Ford 4.6/5.4 ?

[TomPGrouse]

I am going to take advantage of the incentives Ford offers and get a new truck. I currently have an F150 with the six cylinder. While it pulls my boat and trailer ok I would not mind a little more power. There is no need to start a war about Ford/Chevy/Dodge etc. My question is simply if you own(ed) either the 4.6 or 5.4 give me your opinion about the engine. I am especially interested in reliability.

Thanks,

Tom

[W1]

I have a 2001 with the 5.4 is has plenty of power. I have 30,000 miles on it, no problems so far.

[bassandmuskienut]

I would get the 5.4 over the 4.6. My cousin has the 4.6 and pulls a ski boat (what a waste of a boat) and his engine strains to pull it. The 5.4 I use to have pulled it with no problem and no strain. The gas mileage was actually better pulling with the 5.4 than the 4.6. I currently own a F250 with the 7.3 diesel. I will never own a gas engine again. I get around 19 mph on the highway and 16 around town. I got it as a leftover 2000 in March of 2001 it was only $1500 more than the F250 gas truck that I ordered. Look around for leftover F250s you will be surprised how much they will come down. I bought my truck at a "city dealer" far from a rural area.

[Go with the 5.4]

I've got an Expedition with the 5.4 and I don't think twice about pulling anything. Now b4 I bought it, I test drove many Expeditions. Every single Expy I drove wih the 4.6 felt like it had no power compared to the 5.4. Now, if you buying off the lot, drive a few different truck that are equiped the same b4 you make your purchase. Reason is is that every truck is different even if equipped the same and some will have better performance then on sitting next to it. Also the milage on both are about the same and most likely you'll get better milage when towing with the bigger motor.

- Dae

[Shep]

I've got a 97 F150 SC 4X4 LB with the 5.4L. Pulls great, gets decent mileage(14-16 towing), and has been problem free for 109K miles.

Tight Lines All,

Shep

[Walleye]

Get the 5.4. I pull my Lund 2025 and it's a piece of cake. I'm sitting at 47,000 miles and havn't had a bit of trouble

[ChuckD]

I agree. Friends who own the 4.6L wish they had my 5.4L. 5.4=Better mileage, more power and MUCH better resale (ability). Same concept as underpowering your boat!

[FISH4U]

I HAVE 203,000 ON A '97 4.6L, TOWING A 20' LUND. VERY LITTLE PROBLEMS OTHER THAN UNDER POWERED, GO WITH THE 5.4

[Tracker185]

I have a Expedition w/ a 4.6 I wish she had a 5.4. Go for the bigger Motor. It still pulls my Tracker185 ok but I wish I bought the Bigger Engine T185

[hgmeyer]

I have the 2001 SuperCrew with the 5.4... Go with the 5.4... I pull a 19' Tracker and get 14.5-15 mpg on the flat...can even use the overdrive on most roads..without any hills... even out of overdrive it gets 10.5-12mpg...in hills. And, at 47000 miles...absolutely the best truck I have ever owned. Had a 97 Dodge Ram that had the 5.9... I think this one pulls better... Just today a little run on the highway... 60mph at 1600 rpms in overdrive..impressive!

[Eric]

Have had both the 4.6 and 5.4. Definately go with the 5.4. Mileage about the same and the 4.6 was seriously underpowered towing.

[luredaddy]

I have a 4.6 l, mileage is great. I pull a 1650 lund Rebel, with a 35 and 9.9 kicker, if you also pull a small aluminum boat, go with the 4.6.

[bellbuoy]

I would echo luredaddy's comments. My 4.6 did OK pulling a 16 ft Lund Stinger with a 50 hp Honda. But when I upgraded to a 20 ft. Alaskan it was like towing a parachute.

Bellbuoy

[Cougar Guy]

I would say it depends on the load.

I have the 4.6 and it has been a bulletproof engine. The thing with the 4.6 is that it generally should be taken out of OD for towing and you should have no problems. It has decent pull especially if you let the revs work for you.

