Ford f250 5.4

[JD3203]

I am in the need for a truck for my son. He needs to be able to tow the tractor and haul stuff for my construction company. I need him to have a 3/4 ton truck but do not want to pay for a diesel. Is this a good motor in a 3/4 ton crew cab 4x4 truck? I am hoping to find a standard in whatever I find. Thanks for your help

 

[bdog]

Ford hasn't put a standard in their trucks in some time. I know they don't offer it now. Not exactly sure when they quit - 2007 maybe?

The 5.4 is a dog in my opinion. I owned three 2008 F-250's with the 5.4 that I bought new. I recently traded them in. The 6.2 is so much better.

 

[s219]

My wife's uncle has a 250 with the 5.4 gasser, and it really drinks fuel.

 

[sld]

The 5.4 would be adequate for whatever you ask it to do. The V10's were much better.

If you get the 5.4, just make sure it has at least the 4:10 rear end.

 

[JD3203]

Thanks for the help. It sounds like I'll be ok buying him a 5.4. I'm looking for a review if a truck with a 5.4 that pulled 6,000 or so pounds regularly. Any advice helps

 

[94BULLITT]

The 5.4 is a great engine. I think since the main purpose of the truck is towing I would try to find a V-10. It is the same engine as the 5.4 but 2 more cylinders. It probably won't drink any more gas than a 5.4. You might want to look at some RV forums they love the V-10. Looking for one with a manual trans is a good idea. The auto trans is the weak point in these trucks but they still give decent service if they are maintained properly and not abused. I would look under the front of the truck to see if it had a snow plow mount. If it does walk away from it. The guys with plows are hard on transmissions. SLD is right about trying to find one with 4.10's. Most of them had 3.73's and with the large tires they came with they did not perform to well. One with 3.73's and a manual trans will probably do pretty good. If you can find a 05 or newer truck it will have the 3 valve engine and it will have more power.

 

[Diamondpilot]

5.4 is not much in a F250. It was well suited for a F150.

The 6.8 V10 was a great motor.

If looking on a budget look at a 6.0 GM. Lots of bang for the buck. Biggest issue is the weak front end.

Chris

 

[Diamondpilot]

The 5.4 is a great engine. I think since the main purpose of the truck is towing I would try to find a V-10. It is the same engine as the 5.4 but 2 more cylinders. It probably won't drink any more gas than a 5.4. You might want to look at some RV forums they love the V-10. Looking for one with a manual trans is a good idea. The auto trans is the weak point in these trucks but they still give decent service if they are maintained properly and not abused. I would look under the front of the truck to see if it had a snow plow mount. If it does walk away from it. The guys with plows are hard on transmissions. SLD is right about trying to find one with 4.10's. Most of them had 3.73's and with the large tires they came with they did not perform to well. One with 3.73's and a manual trans will probably do pretty good. If you can find a 05 or newer truck it will have the 3 valve engine and it will have more power.

The auto was the weak link but a 5.4 does not make enough power to tear them up. Plus in 05 they put the Torque Shift behind them, the same tranny the diesel gets. No way a V10 or 5.4 could damage them.

Chris

 

[Markcuda]

What motor and year did ford have spark plug blowing out problems?

 

[bdog]

We regularly towed 6-10k with our 5.4 f-250s. They got around 5 mpg when towing.

 

[94BULLITT]

The auto was the weak link but a 5.4 does not make enough power to tear them up. Plus in 05 they put the Torque Shift behind them, the same tranny the diesel gets. No way a V10 or 5.4 could damage them.

Chris

I know of a couple 5.4 F-250's that the trans went out of. One had a plow on it and the other had been abused it's whole life. The diesel before 2005 had the same trans as the gasser too, the 4R100. A 5.4 or 6.8 could hurt a torque shift with the right operator but the torque shift is better than the 4R100. The old 4R100 was the weak link in those trucks.

What motor and year did ford have spark plug blowing out problems?

They never had spark plug blowing problems. It is just an internet myth.

 

[Fordman1981]

I know of a couple 5.4 F-250's that the trans went out of. One had a plow on it and the other had been abused it's whole life. The diesel before 2005 had the same trans as the gasser too, the 4R100. A 5.4 or 6.8 could hurt a torque shift with the right operator but the torque shift is better than the 4R100. The old 4R100 was the weak link in those trucks. They never had spark plug blowing problems. It is just an internet myth.

