Is the 5.4 engine enough power for the F250 4door short bed? My father has the V10, it's a monster. I just wanted to know if the 5.4 would feel right in that big of a truck, or under powered like the 4.6 in my super crew.

Thanks,

Rick

 

I'm also looking to buy a new truck and trade my 99 supercab for a superduty or supercrew .

I test drove both like the supercrew but want atleast a 6.5 bed .
When I test drove the f250 crew cab with the 5.4 and 4.10 gears felt like it was pullin an anchor !! itwas such a dog !! If I get the superduty it will be with a v-10 !!!


Min8251

 

I have a F250SD, 5.4 liter V8, 3.73 axle, 4x4, automatic transmission, crew cab with short box.

It is not a race truck, but it does get up to highway speed plenty fast, then keeps going with plenty of pull until I hit my preferred cruising speed of 85 to 90 mph. Ontario highways are minimally speed monitored. I have had the truck pull quickly up to over 100 mph before backing off, so reserve power on the highway is not an issue.

When pulling a 6500 lb travel trailer, the truck is slower, but I can still hit expressway speed limits before the end of the on-ramp, and I have no problems on all but the very steepest hills. The 5.4 liter V8 doesn't give up.

I could have gone up to the V10 but I put a lot of miles on the truck, though not enough to warrant making a diesel pay off. The V8 should get you about 1 to 3 mile per gallon better economy than the V10, which doesn't sound like much. However, when your truck is only getting 10 to 15 miles per gallon to start with, that "small" difference can add up to 20% higher fuel bills with the V10.

You have to decide if the extra cost is worth it, and much of that decision will be determined by your towing expectations. The max trailer weight for my truck is somewhere about 7000 lbs or so. If you plan to tow regularly at that weight, or plan to tow a heavier trailer, the V10 will be a must. If not, the 5.4 liter V8 will do you just fine.

On the other hand, if you want a race truck....

 

Is the 5.4 Enough,
yes it's enough
Test drive one for yourself
No it's not as fast as a 5.4 in a F150
but it's also allot heavier then a F150
I'd say go with the 4:10 gear also
but the nice thing is that there's 3 very good motors to chose
from in the super duty

 

I just picked up my new 2002 F-250 Lariat Supercab from the dealer yesterday. It's got the 5.4 with 3.73's and with only 2 days of driving, I'm pleased so far with the 3.73's. I test drove one with the 4.10's and it also felt to me a little doggish of the start. I think the 3.73's was the right choice for me and to be honest with you guys, I don't notice too much difference between my old (2000 year) F-150 and this new baby......Oh, by the way Manx....I ended up buying a black Lariat with the Arizona Beige trim on the bottom...Looks awesome.....couldn't find one in the shadow gray with a two-tone paint anywhere, Oh well......Point Man.

 

ralderman

As you can see by my signature below, I have the 5.4 and have been very happy with it. I would also admit that I somtimes have a case of cylinder envy (V10).... However, I can't say that I'd ever NEED the V10. I do tow a couple of snowmobiles, but I can do that in my Pathfinder with a V6. I will say that I don't even notice they're there with the 250SD/5.4.

The 5.4 gets no respect on this board, but that's alright - I still like mine! In regards to getting 4.10 gears, I think that's too low for the 5.4 - look at the specs. the V8 makes almost all it's power at 2500 RPM. With the 4.10, your maxed out in the first 20 feet, which might be what you want, but I think the 3.73's match the V8 better (unless you're putting some monster tires under the truck, then you might need the shorter gears)..

I have a friend that has just ordered a 2002 250 SD crew with the V10 - I can always ride in his.

csury gave an excellent summary of the decision factors and your choices. The rest is up to you.

Good Luck.

 

It probably is but here's my take on this. I just bought a 2000 F-250 CC 4x4 with V10. I was for sure going gas, so I had to decide between the 5.4 and the 6.8. When I bought my last truck, my choice was between the 302 and 351. I went with the 302 thinking it was "enough" and I would get better mileage. Well, it was "enough" but my mileage was not that much better than the 351 guys were getting, and I had a manual trans to boot vs. their auto. I got about 14 over the life of the truck (220K miles) and, from what I can gather, the 351 guys were doing about 12 overall. When I started researching the V8 vs V10 in the SD, it sounded almost identical. The V8 guys are doing about 14 and the V10 guys are doing about 12 (don't tell me how you are getting 16 with your 5.4, I am talking about an overall average of many owners). So this time, I went with the "big" motor. Just to see how the other half lives....

 

With the manual tranny and the 4.10 rear end, the SuperDuty turns 2200 RPM's at 65mph..

So if you don't go over 70mph, your right where you want the power to be..
Going up a hill rarely have to shift down out of OD. With the 3.73 I would have to carry a much higher speed to keep it in power..

Also, in city traffic driving, I'm able to spend a little more time in OD than those with the 3.73..

If you plan to go faster than 70mph alot, then I agree the 3.73 would be a better choice..


btw, in every day home to work driving (mixed city/highway), I average 15.5mpgs..

 

I have the 5.4 L 3.73 gears in my Super Duty Supercab long box it does just fine & as the others have stated it can tow. If you are going to work the Truck most of the time get the V10 if you will be hauling very little 50% of the time V8 can do it

 

3 of 4 Super Duties have 7.3 Diesels...Plenty of power and still get 18-20mpg...

 

My uncle gets a new Ford truck every year. A couple of weeks ago the one he'd ordered came it. It's a Crew Cab F250 long bed w/the V8. I asked him if he thought the V8 was enough for that huge truck and he said it did just fine for what he used the truck for. If he does any towing, it's light. But he did say that he was already planning on adding a chip, that he'd already had it up to 100mph and just didn't like it shuting off at that speed He'll prabably have a speeding ticket by next week Anyways the point is, look into what you will mainly use the truck for and get the engine that works out the best for that use.

 

I've had my 5.4 for almost a year now, and I am very happy with it. In my opinion, it compares to the 351 that was in my old truck ('95 F350). I did go with an automatic w/ 4.10 gears, and it helps with take-off and towing (I tow a 5,000 # boat in the summer). I also do a lot of highway driving, and it tach's 2200 RPM at 70 MPH, which is about 200 over the 3.73 ratio. Everyone has their own "best" setup, but I'm glad I chose what I have. It works well for me.

 

'01 SD with 5.4, 5spd, 3.73LS. Very happy, especially after adding the chip. Had mine almost a year and have put 14000mi of pure satisfaction on it. Like others have stated, if your not going to tow a million tons up and down mountains, and you're looking for a hardworking, daily driver then the 5.4 is enough. 2500rpms at 80mph. The V10 and diesel were tempting, but I had no practical use for the power. Not to say that I could have a lot more fun with the other two engines, but for a work truck, it does fine. BTW, what do you diesel guys think about the new 6.0 coming out for 2003. Sounds like another winner from Ford and Navistar.

 

If its all it is cracked up to be Ill be getting rid of my 01 and getting that engine for sure.

 

It all depend's on your need's like everyone say's . The 5.4 will handle it,but I would go to 4.10 gear ratio if you plan on putting larger rubber on .

SD question's,
Why do the hub's say auto & lock or unlock(can't remember which)
my old truck's with manual said lock or unlock. What's up with the term auto on the hub's ?

Why is the new deisel coming out better than the 7.3L currently available ? What going to happen to the 7.3L ?

Later...Mike