F250 superduty

[Builder]

I have an '04 F250 with the 5.4 motor, it also has 3:73 gears, 6 speed manual transmission. I wouldn't want to tow anything this truck. With this gearing it is only a highway truck, no torque . If i'm on a steep hill I use low gear to start. I average around 11.5mpg the most I have got from it is 14.5 on a long trip.

Solo

Not the news some would want to hear, but it's great to get honest, hands on feedback like that.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I have an '04 F250 with the 5.4 motor, it also has 3:73 gears, 6 speed manual transmission. I wouldn't want to tow anything this truck. With this gearing it is only a highway truck, no torque . If i'm on a steep hill I use low gear to start. I average around 11.5mpg the most I have got from it is 14.5 on a long trip.

Solo

That is what I have heard about the 5.4 in the Superdutys. That is why I think the V-10 is such a bargain at $600 upgrade. In reality they should not put the Hemi in the Dodge 2500 and up and GM should have stuck with the 8.1 and drop that 6.0 in the 2500 and up. The Ford 5.4, Hemi, and the GM 6.0 are good motors but a F-250 or a 2500 series truck and up is not the place for them.

Chris

 

[Ryan03]

I have an '04 F250 with the 5.4 motor, it also has 3:73 gears, 6 speed manual transmission. I wouldn't want to tow anything this truck. With this gearing it is only a highway truck, no torque . If i'm on a steep hill I use low gear to start. I average around 11.5mpg the most I have got from it is 14.5 on a long trip.

Solo

The only way to make three hundred and thirtysome odd cubic inches happy about pushing around 7k worth of bill board is with a deep gear in the rear axle. On the flip side, not enough gear for the application is often just as hard on mpg as to much

 

[mjncad]

I have a '99 4x4 F-250 XLT SuperCab long bed with a V-10, 5-speed, and 4.11 limited slip rear end. I average 13.5 MPG empty. I don't do enough towing to give you a towing MPG average.

I wouldn't get the 5.4 in a Super Duty for the reasons previously given.

 

[Solo]

The only way to make three hundred and thirtysome odd cubic inches happy about pushing around 7k worth of bill board is with a deep gear in the rear axle. On the flip side, not enough gear for the application is often just as hard on mpg as to much

You are exactly right. If I had 4:11 or maybe a 4:56 gear it would be alright.

Solo

 

[apmonte]

I've got a 2003 F-150 FX-4 with the 5.4L and auto trans. I get around 12.5 MPG in town. Fortunately, I'm putting on less than 5k/yr. Truck doesn't get out of town much, so I'm not sure what it gets on the highway.

You might try poking around at one of these sites for more information:
http://www.fordf150.net/
http://www.f150online.com/

 

[Dadsgreenpsd]

Most (not all) people with the 5.4 are not happy towing. I have the 7.3, 6 speed, and a 3.73 rear, and I get around 19 (or more) in the summer. I can also haul almost anything. I have a 24' enclosed trailer, and have made the trip from Maine to Georgia several times with household goods, vehicles, and a compact tractor. Hauling, I may go down to 13mpg or so.

 

[Soundguy]

I am looking for a bigger truck to do so towing with, this truck fits the bill and i seem to be able to find a number of used ones to compare. I am wondering how the milage is with the 5.4 and is it any different on 05 and newer since that is the year power went up. Second any one know of any problems with the manual trans. Thanks for any info.

I have an o4 f250 with the 6.0 PSD.. works great as a tow vehicle.. gets about 14mpg in town.. a lil more on open road.

soundguy

 

[Highbeam]

I don't care what the ratings are, towing 8700 lbs with a half ton and gas small block is not safe. I towed 7000 lbs regularly with my chevy half ton, 5.7 liter gas 330 ft-lbs, and it was at the ragged edge of safety. I recently took advantage of the super good prices on used super duty trucks and bought a 2000 F350 with the 7.3 powerstroke diesel and I tow the same trailers with a much larger safety and performance margin. Oddly, or perhaps not, I get slightly better mpg while towing and while running empty. It is my daily driver and weighs 7500 lbs.

You won't pay 8000$ more for a diesel on a used truck when the whole truck barely cost 10,000$.

 

[bncsauve]

I have an 05 F250 Super duty with 5.4 engine. Mine has an automatic. I get about 16 mpg highway and about 10 mpg towing. I have towed up to a 12000 lb excavator and trailer. It handled it pretty well, but of course I needed trailer brakes and controller. Some of the F250 have built in controller that's supposed to be very good. I added mine aftermarket. I routinely tow my boat. appx. 3000 lbs. I can't even tell it's back there.