about the only thing i'll pull is my mustang to the track every now and then. i'm looking at a 4.6 f150, a 5.4 f150 and a 5.4 f250. i'm kinda leaning toward the 250 b/c its not much more and it comes w/ a 6 speed. suggestions?

thanks

 

I will start the eco...
The 5.4 for towing! The 4.6 is for running the trash to the dump, or moving the grill and kegs to the party.

Tom

 

They're both great motors. I think the 4.6 gets better gas mileage & the 5.4 has more horsepower.

 

If you go with the F-250 Super Duty with the 5.4, I would suggest that you get the 4:11 rear end and the 6-speed transmission. I've driven a 5.4 in a Super Duty with the automatic, and I thought that lower gears and a stick would have improved its performance.

If you are going to tow a car with a F-150, you may want to look at the 7700 GVW pkg. It comes with the 5.4, auto, 3.73 rear end, bigger radiator, bigger trans cooler, and LT tires.

 

I have the 4.6. I wish I had the 5.4.

 

the 250 is a heavy duty model, right? of so, id go with the 250 and get the 4.11 gears for towing.

 

Anywho, if you're gonna go with the F-150, then the 5.4 is no doubt the way to go if you'll be hauling anything. The 4.6 is a strong motor, but the 5.4 will not strain itself for the task. How much does your mustang weigh? If the car/trailer combo is 7,500 pounds or less, you should be fine with an F-150, 3.55's and a towing package. If you can afford it, though, the 8800# payload package with 4.10's would really help overall performance, as well as put towing to the 9,000 pound range, if need be.

As for the 250, the 5.4L in the 250 is like the 4.2L V-6 in the F-150. It's not really a whole LOT of power, but it's more than enough for some people. In fact, with the 6-spd, you should be pretty happy if you need a daily driver. If ya can afford it, however, go with the Powerstroke. More expensive, yes, but it'll definately handle your trailering tasks better, longer, and I guarantee the grunt from that Diesel will put a smile on your face.

Hope this helps,
-Flea

 

::Sniffs the air:: Mmmmmmm Diesel.

 

Now tell me more about this 8800# payload package in the F-150. Is it available in the 4x4?

 

me thinks a 5.4 f150 be the way to go. either that, or a 93-95 lightning. hmmm. whatever i get it will be a daily driver. the lightning has 4.10s....hmmm...

thanks for all the replys. keep em coming.

 

I'll go against convention.

If you're not going to tow often, the 4.6L with the auto tranny will do just fine. The 4.6L is a good solid engine. I had the 4.6L in my '97 with tow package and towed 6,000 lbs with it. It did just fine. Can't win any races, but it got you where you needed to. It was flawless and did about 2 mpg better than the '99 5.4L that I repalced it with.

You could go with the F250 SD, but it's an awfully big truck and not exactly my idea of an urban daily driver...

 

I am with Dennis on this one. 4.6 here, and it's great! It does depend on how much the trailer/car weighs, though, I tow between 5,000 and 6,000 pounds a lot, and I have never had any problems except on STEEP hills. 4.6 gets my vote!

 

Tow truck???CANT beat the PSD F250, will get twice the fuel mileage with a load, if you live in any hilly terrain the diesel will walk away from even the v10 with any load on it....

And dont forget stopping, the massive rotors on the 250 cant be be touched by any of the others...

Why do you say diesel, because I own one..had a 9000lb bobcat and trailer on it last week...doesnt even down shift going up the the hill country....

I LOVE THIS TRUCK....FORDS ARE THE BEST....GET any one of them!!!!!

 

Agreed... you gotta love the diesel.

As for the 8800# payload package, it's available with 4:10 ratio this year (2002), and yes, it is available in a 4x4. You just have to be stuck with the 7-lug axles and the 16" wheels, which are better for towing anyways.

-Flea

 

I couldn't find any info about the 8800# payload package in the F-150 on the FoMoCo web site.

There is a 7700# payload package with 7 lug wheels and 3.73 rearend in 4x4 and a 7700# plus payload package with 7 lug wheels and either 3.73 or 4.10 rearend in 4x2.