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- Thread starter dej(Jed)
- Start date
LeonardWD45
Member
I use a 98 F150 with a 5.4 in it and It has plenty of power. Mileage is about what you are getting right now. Really nice truck.
Leonard
Leonard
Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
Intake manifold/gasket leaking on the GMC?
How many miles on the '99 Ford?
How many miles on the '99 Ford?
farmer boy
Well-known Member
It should handle the weight better as well as have better brakes, but the engine is going to be just as short on power. I'm not sure on how good the Ford transmission is, but if the 4l60e hasn't given out on the GM, it will likely let go soon. Other thing is the 10 bolt rear in the GM. Never had much experience with it, but can't imagine it appreciates the 10K trailer much. Not sure what years this applies to, but the Ford 5.4 had spark plug issues, someone can explain better what happened with that, because I don't really know. I'm not really a Ford person, but I'd take a 3/4 ton Ford over a 1/2 Ton Chevy.
I've had several of the f250 super duty pickups and have an 01 with the 5.4 and it's not a puller. It would do the job but it'll work it on anything more than 10,000lbs. I had a 99 with the v10 and it pulled great but was poor on gas mileage(12-15). I really liked my 03 with the 7.3l. That thing was a powerhouse and I never programmed it. I currently have an 08 with the 6.4 twin tourbo and it was o.k. but I wanted more horse so I programmed it and it has great power now. Boosted it to 425 h.p. I think the 5.4 motors are good as I've had several of those in things through the years but when they get over 100,000 miles or more you'll be putting spark plugs in them. They are platinum plugs so hang on to your checkbook.
Im NOT a dern Ford fan, especially the early 5.4 some of which (Im unsure what years before they fixed the problem) blew the spark plugs out since there were such few threads holding them in PLUS hey a 5.4 isnt all that big of an engine, even smaller then the 5.7 litre 350's ya know.
But hey its your money and your decision NOT OURS but Id much prefer a Chevy with a 454 (or their later after 2000 newer model engines) woooooooo hooooooooo in a 3/4 ton used for pulling loads..........
John T John Wayne, Apple Pie and Chevrolet kinda guy
But hey its your money and your decision NOT OURS but Id much prefer a Chevy with a 454 (or their later after 2000 newer model engines) woooooooo hooooooooo in a 3/4 ton used for pulling loads..........
John T John Wayne, Apple Pie and Chevrolet kinda guy
luv2wrench
Member
5.4 fords have head gasket issues sometimes. i think they are a dog pulling but so is your 5.3.
If you are not seeing any coolant leaking, they like to "crack" the heads on the top side and "wick" cooland into the oil and it burns off from there. pull both valve covers and pressurize the cooling system and watch. GM has a technical bulletin in this so i m not full if it. We see it here at the GM shop all the time.
some trucks never get fixed and stay running fine, just gotta change the oil sooner and keep topping off the coolant.
look for a 2003-2004 7.3 Ford or a 2006-2007 LBZ 6.6 duramax if you want a truck.
Dodge ok too i guess.
6.0 gas in GM is a bullet proof motor, but is lazy and drinks a lot.
all depends on how far you pull.
If you are not seeing any coolant leaking, they like to "crack" the heads on the top side and "wick" cooland into the oil and it burns off from there. pull both valve covers and pressurize the cooling system and watch. GM has a technical bulletin in this so i m not full if it. We see it here at the GM shop all the time.
some trucks never get fixed and stay running fine, just gotta change the oil sooner and keep topping off the coolant.
look for a 2003-2004 7.3 Ford or a 2006-2007 LBZ 6.6 duramax if you want a truck.
Dodge ok too i guess.
6.0 gas in GM is a bullet proof motor, but is lazy and drinks a lot.
all depends on how far you pull.
luv2wrench
Member
YOU ARE 100% RIGHT ON THE 100 PLUS COMMENT.
colekicker
Member
I would stay away from the Ford 5.4. My dad had a 99 F250 with the 5.4 and it sounded like it was going to come unglued when we pulled our Super M on the goose neck trailer.
The other issue that motor has are the cylinder heads. They are aluminum and there are not enough threads for the spark plugs. My dad had the plugs changed per the book at the Ford dealer. Driving out the parking lot, he heard a "poof poof poof" from the engine. It kicked a spark plug out. Well, in time, it actually kicked out 4 or 5 plugs. I think if you google this, you"ll see this was a major issue. For this issue alone, I would stay away. Having to have the heads replaced is not my idea of a reliable pickup.
The other issue that motor has are the cylinder heads. They are aluminum and there are not enough threads for the spark plugs. My dad had the plugs changed per the book at the Ford dealer. Driving out the parking lot, he heard a "poof poof poof" from the engine. It kicked a spark plug out. Well, in time, it actually kicked out 4 or 5 plugs. I think if you google this, you"ll see this was a major issue. For this issue alone, I would stay away. Having to have the heads replaced is not my idea of a reliable pickup.
I have an 02 f250 with the 5.4L. Good truck, cheap, roomy (crew cab) with 8 foot box. I've pulled comfotably about 7 or 8000 lbs. Dont think I want to pull 10,000 regularly.
