Anybody have one in a reg cab short box 2wd? If so what is your mileage and how do you like it.

Ford has boxed us in a corner with this engine in a 4x2 reg cab short box.

When I looked at them the mileage was 14/19 but when you add 3.73 gears its 14/18. Also, how is the 4 speed tranny on reliability? Im trying to hold out for next years engines but Im not sure my current truck is going to make it. I would really like a 3v with a six speed and I wonder if they are going to phase out the older 4 speeds?

I dont tow more than about 4K lbs so in reality this truck should do the job because its rated at 5400 with 3.55 gears and 5900 with 373 gears. Does anybody have any real world experience with this combo? Everything on this site seems to be crew cab 4x4 trucks loaded up.

 

The 6-speed is significantly better than the old 4-speed, and yes, I think the 4-speed will be getting phased out very soon. It's already completely gone from the Super Duty line (all TorqShift). Expeditions are 6-speed. Now most F150s are 6-speed too. Not much left.

There are several ways you could get the 4.6/3V and the 6-speed - go Supercab, go long box, go 4x4

I have no direct experience (other than owning a 4.6/2V/4-speed in a 97 Expedition, which was a dog) but would seriously consider doing something to step up to the 6-speed.

 

I test drove 2 super crews back to back, 1 with the 2v 4sp and 1 with the 3v 6sp - the difference is drastic... there was no way I was going to get the 2v when the improvements were so clear in the newer engine/tranny combo.

I understand the desire to stay with the shorter truck, but doesn't look like Ford's going to help you out, at least with an '09.

 

Thank you for the replies and its about what I figured. Maybe I can hold out until next model year. I really want a reg cab 4x2 short box because its all I need. I could argue that the 2v engine is all I need as well but I hate giving up the extra power and the six speed along with better fuel economy. Shoot, the 5.4 is rated at 14/18 in 4wd and super crew.

I wish I had more info for model year 2010 and how the engine line up will shake out on different combos ect....... I wonder if the 5 liter will be available accross the entire lineup? Now that would be a sweet engine for the reg cab people.

Does anybody have reliable information on 2010? I wonder if they might retain the 4.6 3v as a base engine?

 

Based on what's been posted here, the 4.6L / 5.4L family are going to be history. I think t he 4.6L 3V would be a fantastic base engine.

I have the 4.6L 2V in my '04 Expy with 3.73.1 LS axle and four speed tranny. It provides adequate power to pull it's own weight only and it gets great highway MPG. Around town it's thirsty and it's pulling ability is nill. I wouldn't recommend it for towing anything with any regularity. But, it's reliable as hell.

Tim

 

Tim is correct - when the modulars go, they're gone. Personally, even though the 5.0 is a tried-and-true motor (though the new config is radically different from the 302 of yesteryear), I wouldn't want a first-model-year engine. I ended up with a fairly new motor in my last truck (6.0PSD... Piece of S... Diesel) and regretted it the whole time I owned it. It's currently getting a new set of heads/head gaskets (this will be set #3) before I trade it in. I'm getting a 3V 5.4 in my on-order F150, and had zero desire to try and hold out for the 5.0/6.2, even though I'd love the power of the 6.2.

If you're looking for something reliable, the 4.6 2V will certainly be that. But I'd get an 09 so you can stay with the proven motors, and step up to a Supercab. It's not that much more length nor a huge increase in cost, and you might appreciate the extra storage space.