Hey, just wondering. I have been considering the 5.4 over the 4.6 for some time now in the 04 f150. Cant really decide though. Both get the same MPG? The HEMI though, gets I beleive 21 mpg, and is bigger (5.7) and more powerful than either one. As far as style and everything else, ford hands down. Does anyone have any kind of experince between these trucks? Is the HEMI a better engine? Any help kindly.

 

The Hemi only gets 10-11 mpg if you're lucky--going downhill in neutral with the key off and a good strong tailwind.

 

The Hemi mileage is bad, but not 10-11 unless you have your foot way too deep in it too often (it does sound good when you do, though). I average 13-14 with mostly city driving (4x4, quad cab, 3.92 and 20in wheels). I see 17 when at 70 on the highway, 15.5 or so at 75.

I have noticed that when I let my friends drive it, it always averages 8-9 when I get it back (I always reset it before giving it to them). I guess they have fun with it.

I bet the Ford gets better mpg, but I don't know.

 

Where did you hear that the best a Hemi can get is 10-11 mpg? I just averaged 21.7mpg on a trip from Orlando to Jacksonville with cruise set on 75. The truck is a reg cab 2x4 with 3.55's. The worst I have ever gotten is 12.3 really ******* it around town with no hwy driving. With mixed city and hwy driving I average 14.5-16.5, and I usually drive pretty hard, as the feel and sound of that motor is addicting. I'm sure that the 5.4, being a slightly smaller motor gets as good or better mileage than a 5.7. Saying that the best a hemi can get it 10-11 is just plain wrong.

 

Ill be the one saying it gets 11. My older brother owns his own business. Uses a hemi 3/4 ton as his work truck. I think he might have gotten 14 one time. 11 is better than what he got with his 6.7 but it aint got the ***** down low that the 6.7 has either.
I told him to buy a PSD but he dont listen so good. He has 10 grand of rollover depriciation now because of all his gasser debacles. He needs to go diesel for a few years and let the depriciation catch up.

Id buy the 5.4. No question about it.

 

I could definately see any V8 in a 3/4 ton truck getting 11mpg. The 2500 is much heavier than the 1500, and typically has lower gears. I still say that in 1/2 ton trucks, the difference in mileage between a 5.4 and 5.7 is neglegable. If you are really concerned about mileage in a 1/2 ton truck, you may want to check out a chevy, as the 5.3 usually gets much better fuel mileage than the ford or dodge. This is probably because the chevy is much lighter.

 

In my f250, I can manage 15MPg highway with the 5.4, 4:10 hears and 33" tires. Milage in the city is probably in the single digits, but I haven't calcualted it yet. I do know that it is bad.

 

I just rented a 2004 F150 for the weekend. I wasn't very "gentle" on the throttle. I did half city driving and half highway. Got about 15.2 MPG. I thought that was not too bad considering it was a four door 4x4. Just to let you know.

-Matt

 

I'm not sure where the rumor about the Hemi getting horrible mileage came from, but it sure doesn't seem to be any worse than the 3V 5.4's.

A friend of mine has a 2004 QC Hemi Ram 4x4, and I have a 04 F-150 FX4. Both of our trucks get almost the same average calculated fuel mileage, which generally seems to be in the 13-14 MPG range. We both use our trucks about the same, some in town and towing, and quite a bit of highway driving. Not that my truck is weak or under powered, but I sure wish the 5.4 made the kind of power the Hemi makes, especially considering the mileage isn't any worse.

 

The new 3V 5.4 gets the best mileage of all the new trucks. The Hemi gets the worst. The difference isn't going to be huge, but the Ford will get better mileage, PERIOD.

I'll be the first to call BS on the guy saying he got 21.7. Lots of guys on the Dodge board are touting their good mileage, but when you ask them how they figured it, they do it by resetting the mileage computer after they are up to speed. I've still only seen a couple of guys on the Dodge board claim over 20 mpg and it was by doing the trick above and by driving around 65 mph. Anyone who actually calculates their mileage by miles divided by gallons between fill-ups is getting around 17 at best on the highway.

 

I can flash my computer and get a 27 or 28 mpg average. My mommas lincoln with the 302 would get 99 mpg......... coasting downhill.

 

If you like styling and everything else more on the Ford, then get the Ford and definitely go with the 5.4 - any V8 is not going to get super-great-happy-fantasy mileage without cylinder deactivation, so I wouldn't worry about the relatively negligible difference between engines' mpg. You probably wouldn't be happy if you prefer Ford styling, interior, etcetera but purchased the Dodge just because it has a fun motor. Good luck!

 

"The new 3V 5.4 gets the best mileage of all the new trucks. The Hemi gets the worst. The difference isn't going to be huge, but the Ford will get better mileage, PERIOD."

The Ford motor can't even come close to a chevy in the mileage department (well I guess I shouldn't say that, but consistently the chev is better). If you are referring to the mileage posted on the window, remember it is not totally accurate.

If I recall, there was one of the comparison articles that said the Ford and Hemi were very close on their tests and the chev and toyota were also very close in fuel mileage. (I think it was car and driver).

 

The 5.3's don't get the mileage that the 5.7's used to. From what I have seen the Ford is the best and Dodge is the worst among the Big 3. I don't really count the other two (Nissan or Toyota) unless they are specifically mentioned. That's not to discredit their products. I think Toyota makes some of the best vehicles on the planet, one of them being my 1988 Landcruiser, but their market share and total impact on the truck community are so small that they don't come into play much.

 

I am very **** about figuring my gas mileage every time I fill up, and I have never gotten close to 20MPG in my 5.4 ('01). I even drove one tank of gas in a very conscientious manner- driving 60 with cruise on, no jackrabbit starts, etc- and the best I got driving to and from work (about half highway/ half city) was only 17.4. I didn't buy the truck for the mileage. I got it because I wanted a truck. And if you want a hemi, go get one. You don't have to justify it to anyone here. Get the truck YOU want, and enjoy it! Good luck...