4.6L or 5.4L Engine
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4.6L or 5.4L Engine
Trying to find a good price on a new 2003 F150. Which engine would you guys recommend? I understand the 4.6L gets better gas mileage but I would like the 5.4L for the extra torque. Seems the leftover 2003's are all 4.6L.
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Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Wake Forest, NC
Yep, and there is a reason.
Go with the 5.4. My mileage difference between a 4.2 V6 5sp SB RC and a 5.4 7700 SB SC was 16 to 12. Considering how much more truck I have now I would say its not too bad.
Go with the 5.4. My mileage difference between a 4.2 V6 5sp SB RC and a 5.4 7700 SB SC was 16 to 12. Considering how much more truck I have now I would say its not too bad.
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From: Louisville,Ky.
Yep,And the 5.4L has a better resale value.
Now that I am getting used to mine, it has quite a bit of torque for only 330ci. It's no 460, but it pulls good and gets over twice the mileage of my 460 and I now have a/c and no 26 year old extra ventilation leaks in weather stripping, door felts and easy to break into wing windows.
I love my truck, even though at low rpms I get a back massage. Maybe this is just an option that I didn't know about !
Jimmy
Now that I am getting used to mine, it has quite a bit of torque for only 330ci. It's no 460, but it pulls good and gets over twice the mileage of my 460 and I now have a/c and no 26 year old extra ventilation leaks in weather stripping, door felts and easy to break into wing windows.
I love my truck, even though at low rpms I get a back massage. Maybe this is just an option that I didn't know about !
Jimmy
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If you're getting a 2wd F-150 that won't be used for towing, you can get away with the 4.6, IMHO. Towing, 4x4 or long box SuperCab? Then the 5.4 is a must. The 5.4 also comes with a heavier transmission.
A buddy of mine once owned a 1997 F-150 4x4 SuperCab short box with the 4.6. He put a snow plow on it. To me, it was like asking a ten-year-old to bench press 300 lbs.
A buddy of mine once owned a 1997 F-150 4x4 SuperCab short box with the 4.6. He put a snow plow on it. To me, it was like asking a ten-year-old to bench press 300 lbs.
Last edited by PaulC; Nov 3, 2003 at 08:51 AM.
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Pleased with 16 to 21 mpg of my 97 4x4 extra cab. Plenty of 3000 lb trailer pulling power if you don't mind 3000 rpm for a few miles. Son just got the 5.4 -says much more power than his 97 4.6 had. But I haven't driven it.
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Thanks for the info guys. I thought I had it narrowed down correctly which you affirmed. Towing will be occasional and most likely no more than 2,000#. I want the towing package with either engine just to have the upgraded radiator and transmission cooler.
It may come down to the 4.6L in a leftover 2003 SuperCrew, which will be okay, but would prefer the 5.4L if priced right.
It may come down to the 4.6L in a leftover 2003 SuperCrew, which will be okay, but would prefer the 5.4L if priced right.
Last edited by wesg; Nov 3, 2003 at 05:47 PM.
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From: South Kitsap County, WA
Originally posted by aldridgec
Usually, there have been exceptions.
Chris
Usually, there have been exceptions.
Chris
wesg, check the door jamb for an "E" under trans if you want the 4R100. This is the trans behind the V-10 and PSD's. I have the 4R70W which is known as the lighter duty of the two 4-speed autos behind a 5.4 in a 7700.
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From: NC
Get the 5.4L. I have the 4.6L and it's nice but man I wish I had of gotten the 5.4. My buddy has the 5.4 and he gets better fuel milage than I do. Granted I have bigger tires than he does but his doesn't have to work nearly as hard as mine. But in my opinion I would go with the 5.4. You won't regret it I promise.
-Landon
-Landon
