Which Engine for Power?
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New User
Joined: Jan 2005
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Which Engine for Power?
Folks, I am about to upgrade from a Ranger to an F-150.
I want a sufficiently powerful engine, and I am trying to
decide between the 4.6-L and 5.4-L versions.
My Ranger has the mid-grade 3.0-L engine, and I am
not really satisfied with its performance/power for that
weight of truck. For the F-150, the 4.6-L is its mid-grade
and I assume that I'm gonna get the same mediocre
performance with that. And just doing the math,
4.6-L is not really even in the middle between the
4.2 and the 5.4. So, I am leary of the 4.6 if my goal
is improved power.
Can any one offer an opinion?
lou
I want a sufficiently powerful engine, and I am trying to
decide between the 4.6-L and 5.4-L versions.
My Ranger has the mid-grade 3.0-L engine, and I am
not really satisfied with its performance/power for that
weight of truck. For the F-150, the 4.6-L is its mid-grade
and I assume that I'm gonna get the same mediocre
performance with that. And just doing the math,
4.6-L is not really even in the middle between the
4.2 and the 5.4. So, I am leary of the 4.6 if my goal
is improved power.
Can any one offer an opinion?
lou
Last edited by txag; Jan 24, 2005 at 10:40 PM. Reason: I mangled the title and accidently hit ENTER
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,542
Likes: 22
From: Murphysboro, IL
Well I went from a 3.0 V6 powered 4x2 Ranger supercab to a 4.6 powered reg cab 4x4 and the power difference is astromical.
The 4.2 is a Peppy engine but if you ever drove a Chevy full size with a 4.3 in it you would know what the 4.2 is like, underpowered if you want to do anything bigger than tow a boat.
I have the 4.6, it works fine for me but if I had a supercrew I'd want the 5.4, supercab either woudl work probably, dpending onwhich mood i was in. Are you wanting to tow something or just drive it. Drive both and see which one you want. The 5.4 will have more power but after being in a Ranger with a 3.0 the 4.6 will seem like it is 10 times more powerful.
The 4.2 is a Peppy engine but if you ever drove a Chevy full size with a 4.3 in it you would know what the 4.2 is like, underpowered if you want to do anything bigger than tow a boat.
I have the 4.6, it works fine for me but if I had a supercrew I'd want the 5.4, supercab either woudl work probably, dpending onwhich mood i was in. Are you wanting to tow something or just drive it. Drive both and see which one you want. The 5.4 will have more power but after being in a Ranger with a 3.0 the 4.6 will seem like it is 10 times more powerful.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 922
Likes: 1
From: san diego
if you want power go with the bigger engine. they wont be too different in normal driving but if your driving up hills or hauling stuff your gonna want the 5.4 i can load up my supercrew with 5 people and all their gear and not even notice.
New User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Mohave Desert
I wouldn't mess with a 4.6L for the new F150 trucks. My wife has a 03 EB Expy with a 4.6L and I get frustrated by the lack of power of her truck compared to my 04F150 5.4L. I know I’m going to get riddled with shrapnel as a result of the comment I’m about to make, but the truth can hurt sometimes. With the F150 weighing approximately 500lbs (lots of variables) more than the Expy, I couldn’t imagine driving a 4.6L F150 based on my experience with my wife’s SUV. Then again, I would be the worst judge of that since I’ve haven’t even test driven the F150 with the 4.6L option. The bottom line is that only you can be the best judge of what you want/need based on a drive test. MAKE IT HAPPEN! GOOD LUCK!
Last edited by ExBMWturnFx4; Jan 25, 2005 at 03:16 AM.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 716
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From: HollyWood Ca
Thats A pretty small Truck 500 lbs LOL
Ok Im on my 3rd 04 F-150 And the frist two both had the 4.6 and they are great Engines with tunner and Exhaust and Intake i could burn rubber and beat most full sized trucks
The 5.4 is a much stronger Engine and i think you will be just fine with 4.6 but why not get the 5.4 its only an extra 900.00
Ok Im on my 3rd 04 F-150 And the frist two both had the 4.6 and they are great Engines with tunner and Exhaust and Intake i could burn rubber and beat most full sized trucks
The 5.4 is a much stronger Engine and i think you will be just fine with 4.6 but why not get the 5.4 its only an extra 900.00
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 256
Likes: 0
I got myself a 2004 f150 Supercrew with the 4.6! I couldn't be happier with it's performance!! I choose to get the 4.6 due to the relibility it has proven in the past on the truck. They last forever! The 5.4 hasn't been really tested yet with the 3Valve thing, so I'm a little optimistic about that engine, so I took the engine I know has an extreamly reliable past!
