Ford F250 with 5.4L

[Bryanccfshr]

OCt November and Decmebers Mileage reports...I noticed a coule of typos in the spread sheet I pulled.

109,214 109,214 109,214
95,979 95,979 95,979
96,542 96,542 96,542
99,010 99,010 99,010
105,411 105,411 105,411
105,627 105,627 105,627
95,647 95,647 95,647
103,605 103,605 103,605
85,239 85,239 85,239
PR PR PR
PR PR PR
55,560 55,813 86,537
PR PR PR
58,300 58,300 58,300
PR PR PR
PR PR PR
PR PR PR
PR PR PR
PR PR PR
PR PR PR
51,440 54,080 55,720
PR PR PR
PR PR PR
37,014 38,951 40,301
Y Y Y
64,362 65,631 66,678
Y Y Y
77,300 80,000 81,856
Y Y Y
47,374 48,130 49,014
Y Y Y
10,940 12,876 14,812
Y Y Y
27,488 28,365 29,295
Y Y Y
29,250 31,257 33,264
Y Y Y
42,206 44,048 45,276
Y Y Y
25,050 27,625 28,528
Y Y Y
49,950 50,536 51,292
Y Y Y
55,250 56,222 57,194
35,755 35,755 35,755
N N N
40,420 41,186 41,517
60,524 60,600 60,676
46,396 49,242 52,088
60,432 60,450 78,412
71,493 71,685 71,685
67,172 67,244 67,244
76,181 76,181 76,181
73,679 73,679 73,693
72,515 72,515 72,515
100,022 100,022 100,308
84,260 86,203 86,480
78,453 82,186 84,943
79,295 79,295 79,295
92,317 92,322 92,323
81,000 81,000 81,000
67,950 67,950 68,011
101,407 101,407 101,407
77,010 77,012 77,012
66,918 69,918 67,086
33,250 34,119 35,285
31,273 31,273 31,273
33,028 33,028 33,028
Y Y Y
15,544 16,458 17,056
N N N
15,585 16,080 16,530
Y Y Y
18,363 19,800 21,008
Y Y Y
66,400 68,700 68,900
N N N
13,682 14,150 14,420
Y Y Y
4,208 6,509 8,810
Y Y Y
57,800 58,325 58,700
Y Y Y
24,920 25,520 25,745
Y Y Y
78,630 80,200 82,630
N N N
46,460 47,623 48,202
Y Y Y
71,485 74,144 74,459
Y Y Y
10,541 10,890 11,335
Y Y Y
22,107 23,762 24,871
Y Y Y
6,640 9,882 12,102
Y Y Y
38,783 39,868 40,953
Y Y Y
35,825 35,825 40,966
N N N
23,246 24,079 25,385
N N N
20,774 21,244 21,730
Y Y Y
4,400 4,700 5,100
Y Y Y
32,019 33,898 35,887
Y Y Y
57,103 58,883 60,573
Y Y Y
25,000 26,500 26,500
Y Y Y
36,640 37,295 38,088
Y Y Y
71,938 73,542 75,923
Y Y Y
21,372 21,595 22,049
Y Y Y
3,541 5,910 8,981
Y Y Y
32,200 33,700 34,500
Y Y Y
32,003 33,730 35,400
Y Y Y
38,806 41,068 43,418
Y Y Y
14,612 15,010 15,385
Y Y Y
50,250 50,466 51,805
Y Y Y
16,098 16,679 17,273
Y Y Y
26,083 27,029 27,921
Y Y Y
5,511 8,320 12,032
Y Y Y
42,660 43,382 44,690
Y Y Y
77,140 79,831 82,031
Y Y Y
3,094 4,988 6,882
Y Y Y
87,777 87,979 88,201
N N N
40,316 42,581 44,388
Y Y Y
38,200 40,000 42,426
Y Y Y
300 600 900
Y 0 0
21,822 24,570 26,724
N N N
16,913 17,435 17,989
Y Y Y
75,023 77,243 79,480
Y Y Y
19,810 20,050 21,110
Y Y Y
28,370 29,581 30,857
Y Y Y
46,460 48,050 50,340
Y Y Y
49,695 52,380 54,490
Y Y Y
4,308 6,758 8,522
Y Y Y
66,210 68,474 69,771
Y Y Y
24,500 25,378 27,100
Y Y Y
66,300 68,350 69,200
N N N
43,663 44,846 46,029
N N N
50,200 51,025 52,300
N N N
74,811 76,784 78,412
N N N
55,913 58,065 60,150
Y Y Y
29,983 30,682 31,381
Y Y Y
66,444 67,314 68,133
N N N
69,125 71,025 72,925
Y Y Y
23,062 23,707 23,910
Y Y Y
18,526 19,256 20,152
N N N
32,674 33,672 349,923
Y Y Y
5,429 10,788 16,147
Y Y Y

 

[beanoil]

Back to the OP... I have a 99 F250 with a 5.4 . Great truck, love it. Rotella 5w40, and a Fleetguard filter with the Stratapore media. I recommend the same for you..

