FUll sized pickup w/ 8' bed questions

I can address one of the questions, the Ford F150 and up full size (longbeds) are 97-1/2 inches. That will accommodate a full size 4 x 8 sheet of whatever.

Spdloader

Also, I think the gas mileage will be terrible no matter what engine size you get. The 2007 Chevy is rated for 15 mpg with either a V6 manual or a V-8 automatic. The Dodge is rated for 14 with either a V-6 manual or a 4.7 V-8 or a Hemi automatic. Go figure.

It might be cheaper all around to use a trailer instead.

Yeah but ratings and realty are two different things here. The hemi can use fuel at times like there is a hole in the tank in town driving. (especailly 4x4 model because front diff never disconnects and EPA MPG test does not take that into account properly on dyno.

I think that this may really be his best solution. He could even get a small low profiles 5 x 8 or even a 5x10 enclosed trailer and be able to keep cargo out of weather and secure too.

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I carry a full-width sheet of plywood in the bed of my F150. I have the short box so I cannot address the 8 ft. part of your question, but there is no question that 4 ft will fit between the wheel wells.

Since there is little difference in the mileage of the V6 and the V8, I'd take the V8 and consider the trailer package, even if you have no plan to ever drag a trailer.

Normally I would agree but even a few MPG difference can add up to a lot over time and fuel prices will only increase with time. If you spend a lot of time idling in traffic or elsewhere, a 6 will use less fuel. Why pay a for a or feed a V8 if you never need one anyway? If gas goes much higher, used trucks trucks with 6's will fetch more money than ones with V8's. Myslef I like the feel of a V8 but not its hunger at today and tomorrows fuel prices.

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I have a new 07 F150 Long Bed, 6 cal, Auto. The small V8 was rated at 1 mpg less, the large V8 was rated at 2 MPG less. I'm on my 5th tank of gas with

16.5 MPG on the last tank. (80% in town driving) I like the 6, it has adequate power and better MPG. I haul 2 four-wheeler and a motorcycle on a trailer with no problems. Unless you're doing heavy work, the 6 will be fine.

At highway speeds where 80% of us spend 90% of our time, the mileage difference is insignificant (if not entirely non-existant), but the power and torque is noticable. I might compromise and take the mid-size V8 as opposed to the large one. Having said that, I was looking for a 5.4 but could not find one with the other stuff that was important to me, so I took a 4.9. I'm pretty happy with my motor, it has much the same power as my old

5.8 in the Bronco. Yes, the Bronco could pull stronger, but the F150 pulls almost as well and delivers 50% better fuel numbers.

You are talking about Ford's modular over head cam 4.6 V-8, not their obsolete 4.9 I-6, right?

I said 4.9, but frankly I do not recall and do not want to walk across the garage to open the hood. But, yes, I'm talking about the modular motors. I've got the 280-ish CI displacement model, I suppose that works out to be

4.6L.

In any case, the 4.6 and the 5.4 are the same bore, only the stroke is different. Does that mean the crankshaft has a longer stroke and the connecting rods are shorter? This would make the pistons come down lower but stop at essentially the same point at the top, but increase the stroke and displacement at the same time.

Not sure about where you get this 80% of use, 90% of our time thing. There are a lot of people town and cities towns around here with no highways and some people that do not drive that far to work either. Some small V8's can get fair MPG under the right conditons but generally a smaller engine will deliver more CONSISTANT MPG and cost less to buy to which is reflected in overall operating cost of vehicle in its life. At todays fuel prices even a few MPG can easily add up to well over 1500 bucks over life of vehicle. Not to mention less frequent fuel stops too. In a way this "gotta have a V8 and a big SUV" mentality has helped get us in the pickle we are today.

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It doesn't make any difference. The EPA ratings for the V6 and the V8's are all the same. Could be a lie, I guess, but without buying all 3 myself, that's all I'd have to go by.

They are close to the same because you need to expend close to the same amount of energy, regardless of engine size, to keep these bricks moving down the road.

Not really, bigger engine weighs more and has more surface area in cylinders to loose heat from expanding gasses which reduces efficency. ALso take EPA rating with a grain of salt because the average speed for highway test is 48 and make speed is 59 and they are allowed to take 30 seconds to reach it too. One more thing, EPA MPG test are done by detroit (have been for years) and they alos use 93 ocane in tests too (also have for years) but are not required to tell you that either.

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Nonsense. I get better fuel mileage with my F-150 4x4 5.4L than I did with my Ranger 4x4 4.0L

It is kind of surprising how I can always count on you to get almost everything wrong.

MPG has a LOT to do with driver. It is not set in stone. My wife gets lower MPG when she drives her car than when I do. Not because she drives faster but because she acclerates quicker than me and waits to last minute to brake and brakes hard too.

Yes we can always count on you to think and comment with your ego and not your brain. I do not make the rules of science and thermodynamics but I know how to read and apply them while you only know how to apply your foot to pedal and car moves.

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Hey Mark,

It's a sure bet. No matter what. Snojob is ALWAYS going to post an opposite opinion than that of logic and experience. It's one of the constants in this world I've come to depend on.

lol

Spdloader

He is helpful, in a perverse kind of way. If you invert most of what he has to say, there is some useful info to be had.

Exactly. Do the opposite of what Snojob says.

Spdloader

You mean the opposite of truth huh or opposite of what you say. You guys must of failed physics and science classes in school or not paid attention.

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