I wasn't sure where to post this so I put it here. Anyway my parents just bought a 2001 F-150 4x4 lariat loaded. They tow a 31' trailer to the mountain every spring. I was so excited this last time because I wanted to feel how much better the new truck would pull. What a let down! It didn't do any better than their old 1989 F-150 lariat, and in some spots seemed even worse. Did they get a weak truck? I'm a Ford guy so I'm not bashing just curious. The 2001 specs I believe are 265 hp and 345 tq right? Well then what were the specs on the 1989 351W? Also the old 89 was a California freeway truck that they bought used and it had some crazy high gears for freeway use and good gas milage the new truck has either 3.55's or better. What gives?

 

The older truck weighs more and the 351 is a larger motor.

 

what ratio are "crazy highway gears"?
I practically consider my 3.55s as 'crazy highway gears'

was the old truck a 4x4?
either one a supercab?
what are the tire sizes?

 

on paper the 5.4 has more HP and TQ than the 5.8.


But that refers to peak at a certain RPM.

Has anyone here done the analysis on the 5.8 torque band compared to the 5.4?

It could be the 5.8 has more usable torque at lower RPMs.

Don't know, but it would be my guess.