When I buy my new truck, I would get the 5.4 again if I planned on towing on a regular basis. For all-round duties and occasional towing, the 4.6 is fine. The 4.6 has been in service MUCH longer than the 5.4 so as far as reliability goes, it is very strong (it is the engine used in Crown Vic's for police and taxi service . . . albeit tuned a little different for the truck applications).

The 5.4 does have some history of problems with piston slap but that was the older versions. The new trucks have been very reliable from what I have heard.

I think it will come down to what you are towing, resale and how much power you really need. The 5.4 can be overkill for certain applications IMHO.

[Jack G]

My Ford F 150 is a 1999 with a 3.55 limited slip differential and a 5.4 engine. I pull a Lund Tyee 1850 at least 5000 miles per year.

General all around mileage is about 14 MPG and towing on the road I get 10 to 14 MPG depending upon the terrain. I push it hard on the Interstate Highways, about 72 MPH (I know, but thats how I do it).

I feel the truck is quite adequate for the job I have it do.

Jack

[TomPGrouse]

I will be pulling a Mr. Pike 16 with a Merc 90, general fishing gear, 8 hp Yamaha on an Eagle trailer.

[Cougar Guy]

I think the 4.6 would be fine with that load. That weight of a setup shouldn't pose any problems. That being said, with the 5.4 you might not even know it's there.

For more info check out www.f150online.com and go to the towing message board. This kind of stuff has been discussed lots over there. Do a search and you should get some good hits.

[Rick]

I've got the 5.4 and 3.55 tail gear, pulling a boat a little lighter than yours. Basically don't know the boat is there 'til you hit some hills, then it's in & out of overdrive a bit. But, my wife's Ranger with the 160hp 4 liter pulls the same boat with ease also, maybe less shifting in & out of overdrive. The differance? 4.11 tail gears. Gas mileage about the same with each, figure 14 to 16 towing.

[Tracker185]

Rick you better take it out of overdive or you are going to Burn up the Tranny!!! That constint shifting is going to melt it T185

[fishhunter]

I have the 5.4 and will recomend it but dont expect the 14-16mpg pulling.

[Jigging 5]

If you choose the 4.6 you may want the 410 gears. Both engines will do the job with comparable mpg.

[George Eh]

HI TomPGrouse I have an 01 F150 SC with the 5.4 and am very satisfied with the motor. I previously had a 98 F150 Reg cab with the 4.2 V6 and manual tranny and also had no complaints with that engine but there is a definite difference in power. All 3 engines will do the job but it all depends on your driving style, the V6 will take longer to get to speed pulling a load. I upgraded to the 5.4 as I pull a 5000# 5th wheel and even though my V6 handled it I felt I was overworking the engine and would pay in the long haul. As for the difference in mileage the 5.4 so far is averaging 2-3 mpg less than the 4.2 but most of the mileage on the 5.4 is either pulling or in town. The difference in mileage between the 4.6 and 5.4 is probably less so unless you can save a bundle on the 4.6 I'd go for the 5.4.

[muley hunter]

Last February my wife got into an Expedition and I could not get her out. We oringinally owned an Explorer but upgraded for the room and power. This move did however make buying a different boat extremely easy for she said if we got the Expedition that I could get my boat 6 months earlier. Ah the live of marriage comprimise.
I did drive the 4.6 and a 5.4 and noticed a huge difference in power and engine noice. Secondly when I asked a mechanic at the dealership about the two he said that there wasn't much difference in the mileage and he recommended the 5.4. I am glad I did because it is great. I hardly know that my 18ft Alumacraft is back there when I pull it around. Take it out of OD and set the cruise. I pulled it about 200 miles once and got about 12 mpg. Just driving around 13 mpg and on a drive to St. Louis this summer we got 16.5 consistantly. I hope this helps.

GOOD FISING!!!!

[Don C]

I have a 99 F150 with a 4.6 engine. It struggles pulling a 1900 Pro V.
Otherwise a great truck with excellent mileage. I would go with the 5.4 next time.

