Truck power

Northvale PA · Mar 20, 2018

I am shopping around for a used truck (F250). And have the following question: my old 1989 F250 truck has the 5.8L engine in it. There are newer models (2001 and up) that have a 5.4L engine. Question is, does the newer 5.4L engine have the same pulling power as the older 5.8L engine? I often pull a trailer of hay or fire wood, say 2.5 tons or so.

jon f mn · Mar 20, 2018

More pulling power and much snappier and better mileage, as is the case with most more modern engines in all brands

Mike M · Mar 20, 2018

Through the years some of them have spark plug issues and then later on some weird cam phasers and timing chain issues. I don't know enough about them as to what years have what problems. I just stay away from them all. My truck is a 1981 F350 with a transplanted 460.

matthies · Mar 20, 2018

Have a 5.4 in a 1 ton dually with a utility box at work, not much in the box, a dog from new and problems all the time.

Squisher · Mar 20, 2018

I have a 92 and a 95 f350's with the 5.8. I also have a 2003 f350 with the 5.4. As was said the 5.4 has a bit more power, slightly better economy too. My '03 5.4 is the 2 valve 5.4 and has the short plug threads. I had no issues changing out the plugs but was very careful not to overtorque. Newer 5.4's are 3valve and are known to have other issues such as cam phasers failing/wearing out/stuck breaking plugs on removal. Definetly research the year.

I've owned all three of those trucks for over a decade. In over ten years of ownership I've changed the plugs and coil packs once and a fuel pump once on my 5.4. Besides that brakes and oil. It's been very durable and reliable.

rustyfarmall · Mar 20, 2018

When it comes to all out lugging and hill holding power, there is no substitute for cubic inches.

Squisher · Mar 20, 2018

True to a degree. But in this case the 5.4 has more rated hp and torque as well as will carry higher rpms and in auto or standard, more gears which will be the biggest performance difference.

The bigger difference is the body change. You have to decide if the superduty is for you, or if you prefer the obs.

My old 95 obs with the 5.8 is a real thing of beauty. XL, Power nothing, nothing to go wrong.

Rex Simpkins · Mar 20, 2018

If you can pull it off find a newer Ford with the 6.2 you won't be sorry

Squisher · Mar 20, 2018

And to keep chiming in. As well as all my old gaspots I have a few other trucks. One of which is a 2011 with the 6.2.

Having had intimate experience with all of these motors as well as a old 460 and some seat time behind a newer v-10 I'd agree the 6.2 is the top of the heap IMO. With that 6speed auto behind it it's light years ahead of the other combos being discussed. My '11 has about 130,000miles on it. A flawless performance so far. Mines had exhaust work and tuning which add to the enjoyment but that 6000rpm redline is hard to beat even in stock trim.

oldproudvet · Mar 20, 2018

I've 2 '97s (old body style yet) with 460 5 spds and 4:10 gears. I get mid teens mileage empty and with my goose loaded I get 10 or 11. That's pulling up to the gross of 16,000 + I cheat a bit too if I'm not on the highway. Nothing will pull like that except a diesel. I farm, not truck, so diesel pick ups can stay with the cowboys. Way to much $ and upkeep for the usage. Both of my trucks were bought in Arizona in the past years, MN tends to eat the bodies pretty quick. Absolutely rust free work trucks, paid around 1500 for ea of them. I stay away from the XLTs as they're usually owned my the mobile home crowd and have the girlie trans. Manuals give much better mileage + they DO not burn up the first time you try and pull a loaded trailer in July. 460 5spd std cab trucks are really not in demand, but quite common. Guys want the pooch of a 351 with extended cab infront of an auter matic....... They work for me. Clean up the exhaust system (both of mine have complete Banks stainless header systems) and they're awesome

Squisher · Mar 20, 2018

Those sound like beautys. I had a '87 with a 460, that was desmogged and had the timing advanced some. It was a fantastic motor and was a great pulling truck. One of my good buds for the longest time had a '97 460 with the full banks exhaust and a banks supercharger. That thing surprised more than one diesel in its day. That Banks stuff is top quality for sure.

I have one diesel in the fleet a '99f550 with the 7.3 and six speed. I'll probably never get rid of it. It's my go to for any heavy work. I do miss that '87 with the 460. I owned it for 10-15 years and only sold it three years ago. Still kick myself a bit for letting that one go.

BrianV_ · Mar 20, 2018

Very timely topic for me - I was looking at trucks last night. Nothing to add, but I'll be reading closely.

Lyndon - AB · Mar 20, 2018

Yes, the 5.4L will have more pulling capability than your 89. 2.5 ton would be nothing behind it.

That being said, I can't help but say it was a great day when I ditched my 2007 with 5.4L in favor of a 2011 GMC with 6.0L. It's way stronger, and is holding up far better than my 5.4L, even though I'm hauling 3 times as much as I did with the Ford.

DR. EVIL · Mar 20, 2018

Good friend of mine had a '92 F-250 reg cab long box 4wd 5-speed 351 powered. As he refered to it, "All the power of a 302 with the economy of a 460". Think he had the 3.55 gears like I have in my '96 F-250 PSD.

My truck is rated to tow 16,000# gross, so roughly 10,000# trailer. Day I hauled the M home I axled out the trailer on a truck scale a friend told me about in town. I was just a few pounds shy of 20,000#, exactly what a truck with E4OD and 4.10 gears is rated for. I merged onto I-80 In Illinois east bound, for those of you familiar with Geneseo, Ill and I-80, it's a mile long long hill either way east or west. Ran up thru the gears, two 18-wheelers passing behind me when I got to end of the east entrance ramp, ran up to 2800 rpm in 4th about 65 mph, shifted to 5th and walked right away from them. I was impressed with a pure stock 210 hp truck!

RobCons · Mar 20, 2018

I've got a 1992 F350 with the 460 and 5 speed 4:10 gears. Pulls the Ford 641 tractor plus an attachment fine. About 5500 pounds of trailer and load. Gets about 9 mpg at 65 mph. Also have an older 302 that cant get out of its way.

Nick m · Mar 20, 2018

My parents had a 90 f250 with a 351. Was a great truck, but that power description is spot on.

formenwhogrow · Mar 20, 2018

Lots of 5.9 Cummins @ 360 cubes out there to dispute and lay that claim to rest. Mines pretty much stock with the exception of a programmer,
exhaust, and a fuel pump upgrade.....wait I guess it's not so stock after all. It pulls like a bear and would embarrass my old ford that had the 460
fi and a five speed manual pulling the gooseneck loaded with 17 big squares. Where I was grabbing gears with a motor 100 cubes bigger, the
Cummins just whistles along.

David G · Mar 20, 2018

My favorite was my 2011 F250 with 6.7, it got really good mileage and was zippy with Banks kit.

I have had two since, and not as good.

Truck power

Northvale PA

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jon f mn

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Mike M

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matthies

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Squisher

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rustyfarmall

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Squisher

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Rex Simpkins

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Squisher

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oldproudvet

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Squisher

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BrianV_

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Lyndon - AB

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DR. EVIL

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RobCons

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Nick m

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