2004 Expy 4.6 w/ 3.73s -- is the power tolerable??
Hey there, the rebates on the 2005s don't seem to be coming down so we're starting to reset our sites on a 2004. We test drove a 2004 4.6 with the standard diff but it was too gutless in our opinion. However, i thought the 3.73s might give it a little better acceleration off the line and make it tolerable.
Who out there has a 2003+ 4.6 with 3.73s? How is the power? Mileage?
Yes, we considered the 5.4 but can't get over the mileage of the 2004 spec 5.4s.
I've got the 04 Epxy XLT 4x4 with 5.4L & 3.73 open diff. My best milage to date has been 19.8 mpg and my worst has been 15.2 mpg. I have not towed with it to date but I live in the foothills of the Warner Mountains and to get anywhere further than 50 miles away from my house, I have to pull substantial grades. I kind of have to go along with "ok-expy". If you plan on towing on a regular basis, I don't think you'll be happy with the 4.6. Anyway, I think you'd be pleasantly surprised by the mileage you'd get with a 5.4 if you can stand an occassional low mileage trip while towing.
You've got to be kidding. I have an 03 expy with the 5.4, 4x4, 3.73ls. I live in Houston and drive 80% highway miles on FLAT land.
The BEST I have EVER gotten was 16.2. I average 14.5. The worst was 12 something.
It's very hard to believe you are getting 19.8 with that setup. Are you going by a manual calcuation or by the computer? What speeds are you driving on the road because there is no way on earth or anyplace else I could get that kind of mpg out of my truck. (I don't tow either)
I didn't say I got 19.8 on a regular basis - I got it one time. I usually get between 16.5 and 17.5 and most of my driving is at 60 mph to 70 mph on a variety of road conditions - flat, hilly, etc. I almost always fill up at the same pump and I always top off the tank - i.e., fill to the rim of the filler neck. I do not average for city separately from highway. I average for the whole tank no matter what type of driving I do.
I also get basically the same mileage for my 2002 F-150 4x4 with 5.4L and 3.55 LS, FX4 package.
I do not baby my vehicles when I drive but I do not floor/stomp on the gas when pulling away from a dead stop nor do I use my brakes aggressively when stopping for lights, stop signs, etc and I do a lot of driving. In the last month we have put about 1500 miles on each vehicle. I live in a very rural area (nearest McDonalds 87 miles away, Burger King 107 miles away, Claim Jumper 185 miles away, Chili's 185 miles away - well you get the picture) and I like to eat at McDonalds about twice a week and the Claim Jumper once a week.
I think it all boils down to driving habits and since I'm 61 I have a lot of habits. I am also of the old school and service my vehicles regularly. The hell with the 100,000 mile tune-up. I change my plugs between 25000 and 35000 miles. I probably don't need to but old habits die hard and it gives me something to do as I am retired.
Performance is acceptable in basic driving, but on hilly roads the 4.6 just doesn't have the stones to do it without down shifting like crazy. Get the 5.4 and don't look back.
I bought my wife an '03 with the 4.6 and 3.73 LS diff. I'm not real happy with the power, but we got such a good deal on it, that she was ok with it. Since buying it, she has mentioned a few times that she is happy with the vehicle, but wishes it had a little more power (she went from a 98 Grand Prix GT to the Expy).
I'm going to try out my Superchips Programmer on it and see how well that helps the performance.
I'll report back what I find out...Should be able to do it in the next few days (on her next fill up since I'll need to put the higher octane gas in).
I bought my wife an '03 with the 4.6 and 3.73 LS diff. I'm not real happy with the power, but we got such a good deal on it, that she was ok with it. Since buying it, she has mentioned a few times that she is happy with the vehicle, but wishes it had a little more power (she went from a 98 Grand Prix GT to the Expy).
I'm going to try out my Superchips Programmer on it and see how well that helps the performance.
I'll report back what I find out...Should be able to do it in the next few days (on her next fill up since I'll need to put the higher octane gas in).
Did you ever get this done? Anyone got any more info on 3.73s in a 4.6expy?
Hey there, the rebates on the 2005s don't seem to be coming down so we're starting to reset our sites on a 2004. We test drove a 2004 4.6 with the standard diff but it was too gutless in our opinion. However, i thought the 3.73s might give it a little better acceleration off the line and make it tolerable.
Who out there has a 2003+ 4.6 with 3.73s? How is the power? Mileage?
Yes, we considered the 5.4 but can't get over the mileage of the 2004 spec 5.4s.
Thanks!
I have '04 Expy, 4.6L 4x2 with the 3.73.1 LS diff. I picked this one specifically beacuse I didn't want a 4x4, an EB or a $600 per month payment. I'm very happy with the mileage on the highway. I average 21.5 on a long hwy trip and crap in town.
I'll never buy another Expy without 4x4 or with out Nav system.
I'm satisfied with the power as I don't pull anything and have no intentions of pulling anything. The truck is quite sluggish in the mountains and more than adequate everywhere else. .
I will mention however that I rented an '07 Expy 5.4L 4x4 (unsure of axle ratios) last year and drove it from Va to Maine. On my return home to Va I pulled a tandem axle U-haul box traler and I'm guessing it may have weighed 4000 lbs loaded with my junk. The truck got over 18 mpg's on average going to Maine and 16.5 on the return trip pulling that trailer. I don't care who believes me or who doesn't, but I was driving and spending the money for fuel.
I was so impressed with the performance of the '07 that I'm considering fore going my new truck in 2010 and getting my wife an '09 Ext Expy.
Hope that helps to some degree.
Tim
__________________ Retired Coasty Country Boy from Stockton Springs, Maine '04 Expedition ( Family Car) '99 Taurus. Former family car '88 F-150 4x4 XLT Lariat 5.8L 5Spd '90 Honda Civic (daughter's car) 37 mpg
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