I just did a test drive of a 2011 with the 5.0L and my own 2010 that I decided to purchase. Both trucks had the 3.55 Limited Slip, Crew Cab, 5.5' bed, all the same features and options except the 2011 had an additional power sliding rear window with defroster.

I just didn't care for the 5.0L's high rpm power. I was quite disappointed in it actually. On my test drive it just didn't seem responsive in the go department unless you gave it a lot of pedal. Even then, it was not on demand but had to build up like a small displacement high revving car motor. Don't get me wrong, once it was in it's power range, it was quicker than the 5.4L but the torque wasn't better at all because it needed 750 rpms to make that extra 15 lbs. The extra 50 Hp come in at 500 rpm higher and you really have to let it build up. I'd like to see HP and Torque curves from a dyno on these 2 trucks as I bet the 5.4L is a lot more flat with more power in the lower rpm ranges.

I don't think this 5.0L is even suppose to be the 5.4L replacement, but the 4.6L 3 valve replacement. I think the Ecoboost with it's better torque will be the 5.4L replacement.

My thinking for this is for these reasons. 5.4L is meant to tow heavy loads as it's tow rating with a 3.55 ratio axle is 9600 lbs. The 5.0L tow rating with a 3.55 ratio axle is 7700 lbs. The 5.4L tow rating with the 3.73 ratio axle is 11,300 lbs (with the Max Tow Packages upgraded suspension and coolers). The 5.0L tow rating with the 3.73 ratio axle is 9300. Still 300 lbs lower than the 5.4L with the 3.55 ratio axle.

Now the Ecoboost engine has the exact same tow ratings as did the 5.4L. The Ecoboost with the 3.55 ratio axle has a tow rating of 9700 lbs. With the 3.73 ratio axle (with the Max Tow Packages upgraded suspension and coolers) it can tow 11,100 lbs.

Also the 4.6L is the base engine for a Crew Cab 4WD XLT as is the 5.0L for the 2011. The 5.4L is the optional engine for 2010 while the Ecoboost is for the 2011. The 6.2L is only an option for the Max Tow Package.

I like the 5.0L but it does feel like a small displacement motor next to the 5.4L. It for sure if quicker but at the expense of lower rpm torque. Since I tow trailers, this is a bigger deal to me than just someone driving it as a daily driver or just hauling stuff in the bed.

My last tow vehicle was a 2008 Sport Trac 4.6L 3 Valve with 292 Hp @ 5600 rpm and 315 lbs of torque @ 4000 rpm. This truck weighed 5062 lbs according to the tire loading stickers payload and the 6280 lb GVWR. This truck's torque had the same pull that the 5.0L had in the F150 although the HP obviously made it faster.

The 5.0L 6R80 Transmission did make this truck lurch when driving very slow compared to the 5.4L combination. I had this same issue with the Sport Trac's 6R60 trans when I first got it(60 vs 80 is just the torque converter). It was corrected by reprogramming the transmission. I guess with all the new electronic controls and new clutch, they will have to fine tune this transmission as well with programming, to get it to operate as smooth as the Explorers (Sport Trac) 6R60 and 5.4L's 6R80 tranmissions.

Before I bought the 2010, I was really considering the 2011. My reservation with the 2011 was that this drivetrain really had no maturity behind it. While the 6R80 trans is the same mechanically it obviously not electrically. Besides that, all the new engines have no history. After working out the bugs in the 2004 Nissan Titan new drivetrain, I will never do that again.

The exhaust note of the 5.0L reminded me of a Mustangs exhaust note. While the 5.4L note is not as throaty, it is a lower rumbling type of note. The best note was from my previous Titan's 5.6L 4 Valve exhaust.

After a year or 2, the F150's new drivetrain should have the programming tuning they need and should have the bugs worked out, if there's any.

Now the 2010 F150's had a $6500 rebate on them while the 2011's only had a $2500 rebate, when considering all the rebates "I" could get. For a savings of $4000, it's a win win solution. Usually a year older model (with the same miles) will only lose about $2000 when depreciation is considered.

My second post so don't think I'm telling you guys what you should find, only what I found. I just like getting into the nitty gritty with guys that know.

Have a good one.

 

My son sells Fords and got his first drive in a 5.0 just the other day. He thought it felt like a very strong Chevy 5.3,i.e. a revver just as you describe. He said it wasn't anything that would make him trade out of my '09 FX4 'screw 5.4. I do a pretty fair amount of towing with my utility trailer and I like the torque curve of the 5.4. What would really interest me would be the Ecoboost.
After 2 years and 42,000 miles, I've been VERY pleased with my truck and won't be making any changes for a long time.

 

Mine reminds me very much of my '03 Sequoia with the 4.7L V-8.

I towed our 7000 lb camper with it and felt it out performed my '06 Lariat hands down power wise.....just could not handle the tongue weight.

That being said, my '06 with the four speed did much better than my '09. No top end.

I think once you get used to a little revving, this 5.0L will be a good tow vehicle.

 

I had an 09 and now my 2011 5.0. There are some hilly roads on some of my commutes my 5.4 downshifted and my 5.0 does not. 5.4 had 3.73 and 5.0 3.55s. Just a little input. I think the torque curve may feel smaller just because of the high rpm pull the 5.0 has as where the 5.4 does not.

 

I don't know about that. The 5.0L just didn't get up and go the way I expected. I had to give it a lot more pedal and a lot more rpms just to get it to go. Once it was going, it was a bat out of hell but it just didn't get going without some real urging. When towing a trailer, I don't want to have to wait for the power, so it can get over the hills.

