My 2 month report
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Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Louisiana
My 2 month report
Some of you may remember that I upgraded from a 1999 F-150 to a 2008 back in May. When I first posted about it I hadn't driven it enough to give my full review. I just figured I would update now that I've had it for a couple months (and paid the first note 
)
1. Power: The 5.4 is AWESOME...even though I have the 3:55's, it is still a blast to drive. I still haven't gotten to tow with it yet but I'm gettin pretty eager.
2. Mileage: I average around 13.5 driving around town where my old 4.6 got right at 16 most of the time. On the highway it gets a solid 19mpg which is around the same that my 4.6 got so no complaints there.
3. Overall Handling: This was the deal-maker for me. This truck handles like a dream. There are a few curves on my commute to work that are a little bumpy and would cause my old truck to feel pretty "light" in the rear. I can take them at a lot higher speed with this truck and it doesn't even shake.
4. Features/layout: It's a Supercrew with the XLT package (all power but with cloth). My last truck was a Scab, and I really considered getting another Scab until I found the Screw with the 6.5' bed. I couldn't be happier with this layout. I can fit my 4-wheeler in the bed with the tailgate closed and fit all my gear in the back with room to spare. The indash 6cd changer with the auxiliary input is exactly what I need. I think the original owner upgraded the door speakers because it sounds awesome.
I haven't done any mods to it yet and I honestly don't know if I need to. One day I might put an exhaust on it but for now I'm going to enjoy a drone-free cab, though I really do miss the exhaust on my old truck.
Needless to day I'm loving this truck and I'm glad I took the plunge.
)1. Power: The 5.4 is AWESOME...even though I have the 3:55's, it is still a blast to drive. I still haven't gotten to tow with it yet but I'm gettin pretty eager.
2. Mileage: I average around 13.5 driving around town where my old 4.6 got right at 16 most of the time. On the highway it gets a solid 19mpg which is around the same that my 4.6 got so no complaints there.
3. Overall Handling: This was the deal-maker for me. This truck handles like a dream. There are a few curves on my commute to work that are a little bumpy and would cause my old truck to feel pretty "light" in the rear. I can take them at a lot higher speed with this truck and it doesn't even shake.
4. Features/layout: It's a Supercrew with the XLT package (all power but with cloth). My last truck was a Scab, and I really considered getting another Scab until I found the Screw with the 6.5' bed. I couldn't be happier with this layout. I can fit my 4-wheeler in the bed with the tailgate closed and fit all my gear in the back with room to spare. The indash 6cd changer with the auxiliary input is exactly what I need. I think the original owner upgraded the door speakers because it sounds awesome.
I haven't done any mods to it yet and I honestly don't know if I need to. One day I might put an exhaust on it but for now I'm going to enjoy a drone-free cab, though I really do miss the exhaust on my old truck.
Needless to day I'm loving this truck and I'm glad I took the plunge.
Thats a nice upgrade and glad you like it. I'm not sure what the towing is like with the 3.55s, but when I haul a dump trailer loaded to a total of about 6k lbs with my 5.4 and 3.73s, I don't barely notice it there and mileage barely drops. Also, good find on the screw with the 6.5' bed. The 5.5' just isn't enough.
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Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Houston, TX
I'm a little shocked that you feel the performance of the 5.4 is great compared to your old truck (?). Every time I have driven one of the older bodystyle trucks, I have felt that they have much better acceleration when compared to the '04-'08 trucks -- primarily attributable to the reduced weight of the '97-'03 trucks.
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 269
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From: Houston, Tx
I have an 08 xlt Scab with 6.5 bed. I also didnt think the 5.5 bed was enough. I also hate driving with the tailgate down with a 4-wheeler and ramps hangin off it.
Glad your enjoying your new truck, just a drag you have to make payments again....I bought mine new and got it paid for in 18 months....That was one of the few positives that came from living with my parents! lol I moved out shortly after I got the title.
Glad your enjoying your new truck, just a drag you have to make payments again....I bought mine new and got it paid for in 18 months....That was one of the few positives that came from living with my parents! lol I moved out shortly after I got the title.
Congrats and good to hear another positive report. This is my 2nd 04/08, came from a 04 XLT Scab 6'5. Love my 07 Supercrew Lariat but miss the 6'5 a little, even though I never seem to use the bed anymore.
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From: The Shenandoah Valley
SlammaJamma ... glad to hear the good report! 
I too have a '07 5.4 with 3.55s purchased in Aug 09 .... and I have towed a utility trlr with some construction supplies, maybe 3K pounds (and I know that's light weight by some of y'all's standards) ... but for a big heavy PU with just 3.55s and only 331 cubes, it sure supprised me how well it towed. (note: Before I bought mine in '09, as a trooper I would often see them going up the Interstate pulling large cargo trailers and car trailers with cars or trucks on them or big campers and they hauled butt pretty good it seemed, even on thge upgrades. I knew my old '77 couldn't do that stock, not up the grades like I saw these 04 up trucks do regularly.)
I don't get much city driving, but I got about 18-18.5 in rural and interstae driving stock (well, cat back but that doesn't help much), the SC FP 1865 on 87 Perf tune added a good 1-1/2 mpg tank to tank as confirmed by ScanGageII and checking miles devided by gallons at fillups.
Mine's suspension is totally stock, it does handle good, better than I expected. I think the '04 up Scabs have mmore room than the previous generation, I believe the cab to be only about 6 inches shorter overall than a Screw.
My last truck which I still have, is a '77 F-150. I got a big shock in the differences. Gonna try to keep the '77 though as prices have fallen here on older ones, fix her up with all that stuff I have stock piled over the years (since late 80s), use her in work and snow, etc. I'ld like to get that 400 in there and hear it run too.
I too have a '07 5.4 with 3.55s purchased in Aug 09 .... and I have towed a utility trlr with some construction supplies, maybe 3K pounds (and I know that's light weight by some of y'all's standards) ... but for a big heavy PU with just 3.55s and only 331 cubes, it sure supprised me how well it towed. (note: Before I bought mine in '09, as a trooper I would often see them going up the Interstate pulling large cargo trailers and car trailers with cars or trucks on them or big campers and they hauled butt pretty good it seemed, even on thge upgrades. I knew my old '77 couldn't do that stock, not up the grades like I saw these 04 up trucks do regularly.)
I don't get much city driving, but I got about 18-18.5 in rural and interstae driving stock (well, cat back but that doesn't help much), the SC FP 1865 on 87 Perf tune added a good 1-1/2 mpg tank to tank as confirmed by ScanGageII and checking miles devided by gallons at fillups.
Mine's suspension is totally stock, it does handle good, better than I expected. I think the '04 up Scabs have mmore room than the previous generation, I believe the cab to be only about 6 inches shorter overall than a Screw.
My last truck which I still have, is a '77 F-150. I got a big shock in the differences. Gonna try to keep the '77 though as prices have fallen here on older ones, fix her up with all that stuff I have stock piled over the years (since late 80s), use her in work and snow, etc. I'ld like to get that 400 in there and hear it run too.
Last edited by tbear853; Jul 20, 2011 at 12:29 AM.
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,711
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From: Rhode Island
I'm a little shocked that you feel the performance of the 5.4 is great compared to your old truck (?). Every time I have driven one of the older bodystyle trucks, I have felt that they have much better acceleration when compared to the '04-'08 trucks -- primarily attributable to the reduced weight of the '97-'03 trucks.
