I am looking at a possible lease deal for a 4.6L F-150 Super Crew Cab that I cannot get in the 5.4L engine. I live above 6,000 feet and am wondering if I will be real unhappy with the smaller engine. I'm not going to be hauling anything. It will be an everyday car for travelling to work and occasional camping trips.

Will the smaller engine struggle going up highway passes over the mountains??? Anyone have any thoughts???

Thanks

 

If its a 4x4, then it DEFINENTLY will have trouble with that big truck. A 2WD model it will power a little better, but you probably wont spend alot of time in OD. If you can go with the 5.4.

 

I think that the 4.6 is fine for everyday use. It does struggle with any kind of load, whether it be a full pickup bed or a trailer.

It will have to work to pull up those mountains, but it can handle it. The 4.6 is happy at higher rpms, don't expect a lot of low-end torque. My in-law's '97 4.6 pulls up the passes around here just fine, you just have to drop into 3rd gear and hit about 4500 rpms!

IMO... if you are the least bit worried about power, go with a 5.4. If money is the main issue, the 4.6 should make you satisfied anyway.

 

test drive both, to see which one will fit your needs, make sure both trucks have the same rear end gearing.