4.0 vs 4.6
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,385
Likes: 1
From: Mercer County, OH
4.0 vs 4.6
I'm considering getting a late model Explorer but I'm not sure if I should go with the 4.0 or the 4.6. I drive mostly interstate (30,000 miles/yr) and only occasionally tow a 3,500# trailer. I have a `96 Explorer that has 225,000 miles on the engine so I know the pushrod motor is a good one but I'm not familiar with the OHC version. Any idea what kind of gas mileage I'll see with the 4.0 or the 4.6? Thanks for any help!
CO River Rat
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,209
Likes: 0
From: Lake Havasu City AZ
I had an '02 XLT V6 and traded it for an '04 XLT V8, so here are my impressions:
Gas mileage around town was 1-2 mpg better with the V6
Gas mileage on the freeway is nearly identical
Towing mileage is nearly identical, maybe a tad better with the V8
The V6 struggled on hills with my 3680# boat/trailer rig and 4 people aboard; if you don't have lots of hills the V6 will do fine. Either way, get the tow package!
Steve
Gas mileage around town was 1-2 mpg better with the V6
Gas mileage on the freeway is nearly identical
Towing mileage is nearly identical, maybe a tad better with the V8
The V6 struggled on hills with my 3680# boat/trailer rig and 4 people aboard; if you don't have lots of hills the V6 will do fine. Either way, get the tow package!
Steve
New User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7
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4.0 vs 4.6
I had the 4.6 Triton in my '98 Expedition & have the 4.0 6 in my '04 Explorer. Depending on where you live & how long you're going to keep your truck I would say that I hated the design of the 4.6. The back spark plugs are horrible to get to for changing on the Expedition & F-150; I would think they'e prob. worse on the Explorer! Also, I dealt with cracked & rusted exhaust manifolds on the 4.6. Try removing rusted steel bolts from an aluminum head w/o stripping or drilling into a water jacket. An absolutely terrible design for the real world, IMO. The SOHC 4.0 6 is much easier to work on (or pay someone else to work on)
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,181
Likes: 3
From: Eastern CT.
I just did the deal on an 04' Explorer with the 4.6, you would think under the hood with the V-8 would be worse then with the Expedition,,,,, but the engine is more open, not under the firewall like in the Expy, and much less stuff,,like hoses in your way on the 04' V-8 Explorer, I was able to touch the coil packs with no problem , not easily done in the 97' Expy.
I also have a 04' F-350 with the V-10,,and the engine is much more open then the Expy ! Thats the first thing I checked with both vehicles.
I drove both Explorer's while the V-6 was my choice at first,,,after I drove the V-8,that was the deciding factor for me.
Later,,,,,,,,,,,Mark
I also have a 04' F-350 with the V-10,,and the engine is much more open then the Expy ! Thats the first thing I checked with both vehicles.
I drove both Explorer's while the V-6 was my choice at first,,,after I drove the V-8,that was the deciding factor for me.
Later,,,,,,,,,,,Mark
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 320
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From: South Jersey
I have an 05 EB with the 4.6 and I couldn't be happier the engine is out in the open compared to my 98 F150 and runs very smooth and strong, I'm getting about 15/16 around town and about 20 hwy I only have 4k on her so far, glad I got the V8 I think it's a much nicer setup and I pull a 5000# boat without any problems.
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