Ford 5.4L and GM 6.0L

Hey guys,

I'm starting to look around for a truck to haul my iron around, and I kinda settled on 3/4 or light 1 ton. I'm torn between the Ford with the 5.4L and GM with the 6.0L, in the 2005 to 2009 year range. It'll just be occasional towing, mostly running empty. Biggest load will be a 990 Oliver. What do you guys think of these trucks and engines? I have a little experience with the GM 6.0L, but none with a Ford.

Not considering a diesel or a Dodge, so don't go there please.

Thanks,
Lyndon

Don't know about the 5.4. Neighbor back in PA got a new, 08 I think, 2500 with the 6-0, and hated it. Found a mid-90s model with a 350, and traded it. I guess it ran good but wouldn't get the fuel mileage the 350 did.

lyndon,i can't speak for the for the truck but i can speak about ford 5.4, my tow truck is a 2004 f150hd,8200gvwr with the 5.4. and a gooseneck trailer rated @14000lps. my oliver 77 weighs nearly 10000lbs when i go to a pull and the truck handles it pretty good. i bought the truck new, 70000 mi later no problems. took the tractor from nw new jersey to williams grove,pa 150miles and averaged 9.6 mpg. you won't set any speed records towing, but it will do the job , if you buy a 05 or06 make sure they put new spark plugs in it before you buy it, the oem plugs have a habit of breaking when you change them leaving the bottom 1/2 of the plug stuck in the head. good luck chuck

Other than the mentioned spark plug problems, I've
heard nothing but good about the 5.4. But don't
overlook Ford's 6.8L V10. Will use a little more gas
than the 5.4 running empty, but about the same
(maybe even less) when towing. People see the V10
badge and run away...so they can be had quite
reasonably. My '01 F350 4x4 with the V10, 5-speed,
and 3.73's gets 15-16 mpg on the highway, empty, and
is an absolute beast if you get on the gas. Haven't
found anything it won't pull. Great low-end torque.

I have a 03, 5.4 F250 Extended Cab 4X4 shortbed, I
pull a 15000 gooseneck, and haul my 435 JD and
Golf Cart so I just haul about 5500 lb. I have
just went 350 miles one way, The ground around
here is relatively flat, so it pulls it nicely if
you stay about 65 mph. I don't pull the trailer in
overdrive, thought we got 10 mpg going to Tunica
Ms. It is down hill from here. the 3 valve should
have 40 more hp than mine. I like the motor and
truck, but wish I had bought a full 4 door. My son
has a 02 Diesel just like mine except is a 4 door.
But the diesel doesn't drive as good and is noisy,
doesn't ride as good either. (lift kit big tires
ugh)

I have a 2000 F250 with the 5.4. I like the truck itself ok, but I'm not a fan of the 5.4. It's underpowered for towing, and it's a thirsty engine.
I agree that you should consider the V10.

Go with the GM 6.0. It will never let you down, tons of power, better fuel econ. than Ford. Chevy's 3/4 ton frame is also built much better than Fords. My dad is a body man and we have owned our share of Chevy's, Fords, and Dodges.

I can't make the reccomondation based on experience, but have you looked at Ford's new eco-boost? They are getting very good fuel economy, and a lot of power out of a twin turbo V-6. The direct injection technology they are using provides for much better fuel economy, better emissions and large increases in torque and horsepower. I know several people that have driven them and they loved the power. Gerard

(quoted from post at 23:40:08 02/01/11) lyndon,i can't speak for the for the truck but i can speak about ford 5.4, my tow truck is a 2004 f150hd,8200gvwr with the 5.4. and a gooseneck trailer rated @14000lps. my oliver 77 weighs nearly 10000lbs when i go to a pull and the truck handles it pretty good. i bought the truck new, 70000 mi later no problems. took the tractor from nw new jersey to williams grove,pa 150miles and averaged 9.6 mpg. you won't set any speed records towing, but it will do the job , if you buy a 05 or06 make sure they put new spark plugs in it before you buy it, the oem plugs have a habit of breaking when you change them leaving the bottom 1/2 of the plug stuck in the head. good luck chuck

