OK, I am not some teenager wanting to burn the tires off, but I do like to know the power is there. Here's my dilema. My Dad owns a 1999 x-cab 4X4 with a 5.4, 3.55 LS, and my truck is below. On several ocasions I have put it to the floor, yes I own a mustang, so I will probably be harder on my truck than others, but when I did, nothing happens. I have a really squishy feeling torque converter, and only after the truck gets moving does the power seem to get to the wheels. So I asked my dad for arguments sake to punch it the next time he is at a stop on Concrete, not asphalt. The next time we spoke he reported that he had spun about 3-4 feet when he let off. (he is an old man, and didn't want to get a ticket). I was pretty shocked. Is this from the 250 pound weight difference from the Scrw to the X-cabs? Or are the 5.4's different from one to another? I have driven Dodges with even the small 318, that can turn the tires over, and dare I say my Step-dad's 99 Z71 with 33's will at least chirp of the line. What am I missing?

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2001 F-140 SuperCrew 4X4 Lariot
5.4, 3.55 LS, Wimpy stock 17" tires
-Gibson Supertruck Exhaust
-MB Quart Reference, 2 JL-8W0
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1983 Mustang GT Convertable
Carbed 347 Stroker w\ all the goodies

 

I have always been told that newer vehicles will not as easily "spin" because the drivetrain and suspension work better.

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1994 Toyota 4wd 22re Soon to have either 2001 Supercrew 4wd, or 2001 F-250 4wd PSD.

 

I just came out of a built 99 Ram Air T/A and was a not impressed with off the line power. I love the truck and have gotten used to the lack of big power. I figure its actually not so bad for such a huge truck. Even seems to have gotten a tad better with a few miles. I think the truck motors are choked up from the factory and would benefit alot from a better breathing exaust an air intake. I'm sure the factory program is real conservative also. Seems like my truck picks up better when I ease into the throtle rather than MASH it. Also a squishy or loose convertor should actually help off the line pickup when you hammer it. I think maybe the trucks weight is giving the loose convertor feel. The heavier a vehical the looser the same convertor is going to feel. I have noticed that feeling you mentioned but don't notice any type of flash stall(jumping to higher RPM) when I get on it from a stop. Had a 3500 vigilanti in the T/A... that felt loose

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2001 Lariat Supercrew 4x4
Red and Arizona Beige, 5.4

 

There are several things going on here. First, CANTEX is right; the factory engine and tranny program is, shall we say, on the conservative side. This is due to tuning for the cruddy grade of unleaded most of us buy today, and tuning of the tranny for soft, delayed shifts (supposed to appeal to the female buyer). And second, I notice your truck has 17" tires.

For the first issue, I went with the Superchip that you see advertised here at this site. It was a bit of a pain to install, but nothing that wasn't doable. The downside is that you have to run premium gas, because that's where the chip gets the extra power it gives you. The upside is that you have an (admitted, subjectively) stronger-feeling motor at all points of the power band, and the tranny shifting characteristics are dramatically improved. IMHO, it makes the truck feel like it should feel, not like an overweight Caddy.

My truck will spin the tires for a good 6-8 feet on dry concrete, if I let it. Having the larger tires is going to raise (numerically lower) your effective final drive ratio a bit, which means that your motor will have to generate more power to break the tires loose. I don't know if it's enough to be significant, but given the changes one can sometimes see in speedometers, I would not deny the possibility. Unless your Dad's truck is also running 17" tires, be aware that they may not be directly comparable.

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Tom Brendel
2001 SCrew XLT 2WD, Toreador Red, 5.4L, Med. Parchment 60/40, 3.55 LS, Class III Towing Pkg, Aluminum Wheels, CD Changer, Bed Extender

Mods: K&N Air Filter, Superchip, Extang Black Max Soft Toneau Cover, Extang Cargo Cleats

 

Tom,
Thanks for the info. Unfortunatly, My dad's truck does have 17 inch tires.

One question though. Were you able to lay it on the ground before your modifications?

 

5.4,
I feel the same way about my truck. I live on winding roads, so I have short distances to pass someone. Whenever I stomp on this truck, the engine revs up and sounds good, but it doens't "jump" and only go's up about 5 mph and I loose my passing opportunity.
I keep thinking, where are the b@//s on this truck?"
I still have my 91' Dodge Dakota with a 318 in it. I rarely drive it anymore, but when I did the other day, I went to pull out of the gas station and spun and squealed the tires for several feet. It gets up and go's when you step on it, which I'm not used to now.
I think my Screw is going to get a FIPK and different exhaust system.

