Not 5 speeds, but 6 forward gears. It won't be availible for the 2004 models, though.

http://media.ford.com/article_displa...ticle_id=13621

 

I think you be in a minority who would not want a 400hp 20 MPG truck

Where I find this creature
I wants

 

Had a talk with a friend who test drives for NVG that makes the transfer case for Ford , GM , DC AND others. The new Dodge only gets the 345 hp running 92 octane gas. Dodge recommends a minimum of 89 but it will run on 87 because of the knock sensor. Of course on 87 octane the timing is retarded to prevent preignition, a definite problem with a hemi chamber engine Consequently he feels the engine is only putting out around 310 hp on 87 and that at a high 5700 rpm. Torque drops across the whole rpm range about 35-45 ft-lbs. The reason for the high compression in the Dodge was to get an improvement in gas mileage of 1 mpg. But that is with hi octane gas. With 87 the mileage is no better than the 5.9L engine. He told me the current 5.4 has more low end than the new Hemi. That is why they went to the 5 speed in the Dodge. To make up the fact that the Hemi
power band is in the 4000-6000 rpm range. He said Dodge is not interested in gas mileage, they just wanted some big numbers to advertise.

 

4-6k powerband? Well, I say drive one on the recommended 89 octane gas. It has just about equal torque to the unreleased 3V 5.4L at every engine RPM. From 1000rpm to redline it has at least 300ft-pounds or torque. The Hemi may scream at 4000-6000rpm, but it is strong in thre 1500-2500 range that most people drive their trucks.

BTW, Ford is coming out with a 6-speed automatic for its trucks. It has nothing to do with making up for its engines peaky power delivery.

Ford has already brought out the 3V 5.4L in Austrailia in the new Falcon XR8. You can get some information here. The numbers are in metric and will probably be a little different in tuning for truck purposes than a passenger sedan.

 

My read was that the Dodge reccommends 89 not 93 in oder to get the adverised 345
In any case since the Dodge is heavier if Ford keeps its weight the same as the 2002s then the 5.4 3V performance wise in the Ford will be right there with the hemi
However the hemi has lots more potential

The other thing that makes me leery ( I am considering a new Dodge or a 2004 Ford ) is that the 5.4 doesn't have that great a history
First the piston slap problem-- then the leaking head gaskets --and now that the miles are adding up launching spark plugs

I have seen nothin in the write up indicating correcting the plug problem unless they did it and don't want to publicize it thus admitting a problem

 

As far as potential , who knows, the Hemi definitely has the potential to suck MUCH more gas. Considering the old 360
used lots of gas and the new Hemi is no better. According to the test driver at NVG the hemi needs 91-92 octane to run without the timing retarded due to preignition, but 89 is the MINIMUM
RECOMMENDED. All I know as this guy test drives them.
regards!

 

UncBob,

I thought I read on here somewhere that Ford redesigned the theading in the heads for the 5.4L for 2003? models. Hopefuly that has been resolved. Also, I have a 99 5.4L and no piston slap, no valve cover leaks, not coolant leaks at 62k miles.

Aaron

 

Seems to know more than all the many new hemi owners ( 2500s)posters at the several Dodge sites who have no trouble running their's on 89 or 87

 

dodge literature on their media web site says the hemi gets its advertised hp/tq at 89 octane (mid grade) and that is the recommended fuel. it also runs just fine on 87 but of course will not achieve 345 hp...

and as far as i know....NVG does not make any transfer cases for ford trucks...if i'm right ford gets their transfer cases from borg/warner...