From F150 To Sierra/silverado?

jza · March 30, 2011

Thinking of trading in my 2006 F150 4.6L V8 4x4 for a 2008+ Sierra/Silverado. Hopefully a 5.3L 4x4.

Anything I should know about the 5.3 or the 4.8? Common problems, etc..

Jeff

Stevens03 · March 30, 2011

Not really, both pretty rock solid. The 5.3L has AFM and gets you the 6-speed which is a nice plus. The 4.8L will come with the old 4-speed. The 6-speed a big improvement over the 4-speed. If you tow at all, I'd get the 5.3, the 6-speed is superior over the 4-speed for towing and the extra torque the 5.3 has is a good plus too. And quite frankly, they both get similar mileage.

Otherwise, both are pretty good.

becker87 · March 30, 2011

If you do tow any i would not get the 3.08 gears. They would do fine for minor towing but if you have a boat or other trailer, opt for the lower gears. (3.42s i believe)

P71_CrownVic · March 31, 2011

Ha! Anything should pull better than a 'far too heavy' F-150 with the boat anchor 4.6.

The only thing you need to know about the 5.3 is that, unlike the 4.6 and 5.4 from Ford, the 5.3 keeps it's spark plugs where they belong.

If you do tow any i would not get the 3.08 gears. They would do fine for minor towing but if you have a boat or other trailer, opt for the lower gears. (3.42s i believe)

Yeah, with the 6-speed, 3.42s would be fine. With the 4-speed like I have, 3.42s can be a tad bit sluggish while towing.

GPGuy · March 31, 2011

As you can see below I have an 08 5.3L V8 with the 3.73 which I would suggest as others have to give you a little extra punch when towing, however if you get the 6spd. higher gears would be fine. I haven't personally driven the 6spd so I can't comment but I'm very happy with the set up I have. I find it's a really good mix of decent mileage, good acceleration, and good towing power.

becker87 · March 31, 2011

Just FYI to others, with the 6 speed and 5.3 Liter 3.73 gears are not available, 3.42 are the lowest you can go.

GPGuy · March 31, 2011

Just FYI to others, with the 6 speed and 5.3 Liter 3.73 gears are not available, 3.42 are the lowest you can go.

Good Point. Sorry I forgot to mention that. You can't get 3.73's or 4.10's on the new 1/2 tons to my knowledge, so anyone that would want this would have to step up to a 3/4 or 1 ton.

becker87 · March 31, 2011

Just FYI to others, with the 6 speed and 5.3 Liter 3.73 gears are not available, 3.42 are the lowest you can go.

Good Point. Sorry I forgot to mention that. You can't get 3.73's or 4.10's on the new 1/2 tons to my knowledge, so anyone that would want this would have to step up to a 3/4 or 1 ton.

With the 6.2 you can get the 3.73s with the NHT package

GPGuy · March 31, 2011

Just FYI to others, with the 6 speed and 5.3 Liter 3.73 gears are not available, 3.42 are the lowest you can go.

Good Point. Sorry I forgot to mention that. You can't get 3.73's or 4.10's on the new 1/2 tons to my knowledge, so anyone that would want this would have to step up to a 3/4 or 1 ton.

With the 6.2 you can get the 3.73s with the NHT package

Yet another reason....

becker87 · March 31, 2011

Just FYI to others, with the 6 speed and 5.3 Liter 3.73 gears are not available, 3.42 are the lowest you can go.

Good Point. Sorry I forgot to mention that. You can't get 3.73's or 4.10's on the new 1/2 tons to my knowledge, so anyone that would want this would have to step up to a 3/4 or 1 ton.

With the 6.2 you can get the 3.73s with the NHT package

Yet another reason....

Haha I'm not trying to tempt you!!

Stevens03 · March 31, 2011

The 6.2L with 3.73's is a beast

You can roast your tires anywhere any time if your into that kind of thing... Comes with 403hp and 420tq.. arg arg arg...

bigbeds · April 2, 2011

I did it! Drove a 92 F150 4.9L automatic for 15 years. I am now the proud owner of a Sierra..I think my signature has the info.

The biggest complaint you'll have as your new Sierra breaks you in, is that the Silv's, and Sierra's turn corners like tanks. The F150 is a much better handling truck.

If any body wants to challenge me, thats fine, I am driving an extended cab with 8 foot bed, but my tractor trailer makes turns better than my Sierra,

Also, the sierra has nowhere to lean on the left side..Ford has always kept the inner panel wide and high enuf to get your elbows on. The GM has a thin panel behind the glass, it is too low and u can't lean to the left comfortably on the door, window open or closed. I mostly bought the Sierra for the styling, it is less flamboyant than the dodges and Fords, conservative but cool.