I also have a 99 f350 with the V10. No prob pulling heavier loads. Lots of power and torque, but I don't drive it more than once every couple of weeks - as they say, passes everything except a gas station.
My buddy had a 2000 f250 PSD 7.3 L. He loved it, but for some reason thought he should get a new truck - bought a 2012 F250 6.??gas. He hates everything except the fuel economy (same as the 7.3L) He is trying to buy his old truck back.
Personally I did borrow his old one to pull a trailer - I still like the 350 better.
Good luck, Grant
I also have a 99 f350 with the V10. No prob pulling heavier loads. Lots of power and torque, but I don't drive it more than once every couple of weeks - as they say, passes everything except a gas station.
My buddy had a 2000 f250 PSD 7.3 L. He loved it, but for some reason thought he should get a new truck - bought a 2012 F250 6.??gas. He hates everything except the fuel economy (same as the 7.3L) He is trying to buy his old truck back.
Personally I did borrow his old one to pull a trailer - I still like the 350 better.
Good luck, Grant
I have 3 between company trucks and my personal truck. The spark plugs could pop out on, I believe, the first 2 years of that engine. Then they added more threads to the cylinder head. Fixed that problem, but then a few years later they then switched to a 2 peice spark plug, which can break when you go to change them at 100,000. Not too big a deal, I still did them myself. The engine certainly is not overpowered, but it gets the job done and is cheap. Price a good used 7.3 diesel truck and you'll see. When I bought my '08 F-350 the diesel option was $7500 extra. I'll go a little slower to save that money, haha. I reguarly pull my John Deere G weighted up to 8000lbs with no problems. Gets down to 45mph climbing the mountains sometimes but that ok. The rest of the truck is as solid as they come.
Now that I've said all this. My uncle bought a new truck with the V-10 when I bought my last 5.4. That truck has decent power and the milage is not bad at all compared to mine. Just running around town and to the barn, I get 13, he gets 11.5-12. But when towing, his stays the same, mine drops to 8. It's got me wishing I would have gotten the V10.
Now that I've said all this. My uncle bought a new truck with the V-10 when I bought my last 5.4. That truck has decent power and the milage is not bad at all compared to mine. Just running around town and to the barn, I get 13, he gets 11.5-12. But when towing, his stays the same, mine drops to 8. It's got me wishing I would have gotten the V10.
hoosierhog
Member
5.4 is a great motor for a f150 but not Great in a f250. Look for a 250 with the 7.3 or the newer 6.4 and 6.7 run from a 6.0. I have an 2004 F250 with 6.0 I just dropped 7 grand to fix it. Horrible motor. But a f150 with a 5.4 I don't think is rated for more than 7500 lbs. to pull a tractor hauler you should have F250 or bigger I think they are rated at 12500. Next time I buy a truck I'm gonna get a new f150 and find a old F450 with a flatbed to haul my toys.
Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
have a 99 250 with the v 10 150 thousand miles pull a trailer with 13 thousand pounds of tractors on it and get 11mpgs doing it love that truck
Walt Davies
Well-known Member
Something fishy with that F350 with a V10
1. Ford never made a V10
2. If it were a Dodge it would a 3500
Walt
1. Ford never made a V10
2. If it were a Dodge it would a 3500
Walt
Bill in Colo
Member
- Location
- Rio Blanco County, Co
check the internet for class action suits on 6.0 engines. My wife is part of one, did 6,000 repairs and needed 2000, more before trading for a 6.4
JohnDeereJimOhio
Member
I have a 99 cab and a half 4x4 f250 with a 6 speed and a 7.3 has 175k miles and I dont think I will every buy another truck just rebuild this one if it ever goes. Haven't had a problem yet. Find a good used 7.3 and you will have it forever..
colekicker
Member
Walt, the 6.8L Triton was a V10.
I really don't think the 250s of that era were rated to pull that kind of weight. Yes I know if you slow down and use some common sense you can git 'er done with out hurting anyone HOWEVER if any thing ever happens when you have more trailer behind the truck than Ford rated it for some lawyer will make what ever happened YOUR FAULT and take anything you have they can get. Personally I'd look for a 1 ton from the big three with the V-10 or 454 or one of the diesels available. OR see if you can find a newer 3/4 or 1/2 ton that is rated to pull that kind of weight. As many have claimed the 7.3 powerstroke will run longer than you care to drive it, get fair mileage doing it and can be bought reasonable and when gasoline gets a little peaky the v-10s and big block Chevys get cheap. You can find single cab DRW cab/chassis fairly cheap.
I have a 2000 F-250 with the 5.4L. Technically, it's only rated to pull something like 8K of trailer. HOWEVER, it will get along with more trailer if you don't mind taking your time. I pull my 12K gooseneck cattle trailer with mine, but I don't do it much and I haven't tried to fill it completely up because I have to go up a big hill on the way to the sales barn. As for safety, the truck has all the same parts for stopping as a F-250 or F-350 of the same year with any motor, it's just a question of power.
