even with the overdrive locked out, it still gains speed pretty fast going down hill and I have to hit the brakes more often than the 250.
I don't usually exceed the speed limit by anymore than about 5mph, but I have found that the 150 is so quiet, and so fast, that I regularly find myself pushing 75-80 without realizing it.

 

You are all right, this thing pulls like a cart horse. No matter the grade or how long the grade is, it will pull all day long.