Howdy,

My first full-size truck was a 1998 F-150 reg. cab, 2wd w/ the 4.6, in the XLT trim, and was the nicest vehicle I've ever owned. Bought it new in Nov. '98 and traded it in some 18 most later. Dumb, I know. Never had a problem with it.

OK, now I may soon need a truck for daily light towing/hauling, so naturally I'm considering Ford! I understand that the current F-150 is quite heavy, and have concerns about the suitability of the 4.6 engine. Admittedly, my needs won't be heavy duty, but I don't want a slow truck, either.
Who is satisfied with the performance of thier recent 4.6 reg. cab F-150's? Does it have satisfactory "get-up and go"? My concern is that by ordering the bigger 5.4, I'll be running up the bill to being out of my budget-compared to competitors whose trucks weigh less to begin with!
With the Chevy, I'd take the 4.8, Dodge the 4.7 and feel adequately powered with a reg. cab (2wd). No disrespect to Ford intended. FWIW, I had a 2001 S-10 w/ the 4 cyl., and it was not only a "dog", but had it's fair share of problems to say the least!
Sorry for straying off-topic. The current F-150 is so heavy that I'm concerned that it would be slow with the 4.6 while towing with the A/C running. Could anyone set me straight? BTW, I'm not some 19 year-old kid looking to race my F-150, LOL. I'm impressed with the safety of the F-150.

Rickenbacker620

 

Do not even consider the 4.6! I have the 5.4 in my '05 Screw and its barely enough!

 

I'd recommend the 5.4L. Why? The 5.4L has 300hp and 365 ft/lb of torque with 295 ft lb of that torque at just 1000rpm. So you don't have to beat on it when you need the extra power. The 4.6L only has 231hp and 293 ft/lb. Plus, due to the more efficient 3V heads on the 5.4L you'll get very close if not better gas mileage with the 5.4L. My friend has a 2002 XLT reg cab with the 4.6L and I've got a 2004 Lariat Supercrew (5.4L). I get ~17.5mpg, my friends 4.6L gets ~16.0mpg.
So the only down side of the 5.4L is the initial cost of buying a truck with the 5.4L vs the 4.6L. According to ford.com the 5.4L in an XLT is only $895 bucks more then the 4.6L.
You'll be much happier with the 5.4L in the long run.

 

i have driven both. the 4.6 in a reg cab with 3.73 gears tows 5,000 pounds on flat ground just fine. the 5.4 does have more power. the 5.4 will tow the same 5,000 pound load with no issues. a reg cab 4x2 weighs about 5,100 curb weight. the screw setup with 4x4 weighs in at almost 6,150 pounds curb weight.

 

This may be a bit off topic, but I've noticed that the mpg is greatly dependent on the topography of one's driving area. That is, the great weight of these vehicles makes a hilly driving area a real fuel issue. I live within the city in Cincinnati, a very hilly town. I get about 13 mpg if I'm lucky. Getting the '06 5.4 up those hills eats the gas big time-

PC

 

If you are going to buy a 4x2 for a daily driver, with only occasional towing, and live outside of mountainous terrain. The 4.6 is acceptable. I have a 4.6 and would prefer the 5.4. Neither engine is a powerhouse.

 

I agree with Mr.PC .I had a 2002 extended cab 4x4 with the 4.6 traded to a 2004 4x4 with extended cab with 5.4..I live in the Adirondacks and when we go into town it is a five mile ride up hill to get home. Most of my driving is up and down long hills.The 5.4 was better on gas than the 4.6 was on short trips.On highway driving the 4.6 got about a mile per gallon more than my 2004.Remember the 2002 is lighter than the 2004. Hope this helps.

 

Rickenbacker620,

You never mentioned what you would be towing....

Travel trailer, trailer w/ car, boat, motorcycle trailer??

what you are towing and the weight will make a difference in what you will need.

Let us know....

 

My '06 Screw has a 5.4 and I'm just at 5000 miles. I am actualy starting to see an improvement in fuel efficiency, though I did not belive it would change after 5k miles - it seems to be. My buddy has an '05 Screw with the 4.6 - He Does NOT get better mileage than me driving empty. Put a trailer behind him, even a compressor, and it goes way down. These are working trucks - everyday on construction sites. I am very happy with the 5.4.

 

Howdy,

A recent poster asked what I'd be towing. I plan to tow a sno-cone cart; basically a NYC style Hot Dog cart, but used to sell sno-cones instead. Probably weighs less than 1,000 lbs. I'd also be hauling large igloo coolers full of Ice and various items totaling probably 700 lbs. at most in the bed.
So: call my trailer 750 lbs (max), cargo and occupants 1,000 lbs. I'm well aware that most SMALL trucks would be rated for towing this load, but again does anyone do this kind of work or MORE with a 4.6? Are you satisfied with the engine's ability to DO this work?
My 1998 F-150 had the 4.6, and so help me all I did was occasional light hauling. Of course I didn't even NOTICE anything in the bed!

Rickenbacker620

PS: BTW, I live in NW Louisiana; nearly flat. Occaisional hills. I would be towing up bridges often; over the Red River.

 

With that load, the 4.6 will tow it all day along at highway plus speeds...

I have a buddy with a 4.6 Crew that tows an open 1200 lbs trailer loaded with 2 harleys, (about 1400lbs), and 3 trials bikes (about 800lbs). Plus riding gear, tools and 4 people with no effort at all. He travels for West Palm Beach, FL to New Jersey 6 times a year loaded out this way.

I think he gets 11 to 12 a gallon.

BTW - He never does less than 75-80 on the highway with this load.

 

i have hte 4.6 screw and have never had a problem towing. my towing is occasional but when used never a complaint.

 

FIL had a '97 F150 2WD S/C for 180,000 miles and loved it. 4.6, Auto, XLT. Picked up his new '06 last month- same truck, but with the XL trim this time. Likes the new truck, but has already remarked about how doggy it is, and how high the bed sides are. It'll tow and haul- just not quickly.

 

The 5.4 is a $895 option. In addition to the larger engine, the 5.4 comes with a heavier duty transmission and a larger rear end than the 4.6. The EPA fuel mileage rating is the same for both but my 5.4 gets better mileage than my cousin's identical truck with a 4.6. Both are regular cab 4X4 models. My 4X4 regular cab weighs 5,110. I think the variable valve timing and 3 valve heads makes it more efficient. The 4.7 Dodge uses more fuel than either of the Ford engines.

I tow a 4,500 lb travel trailer and haul a 600 lb motorcycle in the bed and have no problems at all (even in the mountains).