Others mentioned head gasket problems, and mine has it too. It leaks oil under the intake manifold and that's the only problem mine has (no coolant issues). It's not much of a leak and doesn't seem to be getting any worse. Also, others have told me to always let it idle after towing because if you get the exhaust manifold hot and let it cool too fast it will break which is another common problem with them.
I'm pretty happy with the truck. It was a good price and gives me no problems (so far). All things being equal though, I would take the V10 over the 5.4L in the truck since the gas mileage isn't much different. Also, I would take the F250 over the F350 since they're essentially the same exact truck except for a shim in the rear springs and more splines on the shafts in the rear axle. In my state, the F250 is much cheaper to license because it doesn't require "commercial" plates, but the F350 does.
Others mentioned head gasket problems, and mine has it too. It leaks oil under the intake manifold and that's the only problem mine has (no coolant issues). It's not much of a leak and doesn't seem to be getting any worse. Also, others have told me to always let it idle after towing because if you get the exhaust manifold hot and let it cool too fast it will break which is another common problem with them.
I'm pretty happy with the truck. It was a good price and gives me no problems (so far). All things being equal though, I would take the V10 over the 5.4L in the truck since the gas mileage isn't much different. Also, I would take the F250 over the F350 since they're essentially the same exact truck except for a shim in the rear springs and more splines on the shafts in the rear axle. In my state, the F250 is much cheaper to license because it doesn't require "commercial" plates, but the F350 does.
Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
I have a 2003 with a 5.4, 130000 miles no problems. I change oil and filter every 3000 mi. Had plugs changed at 100.000. Never blown one out, although I have heard some of the older ones did.
Walt Davies
Well-known Member
I checked it an you are correct. That was when I had my major heart attack and I was lucky to know my own name. Some real bad years for me. Thank god for he doctors and my last chance pill that keeps going.
Walt
Walt
Allen Goodman
Member
Anything with the 7.3 Ford is the best (95-03).
Twice the truck? I don't think so. My friend bought a new Expedition in 2004 that came with the regular 2 valve 5.4 motor and at the same time bought a new 2004 F-150 with the 3 valve 5.4 and the Expedition would WALK ALL OVER the F-150 in the power department. I have a 99 Navigator with the 5.4 and it has plenty of power for a 6000 lb truck.
colekicker
Member
Walt, the only reason I knew that was I had a friend that had one in an Excursion. It was a consistent 11 mpg.
Ken Macfarlane
Well-known Member
As long as its a 250 superduty not the light 250 you'll be ok. I've got a 2001 F350 with a 5.4. Tow up to 16,000 lbs with it fine, just don't try towing that in heavy city traffic as it takes too long to get up to speed.
As stated, up to 2002 or so, all the 250/350 srw had the Dana 50 front end and Sterling 10.5 rear all identical except the V8 and diesel have 3 pinion instead of 2 pinion carrier in the rear diff.
After 2005 the spline count was supposed to have increased on the 350's rear axle but talking to folks this isn't found in all trucks.
My 5.4 has been great after replacing 2 coil on plugs that were bad. I have 3 or 4 broken exhaust manifold studs like all mod v8's have, once it warms up its quiet so I haven't touched them.
I also have a slight oil leak in the usual spot, take a litre/quart between changes.
My only other trouble point is brakes, my truck sits a lot in the winter and the caliper pins seize repeatedly. Every 3 months I have to pull them apart and lube them or it will burn up a set of pads in a couple of days once they jam.
As stated, up to 2002 or so, all the 250/350 srw had the Dana 50 front end and Sterling 10.5 rear all identical except the V8 and diesel have 3 pinion instead of 2 pinion carrier in the rear diff.
After 2005 the spline count was supposed to have increased on the 350's rear axle but talking to folks this isn't found in all trucks.
My 5.4 has been great after replacing 2 coil on plugs that were bad. I have 3 or 4 broken exhaust manifold studs like all mod v8's have, once it warms up its quiet so I haven't touched them.
I also have a slight oil leak in the usual spot, take a litre/quart between changes.
My only other trouble point is brakes, my truck sits a lot in the winter and the caliper pins seize repeatedly. Every 3 months I have to pull them apart and lube them or it will burn up a set of pads in a couple of days once they jam.
buickanddeere
Well-known Member
Have you ever looked at a Chev LT series engine? There is no coolant anywhere near the intake manifold.
Most coolant leaks on an LT is either the water pump. Or minor seeping on a head gasket . The usual cure is a dose of water glass and change the coolant from dexcool to propylene glycol. My truck hasn"t leaked since hanging the water pump and removing the o"ring from the coolant resevour cap.
Minor rad leaks are not unheard of either.Maynot have anything to do with the engine. Usually it"s best to trouble shoot and find the problem. Rather than guessing or trading the truck.
Most coolant leaks on an LT is either the water pump. Or minor seeping on a head gasket . The usual cure is a dose of water glass and change the coolant from dexcool to propylene glycol. My truck hasn"t leaked since hanging the water pump and removing the o"ring from the coolant resevour cap.
Minor rad leaks are not unheard of either.Maynot have anything to do with the engine. Usually it"s best to trouble shoot and find the problem. Rather than guessing or trading the truck.
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