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: ProStreetCamaro
Just remember the 5.4 is a dog so dont expect it to have much power (been there and done that with a 4.6 and a 5.4). Other than that I say pick what ever brand and type of oil you like and go with it. The mod motors are supposed to be a long lasting engine so you should be fine with what ever you choose.


Of the THREE 5.4's we've owned, none of them have been dogs. You and I have been over this. Yours must have been a dud man, all of ours work great. And this is coming from a guy with a 325HP 302 in a 2,800lb Fox Body.

My '02 has no trouble lighting both rear tires up until the auto 4x4 comes on and will hit the speed cut off pulling like a freight train. They are a great engine with a long history of durability.

---------------

To the OP:

I ran an OCI of M1 5w20 through mine, it left a nice pile of carbon deposits in the oil filter, which to me, is an indication that it is doing some cleaning.

Currently running M1 TDT 5w40 with a Fleetguard synthetic media filter.

Impressive mileage out of that old 302. I run 5w40 in mine.

 

[ADFD1]

Originally Posted By: Ben99GT
Originally Posted By: ProStreetCamaro
Just remember the 5.4 is a dog so dont expect it to have much power (been there and done that with a 4.6 and a 5.4). Other than that I say pick what ever brand and type of oil you like and go with it. The mod motors are supposed to be a long lasting engine so you should be fine with what ever you choose.


Still going on and on with that nonsense? Comparing an older 5.4 Expedition 4x4 to a brand new yet stripped down 2WD Chevy work truck with a 6.0, and then complaining the Expedition didn't have as much pep? I wonder why?

Give me a PI 5.4 over a 5.3 anyday.


I picked up on that too, he really hates Fords. Too bad, funny the company is still in business though, without Uncle Sams assistance. I'll take a Ford any day. JMO

AD

 

[hounddog]

Well on 09s the 5.4 is a turd.Its the lowest H.P.and torque of the 1500s of the same class.(GM,Dodge,Toyota)All the REVIEWS written by RV magizines and Edmonds and such say its a turd power wise.Nothing said about how well it holds up just that power wise its a turd.I shopped 1/2 tons for months.Did a lot of research.Trucks/vehicles with over 100k on the speedo are valued at DIRTY WHOLESALE.Thats the kind of money they bring on trade.Even a well maintaind diesel dosen't fair much better in this economy.

 

[Junior]

Originally Posted By: rainman49
Preparing to buy a 2001 with 164K miles. Truck's in great shape mechanically with one small body ding where the bumper meets the fender. Turned a trailer a little to short. Anyway, I'm getting it for less than trade-in. With that many miles, should I look at a high mileage oil like Maxlife in a 5W-20 or 5W-30. I a little squeamish about a 20-weight although there are plenty of UOAs that help relieve some of the anxiety. You've got o understand that I'm about to hold a wake for my trusty 1988 Ford F150 with the 5.0 that finally played out on me with 467,000 miles on the odometer. That truck was fed a steady diet of Castrol GTX 20W-50.


I have about that same mileage on a 1998. Has used mostly 5W30 or 10/w30. A few times I tried 0W40 and 5W40. Last winter I ran 5W20.

So for you, I would start with your choice of a 5W30 (since we want you to sleep well at night) and track the consumption/leaks. If you have consumption you could switch to a high mileage oil.

FWIW, I service my dad's 2000 F150 with 0W30 winter 5W30 summer. It uses about a quart every 3000 miles. Mine uses about a quart every 5000 miles.

 

[NHHEMI]

Originally Posted By: rainman49
Preparing to buy a 2001 with 164K miles. Truck's in great shape mechanically with one small body ding where the bumper meets the fender. Turned a trailer a little to short. Anyway, I'm getting it for less than trade-in. With that many miles, should I look at a high mileage oil like Maxlife in a 5W-20 or 5W-30. I a little squeamish about a 20-weight although there are plenty of UOAs that help relieve some of the anxiety. You've got o understand that I'm about to hold a wake for my trusty 1988 Ford F150 with the 5.0 that finally played out on me with 467,000 miles on the odometer. That truck was fed a steady diet of Castrol GTX 20W-50.


