My impression of 2010 5.4L vs the 2011 5.0L Drive
This ain't my first rodeo, had allot of chevys' fords over the years......just haven't done any towing. I currently have an 04 Crown Vic (which i love), a MINTY 92 F-150 (4.9L) and a 95 F-250 (460) which is a blast to haul with.
My intention is to save insurance costs-sell em all an have one nice pick-up ONLY in our driveway.
I think a 09-10 5.4 w/3:73's will be trick enuff to do the job for me. Money is tight so I think that choice would be the better one for us. Might be tough to find one w/3:73's though........
My intention is to save insurance costs-sell em all an have one nice pick-up ONLY in our driveway.
I think a 09-10 5.4 w/3:73's will be trick enuff to do the job for me. Money is tight so I think that choice would be the better one for us. Might be tough to find one w/3:73's though........

That is the funniest thing I've heard all day. I'm sorry and I don't want to start any, but I worked on those trucks alot before our chevy dealer closed. The 6.0 is a decent GM engine in the torque dept., but it is does not have way more grunt than the 5.4. I drove those trucks alot, and I'm a 5.4 owner. I've had 98, 99, 00, and 02 with 5.4 engines and towed alot with them. I've also towed with a 6.0, drove cargo vans with the 6.0, u-hauls with 6.0, and I'm telling you they are dogs, and whiny ones at that (due to the 4L80/4L85E trans). The 6.0 makes alot of noise, but goes no where fast. Also, the 6.0 loves to leak oil from wherever it can, that gets very annoying when it starts to leak onto the exhaust and stink.
We have several 6.0 's still in our fleet at work.......they are a dissapointment and cost to much $ maintenance compared to our Fords.
Last edited by Bluejay; Jan 29, 2011 at 08:54 PM. Reason: edited quote
Put a low profile tire on a 20" wheel and you'll have the same effect on gearing as a standard tire on an 18" wheel. The overall diameter (and resulting circumference) of the tire determines that part of the equation in the quest for final drive ratio.
Now, unsprung weight is a different story. The heavier 20" wheel will have a slight effect on performance versus the lighter 18" wheel.
But larger wheel diameter DOES NOT affect gearing!

That is the funniest thing I've heard all day. I'm sorry and I don't want to start any , but I worked on those trucks alot before our chevy dealer closed. The 6.0 is a decent GM engine in the torque dept., but it is does not have way more grunt than the 5.4. I drove those trucks alot, and I'm a 5.4 owner. I've had 98, 99, 00, and 02 with 5.4 engines and towed alot with them. I've also towed with a 6.0, drove cargo vans with the 6.0, u-hauls with 6.0, and I'm telling you they are dogs, and whiny ones at that (due to the 4L80/4L85E trans). The 6.0 makes alot of noise, but goes no where fast. Also, the 6.0 loves to leak oil from wherever it can, that gets very annoying when it starts to leak onto the exhaust and stink.
i've had my 2011 4x4 5l 3.73 screw now for a month...and i'm really enjoying it! my trade-in was an '05 4x4 5.4l 3.73 screw. in comparing the too performance-wise...i can't say that i've noticed much difference cruising around town, but get out on the highway and put your foot in it, and yowsa, it beats the pants off the old truck...and sounds way better doing so! the 5.4l was a good engine, but it never "felt" like it had any guts to me. i'm sure the 6r80 probably helps quite a bit in the new truck vs the 4r75 in the old truck. i can't comment on towing ability since i've never towed anything heavy with either truck.
i am loving the 5.0 over the 5.4, power is much better and so is the mileage. it's lacking just a bit around 1500 rpm if i had to complain about something but i'm going to have a tune written to put some torque/hp down low and i know i will be 100% satisfied.
i drove the 5.0 and ecoboost back to back and to be honest the turbo lag irritated me and the power difference wasn't enough to make me want to deal with the lag.
can't wait to tow with the 5.0 though, while the 5.4 did it fine towing our 17 ft century, it had no ***** to pass which i'm expecting the 5.0 to dominate.
i drove the 5.0 and ecoboost back to back and to be honest the turbo lag irritated me and the power difference wasn't enough to make me want to deal with the lag.
can't wait to tow with the 5.0 though, while the 5.4 did it fine towing our 17 ft century, it had no ***** to pass which i'm expecting the 5.0 to dominate.
Why do people keep saying this? Wheel size has absolutely nothing to do with gearing!!! It's ALL about the tire size.
