GATORB8

mgidaho, did you ever check to see what your gear ratio is?

XLT 4.6s stock are 3.55 (3.73s are optional), switching to 3.73s would give you a 5% "better" final drive ratio, and 4.10s would give you 15.5%.

Novo

I had a 12v cummins for years and it was the best truck I've ever owned. Put 300k on it before I sold it and its still kicking. But there are a few draw backs with them, 1. 200k the turbos like to go 2. Theres a nasty little pin in the engine that likes to work itself loose and if it comes out it can make a mess of things. 3. They tend to be a little leaky and diesel stains are nasty to clean up. I sold my 12v and got an 06 cummins, the 06 was the biggest pile of poop; But yah you can pick up an older 12v and sink some money into it and it will be a great truck.

jazar10

i doubt they are stupid enough to put plugs that cost 20 a piece into these trucks. They would turn out like GM and start losing money on each car they sell that comes out of the plant

'08f150stx

I guess it would depend how much you drive/tow with it. I would go 5.4 with 3.73's. Of course the motor size would depend on where you go also. Lots of highway, diesel. These other guys know their stuff. Just my opinion.

mgidaho

I appreciate everyones opinions in this thread. I think realisticaly I will end up getting a F150 with the 5.4. (Unless of course a deal for a stupid cheap diesel with low miles shows up anytime soon) Its hard for me to buy something that will cost me between 20-25K and has about 100K miles on it already.....So for the same price range I can find the 5.4 with 30-60k miles.

Let me know what you are towing with your 5.4 in this forum. Im interested in seeing what everyone is pulling around.

Thanks, Mikw

FSU FX4

It sounds to me like if your looking a f150 and its no trouble uprading to a f250, your not tight on money. Go with the diesel.

Old_Skl_Raptr

ive got a 97 5.4 (which only makes 230 HP on a good day) with 3.55 gears and it pulls everything ive thrown at it just fine. which is a lot

jake04f150

imo i would go with the sd diesel mods gain more hp a tq they can tow anything and I love that turbo spool!

JP2085

Want more than the 5.4 but don't need the diesel? Go V10.

kozal01

iTrader: (2)

how large of a TT are you pulling and what kind of hills are you traveling on? i pull a 30 foot 6000" TT with my 5.4 and it pulls great and its had no issues on any of the hills ive encountered. if were talking mountains than i would say go for the diesel for sure but if not, for the average person like me that pulls there camper a few times a year the 5.4 will do you just fine. just done expect to get good gas mileage.