In the market fora newer truck and really like this bodystyle, preferably 2000-2003. Anyhow with what I'm wanting it seems that most all the trucks i look at are running the 4.6L. I do a fair amount of towing (pulling a car trailer) and figured the 5.4L was the way to go. I've never pulled with a 4.6L but have with my dad's 2004 5.4L and it seems to be ok. I currently drive a '78 F150 SWB SCab with a 460, so obviously none of the newer 1/2 tons will pull like it does, but I'm ok with that.
Just not sure if the 4.6L will do the job. Or, what upgrades can be done to the 4.6L to get it close or to just as good as the 5.4L.

Specifically I'm looking for a 2000-2003 2wd SCab SWB. Most of these trucks came with the 4.6L. Find this combo with the 5.4L is proving to be really difficult. Granted there are the Harley Davidson's but you're paying extra for the name in a lot of cases.

Would really appreciate some feedback on this, especially regarding the 4.6L and towing with it. Thanks!

 

I think it's probably more important to find a truck with the right gears.

 

According to specs I've found, the best gear that they came with from the factory was 3.55s except for the 7700lb payload package which could have 3.73 or 4.10s. I have a feeling this one is a 3.08 because the detailed listing is saying towing weight of 2000lbs. But then you'd think they'd mention the gear ratio then???
Either way, if getting a 4.6L or the 5.4L I was already planning a 4.10 trak-lok gear swap anyways.

 

The 5.4L has more power and torque with almost the same milage as the 4.6L. That's why I choose it. I'm now upgrading to the 03' 5.4L PI with 265 hp opposed to my 98' with 235 hp. The 03' has the improved composite intake, earlier models had fracture problem I've read.

 

How much total loaded trailer weight are you talking about?
Seams like you may be dismissing the GCRW in your chase.
Good luck.

 

Found these specs when surfing around. The weights I was looking at are referenced on the chart at the very bottom of this link.
2003 Ford F150 Specifications

 

Ok, as long as your a where of the loading limits for the truck your looking at.
Good luck.

 

I had a 2003 F150 5.4, towing wise it did fine gas mileage not good either way but I did have 33's, I decided to go diesel and got a 2002 F250 7.3L. That is a work horse!! The 7.3. Have you thought about diesel?

 

I did a little math. And yeah, with the 4.6L the GCRW is a little stretched thin, depending on what goes onto the car trailer. The 5.4L's GCRW is a couple thousand pounds more. Would give me more wiggle room. I don't think I'd put anything in the realm of 5000# on the car trailer but that's where it gets close to the limits.

Hey- NICE '56 build! I had to check that out. Will have to pop over to the '48-'56 forums more often and check-in on that build! Think I saw your 2002 F250 in the background of one of the pics. Nice truck too. Uh, as for going diesel, I dunno. I don't know squat about diesels, I don know parts are ALOT more expensive as well as oil changes . Never really been a diesel guy i guess. Wanted a sporty truck... Something to rip through town in and pull a trailer. Dad had a '94 Lightning and that thing was a blast to drive and would tow really well. I just need an SCab so a Lightning won't do. Looked at Harley Davidson editions, but they inflate the $ just for the name... and black is a real b**** to keep clean, especially up here.
This here is the truck that's got me asking questions.
Used 2003 Ford F-150 XLT $10,995 - VIN: 1FTRX17W53NB09967 - Matchmaker 4.1
I REALLY like the looks of this truck and all it's options... except the fact it's a 4.6L (the ad says 4.2V6 but he listed it wrong. I even checked the VIN to be sure after he went out and verified it himself) That's why I was curious if and what it'd take to get the 4.6L to perform as good as the 5.4L or even better. Or even fake it, with a gear ratio swap.
Or am I just peeing on an electric fence??

 

Hey- NICE '56 build! I had to check that out. Will have to pop over to the '48-'56 forums more often and check-in on that build! Think I saw your 2002 F250 in the background of one of the pics. Nice truck too. Uh, as for going diesel, I dunno. I don't know squat about diesels, I don know parts are ALOT more expensive as well as oil changes . Never really been a diesel guy i guess. Wanted a sporty truck... Something to rip through town in and pull a trailer. Dad had a '94 Lightning and that thing was a blast to drive and would tow really well. I just need an SCab so a Lightning won't do. Looked at Harley Davidson editions, but they inflate the $ just for the name... and black is a real b**** to keep clean, especially up here.
This here is the truck that's got me asking questions.
Used 2003 Ford F-150 XLT $10,995 - VIN: 1FTRX17W53NB09967 - Matchmaker 4.1
I REALLY like the looks of this truck and all it's options... except the fact it's a 4.6L (the ad says 4.2V6 but he listed it wrong. I even checked the VIN to be sure after he went out and verified it himself) That's why I was curious if and what it'd take to get the 4.6L to perform as good as the 5.4L or even better. Or even fake it, with a gear ratio swap.
Or am I just peeing on an electric fence?? [/quote]

