Aight y'all so the farmer i work for just gave me his old f-150. 2002, xlt lariat, supercab, 4x4 offroad package. I'm 17 and really happy that a Ford is my next truck... no goverment bailouts for the blue ovals. I just need some Ford guys confirmations that the 4.6 is enough truck for me. I don't tow too much, and when i do it's less than a ton. I take amazing care of my trucks, had a 1992 f250 before which i cared for up to 346,xxx miles before she slang a rod. I love my trucks. Now i'm gonna upgrade the engine of course. I'm planning on an exhaust system, cold air intake, throttle body spacer, and full tune up. I want to get my truck up to 255ish hp and 330ish ft pounds of tourque, from the factory stock 230 hp and 293 ft pounds of tourque. I can trade this truck in for a bigger engine if i really need, but i dont think i do. I just want to hear confirmation from other Ford guys that she'll be enough for me. I work back on muddy roads and go offroading at times, although i dont bash my truck... so some advice on 4x4 reliabilty would also be great. Like I said, I'm 17, and I lost my dad when i was 10 so i don't have him to help me with my truck. he would have loved it though. I thanky'all for the advice... Built Ford Tough!

 

It's free kid! That makes it perfect! Sounds like that farmer is a great guy. Take care of it and enjoy it. Don't put yourself in a financial pickle with all those fancy add-ons. Save that money for school! Welcome! I like you already.

BTW, the fact that you are 17 and work for a farmer says a lot nowadays. Most 17 year olds I know nowadays are too sorry to breath.

 

I have a 4.6 and a 5.4
The 5.4 does have more power but when I'm driving the 4.6 I don't really miss the extra horses
As far as the CAI and the spacer I say spend the money on something else
but that's just my opinion
Welcome to the forum

 

Welcome.
I'm afraid your desires to upgrade to that power level can't be done with simple outside changes to exhaust and intake.
It will take a tuner and some other work to get what you want.
The trucks operating system is a far cry from your old truck.
Changing motors is not even a simple way going from a 4.6 to a 5.4 without extra work and investment.
Tune ups are only a matter of spark plugs, fuel filter and air filter.
None of these will improve HP and torque above stock.
Lower gears is the most cost effective way to pick up throttle response but you pay for it with higher RPM in all gears. Then you would need the gears in both the front and the rear for 4wd.
From this point you need to reconsider the goal unless your ready to spend on a project that can get costly.
You will hear other positions on your thoughts so think about what you hear and decide.
Good luck.

 

Welcome, and glad to hear you're working and got that truck! I'd say keep it stock. Sounds like a pretty good truck as is, with just the maintenance things you normally do. And, you obviously take care of your trucks. From what I hear, those are pretty tough engines.

 

Thanks y'all! great responses. Opened my mind a bit. the welcomes to the forum really are cool. I joined a chevy forum thinking that i might get a z71 before given this truck... guys were jerks. not worth it. i believe i'll stay a Ford guy just because chevy guys seem to always seem to be pissed and stressed... must be all the extra maitenance they have to do . Yes i do farm, i love the farm it's simply the most honest work there is in my eyes. I'm proud to work 6 days a week 12 hours a day during the summers and 4 hours a day 6 days a week during school. thank y'all for welcoming me again! i'll be back!

 

Now, you said something very important there, goodole! About some Chevy forums being rude. Maybe they are stressed with their trucks! Oh, a photo of your truck would be great!

 

I'll try to get One up for you soon!

 

Welcome to the site, you have a good truck and I vote for the keep it stock and maintained approach. As far as the other forums I agree with you, from all the vehicles I work on in my opinion FTE is by far the most professional and a great group of members of any truck form out there. Take care of your truck and thank that farmer.
Bob