[ChuckD]

Have any of you installed the K&N air filter into the Fords? I recently purchased the filter for my 5.4 and wow! Slightly better mileage and more power to boot! I always felt my truck was a bit sluggish when pulling, almost like it was starving....it was, starving for air! I talked to a couple mechanics who said that of almost all trucks, the newer Fords responded to K&N filter the best. I now agree. It's amazing how much air is starved from those paper filters! Also these will practically pay for itself and less maintenance over the years.

[Tracker185]

Chuck where do yo get those Filters ? T185

[ChuckD]

Authorized dealers carry K&N. I had a hard time finding them up until I went to get my muffler repaired on my car and the muffler guy sold the K&N's. My filter was around $60. The cheap paper filters (Fram) were darn near $20.
K&N cleaning (never needs replacement) required every 50K miles, Fram-like replacement every year or 15K miles $20/year. Pretty clear choice to me.

[Tracker185]

Thank You my Friend T185

[Dae]

Chuck,

How many miles did you have on your old filter b4 the change? Reason I ask is because I've seen some people that replaced their paper filter with the same and their power and milage went up because the old on had not been replaced. Also, be careful when you clean and reoil your K&N. Too much oil will get your MAF sensor dirty and you'll end up with a rough running vehicle.

- Dae

[Cougar Guy]

Very good point about the cleaning Dae.

I run a K&N filter (plan to get an entire FIPK intake next year) and I like it. I can't say it transformed the truck to a fire-breathing beast but it did seem to feel like the truck was working less to give the same performance. It also feels like it is a little quicker as the revs build up on WOT. Overall a good mod for the price IMHO.

Yes you do have to be careful not to over oil them after you clean them. If you do, the mass air flow sesnor can get covered in oil which will affect performance. It is easy to clean the sensor but it's best to make sure you never have to :)

[MrD]

Have a 97 Supercab 103,000 miles with 4.6 with factory tow package.
No problems pulling older Lund Tyee 5.3 with 115 and 9.9 motors. Live in Iowa and pull to Lake Erie and Lake Michigan every year. Motor has been absolutely bullet proof so far. Plan on another 60 to 70 thousand miles on it. If you pull in a lot of hills 5.4 is probably better. I kick out of overdrive for a lot of hilly driving. If the 5.4 engine is as good as 4.6 and not a lot more money, I would probably go for 5.4. It was not available in early 97 models.

[eric]

Towing
4.6 ford will tow ok, with or with out OD
5.4 will tow much much better.
7.3 powerstroke diesel is the engine of choice.
the guys who tell you the 4.6 is ok are the people without significant experience towing substantial boats long distances.
get the 5.4 or if you are concerned upgrade to the powerstroke. The 4.6 is underpowered and undertorqued for towing.

signed been there and done that Eric MacDonald MD

[jon]

eric,
Forget the 7.3. The new 6.0 will be out in late December and with 325 H.P. and 565 ft. Lbs of torque its a monster. Just read several independent tests on it and it clobbered the Duramax and Cummings in every category.

[ChuckD]

Dae-
I changed my old "paper" filters once a year, about every 12,000 miles. My truck is only used for pulling toys around on weekends and what not. I never saw any change in performance/mileage when I put a new filter in, up until the K&N. All I know is that the when pulling heavy loads, the truck seems to have more energy with the K&N than with the old filters. I'm fussy on maintanance, and this is the only thing that really made an improvement in performance.

I also saw the K&N in action at the dealer. They had a Fram filter and K&N in the air system with a ball in a tube, just to give you an idea of how much airflow was restricted. Made me believe my truck was suffering from asthma while pulling a truck camper and 17' boat into a headwind!!

Thanks for the heads up on the cleaning the K&N! That will save me from a potential headache.

Chuck

[DaveSp]

203,000!! you got me by 50,000 miles. I have a 97' expedition with the
5.4 triton. Plenty of power and no problems so far. I did test drive the
4.6 and I agree with everyone else, it was a little sluggish even when not
pulling the boat.....