Thanks for checking out the thread and for the compliments. I used to have the Heritage myself look in my garage, they are sweet trucks as they hold there value. Mine was the 4x4 5.4L Black n Burgundy. If you are going to tow the 4.6 wont be much fun. As far as going diesel, well I was once against the idea. By chance I did some college courses that I had to do comparison essay's on and me a motor head decided to do gas vs. diesel, long story short I now own a diesel. Do the research as in everything we do. For the record I am 37 not just a college kid I am trying to get it in now LOL. The 5.4 would work as I pulled a 3k boat around with the bumper hitch but it will be about your limit when it come to wear and tear on the tranny. Thanks again

 

Nice Heritage too, I like the color scheme! I see what your saying. Maybe I'll nose around at some diesels and see what i find. Something may catch my eye. Really don't have much need for a 4x4 as most are and like the 2wd trucks. The 4x4s just have more stuff to wear out and break. And trust me, if I have it, i used it. So to keep me from beating it up out on the trails its best I just not have it!
A little backstory- I'm actually hunting down a new truck strictly to fill a void as I need to repaint/restore my daily driver '78 F150 SCab shortbox in a bad way, before it goes to crap. Its got a 460/C6 and I get 12-15 mpg as it is.... until i get on the freeway anyways! I don't really do that much towing. When i do, it's usually to drag around a project car or some parts in a smaller (pickup bed trailer) to a swap meet or whatnot.

 

If you will be towing often, Def go with a 5.4. Also there will probley notbe much difference between the 2wd, and 4wd MPG, To the guy that said 2-3K would be the limit on towing with a 5.4 It is not, I pull 7,000 LBS with mine all the time. I have 5" lift w/ 35's and no problem pulling that weight, you can tell it is back there but I also have 270,000 miles on the stock trans, and motor. I would look at the 5.4, also I think all 5.4 have the heavier rear end also, may be wrong there though. Btw I have 4.56 Gears, but I towed before the lift and tires, After the lift and tires But before the gears, And now with the lift and tires, and the gears.4.56 gears are close to the same ratio as stock tires with 4.10's for what it is worth.

 

If you tow a boat or something light, 4.6 would be ok. but if you haul cars like I do, go 5.4 and get the 3.55's.......

 

Just to clear something up here about towing.
Towing on a 'bumper ball' has very low weight limits and used for no more than a trailer that does not legally require it's own brakes such as in the 2500 lb +/- class total weight of a utility or small popup camper, boat etc.
The big weight is for a chassis mounted hitch, then there are several classes of those.
With the class of hitch you need to stay within it's rating for total weight and still not exceed the 600 lb. tongue weight limit on the hitch and the Ball /bar combination.
The 600 lb. is for the load on the truck axle and extra down loading that happens during towing.
Equalizing bars are to project the tongue weight over the front and rear suspension through the frame with the 'side benefit' of keeping the whole deal more level.
Go to an RV dealer and check out the sizes for the knowledge of it.
When the total breakdown is done, tire capacity, spring limits, engine size, gear ratio and transmission type is all involved in the final outcome for total combine weight limit specified.
An example is on tires, a P type tire is 'de-rated' for weight by 10% for towing.
That means if your towing serious weight, you need to consider an LT 'light truck' tire not a P type if towing near the limit, for long term safety. All it takes is looking at the load ratings for the tire type and size.
Lots of people cheat here and there on some limit and get away with it but it does not make it ok to do so just because it can be done.
It's a matter of safety to others on the road.
Good luck.

 

I've driven a 5.4 only briefly, but have driven my grandfathers truck with a 4.6 quite a bit. I don't know his gear ratio, but it has very little torque. I took it out to CO from MN a few years back and man that thing is GUTLESS at altitude. Hard to maintain speed up a pass when unloaded even reving like crazy, that my old truck pulls up no problem with a light trailer. Maybe not a big deal for you in WA but based on that alone I would steer clear of the 4.6 and go for a 5.4.

Good luck with the truck hunt!