View Poll Results: What engine and transmission do you have?
4.2L manual transmission
9
9.68%
4.2L automatic
4
4.30%
4.6L manual
5
5.38%
4.6L automatic
33
35.48%
5.4L manual....you wish
2
2.15%
5.4L automatic
40
43.01%
Voters: 93. You may not vote on this poll
What size engine do you have?
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
Likes: 742
From: Isanti, MN
To be honest, it depends on the manual tranny in question. For the most part, except for the 3/4 and 1 ton trucks, the manual tranny is not built for towing, and won't stand up to a heavy load as well as an auto. Even still, the HD manuals in the 3/4 and 1 tons I've heard aren't as good as a good 5 speed auto, as the torque converter helps get heavy loads going.
Personally, I prefer manual trannies. IMO, they're more fun to drive, Damn shame the car I just bought was an auto...
Personally, I prefer manual trannies. IMO, they're more fun to drive, Damn shame the car I just bought was an auto...
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 3
From: Simpsonville, KY
manual is nice, but only if it was as stong as the auto version. Boy, I wish they put a HD stick in the 5.4L... that would be nice. Its more fun, and less expensive. Yeah, its a little harder to tow, but if you are good you won't have issues.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: Central, KY
Good idea Racerguy...
I recently bought a 99 5.4L. I was considering the 4.6L but decided to go with the larger V8. Big upgrade for me coming from the Ranger 3.0 ("3.slow"). Added about 110 hp to my foot!!!
I recently bought a 99 5.4L. I was considering the 4.6L but decided to go with the larger V8. Big upgrade for me coming from the Ranger 3.0 ("3.slow"). Added about 110 hp to my foot!!!
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Nor*Cal (Bay area)
from what i hear, the 4.6 seems to be the better motor of the two... while the 5.4 produces more power, it seems as though 90% of all blown plug from the head complaints are from 5.4L motors... just my observations though, and i LOVE my 4.6... no COPs LOL just coil packs, and plugs... today i changed all my plugs again to the APP104 autolites..... did all of em in 45 mins, and this was only the second time ive even worked on the motor LOL
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,931
Likes: 1
From: N. Mississippi
97 F-150 with 4.6 auto transmission. I drove a manual tranny for 11 years, a year and half of those years was all highway. I got older and got tired of shifting so I went auto.
I love my 4.6 and the most I ever tow behind it is my 4 wheeler on a trailer. I have towed heavier loads with no problems what so ever.
As for the comment about the 4.2 V6's not being built as well as the V8's.....horse hockey! My oldest son drives a 2000 F-150 with 4.2 and 5 speed transmission with over 72k miles. He is still riding on the factory tires! The only problem he had was when he hit a piece of metal on the interstate and put a hole in his fuel tank.
I love my 4.6 and the most I ever tow behind it is my 4 wheeler on a trailer. I have towed heavier loads with no problems what so ever.
As for the comment about the 4.2 V6's not being built as well as the V8's.....horse hockey! My oldest son drives a 2000 F-150 with 4.2 and 5 speed transmission with over 72k miles. He is still riding on the factory tires! The only problem he had was when he hit a piece of metal on the interstate and put a hole in his fuel tank.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 385
Likes: 0
From: Missouri
Originally Posted by 1BadF150
yeah, in the world of cars its a good decision, guess you cant go wrong brand new, but what about in a few years? V6s usually have a higher tendancy to break down... just because they arent built with the same precision as the V8.. plus i think if you are gonna get a mustang, might as well at least have a nice toy to play with 
cams, intakes, headers, full exhaust, ECM tuning, drag radials... the list goes on... and they sound so nice too as a chevy man i am very biased against mustangs, but i have to admit they sound the best when they have the right exhaust... better than any camaro... all you need is an X pipe and a set of 40 series flows... those things sound horribly insane
cams, intakes, headers, full exhaust, ECM tuning, drag radials... the list goes on... and they sound so nice too as a chevy man i am very biased against mustangs, but i have to admit they sound the best when they have the right exhaust... better than any camaro... all you need is an X pipe and a set of 40 series flows... those things sound horribly insane
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now
Brett Foote
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
