V-6 vs. V-8
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V-6 vs. V-8
I am going to be buying a 2001 F-150 4X4 Super Cab short bed...here is my problem. I drive a lot for work and gas mileage is important. Would it be better to go with the 4.2 V-6 for better gas mileage or is the difference between the two not the significant. Or should I go with the 4.6 V-8 and not sacrifice the power. Unsure of what the best route is.
Thanks for any help,
L
Thanks for any help,
L
New User
Joined: Oct 2004
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Larom, if you ever plan on pulling any trailers for long distance then go with a V-8, I pull a small cargo trailer with a wind dam for long distances at times and I find my 4.2L just doesn’t have the power needed. A lot of shifting and if I take it out of over drive then I'm running at overly high RPM's.
The trailer is but only a 4X8X6 closed and it’s still a lot of work for that engine. Now if you option for a standard transmission then it might not matter.
When I purchased my truck I had no plans for pulling a trailer but as time goes things change and now I wish I had an V-8. Just make sure you think ahead.
Randy
The trailer is but only a 4X8X6 closed and it’s still a lot of work for that engine. Now if you option for a standard transmission then it might not matter.
When I purchased my truck I had no plans for pulling a trailer but as time goes things change and now I wish I had an V-8. Just make sure you think ahead.
Randy
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
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Go with the V8. The gas mileage difference is only one or two MPG. I have owned the 4.2 and now I have the 5.4 and there really is not that much of a difference. None of these engines get great gas mileage. I know there will be many disagreements but I would never go back to the 4.2, just not enough power unless it's modified. Good luck on your purchase.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 866
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From: North Carolina
Well, I can talk for the 5.4L since that is what I own...
The gas milage sucks, no really, absoluetly sucks, you won't save money at all, but if you ever need to pull anything it will GET ER' DONE! I have all the power I need with my truck.
Oh yea, and the gas mileage in the 4.2, 4.6, and 5.4 are close enough to the same that I wouldn't worry about that, they all get terrible gas mileage.
Good Luck, GO WITH THE 5.4L!
Bryan
The gas milage sucks, no really, absoluetly sucks, you won't save money at all, but if you ever need to pull anything it will GET ER' DONE! I have all the power I need with my truck.
Oh yea, and the gas mileage in the 4.2, 4.6, and 5.4 are close enough to the same that I wouldn't worry about that, they all get terrible gas mileage.
Good Luck, GO WITH THE 5.4L!
Bryan
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Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Southern California.. Nea
I think the best of both worlds, if you are not planning to tow anything heavy would be the 4.6 with a (I think) available fairly high 3.07-3.25 gear ratio. The higher gears will help mileage and you can still tow bikes, small boats, and utility trailers by locking it out of overdrive.
Both the 4.6 and the thirstier 5.4 are great bullit proof engines when taken care of.
My buddy just sold his 97 regular cab 4.6 with almost 200k on it and though at that mileage he was using half a quart between changes, it still ran like new and has always had plenty of power to cruise the freeway. I think he got 19-20 on the highway and 14-15 in town. It was an automatic and I don't know what ratio, but I don't think that was bad for a V8...
Both the 4.6 and the thirstier 5.4 are great bullit proof engines when taken care of.
My buddy just sold his 97 regular cab 4.6 with almost 200k on it and though at that mileage he was using half a quart between changes, it still ran like new and has always had plenty of power to cruise the freeway. I think he got 19-20 on the highway and 14-15 in town. It was an automatic and I don't know what ratio, but I don't think that was bad for a V8...
Last edited by Mojave2k; Oct 14, 2004 at 10:57 PM. Reason: corrections
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Posting Guru
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From: Indiana
Dude- I have a 4.2 and they are just as powerful as the 4.6's...Ive raced my buddy witht he 4.6 and its exactly a tie if not me being ahead...
I'd still go with the 8 if you are looking to add exhaust..
I'd still go with the 8 if you are looking to add exhaust..
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Originally Posted by homer4.2
Dude- I have a 4.2 and they are just as powerful as the 4.6's...Ive raced my buddy witht he 4.6 and its exactly a tie if not me being ahead...
