2008 F250 with 5.4

If the 5.4-6.0 current V8 motors arent powerfully enough for you. I can not imagine what it would have been like 30&40 yrs ago with. 125hp 292/300 CI I6 up front! I have a 255/355 vortec 350 in my 2500. Plenty powerful for the upwards of 10-15k lb gcw I run at. Only real issue, is 4l80e trans is geared too tall in first. A 6sp auto behind it, that would be sweet.

Marty

blt2ski wrote:
If the 5.4-6.0 current V8 motors arent powerfully enough for you. I can not imagine what it would have been like 30&40 yrs ago with. 125hp 292/300 CI I6 up front! I have a 255/355 vortec 350 in my 2500. Plenty powerful for the upwards of 10-15k lb gcw I run at. Only real issue, is 4l80e trans is geared too tall in first. A 6sp auto behind it, that would be sweet.

Marty

30-40 year old trucks s u ked for towing compared to 10-20 year old trucks which leave a lot to be desired compared to new ones.
Just because you “can” do something doesn’t mean there isn’t a better or sometimes much better way to do it.

Grit,
I had one of them 292 2500's. Reality, the way it was setup, a very good truck for what it was. Now 4bbl 454 R3500 flatbed. That was pos. Couldn't carry squat, much less get out of its own way.
Unless the trans behind a 5.4 or equal is chewing up a lot hp, a 250-300hp motor should reliably move trailers to 10,000 lbs. At some point in time, you do need more HP depending upon your performance wants and needs.

Marty

blt2ski wrote:
Grit,
I had one of them 292 2500's. Reality, the way it was setup, a very good truck for what it was. Now 4bbl 454 R3500 flatbed. That was pos. Couldn't carry squat, much less get out of its own way.
Unless the trans behind a 5.4 or equal is chewing up a lot hp, a 250-300hp motor should reliably move trailers to 10,000 lbs. At some point in time, you do need more HP depending upon your performance wants and needs.

Marty

I think part of the HP problem with the 5.4 was it's small bores and long stroke.

My brother used to haul fifty head of sheep in an old six cylinder gasoline fueled school bus. It "can" be done, but not with the performance I have grown to enjoy.

Will do just fine pulling the full rating, posted by Groover above, as long as you are patient going up hills. For about $1,000 you can have any rear ratio you prefer. 2x if it is 4WD. I would go right to 4.30 and consider 4.56/4.88 depending on service.