It's torque curve even felt worse than my Sport Trac with the 4.6L 3 Valve, 6R60 trans. However, the Sport Trac is 700 lighter and uses much smaller tires which technically result in a better gearing. Once again, once the 5.0L was going, it was quicker than the Sport Trac.

Perhaps the 5.0L would feel better with a 3.73 but the dealer had about 5 or 6 2011 Crew Cabs and all had 3.55. Also with the 3.73, that would hurt fuel economy and I'm guessing putting it under the mileage of the 5.4L, with the 3.55 axle.

Right now the F150 5.4L 3.55 LS axle is only about 1 mpg worse than my Sport Trac's mileage. Give it some time to break in and I bet I'll be seeing the same mileage.

I'm really impressed with the 5.4L mileage considering my 2004 Titan XE 4WD Crew Cab with the shorter gearing, was only getting 13.2 mpg on the same stretch of road. The Titan was a whopping 500 lbs lighter (according to the tire loading sticker's payload rating vs GVWR). Says a lot in how much lighter duty the Titan was with 500 lbs less weight!

 

That is correct.

 

BTW, you guys wouldn't know why my signature isn't showing. I see others yet I have mine signature set and see it in the preview and it won't show in the posts.

Thanks

 

If you are using the regular reply box, you must click the sig option below it, each time. If you use the Quick Reply, you can click the button to include the sig every time.

 

You may have an oversized pic in it. Use the Testing forum to play with it.

 

Your review of the 5.4 vs 5.0 is interesting and along the lines of what I thought the hp and torque numbers suggested. A v8 that revs to around 7,000 rpm is cool, but I am not sure if it is ideal for a truck user who really values prodigious low-end grunt. I think the 5.0 will set the bar for power and reasonable fuel economy out of a v8. My understanding of this engine's tuning for its application in the truck is that it will be very tame and mellow if you keep your foot out of it, but transforms into a beast when you put your right foot down.

I also feel like the 5.4 is dogged more than it should be. Reliability issues from the past aside, the 5.4 is a solid powerplant for those who tow and carry heavy loads due to its strong bottom-end. To me, it represents the characteristics of a truck engine that used to be valued when people actually used a truck for what it is. Now it is all about how much power you can make at high RPMs so idiots who street race can talk more smack to other idiots on Youtube videos about "my Hemi can kick your Tundra's butt" or "my Nissan can wipe the floor with your Chevy" etc...

I agree the Ecoboost will be the best replacement for the 5.4. I think those who were smart enough to embrace the 5.4 for what it was best for may be able to embrace the EB for what it is and not reject it simply because it isn't a v8. That isn't what this thread is about and I don't want to derail this discussion on an engine that has been discussed to death in other threads.

Bottom line, I am not surprised that the 5.0 is a totally different animal than the 5.4 as its numbers suggest on paper. I think those who like a hi-zoot v8 will love the 5.0 and not be a big fan of the 5.4. Those who like an engine with lots of low end may be disappointed as the OP was. Its reviews like these that are valuable for those who might be on the fence between a 2010 and 2011 model. Now, if we could only teach people how to use the search function.

 

My new 5.0 runs as good or better than my '05 Titan SE Crew Cab ran. I love the 5.4L engine but I honestly don't think it is better than the 5.0, just a different animal.

The max tow capacity for the 5.0 SuperCab, 2wd, 145" wheelbase is 9500 pounds with the Trailer Tow Package.

 

Your right most likely because that configuration is so light. The 4WD version of that is only 7800 lbs with the 3.55 axle and 9400 lbs with the 3.73. Just checked.

The Titan was quick basically because it was so light from light duty parts. It's power was a bit unrated in 2004 as 317 Hp @ 5200 rpms and 385 lbs of torque @ 3400 rpms is more like it. It previously was rated at 305 Hp and 379 lbs of torque but these numbers were deceiving as it could smoke a Hemi in the same configuration just because it was so light. As I remember it, I was never disappointed with the Titan's power, it had good torque, just it's crappy build quality and unreliability.

Maybe in 5 years I'll be buy another F150 with the Ecoboost.

 

Thanks for the help.

 

Your right not, neither is better, just different animals. I feel the 5.4L is a better towing engine and the 5.0L is a better breathing engine for upper end performance.

To be honest, I'm from the old school of muscle cars. I'll take a low end power monster any day over top end power. They won't make the 0-60 mph as fast but watch those 1/4 mile times diminish as the car in the rear view mirror does as well.

 

I bought my Titan because I couldn't swing an extra 5K for the same F150 options. My Titan was a Beast. And yes, It would outrun Hemi's... Mine had lousy build quality; dash rattles after 4 days and I cont'd to have them for 45K miles. The brakes were a safety hazard and nightmare. I purchased the Nissan Gold Warranty and they refused to fix a brake pedal that would intermittently go to the floor. It definitely had the best exhaust note of all the 1/2 ton's in 2005.

I enjoy my carbureted push rod 289 and my pushrod 351W R code Lightning. My new '11 had 67 miles on it when I took it for a test drive. It smoked the tires at a stop sign by just punching the throttle - no brake stand. I had an '01 5.4L in a SuperCab with tow package and it felt like it could tow a house. Only time will tell on the tow effectiveness of the 5.0 engine. I drove the EB in a FX4 Crew Cab in December and it was very nice but way to heavy for that turbo-charged engine. My 5.0 feels a lot stronger than the EB did. Just my thoughts.