I get all the power I need out of it, I even have fun on the weekends and like to smoke the back tires up! hehe :-P It gets me up and going anytime I want it to!
I get all the power I need out of it, I even have fun on the weekends and like to smoke the back tires up! hehe :-P It gets me up and going anytime I want it to!
Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
Go with 5.4 you'll be glad you did. I've seen several people who thought they would save money and bought a 4.6 only to trade up for a 5.4 later.
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New User
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Thanks everyone.
The consensus seems to lean toward the large engine.
I'm going to extrapolate this reasoning to the F-250,
since I found that I will not be able to get a manual
transmission with an F-150.
Looks like I'll want the big V10 with that! Thanks again.
The consensus seems to lean toward the large engine.
I'm going to extrapolate this reasoning to the F-250,
since I found that I will not be able to get a manual
transmission with an F-150.
Looks like I'll want the big V10 with that! Thanks again.
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 168
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From: Brentwood TN
Originally Posted by txag
Folks, I am about to upgrade from a Ranger to an F-150.
I want a sufficiently powerful engine, and I am trying to
decide between the 4.6-L and 5.4-L versions.
My Ranger has the mid-grade 3.0-L engine, and I am
not really satisfied with its performance/power for that
weight of truck. For the F-150, the 4.6-L is its mid-grade
and I assume that I'm gonna get the same mediocre
performance with that. And just doing the math,
4.6-L is not really even in the middle between the
4.2 and the 5.4. So, I am leary of the 4.6 if my goal
is improved power.
Can any one offer an opinion?
lou
I want a sufficiently powerful engine, and I am trying to
decide between the 4.6-L and 5.4-L versions.
My Ranger has the mid-grade 3.0-L engine, and I am
not really satisfied with its performance/power for that
weight of truck. For the F-150, the 4.6-L is its mid-grade
and I assume that I'm gonna get the same mediocre
performance with that. And just doing the math,
4.6-L is not really even in the middle between the
4.2 and the 5.4. So, I am leary of the 4.6 if my goal
is improved power.
Can any one offer an opinion?
lou
"I want a sufficiently powerful engine, and I am trying to
decide between the 4.6-L and 5.4-L...the 4.6-L is its mid-grade
and I assume that I'm gonna get the same mediocre
performance with that. And just doing the math,
4.6-L is not really even in the middle between the
4.2 and the 5.4. So, I am leary of the 4.6 if my goal
is improved power."
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
From: Brentwood TN
Originally Posted by txag
Thanks everyone.
The consensus seems to lean toward the large engine.
I'm going to extrapolate this reasoning to the F-250,
since I found that I will not be able to get a manual
transmission with an F-150.
Looks like I'll want the big V10 with that! Thanks again.
The consensus seems to lean toward the large engine.
I'm going to extrapolate this reasoning to the F-250,
since I found that I will not be able to get a manual
transmission with an F-150.
Looks like I'll want the big V10 with that! Thanks again.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
I test drove 2 identical 4x4 Screws except for the engines. The 5.4 performed much better. It may be less of a factor in a lighter regular cab 4x2, but in the larger truck the 4.6 just didn't have it IMO. Fuel figures are nearly identical too so get the 5.4 
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
From: Brentwood TN
Originally Posted by SuperCrewDude
Fuel figures are nearly identical too so get the 5.4
No difference between the 4.6 and the 5.4 3 valve in 2004. In 2005 it shows the 4.6 produces more green house gasses and that fuel costs per year are more in the 4.6 than the 5.4 by $114. I'm sure that real world results are different...
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
From: California
Originally Posted by txag
Thanks everyone.
The consensus seems to lean toward the large engine.
I'm going to extrapolate this reasoning to the F-250,
since I found that I will not be able to get a manual
transmission with an F-150.
Looks like I'll want the big V10 with that! Thanks again.
The consensus seems to lean toward the large engine.
I'm going to extrapolate this reasoning to the F-250,
since I found that I will not be able to get a manual
transmission with an F-150.
Looks like I'll want the big V10 with that! Thanks again.