I think an HM oil, initially anyway, is a very good choice for that truck. At least for a few OC's to see if it burns/uses any oil plus it will help clean it out( deposits/sludge ). I would do 2 short( 2000-2500 mile )OCI's to work on cleaning it out then I would try a longer 5-6K OCI and see how it goes from there. By that point( approx 9-10K on an HM )it should have done it's job of cleaning and reconditioning. At that point if all is good you can decide where you want to go...

Wouldn't hurt to stay with it for the rest of the time you own the truck, or, you could try a switch over to a decent synthetic( PP, VVL Synpower, QS UD, or Kendall GT1 Full Synthetic )or blend( MTC, VVL Dura Blend, or Kendall GT1 Blend ). I would decide on switching or not from the HM based on oil consumption.

As to brands. Valvoline MaxLife is some great stuff. Both the blend and the full synthetic. That would be my brand of choice.

My Brother has had 2 Ford SD's with the 5.4L a 99 wiith 175K+ and now his 06 with 60K. He uses them HARD for work( plowimg, hauling lumber goods, and hauling our 16' enclosed utility trailer with all of our tools )year round. He runs the recommended 5W-20 and has had no problems.

 

[CROWNVIC4LIFE]

Originally Posted By: Bryanccfshr
We have a fleet of 5.4s in 150's 250's adn 350's.

All lubricated with 5w20.
Fleet manager has been here since 2000. He can't recall any engine failures. (accessories like AC alternators ects excepted)

This should be proof enough for everyone that 5w20 works for any car specified for it...If it didn't those trucks would be dropping like flies.

A small P.D. near me is using 5w20 in their fleet of Crown Vics [all stop and go and no highway driving plus idling all day with the a/c on] and they have no reported problems in this jungle heat.

This should convince everyone [except Gary Allen] that 5w20 works.

 

[RISUPERCREWMAN]

A fully Synthetic 5W-20 would be best! That is what I run!...in my 5.4 3v!

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: hounddog
Well on 09s the 5.4 is a turd.Its the lowest H.P.and torque of the 1500s of the same class.(GM,Dodge,Toyota)All the REVIEWS written by RV magizines and Edmonds and such say its a turd power wise.Nothing said about how well it holds up just that power wise its a turd.I shopped 1/2 tons for months.Did a lot of research.Trucks/vehicles with over 100k on the speedo are valued at DIRTY WHOLESALE.Thats the kind of money they bring on trade.Even a well maintaind diesel dosen't fair much better in this economy.


A 300HP turd.

Where trucks from the 80's were lucky to be HALF that.

When viewed within the confines of a magazine test where you are comparing the PERFORMANCE of the vehicles (which I know I do every day, racing Yukon's, Tahoe's, Sequoia's, because that's what an SUV is for....) yes, it was the lowest powered of the bunch.

But that doesn't make it a turd. And back here in REAL life, where trucks are used as trucks, it does a fine job, as the REAL LIFE examples cited above indicate. Not magazine [censored].

 

[sw99]

Personally, I don't think you can beat a Ford these days. Like it was previously mentioned, they didn't need the "Bailout." My 2001 F150 is at 115K and I just changed the tranny fluid for the first time and the plugs are still the original ones. The truck runs like a top! My dads 05' Silverado is a piece of junk and he hates it. He wishes he never sold this F150 to me...

 

[Gary Allan]

Quote:
This should convince everyone [except Gary Allen] that 5w20 works.


It's not thin enough

Bringing 5w-20 to market was one of Ford's better ideas. I'm not really a Ford fan ..but they've had their moments of brilliance.

Now if I can get my hands on the vacuum/cooling hose happy engine clown that must have created a personal empire within Ford ...heck ..from the later 70's through the early 90's (maybe still).

 

[cafasco]

Off topic a little (talking 1/2tons), but the rounded body ford F150s were my least favorite cosmetically...I had 3 dodge trucks (’95 pos, 2004, 2006) and 3 GMCs (2000, 2002, 2003) before buying a rode hard and put away wet 97 F150 out of Saskatchewan Canada with 125K on it (found that out later;-). It was a hasty purchase;-)

I don’t know how many times it was buried up to the axels in mud but I removed a least a truckload of it from the frame, tranny tunnel, etc. The air filter was clogged and the oil looked like raw crude. After a couple oil changes, it only burned about a qt every 7500 miles. I also really like the torque converter drain plug. It makes transmission fluid changes a snap (to get 90%+ of the old stuff out). I guess Ford stopped doing that in 2002 (bummer!). And talk about thick sheet metal...it's twice as think as GM or Dodge.

