10th Apr 2008, 16:40
I have a 2005 F150 Lariat Super Cab w 5.4L and tow package. I bought it second hand with about 22K on it. It just came out of warranty at 36,000 miles. I get about 12.8 mpg driving it conservatively with 50% driving on highways in flat Florida. Not very good in my opinion. It seems to idle well and has decent power when I rarely need it. I have noticed that the mpg displayed will shoot up to over 19 mpg after I change the air filter. Over the next week it will drop back down to 12.8. I don't think the mileage is actually changing that much. I never drive off road or on dirt roads. If my filter is clogging that quickly well... I have trouble believing that.
I would like to know more about the cam phaser problem. What will I experience when that happens?
13th Jul 2008, 15:59
Just bought a 2005 F-150 XLT 4x4 and was looking to see if anyone had installed a CycloneFuelSaver (formally called the tornado) on theirs and if they had noticed any difference in the gas mileage. No complaints just looking to improve my gas mileage as much as I can.
19th Sep 2008, 21:08
I bought an 2004 5.4 with 78000 miles, got home and heard a loud ticking noise on both sides of the engine. I called the dealer back after researching the problem on all FORUMS. I was lucky that the dealer gave me my money back. I had a 1993 Bronco with the 5.0 302, big mistake Ford made for not making the 302. Ford probably wouldn't have the problems they have now.
8th Nov 2008, 20:19
I have had my 05 F150XLT Supercab with 5.4ltr since Jan 06. At 27k miles, I get a steady 15-17 mpg on the road, and 12 in town. That's no load or loaded with my 1500lb boat. I love the ride, power, and handling.
I too have noticed the hesitation when you step on it. I think the electronic gas pedal takes a second or two to think about what it's supposed to do. Under normal driving it's hardly noticed. Have only had the motor on the transfer case replaced due to water getting inside.
I love the ext color, Dark Stone clearcoat, but the tan int was a mistake. Sweat from a can is enough to stain the seats. And "no" I'm not a messy person.
Just had to let you know, I also have some quirks to deal with, but I still love this truck. PS. it does do awesome burnouts for the Dundas cops. Too bad they're so slow here in Minn. Ahhh!!!
1st Jan 2010, 15:17
I own a 2002 Ford F150 Supercrew. It gets 13mpg in town, when I stomp the pedal it goes without hesitation, the motor runs smooth and it has 116500 miles on it. I'm a Ford man and will always be a Ford man. If you want good fuel economy, get a car. The 5.4 Triton has plenty of power to pull whatever I put behind it.
14th Jan 2010, 23:23
HELLO ALL. I own a 2005 Ford F-150 XLT 4x4 heavy payload with an 8 foot bed. The heavy payload trucks have 7 lugs; that's how you tell them apart from the others.
The truck has 47000 miles on it, and I have owned it since 24000 miles.
The truck is great; would not trade it for anything. I get about 16 in town and 20 out on the open road, and that is in my very big and long truck.
I am a carpenter, and all the time have loads in the bed, and I am still getting 16 miles to the gallon, even if my bed is loaded down with concrete blocks. Everyone that says they're getting poor mileage; just change your air filter and check your tires.
Well that's all folks, bye, peace out.
Andrew J.
4th May 2010, 23:28
I own a 2005 F150 FX4 extended cab. Bought it with about 50000 on the tach. It now has about 75000.
I absolutely love the truck, and it will pull a house. I have installed Bilstein 3 inch leveling struts, 33 inch tires, 17X9 rims, a jet performance chip, got rid of the muffler, and ran dual outs (sounds awesome), and an airaid intake.
The jet chip got rid of the pedal hesitation I had. I generally get about 14 mpg, and I drive depending on my mood.
Now for what I've had to replace on my truck, I do all the work myself, because dealerships prices are steeeep..
Passenger side 4X4 actuator.. spark plugs, 3 of which broke off in the heads due to carbon deposits, and poor plug design. I used an extension and eased out to retrieve the second half of the plugs as a tip to other owners (if your brave enough), because this is a major issue with the 04 and up 5.4 three valves. The replacement plugs that I found that were a 1 piece design that were 19 bucks apiece.
Fuel filter, 2 coils, all plug boots, U joint, and something else I can't recall right now LOL...
Now for what's currently wrong with the truck. That tick tick tick noise you hear from your 5.4 that you can't seem to put your finger on.. the one that makes your truck sound like a diesel in a drive through... and maybe sometimes you really get on the gas and the truck falls on its face, computer goes to fail safe mode and you coast to a stop with a dead motor... is all due to a magical timing mechanism called a cam phaser. Apparently this is another issue with this particular engine. I have a bad phaser and it will ultimately lead to engine failure if I do not fix it.. $1500 fix at your dealer.
Oh yes, and the interior is beautiful, but the cloth wears easily and stains indefinitely.
I love the truck, it is my baby... that being said.. I would not recommend it to anyone.. the engine is crap. Too many issues and no support from Ford. I am a true blue oval fan... but I just feel so let down with this motor... I am currently contemplating a vehicle trade, I've about had enough.
17th Jun 2010, 21:38
I own a 2002 5.4 F150 Crew Cab. It only has 44,000 miles on it.
In 2009 I replaced the #8 ignition coil.
In the first 6 months of 2010 I replaced the 6 and 7 (#7 twice).
All of these coils are located on the driver's side of the engine. Each time that the coils failed, it was after driving in heavy rain. I searched the Internet and talked with my mechanic, and all sources point to a fundamental design flaw that was subsequently fixed in post 2002 5.4 engines.
I am inspecting and selling this truck ASAP.
2nd Dec 2010, 07:57
I have a 2005 Ford F-150 Lariat 5.4. The only problem that I ever had at all with this truck was the cats. The dealer said pulling heavy loads messes them up, so I put high flow cats and a one chamber Flowmaster on. No hesitation, more horsepower, and better gas mileage. Best truck I've ever owned.
23rd Feb 2008, 12:13
In regards to the MPG; my father and I have identical 04 F150 4X4 Lariats. Love them. He always complained that he was getting 2 - 3 MPG less than I was. Around 18 MPG. The only difference was the tires. Well this fall I replaced my BF-G's with Good-years and my MPG dropped. I bumped the tire pressure up to 42 PSI. I ran the BF-G's at 35 PSI. That helped a little, but it is still not where it was. I blame the tires!