I had a stange noise like that on my 04 5.4only in the morning in cold weather
had dealer check
was the air intake tube
i had removed it to get the oil filter off and when I put it back it was not sitting in the rubber gromlet in fender proprly
they put it back in no more sound problems last 3 month
got the truck 5 month ago

 

Did you ever get this fixed? My truck is starting to make this whining noise when I start driving. Its in the hub area like its the 4wheel driving trying to go in. It lasts for about half a min then it went away. It only makes the noise when driving not stoped and running so its not the alternator.

 

The alternator problem only occurs while driving and lasts for about half a minute and goes away as well. Your problem might be something else but how you describe it is exactly how my alternator operated until I replaced it. That's why it was difficult in diagnosing the problem, you could only hear the noise while driving.

 

wow that something else. Thanks for the info.