4.6 vs 5.4
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New User
Joined: Apr 2006
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4.6 vs 5.4
Hi everyone, Im a new member and i already have a question. I currently own a 97 F-150 with a 5.4L i am looking at a buying a friends 97 expedition which has the 4.6L with 90,000 miles on it. I was just looking for some feedback on whether or not the 4.6 is as good a motor as the 5.4, and also if they are known for any unique problems. Thanks a lot for any and all responses
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 89
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From: South-east Idaho
I have a 97 Expy and I love it. The one drawback that I have is I have the 4.6 and I think that it is a little under powered. It runs great but in town mileage is not very good. I think that you could get pretty close mileage with the 5.4, at least in town. If you drive the hiway alot, the 4.6 gets good mileage if you're not towing. All around I love my expedition.
New User
Joined: Apr 2006
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I've been pondering the 4.6 vs the 5.4 question as well. Another post on this topic had alot of guys raving about the 5.4 and how the mileage is similar to the 4.6 and all around better. I have also heard others talk about 12 mpg so it is fairly confusing. I did find a mileage sight (did a search) and it allows you to compare 2 or 3 trucks side by side of various makes and models. It had the 5.4 at 1 or 2 mpg less than the 4.6. I don't think I will tow alot anymore so I will likely go with whatever deal comes up since compared to the 4.2 I have now either will seem powerful. As far as reliability I don't know which is better. There aren't many negative opinions on this sight but since this is a Ford lovers site it is kind of biased. Anybody with serious issues would likely not be a Ford fan anymore if at all and therefore would be less likely to visit this site. I'm not looking forward to the increased fuel consumption when I trade up and hope I don't find it too noticeable but towing a camper trailer with my 4.2 especially with a crosswind or incline was not enjoyable and certainly not fuel efficient. To top it off I have a manual transmission and no tach. That's just stupid and I'm surprised that a manual shift vehicle wouldn't come equipped with one.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 19,768
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From: St Louis
For towing or for the feeling of "power", the rear (or both if 4 X 4) axle ratio is as important as the engine selection.
A 4.6 with a 3.73 or 4.11 will tow pretty well. Put 3.55s or less in there and it will limp up every hill it sees. Some idiot dealers ordered the 4.6 with even lower gears that can't accelerate out of a wet paper bag, so watch out for these.
As far as reliability, both the 4.6 and 5.4 seem to get high marks in everything but ignition systems and puking out sparkplugs. A lot depends on the year in question.
Steve
A 4.6 with a 3.73 or 4.11 will tow pretty well. Put 3.55s or less in there and it will limp up every hill it sees. Some idiot dealers ordered the 4.6 with even lower gears that can't accelerate out of a wet paper bag, so watch out for these.
As far as reliability, both the 4.6 and 5.4 seem to get high marks in everything but ignition systems and puking out sparkplugs. A lot depends on the year in question.
Steve
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 724
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From: Woodland Hills
mpg will be anywhere between 11-16 depending on your driving and the truck (i get just under 12).
i've driven some 4.6s (don't know the gear ratios) and i like the added feeling of power in the 5.4s.
as far as quality - i haven't heard much either way (camparison wise)
i've driven some 4.6s (don't know the gear ratios) and i like the added feeling of power in the 5.4s.
as far as quality - i haven't heard much either way (camparison wise)
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 242
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From: Chippewa Falls, WI
I have a 98 4.6, and if I had it to do all over again, I would defininetly opt for the 5.4. The 4.6 is OK around town, but on the highway at 70+ it frequently dowshifts just to maintain speed in a head wind or up modest hills, even with no cargo or trailer. On top of that, there does not appear to be any real MPG or maintenance advantage to the 4.6. Perhaps the 4.6s are a bit cheaper used, but not much.
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Elder User
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: San Diego
Originally Posted by luxury
The 4.6 is OK around town, but on the highway at 70+ it frequently dowshifts just to maintain speed in a head wind or up modest hills, even with no cargo or trailer.
I drove my friend's Chevy P/U with a small load in the back (bulky, but not heavy) and it was struggling up a lot of the hills around here too. I know his motor is every bit as powerful as a 5.4l in a Expy, but he has something silly like 3.48 gears.
The 4.6 is a tried and true motor and for most purposes, plenty of power. If you do a lot of towing then the 5.4 is probably your best bet, if not the 4.6 will be just fine. I would go for the best sell price and overall truck and not so concerned with which motor is in it.
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New User
Joined: Aug 2003
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Hi
I have a 98 with the 4.6 and my neighbor had a 5.4. I can't tell the difffence when it comes to power. The 5.4 only puts out 15 more horse power. My 4.6 has been a lot more dependable then his. He is constanty replacing coil packs and had a spark plug launch out of the head at 90,000 miles. He needed to replace the egine and after 1700 miles it happened again. The 5.4 comes with a heavy duty axle and trans. On the highway I get around 16 mpg. Around town about 12.
I have a 98 with the 4.6 and my neighbor had a 5.4. I can't tell the difffence when it comes to power. The 5.4 only puts out 15 more horse power. My 4.6 has been a lot more dependable then his. He is constanty replacing coil packs and had a spark plug launch out of the head at 90,000 miles. He needed to replace the egine and after 1700 miles it happened again. The 5.4 comes with a heavy duty axle and trans. On the highway I get around 16 mpg. Around town about 12.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 788
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From: Cottage Grove, Minnesota
Originally Posted by luxury
The 4.6 is OK around town, but on the highway at 70+ it frequently dowshifts just to maintain speed in a head wind or up modest hills, even with no cargo or trailer.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 692
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From: Saratoga USA
This argument goes around and around, but here are the facts- In 2003 the factory ratings were:
4.6 231 HP, 293 lb-ft torque
5.4 260 HP, 350 lb-ft torque
Now, if you don't think that 29 HP and 57 lb-ft of torque makes a difference in a heavy vehicle like an Expedition, fine, buy the 4.6. I wouldn't. I picked the 2003 figures because I think it's the first year of the increased threads in the sparkplug holes to resist the ejection problem. I'd avoid earlier years personally.
4.6 231 HP, 293 lb-ft torque
5.4 260 HP, 350 lb-ft torque
Now, if you don't think that 29 HP and 57 lb-ft of torque makes a difference in a heavy vehicle like an Expedition, fine, buy the 4.6. I wouldn't. I picked the 2003 figures because I think it's the first year of the increased threads in the sparkplug holes to resist the ejection problem. I'd avoid earlier years personally.
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 64
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From: up state VT
I have had both the 4.6 and 5.4 for quite some time and the 4.6 does get better fuel milage as long as you stay off the pedal. That goes for both but the 4.6 gets about 17-19 highway if you stay out of the hills and off the cruise control. If you use the cruise on the highway at high speeds, the 4.6 will upshift harshly many times and kill your milage, worse than the 5.4. Botton line is, if you are able to baby the 4.6 and don't need the torque and ponies, the 4.6 will be better by a couple mpg. Thats my 2cents based on a few hundred k of driving both. Btw, the 5.4 is WAY more fun and pleasent to drive, even at 15mpg.