I'd still go with the 8 if you are looking to add exhaust..
I'd still go with the 8 if you are looking to add exhaust..
Sure the truck ill... get it done but when your peaking 2.5 and 3k continuous what do you think the life span of you truck will be? I'm speaking purely on an automatic not sure what a standard would do.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 538
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From: Florida
Also consider residual value. The 6 cylinder is worth much less than the V8 on resale. Heck, just look at KBB and they will tell you that you automatically subtract $600-$1000 if it has the 6 instead of the 8.
Same with the manual tranny. I rowed gears for years and it sucked. Then I got almost nothing for the truck on trade in because it was a standard instead of an auto. Get the auto and V8 and be happy and comfortable.
Same with the manual tranny. I rowed gears for years and it sucked. Then I got almost nothing for the truck on trade in because it was a standard instead of an auto. Get the auto and V8 and be happy and comfortable.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,821
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From: South Dakota
FWIW, last weekend with my mods, and the TB I added, I was able to muster 15 mpg out of my F-150 going down the interstate @ 80 mph for the duration of the whole tank with only stopping once to use the water closet. It was about 55 deg F and virtually no wind, and hilly terrain for the majority of the trip.
Thats on a ~5300lb F-150 Supercrew with a 4x4 and a 5.4L.
Before my mods, i was getting in the neighbor hood of 16-17 @60mph.
Thats on a ~5300lb F-150 Supercrew with a 4x4 and a 5.4L.
Before my mods, i was getting in the neighbor hood of 16-17 @60mph.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,344
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From: Sioux Falls SD
Biggest diff. will be if you want man. or auto trans. The V6 with a man. trans will do every thing a 4.6V8 with auto will do. Best bet would be the hard to find 4.6 V8 5speed. I have the V6 5speed in my 99 super cab and have no complaints.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Hawaii
Originally Posted by 99F150
The V6 with a man. trans will do every thing a 4.6V8 with auto will do.
That Mazda built manual trans is weak. That is why the tow rating is so low.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 173
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From: Missoula, Montana
I don't buy into this "not much difference in fuel mileage" story.
My brother has a 5.4 V8/auto, and I have a 4.2 V6/manual.
Across the board I get 6 to 7 mpg better than him. City driving, highway driving, whatever, I am always 6 to 7 mpg better. We took a long vacation this summer, Montana to Alaska and back. I spent $1,200 less on gas on this trip alone !!! So much for the "KBB sez deduct $600 to $1,000". Heck, I got that money back just from this one long vacation !
If fuel mileage is important to you, get the V6, I am very happy with mine.
My brother has a 5.4 V8/auto, and I have a 4.2 V6/manual.
Across the board I get 6 to 7 mpg better than him. City driving, highway driving, whatever, I am always 6 to 7 mpg better. We took a long vacation this summer, Montana to Alaska and back. I spent $1,200 less on gas on this trip alone !!! So much for the "KBB sez deduct $600 to $1,000". Heck, I got that money back just from this one long vacation !
If fuel mileage is important to you, get the V6, I am very happy with mine.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Aurora, NC
I will second the V6 also as I regularly get 21 mpg with mine and have gotten as high as a couple of tenths over 23 on trips. Mine is a 2000 S/C w/ 3.55 rearend and auto, though it is modified somewhat. I have only towed a trailer w/ it twice, 900lb. utility w/ 2100 lbs of shingles another 500+lbs in truck and had no problems and wasn't a big deal. The 97 I had w/ 3.08 rearend got 22 mpg local driving completely stock, this is in the country and driving responsable. If you have to tow try finding one w/ the 3.55 gears, the V6 has more power than some people think. For as towing with it you are suppose to take it out of overdrive doesn't matter if it is a V6 or V8. My brother used his 97 w/V6 to tow a car hauler that weighed over a ton empty 45 miles to auction and then back w/ everything from little econo cars to full size trucks on the back, onetime a caddy. He made this trip probably 50 times over the course of putting 137 k on his truck before selling it. As a side note I wouldn't recommend doing what my brother did w/ his even w/ the 4.6l.