FORD folks 2002 gasser

[gon2dadawgs]

I know this is the place to get real info.

We downsized to a lightweight, Shadow Cruiser 225 RBS, 4K + dry....now I would like to retire the 1995 Dodge 3500 DRW Cummins. Time for something smoother, quieter.

Lots of Ford F150's out there towing. I am not at all familiar with Fords but have a friend with an '02 gasser with "the bigger" V8 :?. Nice ride, very quiet and clean.

We do our share of mountain camping and desert too, the Cummins is a real puller. I would like to know expected MPG's and any other useful info.

Thanks much in advance!
Michael

[romore]

What others have said. After that Cummins you won't be satisfied with the small gasser. Will the budget allow moving up to a Dodge 8.0 liter or a Ford V-10?

[PapPappy]

oops double post

[PapPappy]

Grit dog wrote:
IMO, unless your 95 Cummins is a beat up POS, you are better off with it than a early 2000's Ferd gasser, all day long and twice on Sunday.

X2

I think that you would be better investing money into making your truck better.....revamp the suspension, front end, and any engine work that would keep that diesel on the road.
You know the history of your truck....do you really know the history of this other one?

[gon2dadawgs]

So perhaps a 2500 may be the answer? The '95 Cummins is the P7100 injection pump NOISEY monster, 5 speed stick....this almost old guy needs more peace and quiet and an auto.

Michael

[Grit_dog]

You'll be able to wind out that 5.4 Triton over every mole hill in the road in 2nd gear at 5000rpms and the engine WILL stay together. No problem there, but you'll feel it in your wallet. I've put about a 400,000 miles on about every model year Ford pickup from the early 90's to current and 2 things come to mind. Gutless and terrible gas mileage. Granted they are work trucks and I typically roll 80mph + if it's 4 lanes, but they dont do much better IMO even slowing it down a bit, especially at altitude in the mtns.

IMO, unless your 95 Cummins is a beat up POS, you are better off with it than a early 2000's Ferd gasser, all day long and twice on Sunday.

[rfryer]

Well, it won’t pull like your Cummins but it will get you there. I have a 2001 F150 5.4 4x4 with a 3:55 axle. My TT is 16’ and only 3000# loaded and it’s a piece of cake to pull. I stayed small and light because most of my travel is in the mountains. OVERALL, I get 14mpg towing, the same as solo town driving. I don’t like high rpm climbs and don’t think I’ve ever seen 4000 rpm but out of curiosity I’m paying closer attention now.

You’re probably a good 5000# and you’ll notice that weight climbing grades. My guess is you’ll be in 2nd gear and probably over 4000 rpm in those conditions. But the engine will handle that rpm just fine. Again I’d guess your mileage in those conditions probably in the 10 mpg area. But guesses not being very useful you could do a search along the line of F150 and gas mileage and find a lot of posts, it’s a frequent topic. And many posters may chime in with their own experience. But I don’t think you’ll be disappointed with an F150 for that job.

[BeerCan]

10 YO truck might not be that much smoother and may need suspension and front end work to make it "right". The "bigger" v8 in 2002 was the 5.4L. I had one in my 2010 F150 before it was wrecked, and it towed ok. It was not a powerhouse or particularly economical but it got the job done. The 5.4 is a very reliable engine should present few problems if it was maintained. The biggest issue was the spark plugs getting stuck in the heads. Not sure what year it was remedied so you might want to check it out. Transmission in that year was only a 4 speed so keep that in mind also. Here are some specifications