Tell that to the guy that bought one of my e350s after I retired it. Had a plug blow at 100,000 miles. The reason I retired it with 90,000 miles is it had to have the front end rebuilt 3 times. Ford told me the front ends were not designed for the work body it had one it. Here's the kicker I bought it from the dealership telling me this with the work body already on it and they were still selling the exact same setups at the time they told me this.

 

[94BULLITT]

Tell that to the guy that bought one of my e350s after I retired it. Had a plug blow at 100,000 miles. The reason I retired it with 90,000 miles is it had to have the front end rebuilt 3 times. Ford told me the front ends were not designed for the work body it had one it. Here's the kicker I bought it from the dealership telling me this with the work body already on it and they were still selling the exact same setups at the time they told me this.

Who put plugs in it and did not torque them to spec?

 

[Fordman1981]

Who put plugs in it and did not torque them to spec?

Never had plugs put in blew the OEM plugs.

 

[Markcuda]

Never had plugs put in blew the OEM plugs.

Those darn internet myths anyway.

 

[Patches]

Ford hasn't put a standard in their trucks in some time. I know they don't offer it now. Not exactly sure when they quit - 2007 maybe?

(The 5.4 is a dog in my opinion). I owned three 2008 F-250's with the 5.4 that I bought new. I recently traded them in. The 6.2 is so much better.

X2 I bought a new '05, 150, Lariat with 3:73 gears. Biggest mistake of my life. It would tow a trailer(3000 pound snowmobile trailer) but it sure didn't like it; no power, poor fuel mileage. I was so disgusted with it, I traded it less than 2 years later with less than 25,000 miles on it. To say I was not impressed would be a huge understatement, and NO, I didn't trade for another Ford

 

[Diamondpilot]

I know of a couple 5.4 F-250's that the trans went out of. One had a plow on it and the other had been abused it's whole life. The diesel before 2005 had the same trans as the gasser too, the 4R100. A 5.4 or 6.8 could hurt a torque shift with the right operator but the torque shift is better than the 4R100. The old 4R100 was the weak link in those trucks.

They never had spark plug blowing problems. It is just an internet myth.

The diesels got the Torque Shift in 2003 with the introduction of the 6.0.

Chris

 

[Diamondpilot]

The plugs blow out because people over torque them. They only call for 7 ft lbs, about what a man can do with a screw driver. If serviced properly there is never a issue.

Was the head the issue? Not the best design in the world but not the worst either. Follow spec and you will have no issues. If it does blow a plug it's a cheap fix.

Chris

 

[bd53bz2]

If the plug blowing out are a internet myth, why does Snap-on sell two specific kits for the triton engines? One to rethread the spark plug hole and the other to remove half of the spark plug when it breaks trying to remove it? I also saw myself of two occasions of this happening, both were original plugs installed by the factory on two different trucks.

 

[brown40]

I have heard lots of positives on the 5.4 for a work truck/commuter... complaints are working hard for heavier loads, and huge (50% or more) mileage drop for towing trailers, boats, etc.

Have heard a lot of positives on the 5.4 & 6.8 motors, except the mileage drop/transmission inefficiency. Folks that tow a lot really enjoy the extra power of the v-10... neither hit double digits, but one struggles.

I have '07 6.0 liter diesel, and have no problems towing or plowing, and weight doesn't seem to drop the mileage as much (30-40%) but it has a horrible & much discussed reputation. Its transformation from an efficient lower horsepower fleet engine to the mass market was not smooth. I think they tuned what was about a 200hp International local hauler up to a 325hp horsepower wars entrant.

The learning curve was public and on consumers backs, and by '06 once the (tuning) head studs, EGR, and casting debris issues were addressed, emissions changed, the reputation was established, and the 6.4 with new emissions came in '08.

You can likely get an '06-'07 diesel cheaper than the 5.4 or 6.8, and have more capability & better mileage, as well as a very dependable motor with less emissions stuff to worry about going wrong... you just have to get past the reputation 2003-2004, and somewhat 2005 established for the line.

Sorry--the 5.4: good motor by all accounts, just a little weak for a medium duty truck.