Chevy guy looking for HONESTY
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New User
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Holland,MI
Thanks for all the comments and advice. I'll give you guys an update after I look at the truck this week. Sounds like the 4.6L is a reliable engine, but it's short on power (at least for towing).
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2001
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From: Maple Grove, PA
couple buddies of mine have 4.6 L with almost 200 K on them.....good motor.....lacks power a little like you said with towing but to move the truck it's fine.....get 01 and up....better heads=more power....i've got 60 k on mine with no problems....runs smooth, quiet, and problem free
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Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Saratoga USA
If you've had a Chevy with the 5.3, I would strongly recommend that you look at the 5.4 Ford. And, when you test drive the 4.6 truck, be sure to take it on the freeway, and try passing at 70-75 MPH. I think you'll find it very short on power compared to the Chevy. The 5.4 is far better, IMHO.
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Joined: Apr 2002
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From: LA
Around town gas mileage is less than 15mpg on any of these trucks. Common problems? Heater core ($1k repair here in CA). Also often has the EGR passes clog up in the throttle body, leading to the check engine light coming on. Otherwise there is no complaints. It is a very good truck to buy used, if you have a maintenance history.
G
G
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Delphos, OH
I have a 99 150 4x4 with a 4.6 and I pull around 10-12k (yes thousand pounds is what I mean) with it. I isn't going to light anybody up but it does ok. The mileage drops off when I pull that kind of weight around 7mpg. I also pull a 14'x7' cargo trailer. It's like throwing up a parachute behind the truck. Power is lacking when empty but my truck has 125k on it with no major problems. And as you can tell I don't baby it. I pulled a 8000 lb skid loader home from TN and through the hills that thing was wound up 4k on the tach and slowed to about 40 on steep grades. I think the 5.4 will do better pulling but empty I don't notice any real difference between my 99 4.6 and my dad's 01 5.4. I have a K&N filter and I took the muffler completely off and straight piped. It really isn't that loud thanks to the 4 cats they put on these things. I hope this is some help
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Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Holland,MI
O.K. guys - I'm going another direction here. I planned on looking at a 2001 supercrew 4x4 with a 4.6L. Tonight I found the same truck with a 5.4L. It has 132,000 miles instead of the 86,000 the 4.6L had but according to the CARFAX report it is a one owner and it is CLEAN-CLEAN-CLEAN. I can buy it for $9,500.00, but the air bag light is on. Does anyone have any exp. with this? Is the air bag system a problem on these trucks and how much $$$$$$ am I looking at to repair this?
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Get it scanned for codes and go from there, could be minor or it could be a big problem. The airbag systems in these trucks have'nt been a problem compared to other makes (VW's for instsance), I would check to see if the plugs have been replaced or they are still the originals, the first plug replacement is THE most important, if they were done incorrectly you might have a plug spit out on you, very bad.
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Posting Guru
Joined: May 2002
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From: Chicago Area
Mine had the airbag light on from the factory; I think the dealer just reconnected the clock spring in the steering wheel. Does the horn work? But this could be VERY big bucks, and also could be a clue to other or concealed damage. Be sure to get it fixed before you commit!
I'm not very brand loyal, but have previously driven mostly GM. I will tell you that Fords are different, often better, sometimes not. It seems to be more important to get factory (Motorcraft) parts. The 4.6 with "PI" heads (after ~2000) is fine, but obviously, the 5.4 is more powerful. If the engine has been well maintained, 132,000 miles would not concern me, but some of the accessories (alternator, pw, etc.) are that much closer to the end of their lives.
Good luck!
I'm not very brand loyal, but have previously driven mostly GM. I will tell you that Fords are different, often better, sometimes not. It seems to be more important to get factory (Motorcraft) parts. The 4.6 with "PI" heads (after ~2000) is fine, but obviously, the 5.4 is more powerful. If the engine has been well maintained, 132,000 miles would not concern me, but some of the accessories (alternator, pw, etc.) are that much closer to the end of their lives.
Good luck!
Last edited by MrBSS; Apr 4, 2006 at 09:42 AM.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 543
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From: LA
I would be worried that there is accident history to a vehicle that has the air bag light on. Or the heater core was replaced and it was not put back together correctly, leading to electrical problems. Either way, do not buy it unless you find out what's up. Do a carfax as well and check the body carefully for accident damage.
Good Luck, George
Good Luck, George
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,038
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From: South Kitsap County, WA
Question for me is which airbag light... remember these things have two. One in the cluster, which is what every one has spoken about, and the one on the passenger side of the heater controls. The one on the side of the heater control is a key operated on/off switch.
Just thought that should be pointed out.
-Kerry
Just thought that should be pointed out.
-Kerry
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Denver USA
51k miles on my 02 F-150 5.4L 4X4 and still no major issues. Has only needed the normal maintnence (Oil, filters, fog light bulb, etc...)
I would recommend the 5.4 over the 4.6, purely for the power. The 4.6 is a great engine, just a little underpowered in this size of a vehicle.
I would recommend the 5.4 over the 4.6, purely for the power. The 4.6 is a great engine, just a little underpowered in this size of a vehicle.
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Joined: Jun 2004
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I have a 2002 SuperCrew with the 5.4 L and about 75k miles on it. I have only had a few troubles with it. I had a couple Coils go bad, probably because I wash the engine to often. Also I think the ball joints are going bad. These tend to be the common problems with them. I love the truck everywhere but towing. I have towed with the new 6.0 liter diesel so my trucks seems a little week. Just put shocks on it which made a noticable ride difference. Besides that it has been a reliable truck. I would recommend it to anyone. I don't have any experience with the 4.6 but love the 5.4, just wish it had a little more power. But I also thought that of my Brother 5.7L Chevy pickup.
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 498
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From: Santa Fe
Originally Posted by GJH
O.K. guys - I'm going another direction here. I planned on looking at a 2001 supercrew 4x4 with a 4.6L. Tonight I found the same truck with a 5.4L. It has 132,000 miles instead of the 86,000 the 4.6L had but according to the CARFAX report it is a one owner and it is CLEAN-CLEAN-CLEAN. I can buy it for $9,500.00, but the air bag light is on. Does anyone have any exp. with this? Is the air bag system a problem on these trucks and how much $$$$$$ am I looking at to repair this?
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2001
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From: Maple Grove, PA
low mileage 4.6 for sure unless you really really really need the 5.4......i've got a 4.6 like i said earlier and it's kinda doggy if your towing a load but moves the truck just fine.....