Thats about as good a price as you can expect for that, was that installed?

 

I work for a large company that has thousands of 3 valve 5.4's. Locally we have many that have over 350,000 miles in both F250's and E250's that require no more than normal maintenance. We've had no engine failures what so ever and the vehicles aren't babied. Can't say that about the Sprinters we have though.

 

And they are goverened/limited correct? The phaser issues wouldnt even be noticed more than likely on fleet trucks. Also what is considered normal maintenance for a company like that. It is not the standard fluid changes, timing components could be part of you guys normal. Just saying, I know ill catch heck from you guys but I dont care I am still a Ford guy, I can also call a turd a turd when I see it, lol.

 

I was going to stay out of this thread, but I've been lured in with a tale of my own F150 that has 108K on the clock, that I got after ~90K of rode hard & put up wet. Aside from the normal wear & tear items (which is debatable since some people think that ball-joints & U-joints are wearable - and they are, but not at 100K unless your truck was treated like mine was).

Strait-forward opinion:

The window motor/regulators on the F150's do not hold up. I've seen too many come & go for replacements to deny this (makes me feel lucky I got an XL)

The vale train in the 5.4's are not up to standard. If they were, there wouldn't be a sticky for replacing cam phasers.

Ignition: The spark plugs ...'nuff said. I'd expect to lose a coil pack or two throughout the life of a vehicle, but these seem to go out a little too often for my comfort. I bought the coils with a lifetime warranty & recommend the same for anyone not interested in buying new ones every couple of years or so.

The brakes: Master cylinders seem to be a regular thing even on low mileage F150's, but that's not even close to the bigger issue which is the integrated rotor/bearing held on by a $20 non-reusable nut. My rotors still had a lot of meat on them when I had to drop a few hundred bucks because the bearings were squeaky. Now they're doing it again (20K later), and I'm in the market for the "upgrade" from Centric for another couple/few hundred bucks - in hind-sight I probably should have just done this to begin with & saved myself a couple/few hundred bucks, but hey, live & learn.

The flex-plates & torque converters have gotten a bad wrap & I'm not convinced that this is unjustified since both of these made my shopping list as well, but I was hesitant to list this since I'm not 100% certain that this affects "most" F150's, however, I felt it was still worth mentioning.

I'll personally never own another for my own reasons, but I'd respectfully disagree with this statement. All the LSx engines I've known are very efficient and hearty engines, but we're all entitled to our opinions. I'll not make a direct argument on the GMs vs. the F150 since to me, it's an "apples & oranges" conversation. It would be like trying to talk about trucks to the guy with a toyota - I mean, sure it's a truck by definition, but when it comes down to it, it's a tofu burger; you look at it & say, "Wow, that's a big burger, but where's the good ole' American beef?" I made my decision to buy a Ford because I'm of the opinion (my own 2¢ here) FoMoCo is the last truly American car manufacturer, and I won't ever regret supporting the American way.

So, me & my effie have problems from time to time, but what love affair doesn't?

 

Some people are determined to hate and you are one of them. Even when someone presents positive experince amongst a large fleet you insist on spueing verbal diheriea. Claiming the vehicles are governed or perhaps timing componets are part of normal maintenance. Seriously get over yourself.

Honestly I don't know how you guys loose motors and trans. It is unfortunate. I'm pushing mine for 170-180% VE. Been pushing her for 600hp and above for 27,000 miles and for the last 20,000 shes been cranking out 700hp. Nearly 60 trips down the drag strip, at least 50 dyno runs. Even raced her hauling a dual axle trailer weighing 5000lbs (stupid but I did it). She gets 16.5mpg on the highway. Fatherford has been doing the same and has over 100,000 miles along with 1000's of others some pushing a little less but still no issues.

Not denying the 5.4 doesn't have some issues. The VCT for 04 and the folish head/plug design of 04-07. The plug issue is completly avoidable. Most folks have a tuner or at least the Gotts mod for performance but want to leave plugs in for 100,000 miles. How dumb is this? Sure they are rated for that and may keep the truck running but trust me those plugs are costing you some real hp by 60-70k.

 

Like I said I new I wold catch it for staying on my main complaint on the 3v motor, I ALSO STATED I AM A FORD MAN! My 2v lightning has 142,000 on it and I promise it will run as good as any. I guess blowing plugs out of those heads was not a problem and yes its had to have a tranny. I thrash the truck at the track so I had no complaint about that, also pushing 630hp and yes it is documented. I see as many facts from my statements as yours, do yo know their maint. routine? Do those drivers care abot a tick that drives you or me crazy? No they drive them until something goes out.

My trucks do work, pull equipment they are work trucks/vans. I speak nothing more than facts I can put invoices for the repairs and the completed schedueled maint. with, for facts.

I have respected your truck and work until today, anyone who would race pulling a trailer rests his own case.

Im out of this, sorry to any I offended just like any of the other guys here, just stating what I see with my tiny 13-15 truck fleet.

Enjoy your flight and have a great day!bwahahaahh!!

 

Ill just leave this here...

 

Lmao. I could care less who or what you respect. I built my truck to my liking. I knew full well the risk of what I was doing and it was a one time thing. I didn't care since day one the plan has been for a built motor once this one dies. The entire truck is built around a 600-700 rwhp setup. But I'm not pulling the trigger till the factory motor blows. So I push it for all it's worth for the hell of it and have fun with it.

 

No, they aren't governed. And no, no parts were replaced in our shop. A normal service is an oil and filter change on a regular basis. Fuel pumps are replaced about every year and an occasional alternator. They usually get replaced because of rust issues.

 

The Vortec 5.3 was a Gen 3 motor which was a replacement for the Vortec 5700 on the GMT-400, not the later style LSx. It's output is garbage compared to the Vortec 6.0 or Vortec 6.2 motors. What kills our trucks performance is the weight, but overall the 5.4 3V Triton is a stronger motor with more linear power delivery than the any of the Vortec motors. I know this as I have not only driven Silverado 1500s but I have also towed trailers with all three motors as well. Regarding output, I have nothing negative to say about the larger Vortec 6.0, 6.0 Max or 6.2 but the Vortec 5.3 is gutless below 4000RPM.





Brother you are behind the reigns of Zeus' Chariot. I would like to take a trip on that one day. If not I will have to build my own. I would love to have 600-700HP hauling my 8,000lb tool trailer up the highways as if it were made of Styrofoam.

I agree. Hell I haven't done the Gotts mod or have a tuner but I replaced my plugs right away after purchasing my truck. For me I don't need either the Gotts mod or a tuner because eventually I'll my intake mod will be done via Whipple and my tuning will be done by Troyer.