*I hope tbrendel wasn't right about the soft shifting for females; I like to be pushed back in the seat or feel some kind of jump off the line or between gears so I can feel how much power I have.

 

I suggest a FIPK and an exhaust. I have a different exhaust and am going to get a FIPK although I don't usually stomp on my truck (gas prices) I do not have a problem with the power that is behind it. Albeit my friend in his 4.8 Chevy kicks my *** in a race it is not often I find my self racing in this truck. If I wanted a race truck I would have bought a lightning or a Dakota 5.9 (that though makes my stomach weak). Anyways get exhaust and air and I think you will see the RMPs jump when you put your foot down or better yet just put the engine down a gear of two when you want to pass.

Later
Jimmar

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2001.5 SuperCrew XLT 4X4
Silver Clearcoat Metallic
Deep Wedgewood Blue (accent)
5.4L V8
Chrome Tubular Step Bars (Ford)
Captains Chairs
Power Moonroof
3.55 LS
6750 GVWR
Class III Towing Pkg

Mods:
Harley Davidson Exhaust
'01 Lightning Head/Tail Lamps
Pioneer DEH-9200r
Boston Acoustic Components & 5X7s
Box Liner (Ford)
Splashguards (Ford)
Bug Defector Doubles as Rock and Sand/Salt Deflector in these snowy Canadian winters

To Come:
17" Rims/Tires
K&N Air Filter

 

My Friends SCrew fits the description of 5.4s. He has exhuast and air-aid and still doesn't have the git up and go power of my dads 5.7 chevy. I will say it has some power at the higher speeds, but 3.55s help him out there. I dont know the problem with them, but I think that Ford needs to start packing some punch in their truck engines like Chevy does, and maybe consider going with the 3.73s from the factory.

 

I do not race my truck and I never "floor" any of my vehicles. I do push down more on the pedal to pass people and was just saying that it doesn't have any get up and go....It wants to slowly accelerate.

 

5.4X4CREW,

I notice you have the Gibson Super Truck. That could be part of the issue. Gibson makes a great exhaust (I have the Swept Side) but the Super Truck isn't designed to give or even maintain low end torque. My guess is that you've lost some of the low end. It's real common.

Someone mentioned Super Chip. Talk to Mike Troyer about it. You'll improve torque by about 50lb's so you might get back what you're looking for. I also have the Super Chip. I can't spin my big ol' 17" tires either but for a 6000+lb SUV, it'll surprise you

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2000 EDDIE BAUER EXPEDITION 4x2

• Estate Green
• 5.4 ltr
• 3:55 LS rear
• Superchip!
• Airaid FIPK
• Gibson S/S Swept Side Cat Back Exhaust
• Hellwig Rear Anti-Sway Bar
• Edelbrock Performer IAS Shocks
• Xenon Super White Head and Driving Lights
• Clear Corners (installed then removed and reinstalled OEM's)
• Tow Package
• Rear Load Leveling
• Moonroof
• Century Child Seat!
• Front Polyurethane Anti-Sway Bar Bushings recieved, wrong part number

-->Come share my Addiction<--

 

Femseadoo,

Are you running propane or gasoline?

 

aYAK,

I'm running gas in all the above examples for rural highway driving.

I only use propane for driving around town since most of the speed limits are 25-35mph.

 

Well I feel I have adequate power after returning from a camping trip last weekend. Femseadoo probably knows this stretch of highway. We were coming down from Springerville through Globe to get home to Chandler. At Showlow I came up behind a new looking Z71. I kept up with him through the Salt River Canyon, and then was able to pull him on that long passing lane after you leave Globe. We were able to pass everyone, except for my Dad who was tailgating me in his Powerstroke. We were both loaded with people and camping gear, both 2WD's, and both had stock looking wheels. After I passed he followed me all the way to Mesa. I'd say we were about even. I had the OD off of on the hilly sections and felt like I had instantaneous throttle response when I punched it. I haven't done any performance mods. Maybe it's a difference in 4X4 systems between Ford and Chevy? Or in Femseadoo's case does the computer take a while to optimize to gas when switching between gas/propane?

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2001 SuperCrew XLT White w/gray interior, pwr seat, console, Bed Extender,Autolight, Class III Hitch, Duraliner,
4x2,5.4,3.55,built 6/00
New Transmission 10/00
Pioneer FH-P4400 HU
Pioneer CDX-P1250 12-Disc CD Changer In Console
Pioneer TS-A6895 Front
Pioneer TS-A6865 Rear
Pioneer GM-X542 Amp bridged at 150W RMS
Bazooka RS-604 under rear seat<a href=http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1592063&a=12123932>See my photos of steve's 2001 SCrew at PhotoPoint</a>