hertfordnc wrote:
Just read the thread about the F150 with the GCWR over 15,000 lb with a 5.4 and 3.55 gears.
That's 3000 lb more than my 2001 Expedition with the same engine nd gears.
What else is different? Just curious, not planning to upgrade.
1st: You have the power robbing 4 speed transmission that sucks so much power out of the engine. The gearing is very poor for towing and better for fuel economy. Even with a 3.55 axle, it won't help. The old F150s were also cursed with that 4 speed transmission and also had very low tow ratings because of it. You'd need an axle with a gear of over 5.00 to make up for the transmissions lousy gearing.
The gears are as followed: 1st: 2.84 :1 2nd: 1.55 :1 3rd: 1.00 :1 4th: 0.70 :1 Rev: 2.23 :1 . The new 5.4L F150 transmission is a 6 speed with the following gear ratios: 1=4.17 2=2.34 3=1.52 4=1.14 5=0.86 6=0.69 R=3.40
2nd: You have the 2 Valve 5.4L which is really low on horsepower and torque next to the 3 valve 5.4L. The 3 valve 5.4L has 310 HP and 365 lbs of torque. Your 2 valve 5.4L only has 260 horsepower and 350 lbs of torque.
Any F150 with that 4 speed transmission had really low tow ratings compared to the newer trucks with the 6 speed transmission.
If your Expedition tows what you need, no need to upgrade. But I wouldn't push it as you'd likely damage your transmission.
When I bought
my previous 2010 F150 Crew 5.4L 4WD truck, I test drove a similar USED 2008. Night and day difference. The 2008 felt like a dog next to the 2010 even though both had the same engine (2010 was 10 hp more). That transmission takes so much from the engine. Never understood why Ford didn't go with a 5 speed trans like others did. I may had not bought my 2004 Titan if Ford had a decent drive-train then.
I should mention that these tow ratings are only good for boats and flat bed trailers. Travel trailers have heavy tongue weights that go against your payload. Even the new F150 are tow limited by their payloads.
The axle ratings and GVWRs haven't really changed in the last decade so they will likely be able to tow around the same 'real weight' if that makes you feel better. I wouldn't tow more than a 7000 lbs loaded travel trailer with my truck due to it's payload and the weight of my family, gear, and truck accessories.