That beat up 97 F150 was hands down better build quality than any of the '90-07 GMs (fun to drive but pos in my opinion) and quite a bit tougher than Dodge. The 5.4L drive train is really stout! If I was going to buy another pickup it would be a 2000 or 2001 3v 5.4L F150. I think 250K is about half life on those things! Chevy is done at 180K (at best) and Dodge might eek out 200K with a replacement transmission (previous body style 94-2001 that is)

On another note however...if I needed a 3/4 ton, it would be a Dodge Cummins...but the F150 is a close second. I think the F150 is a better truck than the F250HD...but that's just been my experience with them maybe the F250HD's I've been around see a lot more work...

 

[ADFD1]

Originally Posted By: sw99
Personally, I don't think you can beat a Ford these days. Like it was previously mentioned, they didn't need the "Bailout." My 2001 F150 is at 115K and I just changed the tranny fluid for the first time and the plugs are still the original ones. The truck runs like a top! My dads 05' Silverado is a piece of junk and he hates it. He wishes he never sold this F150 to me...


I'm with you on that. If I were in the market for a pick-up or truck I'd be looking at Ford. Especially in this market!
AD

 

[NHHEMI]

Originally Posted By: hounddog
Well on 09s the 5.4 is a turd.Its the lowest H.P.and torque of the 1500s of the same class.(GM,Dodge,Toyota)All the REVIEWS written by RV magizines and Edmonds and such say its a turd power wise.Nothing said about how well it holds up just that power wise its a turd.I shopped 1/2 tons for months.Did a lot of research.Trucks/vehicles with over 100k on the speedo are valued at DIRTY WHOLESALE.Thats the kind of money they bring on trade.Even a well maintaind diesel dosen't fair much better in this economy.


The base 5.4L may be a "turd" if you are talking performance( ie; racing )in the Ford trucks but if you want a work truk that will plow and haul things they are hard to beat. I am a MOPAR guy 1st and foremost, and a GM guy a distant second with Ford a far away 3rd, BUT with that said, my Brother's 5.4L F250's and F350's with the 5.4L could pull a redwood out of the ground.

People always fail to realize that Ford sets their trucks up as work vehicles. That means the 5.4L's power band as well as the gearing( tranny and axle )is all geared toward low end grunt for pulling and hauling. That hurts their straight line acceleration and race ability. Does not make the engine a turd however. 300HP and 360 FTLBS is far from a turd. Just how and where it makes it's power that makes it seem kind of doggy if you want to mash the throttle and go fast.

The 99+ Ford Super Duty trucks with the 5.4L perform more like a diesel than a gas engine. When I go from driving my HEMI Ram or the last 2 5.3L Silverado's I had to driving his truck I feel like I could get out and run to my destination faster. However, if I had to haul our work traiiler his truck would be the one I picked no question.

 

[oiljug]

The 09 feels alot stronger than the 08 with that new 6 speed trans, much more responsive down low.

 

[Junior]

Originally Posted By: cafasco
If I was going to buy another pickup it would be a 2000 or 2001 3v 5.4L F150.


IIRC, the 3 valve versions didn't come to market until the 2004 model year.

 

[Bryanccfshr]

AH. That's all I have ever driven is 3 valve versions. before that I was stuck in a diesel superduty.

 

[Junior]

Originally Posted By: hounddog
Well on 09s the 5.4 is a turd.Its the lowest H.P.and torque of the 1500s of the same class.(GM,Dodge,Toyota)All the REVIEWS written by RV magizines and Edmonds and such say its a turd power wise.Nothing said about how well it holds up just that power wise its a turd.I shopped 1/2 tons for months.Did a lot of research.Trucks/vehicles with over 100k on the speedo are valued at DIRTY WHOLESALE.Thats the kind of money they bring on trade.Even a well maintaind diesel dosen't fair much better in this economy.


First of all, all the reviews compare the Ford 5.4 to the 6.2 liter GM. Compare the 5.3 and it is a completely different story. Given Chevy does have the highest HP rating, but look at which one has the highest GVWR.

If you want to play the "I have the highest horsepower" game fine. But I have to ask, why would you ever need more than 300HP in a half ton pick-up? I have a lowly 235 in my 1998 and it pulls and hauls everything I have ever asked of it just fine.

All this extra HP behind the hands of the inexperienced tow/haulers is just scary IMHO.

 

[Drew2000]

I'd use any quality 5w20 oil. As I posted a few months ago, I worked for a shop that runs E350 Econolines with the 5.4. They get either bulk Kendall 5w20 semi-syn at Firestone, or Motorcraft 5w20 at Ford dealers where we have service accounts.

They're supposed to get serviced at 5k, but usually gets pushed further. Driving is pretty much NYC Metro stop 'n go often at max GVWR. We never have any engine problems or oil burners. The vans get run to about 125k before trade in, which probably equals 250-300k highway miles.