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As Chuck points out, beware of the 2 piece spark plug problem that plagues ALL 3 valve Ford engines. This applies to the later 3 valve V10's and 3 valve 4.6 engines from '04 to '08 in the North American market. (The 3 valve engine was introduced in '02 in Australia). The factory spark plug will likely break off in the head should you ever need to remove them. I just finished rebuilding an '05 5.4 3 valve and with the heads on the bench, I was unable to remove the broken part. There are tools designed to remove the broken plug without removing the head but I can't see how they could work as I was unable to drive the broken piece out with a punch from the combustion side. Bought 2 good used heads and giving the customer a choice, we decided to bolt them on without trying to remove the spark plugs for fear of destroying the heads. He is now faced with a time bomb down the road. I say this with a heavy heart as I drive Fords and have long thought they were some of the best vehicles on the road. Ford should be ashamed of this POS, and as far as I'm concerned should be stuck with the task of removing all the defective plugs and replacing them under a mass recall. Champion has developed a stronger version supposedly won't break off. Ford has supposedly fixed the problem as of '08.

I'm using a 2001 4x4 1500 Chevy with a 5.3L to do what "chucksoliver77" is doing with his 2004 F150. I will not win any drag races, but it never backs down from the fight. My next truck will have a 6.0L or the new 6.4L +400hp engine!!!

CT

(quoted from post at 12:21:47 02/13/11)
I'm using a 2001 4x4 1500 Chevy with a 5.3L to do what "chucksoliver77" is doing with his 2004 F150. I will not win any drag races, but it never backs down from the fight. My next truck will have a 6.0L or the new 6.4L +400hp engine!!!

CT

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Charles, I might add this: The Chevy engine is by far more user friendly down the road as problems arise. Should you be faced with the prospect of removing the engine, the Chevy 5.3/6.0 is many times easier to remove compared to the Ford Triton family of engine(s) starting with the 4.6 in 1997. Everything, litterally everything you can name in the way of maintainence/repair with the possible exception of oil changes is easier on the Chevy. There are O2 sensors on a Ford that I have YET to be able to figure a way to replace outside of cutting off the cross over, then welding it back on. I can't count how many Fords have come through the shop with bad coil packs, yet I've only replaced 2 on later Chevys and one was because mice had eaten thru the harness. Even before the 3 valve debacle arrived on the scene, the earlier Tritons were famous for stripped out spark plug holes. Plugs were known to blow out just driving down the road. Speaking of the internals of the engine, the Chevy as you know, is a simple design. We are starting to see 5.3 Chevy engines with over 300,000 miles and still running strong. I can't count how many Fords have come thru the shop needing all the timing chains and guides replaced usually by 150,000 miles. There is simply no comparison between the two platforms when it comes to overall simplicity of design and prospects of longevity. And all this bashing comes from a guy who owns 2 Ford trucks, 2 Ford cars and 2 Ford tractors all of which have treated me very well.

Like Gearnut said, the Chevrolet's are easier to work on. I looked at Ford's before I bought my Chevy and did not like the way the engine is tucked into the firewall.

Now trying to start a brand war, but I stand behind Chevrolet/GMC. My 2001 K1500 has 145,000 miles, has never been in the shop, 2 batteries (last one an Optima Yellow Top), 1 set of shocks (last ones Bilstein's), and 1 fuel pump. Never been in a repair shop, the repairs listed above I did. It is 10 years old and I hope to be driving it when it is 15.

I have towed many loads that most would say needs a 3/4 or 1 ton. I have a 1979 Chevy 3/4 ton Camper Special as well. I dare to say the only thing heavier on the 79' vs the 01' is the springs.

CT

(quoted from post at 04:33:08 02/13/11) I can't make the reccomondation based on experience, but have you looked at Ford's new eco-boost? They are getting very good fuel economy, and a lot of power out of a twin turbo V-6. The direct injection technology they are using provides for much better fuel economy, better emissions and large increases in torque and horsepower. I know several people that have driven them and they loved the power. Gerard

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I have been watching that engine with interest, but I need the heavier truck to go with the power. Besides, with my budget, I have to stick with a used truck, and the new engines from Ford aren't hitting the used market here yet.

(quoted from post at 19:02:09 02/13/11)
Now trying to start a brand war, but I stand behind Chevrolet/GMC. My 2001 K1500 has 145,000 miles, has never been in the shop, 2 batteries (last one an Optima Yellow Top), 1 set of shocks (last ones Bilstein's), and 1 fuel pump. Never been in a repair shop, the repairs listed above I did. It is 10 years old and I hope to be driving it when it is 15.