The Sierra has no room to stretch your left foot either, and the diagonal handle to pull the door closed interferes with my left knee...very uncomfortable as far as my left leg is concerned. The front/rear bumpers on the new body style aren't worth a damn! But I don't know if the Dodge or Fords are any better.

The ride is great...the engine is smooth as silk, I have the six speed and am often backing off the gas, cause I get going too fast b4 I realize it.

The Sierra 4x4 is really good in the snow! I was very impressed that my truck didn't hesitate one second going thru 2 feet high fresh snow , from a dead stop.

Stevens03 · April 2, 2011

I did it! Drove a 92 F150 4.9L automatic for 15 years. I am now the proud owner of a Sierra..I think my signature has the info.

The biggest complaint you'll have as your new Sierra breaks you in, is that the Silv's, and Sierra's turn corners like tanks. The F150 is a much better handling truck.

If any body wants to challenge me, thats fine, I am driving an extended cab with 8 foot bed, but my tractor trailer makes turns better than my Sierra,

Also, the sierra has nowhere to lean on the left side..Ford has always kept the inner panel wide and high enuf to get your elbows on. The GM has a thin panel behind the glass, it is too low and u can't lean to the left comfortably on the door, window open or closed. I mostly bought the Sierra for the styling, it is less flamboyant than the dodges and Fords, conservative but cool.

The Sierra has no room to stretch your left foot either, and the diagonal handle to pull the door closed interferes with my left knee...very uncomfortable as far as my left leg is concerned. The front/rear bumpers on the new body style aren't worth a damn! But I don't know if the Dodge or Fords are any better.

The ride is great...the engine is smooth as silk, I have the six speed and am often backing off the gas, cause I get going too fast b4 I realize it.

The Sierra 4x4 is really good in the snow! I was very impressed that my truck didn't hesitate one second going thru 2 feet high fresh snow , from a dead stop.

Wow.. with all the complaints... why did you buy it? Doesn't sound like a good fit for you from your description

becker87 · April 2, 2011

I did it! Drove a 92 F150 4.9L automatic for 15 years. I am now the proud owner of a Sierra..I think my signature has the info.

The biggest complaint you'll have as your new Sierra breaks you in, is that the Silv's, and Sierra's turn corners like tanks. The F150 is a much better handling truck.

If any body wants to challenge me, thats fine, I am driving an extended cab with 8 foot bed, but my tractor trailer makes turns better than my Sierra,

Also, the sierra has nowhere to lean on the left side..Ford has always kept the inner panel wide and high enuf to get your elbows on. The GM has a thin panel behind the glass, it is too low and u can't lean to the left comfortably on the door, window open or closed. I mostly bought the Sierra for the styling, it is less flamboyant than the dodges and Fords, conservative but cool.

The Sierra has no room to stretch your left foot either, and the diagonal handle to pull the door closed interferes with my left knee...very uncomfortable as far as my left leg is concerned. The front/rear bumpers on the new body style aren't worth a damn! But I don't know if the Dodge or Fords are any better.

The ride is great...the engine is smooth as silk, I have the six speed and am often backing off the gas, cause I get going too fast b4 I realize it.

The Sierra 4x4 is really good in the snow! I was very impressed that my truck didn't hesitate one second going thru 2 feet high fresh snow , from a dead stop.

Im 6'7" and have never had an issue, maybe put your seat further back

dogzapper223 · April 2, 2011

I bought a new 2010 Silverado 4X4 CC/SB Z-71 LTZ in Victory Red with 5.3-liter engine, 3.42 and the six-speed transmission (6L80E).

I've owned several trucks and SUVs with 5.3s and the six-speed tranny caputres the finest of all worlds. It has amazing grunt and a fabulous top-end.

My 2010 easily pulls our 7,000-pound trailer house. Our 2003 Silverado with the same engine and the four-speed simply worked its heart out, trying to do the same ... and failing.

You will absolutely love the 5.3, the 3.42 ratio and the 6-speed transmission.

By the way, I've owned my rig for just one year now and I've kept precise records of my fuel records. I get 14.5 to 15 mpg in the city ... easily 20 mpg on the road. And towing our trailer house I get an average of 9.8 mpg.

Before this truck, I owned a 2006 -2500HD Silverado CC/SB LT-3 Duramax/Allison. I MUCH PREFER my 2010 1500; it is much more manuverable, it is considerably faster (the Duramax was a frackin' TURD) and my fuel economy is better with the 5.3-liter ... plus fuel is .60 less per gallon.

My friend, buy the 5.3 with the 3.42 and the six-speed. You will be satisfied ... guaranteed.

Steve