GM 4.8, 6.0, or Ford 5.4???

rockcity

rockcity

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Apr 10, 2005
Location
Greenville, NC
OK, my father is debating on what work van to get for his business. GM has the 3/4 ton van with the 4.8 or the 6.0 (2007 model). 5.3 is not available.

Ford has the 5.4. Ford van is a 2006

I know some of you are GM and Ford techs, so...

Questions:

Whats the trans difference between the 4.8 and 6.0 on the GM, if any?

Is the 4.8 comparable to the Ford 5.4?

Whats the reliability like in each make and engine opions.

Help soon because purchase will be made Thursday.

Rob
 
I want to say 4L60E is in the 4.8 and 4L80E is in the 6.0. I'd opt for the 6.0 or the 5.4. I drove a Z71 owned by a friend of mine several times w/ the smaller motor and didn't like how much it up and downshifted. Seemed like on a good headwind if you stuck your head out the window it would downshift as well. 5.3 was a whole different ball game. Definately opt for the 6.0 especially if a 3/4 and a work vehicle if he goes the GM route.

The 5.4 seems to be a good engine. Haven't heard of many issues w/ them. I know when I test drove some 4 door F150's ( assuming they are close to the same weight as a 3/4 van) they didn't feel like they had 300hp but they weren't sluggish by any means and I know some people who pull some decent size loads w/ the 5.4 with out any complaints.
 
My vote is the GM 2500/3500 G-van
4.8 and 6.0 are basically same engine, save for displacment, and we all know, bigger is better :P
6.0 is EASY to work on, accessability is typical van dog house, and in this van you have to pull the dash faciha off to pull the dog house. Once this is done however, everything is right there. coil @ plug ignition, injectors easily accessable. Plugs easy to get at, water pump /alt relitively easy AC pump is a PITA, but ya can't have everything ( runs off seperate belt from the rest of the accessories) Go for the one ton (G3500) suspension, it'll be a much happier vehicle in the long run. 4L80E trans standard. towing package optional (not usually spec'd on 'stock' work vans)

My current work van is a '00 Ford E350 SD ( regular cargo van, not a box) w/5.4L Triton, E4OD trans, currently has 230K on the clock, and none have been easy miles. I have no idea when/if it has ever been tuned up, it gets semi regular oil changes, and I dread the day it does have a problem, coil on plug igniton, plugs in a 5" hole and have a history of blowing the threads out of the head. as far as actually working on it, I haven't a clue I've never had the dog house off of it to see how accessable things are. I know the Alt is easilly accessable (have repalced that) I've been told if there is any soort of real engine work to be done on them, it has to come out, as there is no room inside to pull heads, what have you.

My experiance with both as tech and operator of both.
 
I'd opt for the freightliner/dodge sprinter van, but of the two you list, I'd go with the 5.4 ford.
 
Sprinter is a good van, BUTunless you have an "In" at the dealership or service center, owning one as a persoanlly owned work vehicle is gonna be expensive.

My company has over 40 of these company wide, while they have been very reliable, the ones that have had issues were EXPENSIVE to fix.

5cyl Benz diesel, quiet, fairly powerfull, Vehicle drives like a tall sports car. ( manual mode shifting, Tiptronic style)
My biggest gripe with them is the placment of mirrors and window track, pass side is virtually BLIND with out factory convex mirrors.
Pros: MILEAGE, average over 20 mpg in the 3500 class, low maint. for the most part.

Cons: Nothing is user friendly to repair, basic service oil changes are easy, fuel filters are PITA at best. NO dog house to access the rear of the engine. Body fitment issues, rear door hinges frag easily, sliding door latch issues (new from the factory)
TOTALY electronic engine, cannot power brake to help ease yourself out of a slippery situation (touch the brake while on the throttle and throttle cuts off)
My shop has had 3 frag cam gears right at 100K, total engine replacment.

My opinion, if someone else is paying the bill (fleet), Sprinter is a great van, if you are gonna end up with the repair bill, buy something else.
 
I vote 6.0 gm too. I've had to helicoil a lot more ferd sohc heads than reseal new gen vortec intakes. The scary part is I'm a Benz~BMW tech. :lol: I like the Sprinter but, the motor used only is imported in the Sprinter and nothing else. That translates into obscure, hard to find, expensive parts AND a small group of people who know how to work on 'em. (the cam gear issues is well known in europe and most tech recomend replacing that gear around 90 on certian engine number ranges)
 
Thanks for the opinions and advice. However the Sprinter may be nice, it is not an option.

I suggested the 5.4 ford, but I think my father is going with the 4.8...

Any opinions?

I thought that the 4.8 had a weaker trans behind it than the 6.0. Anyone know for sure?

Will there be much of a fuel economy difference between the 4.8, 6.0 and 5.4 (assuming loaded with 2000# of tools and materials)???

This van isn't towing anything, but will have a glass rack installed on it and will require hauling sheets of residential glass, solid surface closet shelving, and various tools and brackets, etc.


Any service problems with the 4.8 and related trans and such?

Rob
 
4.8 and 6.0 are virtually identical save for displacment.

honestly, what mileage he may get by using the 4.8 will be sucked up by lack of power.

There really is that much differance.

As for the trans, the 4L60 comes with the 4.8L in most cases, decent trans, but is weak when pushed hard, seen several issues of sun shell, output seperation (shearing teeth on drive shell) common on heavily loaded /towing vehicles.

4L80e would be the better choice here as well.

And a word on the glasiers rack to be mounted, find a way to hinge or move the rack for wheel/tire service, I had a truck where the rack was welded to the frame and made no provisions for brake/tire service. couldn't get the wheels off without dropping the rear of the leaves and swining the axle down ( tough to do when you can raise the truck on a lift becasue it will not fit) YES, this customer was charged extra for this as a result.
 
we were hoping on getting the 5.3 in the van, but its not available...

I opted for the 5.4, same HP as the 4.8, but nearly the same torque rating of the 6.0...

Father wants to go with the GM van.

We've got other vheicles with the glass rack on them and servicing them is not a problem. I'm not sure if the van rack is the same, but I'm assuming it'll be very similar as the other racks.

Rob
 
weve got a 2500 work van that have a 4.3 in it
it will barley pull a wet noodle outta a cats ass but itll bark second gear!!!!
 
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