I don't know why so many people are bashing the 5.4L which i think has more than enough power the way it is. I hope ford doesn't get caught up the horsepower war just keep making trucks with impressive low end torque which has been working for the past 33 years. Their is a reason the f-series has been the best selling pickup in the world that long. I say if it ain't broke don't fix it.

The only thing I would like ford to improve on is fuel economy, that is why all my mods have been an attempt to improve mpg's not power and speed.

 

The 5.4 is a good engine-unloaded. Put 6K on the hitch and it's a different game, passing and merging becomes unnerving. The 3v 5.4 gets the load moving well enough but the torque is pretty much done by 2500 RPM. The problem for Ford is that they can't keep building the lowest HP trucks and expect to stay #1.

 

Mine does fine with 6k behind it. And, doesn't the torque peak at 3250...or is it 3750. The 5.4 has a very broad and usable torque curve in my opinion.

 

Sheesh. Spend the $4-6K you would on an upgraded motor and just blow the darned thing. You'll get a lot more than 400 RWHP and it will tow like a beast.

 

Very well said!

Put 8k on the hitch and its even more evident!

 

Its no secret that the 5.4 is an outdated under powered gas guzzeling dinosaur that needs to be put down and thats what Ford is doing come 2010.

 

Hey Dearborn Derek do u know 5.4 #'s. If u do i understand u can't say, just curious IF u know

 

Amen.

Just too bad Ford has to suffer a year with the old crap engine lineup before they can get out of their contract (was my understanding that's what was keeping them tied up in same engine components until a certain date or they would get hit $$$ hard by breaking contract with suppliers) or whatever is keeping them stuck, and get the new engine lineup in there. The '09's sure seem to be an odd launch with people not sure if it's a refresh or a remodel, why it has old engines, why new engines are staggered the next couple years rollout, etc. What an odd launch all around. :o

 

Ya the 5.4 is terrible, absolutely useless, thats why a 5 year old lightning with this junky engine in it is able to outrun any stock truck on the road except for the viper powered ram(it still runs very very close to the 8.3 liter v-10 powered ram). Its terrible that I can pull as much as I feel safe to hook onto with a half ton truck, accelerate fast enough to easily merge with traffic or pass easily. I hate the fact that my 5000lb truck gets 18-19 on the highway and 14-15 in town. Look I understand that you are ready for a big hp motor and that you want best in class numbers but don't act like the 5.4 is junk.
Blake

 

Well stated!..........

 

You feel safe merging into traffic with the current 5.4 in the '04-'08 lineup? Thing can't get out of it's own way. I could care less about speed, but punching the 5.4 and trying to move out of it's own shadow while merging can be a scary propsition, especially going onto the highway or other major roadway. Merging sucks with the 5.4.

Those who want speed is another matter. I could care less. How often do you go over 40-50 anyways? Occasionally on the highway, perhaps. Could give a rat's &^% how fast it can go, just want some safe merging power.

2009 is dead to me with the same crap engine. Looking forward to hearing more about the 2010 powertrain lineup!

 

Absolutely zero complaints from me. It merges and gets up to speed without a problem, and if I really want to get up to speed quickly, the tach doesn't even need to rev past 3 grand.

The 4.6 does it fine, but the 5.4 has that much more punch.

 

Your truck must be one of a kind if it doesnt merge well LOL Im hoping your being sarcastic LOL My truck w/ tires gets up to speed easy although it is tuned but still

 

Perhaps I just got a defective F-150. Although by the sheer number of posts I've read here over the past 5 years or so, I see that I am certainly not alone in this issue, not by a very long shot.

 

Too many people expect the acceleration a 3000 lb sports car. They're driving a 6000 lb brick of a truck. My friends 2001 Dodge 2500 with the 5.9 gets up to speed just fine, but my truck with the 5.4 has a lot more getup and go, not to mention more power. I don't need any more.