The V10 is thirstier than a supercharged 5.4L w/ 4.11 gear?

The up front cost of the V10 is $600 vs. $5500 for PSD. Even at $3/gallon, that's a lot of fuel for $4900. Also, PSD is rated to pull the same 12500 in the F250. Economics aside, there are other reasosn people don't like diesels even ifthey make more sense for them.

Increasing the capability of an F-150 may be a good idea for someone that already has a truck outside of OEM warranty, but buying a new $30k truck, then spending another $4-5k on it and not have any powertrain warranty seems silly to me given the conditions under which it would be used.

 

Boy, you're right there. My truck and a V-10 both get horrible mileage, but I wasn't comparing it to my truck, just the diesel. And yes, I also agree that voiding a warrenty on a brand new truck doesn't make any sense, but there are still alot of people out there that are doing it anyway. I probably would not be one of them. My truck was beyond the warrenty when I did the upgrade. But it seems to me that you might be able to do a supercharger upgrade with a Ford product such as Eaton maybe, and still keep the warrenty, I could be wrong but I remember others talking about that.

 

It depends on how big of a ***** your dealer is. Before you do any mods, talk to the dealer and see if it will void your warranty.

 

The V10 fuel econoimy isn't as bad as people hype it to be. I had read about 14-16mpg highway for certain conditions and driving styles.

My point is that the OP is considering a new F-150 Scab/8' bed w/ 4.10 plus intake/exhaust/chip plus a supercharger. He would have more overall capabiltiy with the same power and fuel economy (using 87 vs. 91+ octane because of chip) under warranty for $4k less out the door with better resale. He only gains a softer ride with the F-150.

 

A buddy of mine just got rid of his V-10 F-250 because he was sick of getting about 10 mpg. That's real world, not on paper. And he gains more than just a softer ride, he gets a far better looking truck with updated styling than any Superduty. We have to assume that Patrick is a fairly smart guy and that he knows what he likes. Choosing an F-150 with the right equiptment to pull heavy loads is not a bad idea.

 

Tow with no problem a 28' Work and Play DB Model w/ 2004 Screw 5.4l 3v

Will admit that the big hills can be a problem, but nothing that I can't adjust my driving for. Trans temp has barely hits 200 degrees - though I suppose I'll have better input on that come the hot summ months.

Weight Dist. hitch a must. Sway control a good thing as well.

Microtuner is used for our longer trips - but the majority of time I keep it in stock configuration. Pretty much towing every weekend around the midwest w/ trailer loaded full of our racing stuff and all the family belongings. We try to keep the tanks empty, but on ocaasion when we know we'll be boondocking, I'll have the freshwater tanks to the brim.

 

THANKS for putting it into words - My points almost exactly -

Also, in terms of the softer ride, which I can stiffen up as needed with good aftermarket shocks, so I GET a nicer looking (to me) truck in the F150, the drivetrain and upgrades I want, and the extra 100 hp I need. There are better rotors and brakes (than stock) available, and if I start with an XL (which is my preference, and that gets me a 5.4 / long bed / 4:10 / rubber floor mats - all which I need and prefer) I get it for a LOT less than an F250 might cost, and I can pick and choose my upgrades when I am ready to do them a little at a time). I would likely end up with an unusual (in terms of options) truck that many would want if I ever did decide to sell it. I would also have an F150. The 250 might feel better when towing, but I would enjoy the F150 much more all the rest of the time.

My main concern is that I do not really know WHAT adding a supercharger will REALLY do to the validity of the factory warranty... (to get the 3 valve motor I could always look for a nice '04 and let it wait until it is close to being out of warranty if that is an issue)

THANKS GUYS for all your helpful and thought provoking input and good ideas!!!!!!!

 

Actually, I ment the F250 would be cheaper by $4k with the V10 than a supercharged F-150 while under warranty with higher resale, same fuel economy and cheaper gas using 87 vs. 91 octane. Aftermarket mods rarely add value to resale value. XL trim is not so popular in any F-Series for resale, but looks worse with the gray grill/bumper in the SD than the LD.

 

I've got a Cherokee, built by Forest River. 27 foot, 30-31 Tongue length with a 12' slide out. Just bought a new 06 Supercrew XLT, 5.4 with 3:55 rears. I was a little leary on getting one with 3:55s but I hooked it up and brought it for it's first pull the other night and dragged it up every big hill around here (SW New Hampshire) and was totally impressed with the power and pulling ability on hills. I could tell for a fact it had more pulling power than my old 01 F-250 super Crew with 5.4 and 3:73s on hills. Very satisfied!

Tom

 

I drag this around with my new 06 Screw, its Puma by Palomino and was recently bought out by Forest River or so I am told, I have the 2007 model 32BHDS which means its 35 feet long and weighs in around 7000 lbs, I have no problem towing with my truck dispite what others will tell you.

 

adt,

good to hear your pulling 9k with the mods. i purchased a 6000# 5th wheel (springdale 249) based on the tow rating (8500#) and talking to the dealer and others who say no problem, the truck is under rated. i installed another aux. trans cooler and the mag-hytek tranny pan (+5 quarts) and diff cover (+3 quarts). i also installed a banks cat back exhaust and a edge evolution power programmer which i leave in tow mode. the tranny temp still gets to 190 in stop and go and up long grades and would think it would be better with the added cooling. i also noticed there is a cooler bypass and am wondering what causes it to bypass?? checked the flow back to the tranny and is great but is the fluid running thru the cooler or thru the bypass??

mark

 

great...i should have no problems with the extra cooling i added to my 2004 5.4l engine. going to shaver lake in august (up a 11% grade for 6 miles) and am concerned but we shall see...

mark

 

The factory tranny cooler has a thermostatic valve that does not allow fluid through the cooler until 185*F, the radiator cooler handles it up to that temperature.

 

I tow a new Jayco 25' RKS with my 2001 F-150 Lariat 5.4 with the factory installed tow system. Before my catback and air intake additions, the Colorado passes kept me towing at a low speed of 38 to 40 mph just the last couple of miles before I crested passes - otherwise, I could go the speed limit. Since, I have added a SI/SO Catback and Air Intake Systems. The improvement is that I can maintain a low speed of 45 mph just before cresting the passes, while before it was just barely getting over at 40 and a long while before the crest of the passes was even conceived. I have much more power. Without the trailer, I have more power, 2 mph addition mpg, and significant low end torque. These are some keys to helping your unit to deal with the weight of a trailer.

The passes I am traveling over range from 9500 ft to 12000 ft (Berthoud Pass; Eisenhower Tunnel I-70), etc.

Be sure you have an electric brake inside the cab and an equalizer system put on at the site of the hitch. Also a tandum axel is good for added stability.

Best of luck to you in your choices of option. Let us know what you do.

Mert

 

kd4crs,

are you refering to the bypass under the truck located appx. next to the tranny support x-bar? it is an aluminum housing measuring about 1.25X3X4 and is listed in my shop manual but other than mentioning what it is, doesn't explain how to test if it's working. i would rather remove the bypass and let the coolers do their job all the time. makes more sense to me to keep the oil cool from the get-go rather than letting it heat to 180 or so then try to cool it.

Thanks,

Mark