[bassandmuskienut]

Jon, I just read in the auto section of the newspaper Saturday that the 6.0 diesel will be delayed until 2005 because it does not pass emissions. I agree the 6.0 diesel would be my engine of choice in an F150 4x4. You are correct diesel is the only way to go. Once I had one I'll never go back to gas.

[Mike murphy]

I own a "97, 4.6 purchased in Oct. 96, and have 80+thou miles on it. I tow a 17.5' Sylvan w/walkthru console here in Colorado and Wyoming, and as you might guess there are some hills here. I've never had real trouble towing but the gas mileage stinks (10-11) and think that with a little more power I'd be better off. I went with the K&N in the 1st 5,00 miles and never regretted it, and have them on all my work trucks. But like a lot of other guys I can't wait to get money together to get my deisel, I have friends who get 16+ mpg and thats towing at 75. Thanks for letting me put my 2 cents in.

Mike Murphy

[Dae]

It's not the 6.0 diesel that got canceled, it's the 6 cyl diesel. The 6.0L V8 diesel Superduties started production in 10/02 and some dealers have them.

- Dae

[bassandmuskienut]

Thanks for the info DAE that was what I read. I think that a 6 cyl diesel in an F150 would be the "real deal". I would trade my F250 in a second on that truck.

[Millertime]

I have a 2001 F150 w/5.4L. It's equipped with the towing package-lots of power and tows very well. Absolutley, not a problem with it. I have a friend that has a '97 F150 with the 4.6L, he has 98,500 miles and not a problem either. It gets about the same gas mileage as the 5.4L but not as much power-go with the 5.4L, you won't be disappointed.

[tompgrouse]

Any reliability problems with either engine?

[Millertime]

Not a problem with either engine. They are very reliable! The 4.6L engine with 98,500 miles is used by a contractor and pulls heavy trailers. My truck with a 5.4L pulls boats and trailers a lot and is used off road for hunting quite a bit. Hope this helps.

[FISH4U]

I PUSHING FOR 300,000 !!

[Dae]

The 5.4 is a stroked 4.6. I don't think there are really any reliability issues with the motors but there are a few problems I know of with the 5.4. If your buying used, do not get a '99 5.4 due to some gasket/machining problems on the passanger side. There have been numerous reports (I have 1st hand experiance also) with the head gasket leaking oil. Other problems with the 5.4 are coil pack #4 going out becuase of a coolent leak, which is an easy fix and now there are reports of spark plugs blowing out from the heads, and if you have a spark plug blow, Ford recommands you replace the head. BTW, I see less and less of the coil pack issue but the spark plug problem seems to be the hot topic now.

- Dae

[Trophy170]

I have owned an f150 with a 4.6, and an f250 with 5.4, and an f150 with 5.4. I was very happy with the economy of the 4.6 motor, and no problems at all. Pulled my 170 alumacraft just fine. The F250 with the 5.4 was one of those cases that nothing went well. I replaced the motor at 32000 miles after complaining about power and fuel consumption from day one. Motor was replaced due to knock which someone mentioned in another post. 2nd motor better but not great. F150 truck I ran until 70000. Power was better, it was a 2000 truck,but was not good enough to handle a 24' 5th wheel. Only motor work I did to it was rear engine seal. Just a fluke deal. I am just giving my experience, will not attach an opinion.

[MARK]

Had a 98 150 with the smaller motor and now own a 02 with the 5.4 no comparison. Pull a lund 1775, the 4.6 was always shifting on the hills and ran a very high rpm. The 5.4 acts like the boat isn't even there. Fuel economy is the same probably because the lower rpm.
Get the bigger motor.

[Pat]

Have a 5.4L Ford 150 2002 supercab, good milage excellent towing. No problems. Drove both the 4.6 and 5.4, after you drive the 5.4 you won't go with the 4.6!

[lefty]

Great deal, but what about resale on that diesel? Been there. It ain't good