I have towed many loads that most would say needs a 3/4 or 1 ton. I have a 1979 Chevy 3/4 ton Camper Special as well. I dare to say the only thing heavier on the 79' vs the 01' is the springs.

CT

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I've always liked my Chevy's too. Started driving on a Chevy, both of my own vehicles are Chevy's too. What got me interested in the Ford 5.4L was the lower peak torque revs, and better fuel mileage empty than the Chevy 6.0L. I still wasn't quite sure of making the leap, hence my post here.

A half ton is out the question for me. My Oliver 990 would likely be the heaviest item hauled long distance, but I would be hauling my Case 580 Super L around near home. Not something I would trust to a half ton.

Thanks everyone for your opinions. Gives me lots of information to chew on for a while.

Lyndon

Thanks Gearnut, I'll keep that in mind. The Ford I'm really eyeing up is an '09, did Ford fix the spark plug problem by then?

On a side note, for a Chevy I would be looking at an '05 to '07 classic style truck. I can't stand the look of the newer Chevy's.

"Lyndon - AB", a Case 580 definatly needs 3/4 ton+. If I were to buy a 3/4 or 1 ton Chevy, I'd go 8.1L. They are out of production now, but I'd buy one used. Actually I'm looking at putting an 8.1L from a late model truck into my 1979 C20

CT

You'd need more than a 3/4 ton to haul a 580 Super L backhoe. I have 2000 6.0 litre extended cab. It has good power but is thirsty. I know a couple guys that had to replace their 6.0 litres with less than 300,000kms. Mine's a little over that and still runs good but the passenger side exhaust manifold cracked. That's a common problem for 6.0 litres in pick ups and in heavy trucks. My 95 Topkick with a 6.0L(366)also has a cracked manifold with only 180,000kms. Dave

I've been keeping an eye out for an 8.1L, but they are hard to find in my area. I'm not real keen on the empty mileage of it though.

I'm not going real far or fast with my Case, so I'm sure I can haul it with a 3/4 ton with a little care. The guy I bought it from hauled it behind an F350 a drove like the ringtails of hell. I'm thinking I don't need to go that fast.

One thing to keep in mind is that YOU might be taking a little extra care with this rig, but there are other people on the road, and they're not giving you a second look.

Whether you're driving a Corvette or a fully-loaded 18-wheeler, they think you can accelerate instantly, stop on a dime, and maneuver like a ninja.

You've got to assume that everyone else on the road is stupid, asleep, or drunk, because chances are that most of them are at least one of the three. If you aren't driving an optimum configuration, you're putting yourself at a huge disadvantage out there.

(quoted from post at 10:55:36 02/14/11) One thing to keep in mind is that YOU might be taking a little extra care with this rig, but there are other people on the road, and they're not giving you a second look.

Whether you're driving a Corvette or a fully-loaded 18-wheeler, they think you can accelerate instantly, stop on a dime, and maneuver like a ninja.

You've got to assume that everyone else on the road is stupid, asleep, or drunk, because chances are that most of them are at least one of the three. If you aren't driving an optimum configuration, you're putting yourself at a huge disadvantage out there.

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An excellent point. I keep that in mind every time I pull onto the road. I've driven Super B's grossing 140k lbs (don't ask), so I know what it feels like to be put in a tough situation. I'm not brushing off what you say, I'm just saying that this wouldn't be any worse than what I've done many times before.

No worries.

I posted that more for the benefit of other people that come along and read this in the future.

When you're an experienced driver you know how to handle things when the trailer outweighs the truck. When you don't have the experience, you're best off getting as much truck as you can afford to put in front of that flatbed trailer. It ain't all about safety, either... One truck is a lot less expensive than having to trade in on a second truck because the first one turned out to be inadequate.

the spark plug issue was fixed long ago. the timing chain issue is
100% due to a lack of oil changes. there are tiny squirter holes that
spray oil on the chain that plug from dirty oil. the 5.4 triton will
run 500k plus in heavy fleet use with one chain. they are a very
good, strong & durable engine. a 3/4ton with a 5.4 would be more
than adequate to pull that oliver in my opinion, unless you are in
hilly country.

A 3/8" impact and a few extensions and a universal joint and you don't break them off. Since I started doing them that way, I haven't used the extractor.