SC short bed 4x4, 5.4 question??? - Diesel Forum

bentwookie · 09-14-2001, 10:43 AM

For you guys that own one of these, how is the power? I am sure plenty unloaded, but what about fully loaded. Also, how is it around town? mileage, acceleration etc.? And most importantly passing on highway or hill climbing on highway?

Thanks,

Tank · 09-14-2001, 01:29 PM

I don't have one, but have ridden in a friends a few times. Power is OK empty, but when pulling his small fishing boat (17' aluminum, approx 2500lbs) it is lousy. My biggest complaint may be from the tranny, it shifts in and out of overdrive going up the slightest hills. Now I pull the boat when we go fishing. His is an early 99, so things may have improved. And take my point of view from someone who's driving a PSD.

Scott

crewzer · 09-14-2001, 03:16 PM

I have a Y2K CC SB 4X2 with the 260 HP 5.4 that probably weighs about the same as the model you're considering. Loaded up with the family, a bunch of bikes and towing our trailer, the combo weighs about 10,500 lbs.

The truck does fine with this load, and it even takes a while to downshift from OD. The key, I think, is that I have the 4.10 gears. I test drove an Excursion equipped with the 5.4, AT and 3.73 gears, and it was pretty lethargic.

The V10 is an option that shouldn't be overlooked. The ~$600 option includes not only the bigger engine, but also a higher capacity radiator (2 row vs. 1), a lower stall ratio torque converter (2:1 vs 2.2:1), and a 3-pinion differential (vs a 2-pinion)on the SC and CC -- quite a bargain.

The highway mileage penalty appears for the V10 + 3.73 vs. the 5.4 w/ 4.10 appears to be less than 1 mpg.

HTH,
crewzer

Aaron Ruble · 09-14-2001, 03:18 PM

I pulled an 11,000 lbs, fifth wheel trailer to the East Coast and back. Seemed to have pleanty of power to me. With a 6 speed, you should have no problems, but he is right about the shifting in and out of overdrive going up a hill. Get a transmission gauges and an auxiliary cooler -- you're going to need them. [img]images/icons/crazy.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/crazy.gif[/img]

bentwookie · 09-14-2001, 04:04 PM

The auto shifting in and out of OD is what I am most hesitant of. I use to have a '90 Bronco 302 with the AOD, that configuration was good for about 3OK miles. It really began to fall apart on the highway especially in the summer with the AC on, it couldn't get out of its own way if it tried. Other than that, it was a terrific truck. So, I guess the thing to do is get a v10 with 3.73s. Thanks all.

iweb · 09-17-2001, 12:33 AM

I have a 2001 CC 4x4 V-10 3.73 and I just got 14.2 mpg towing an 18' car hauler with a 4 seater sandrail doing 70-75 on the freeway. I work with a guy with a new SC 4x4 5.4 and he gets about the same empty but I think once he puts on a load it will go downhill. I was planning on a 5.4 until I found this site and asked a lot of questions from people who know. So do yourself a favor and get the V-10!

Doogen · 09-17-2001, 02:33 PM

I have a 2001 SC 5.4l 4x4 short bed with the 4.10LS and 5sp manual. I am pretty impressed with this truck and I hope I can help. I think the power in this thing is just fine for my needs. I don't tow over 4000 pounds regularly but I do Tow in the 2000 - 3000 pound range a lot. I average a consistent 14.5 mpg driving in Seattle. My last long trip pulling a 3000 pound trailer I average 18 mpg cruising 65 with cruize control in 5 gear I only had to put it in 4th gear once and that was on a really steep grade down in oregon. Hard acceleration unloaded gets you moving pretty quick and always leaves a grin on my face. I have never tried flooring it from a stop with a trailer, but I really don't notice a difference passing or climbing grades pulling the small amount of weight I do. I would have to say that the 4.10 is mandatory if your thinking about getting the 5.4l. I did drive an auto 5.4, 2wd with 3.73 as a comparison and I did not like how that set up felt. I will say this truck feels a lot more powerfull than my dads 92 Reg cab Ford 4x4 with the 351. But i have no idea what his axle ratio was.

summitx · 09-18-2001, 12:32 AM

I traded in my V-10 (with bad flutter) Crew cab for a 5.4 SuperCab. The gas mileage is exactly the same on the highway: 12@90mph, 13@85mph, 14@80mph and so on. Power is only noticeably different on a long, steep hill or while towing.

DirtFarmer · 09-18-2001, 08:05 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by iweb:
I have a 2001 CC 4x4 V-10 3.73 and I just got 14.2 mpg towing an 18' car hauler with a 4 seater sandrail doing 70-75 on the freeway. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

14mpg towing that load at 70mph! Wow! That is very good mileage for that speed with a decent load.

Was that one way, or the average of both ways? For instance, driving empty from TX to Albuquerque (which I drive regularly), I'll get two or sometimes three mpg better on the return trip when I have the wind behind me out of the West and I'm dropping elevation (4000 ft drop).

Anyway, that really is impressive mileage.

Oh, and Aaron - you pulled an 11K fiver with a 5.4!?!?! I don't want to buy a used truck from you!

[img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]

Mulepick · 09-25-2001, 03:00 AM

You can see by my setup that I highly endorse the 5.4 w/ the 4.10. I tow a 3/4 ton pickup bed utility trailer mated to a single 6000# axle. I routinely pull it along with 1-1.5 tons of ore all over the Mojave from 75mph to crawling up stream beds. I'm consistently surprised how far it will go up a hill before kicking down (if at all). On long grades I cut out the overdrive to let the coolant/water flow faster to handle the load.

I guess I would rather spend time and money making a smaller engine stronger than having a larger engine I don't need and get bad mileage.

Regards,