Put a low profile tire on a 20" wheel and you'll have the same effect on gearing as a standard tire on an 18" wheel. The overall diameter (and resulting circumference) of the tire determines that part of the equation in the quest for final drive ratio.
Now, unsprung weight is a different story. The heavier 20" wheel will have a slight effect on performance versus the lighter 18" wheel.
But larger wheel diameter DOES NOT affect gearing!
Put a low profile tire on a 20" wheel and you'll have the same effect on gearing as a standard tire on an 18" wheel. The overall diameter (and resulting circumference) of the tire determines that part of the equation in the quest for final drive ratio.
Now, unsprung weight is a different story. The heavier 20" wheel will have a slight effect on performance versus the lighter 18" wheel.
But larger wheel diameter DOES NOT affect gearing!
5.4 vs 5.0
I use to own a 06 5.4 4x4 Screw and now own a 11 5.0 4x4 Screw. I have to say that my old 5.4 was a great engine. It had immediate torque at pedal tip in but when towing I still had to mash the pedal to get up and go. I've yet to tow with my new 5.0 but comparing so far i would expect the 5.0 to outperform the 5.4 when towing since alot of the time when you need that extra power, your on the pedal anyway and into the higher rpms like the 5.0 likes.
Just my $.02
I'll post back for a real comparison after passing that 1k mile mark.
Just my $.02
I'll post back for a real comparison after passing that 1k mile mark.
I use to own a 06 5.4 4x4 Screw and now own a 11 5.0 4x4 Screw. I have to say that my old 5.4 was a great engine. It had immediate torque at pedal tip in but when towing I still had to mash the pedal to get up and go. I've yet to tow with my new 5.0 but comparing so far i would expect the 5.0 to outperform the 5.4 when towing since alot of the time when you need that extra power, your on the pedal anyway and into the higher rpms like the 5.0 likes.
Just my $.02
I'll post back for a real comparison after passing that 1k mile mark.
Just my $.02
I'll post back for a real comparison after passing that 1k mile mark.
that last post by goducks makes a lot of sense. I was reading these posts and thinking, there must have been something wrong with my 05 with a 5.4 engine. I put dual exhaust, intake, and an Edge Programmer on it, and that thing sucked gas, and went no where fast. I never really liked that truck that much, but traded it on an '11 with the 5.0....and this thing is MUCH faster, and feels more powerful! I didn't even think about the tranny making that much difference, but I think the guys on to something.
To each their own. I owned a 2010 Platinum 4x4 with 5.4 and 3.55 limited slip. I drove a 2011 FX4, 5.0L with the 3.73's & e-locker and as soon as I got back to the dealer, I traded. The 5.0L truck is way better IMO. Much more power and throttle response. The 5.4 seemed sluggish and I hated the 3.55's with limited slip. Plus I am averaging 18.7 with about 65%/35% highway/city driving. I was only averaging 15.9 with the 2010 5.4L. The only thing I missed from my platinum was the power running boards....but I added them to my FX4 for $1200 installed from AMP research. Just my $.02
The reason you had to mash the pedal to go was the rediculously low (numericaly 1st gear) The new 6sp really changes how the 5.4 drives. Not saying it will keep up with the 5.0 but the 6sp gearing transforms the 5.4 into a better truck. I owned an 08 5.4 4sp and now a 2010 5.4 6sp and pulling the same 7200lb TT it's very noticble how much less gas pedal it takes to get it moveing from a dead stop. I have say it seemed like forever to get 1000mi's on my truck before I could tow.
You are correct. I should be comparing apples to apples. My 06 had 3.55 not 3.73 and a 5 speed auto, not 6 speed. But in all fairness I did have a CAI and catback setup with a Gryphon custom tune and it still doesnt compare to my new 5.0 Like I said before, I will come back to give a true comparison after the 1k mile mark.
my thoughts on the 5.0........ i had a 2002 with 2v 5.4(4x4, 3.55LS), and yes, it would pull anything i put behind it. so far, pullin the 16ft bass boat, and my 16 ft jon, along with other smaller under 3k LBS trailers with my 2011 with 5.0, 4x4, 3.55LS, it actually seems to pull them better, places where the old truck would downshift, this one holds the gear. i get better mileage pulling with this one than i did just regular driving the old one, and yes, it hauls @$$ when you push that right foot to the floor. im very happy with my 5.0 already, but we'll see how it really does when i put the loaded enclosed trailer behind it during hunting season. i believe it will do just fine!


