Hey guys, Im new to this forum and you all seem to know alot more about what your talking about than I do, so I figured I would ask you guys. Right now I am truckless because mine was wrecked a few weeks ago. I got teboned by a drunk driver while I was going through an intersection and it completely wrecked my truck. I had only had the truck for a few weeks before I got hit so I didnt really get a chance to test it out. It was an 04 black F-150 supercab 4x4 wit the 4.6. So now I am in the market for a new truck and Im definitly going for another F-150. If I had been in some economy car when I got hit I probably would have died. My question is there a real advantage to buying another 4.6 over the 5.4? I liked the 4.6 but I have never driven a 5.4, so I cant really compare the two. The 4.6 is only rated at one more mpg than the 5.4 but the 5.4 has 70 more hp and 65 more ft/lb of torque, so is there actually a big enough difference between the mpg in the two to compensate for that power deficit? This truck would be my daily driver and I work construction, so I actually use my truck. Im always throwing stuff in the bed and towing trailers around to different houses. The trailer is about 6,000 pounds and I only towed it once with the 4.6, and it felt ok, but not as strong as I wanted it to. Would I feel a considerable difference towing that trailer with the 5.4 over the 4.6? Im going to get the same kind of truck I had before, a supercab 4x4, I just need some help picking the engine. I think Im going to put a leveling kit on it with some 33x12.50s, does that affect power and mpg alot? What performance mods (intake, progammer, exhaust, e-fan, etc) do you guys feel works the best? I want it to make some healthy power but I dont want to hot rod it or anything. Thanks for the help guys, I appreciate it.

 

1. the 5.4 will be more suited for you. especially as you tow and work construction
2. the MPG between the motors is almost identical. the 4.6 seems to get better highway only MPG though vs. the 5.4
3. 33x12.5 tires will not significantly affect MPG. the stock tires are 31.8" tall...the extra 1" will be very slight
4. Buy an Edge Evolution. or a Gryphon (Edge with custom tunes). 3 tunes and extra guages
5. the 5.4 has a beefier transmission, bigger rear axle.


Try to get a FX4. you get 3.73 gears with Limited Slip and 5.4 standard. There is also usually a tow package installed that has a 4 pin/7 pin and class IV hitch

 

Like you said the mileage is nearly identical so why get the 4.6 if you are going to tow 6000# with it? I have the 5.4 and love the towing power. Never towed with a 4.6 but did drive one empty and I could notice the difference in power.

 

i whent from an 02 f 150 with the 4,6L nice little motor, but has nothin compared to m 06 F-150 with the 5.4 currently the 5,4 is stock, my o2 with the 4.6 had true duals and an air rade intake on it and still gotts nothin on the 5.4 L

 

Thanks for the help guys. Whats the difference between the fx4 and the xlt? I dont want the leather seats I just want the cloth seats and Im going to put seat covers on them anyway. Tylus do you run the edge evolution in your truck? Is there a considerable power and mpg increase? Would I have to beef up the transmission at all?

 

Go with the 4.6 the 5.4's are overrated. Bring it on Tylus

I can only really give 4.6 info because thats all I have drove in the f150. My mom has the 5.4l in her expy and power wise I cant really tell a difference. (I know weight differences and stuff so ) I think the heaviest I have towed would be our Crownline boat (can somewhat see in gallery). I think its around 20ft or so. I have pulled it up some long steep grades and I was actualy impressed on how well the 4.6 did. I was expecting to get passed by everyone going up the grades but it was actually the other way around. I have found that around 75mph is in the perfect rpm range to hold your speed going up hills. (with 3.55 gears) If your not to atleast 70 it will slowly lose speed until it gets to around 55 then it down shifts and SCREAMS as it gains speed back and will up shift again around 73 (I think don't really remember). I really wish I had a tach so I could see the rpm's. As far as gas mileage goes, Its basically the same. I say find another truck you want and buy it, wether it has a 5.4 or 4.6. Oh and lets not forget the spark plug hell of the 5.4's.

 

Spark plug hell?

 

Crap you guys post to fast I was hoping to get to him before yall...

Know one posted yet when I started my post...

 

I was referring to the plugs breaking when trying to change them, hell is kind of harsh more like trouble...

 

Plug issue is supposed to have been resolved as of 08. 5.4 has a very flat torque curve which makes for a good tow combination. The 4.6 does not have much torque nor is it a flat curve.

 

04blackf150 are you buying new or used?

 

don't remember if anybody has said this, but be on the lookout for 3.73 LS gears. better acceleration and the LS is nice in the slippery stuff
my stuff is red/bolded above
...I agree. the 5.4 is over-rated, but it is all we've got to work with right now. I'm hoping and hoping a 6.2 or 4.4 shows up soon. I see some of you guys are still burnt from that car remark I made...sheesh

makes no sense to buy a lower HP/TQ motor that gets the same MPG as the bigger more powerful motor. Especially when the 5.4 comes with a bigger transmission and rear axle.

also, the price difference between a 4.6 and 5.4 isn't that much. IMO it's better to overkill and not need it, than skimp and regret the purchase for years because you tried to save a buck.

if the 4.6 is all that fits within the budget, you gotta make it work with what you got. Been there and done that many a time (see all those old Fords in my Sig...my 2006 is the first new truck I've ever had...got exactly what options I wanted and none of the wishing it had this or that option crap)

 

Tylus, I got the tow rope and the camcorder. lemme know when this tug of war is coming...

 

IM definitly looking for a used truck. I would get a new one if I could but its not in my price range. Im looking at basically the 04-06s cuz anything newer than that is probably to much. I think Im going to look for an Fx4 now based on what tylus said about them. I like to play around in the mud alot and go off road. So is there really a big difference between the cloth and leather seats? I know the leather looks better but I figured they were basically the same comfort wise. And tylus thanks for the heads up about the towing package, Im definitly going to make sure my new truck has it.

 

Like Tylus said go for the 5.4.....look how many threads get started by people with the 4.6 that are looking for a few more HP....