Question about the 2004 4.6L
Senior Member
Joined: May 2001
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From: Utah
Originally posted by rk2girls
ya know, i'm curious how much room is under the hood of the new o4's.... a little playing with a cold air kit, a super chip, and possibly a blower......you could have some fun with it!!!!!!!
ya know, i'm curious how much room is under the hood of the new o4's.... a little playing with a cold air kit, a super chip, and possibly a blower......you could have some fun with it!!!!!!!
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Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Clarence, NY
Originally posted by Bighersh
Excluding Tahoe's- I've never had trouble passing anything else on the stret or highway. The 4.6L will do fine.
If you drive a truck (Other than the Lightning, Dakota RT, Ram SRT-10, or something) you're slow... Period.
That little .9 seonds you gain in the 1/4 mile by getting the 5.4L is negligible... Where the 5.4L pays off is at trade-in- however, you'll pay way more in gas, than you will get back on a trade...
4.6 is enough.
Excluding Tahoe's- I've never had trouble passing anything else on the stret or highway. The 4.6L will do fine.
If you drive a truck (Other than the Lightning, Dakota RT, Ram SRT-10, or something) you're slow... Period.
That little .9 seonds you gain in the 1/4 mile by getting the 5.4L is negligible... Where the 5.4L pays off is at trade-in- however, you'll pay way more in gas, than you will get back on a trade...
4.6 is enough.
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Joined: Feb 2000
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From: Edmonton Alberta Canada
Originally posted by oldnnew
I actually get BETTER gas mileage with the 5.4... I think my 4.6 got worse mileage because I had my foot to the floor more to get going, the 5.4 doesn't have to work as hard.
I actually get BETTER gas mileage with the 5.4... I think my 4.6 got worse mileage because I had my foot to the floor more to get going, the 5.4 doesn't have to work as hard.
So it would not surprise me to hear that the new 5.4 gets similar mileage to the old 4.6. There's a lot of technology in that new engine. I've ordered the new 5.4L in my 2004 F150.
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Joined: Dec 2001
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From: North of Dallas, South of Frisco
I'm just saying...
'No, I wouldn't be surprised if the 2004's 5.4L got equal or close to the gas mileage of the current (2000-2003) 4.6L.'
Then again, after typing that out and reading it, yes- I WOULD be surprised if the new 5.4L got as good of gas mileage as the current 4.6L. I think what would be more believable is if Ford found a way to increase the HP on the new 3V 5.4L and managed to keep it's fuel economy equal to the current 5.4L, that would be great. To match the 4.6L's economy would be a quantum leap.
Bottom line, they're v-8's so they're gonna drink more. All I'm saying, and you can take it for what it's worth, is that if you don't tow horse-trailers, 10,000 lb 5th wheels, mini-tractors, or 50' yachts, etc- you will not miss the 5.4L engine. Truthfully, I thought I was missing something by not getting the 5.4L, but, when the time came that I had to latch a 6,000 lb trailer on to my Expy- I was a bit nervous, having the 4.6L with no factory tow package and no knowledge of my gear ratio. However, after cruising 400+ miles of I-20 @ 95 July degrees and at 75-80 MPH with trailer in tow, I have a LOT of faith in the 4.6L. Faith that I found in 2002, because before then I thought the 5.4L was just a waaaay better engine. Maybe it is, but you couldn't prove it by me. I've had no complaints with the 4.6L.
My cousin, and boss both have the 5.4L and I've driven and ridden in both trucks, and to be quite honest, I think my S'Crew is quicker off the line than either of their trucks. My wife's truck (The SuperCrew) has some kind of payload package with different gears than I gues it would've normally come with. That may explain why hers feels quicker than my Expy.
Anyhoo, I test drove the 5.4L 2003 Expedition, and I was not impressed with the 5.4. I expected it to be noticeably more powerful than my 4.6L 2000 Expy- twas not. Felt about even.
So, like I said- bottom line, if you TRUST Ford, then you have to assume that Ford wouldn't put an engine in their full-size pick-ups that wasn't up to the task, be it the 4.2L V-6, the 4.6L V-8 or the 5.4L V-8.
If I get another one, it'l probably have the 5.4L (Just so I can say I have the biggest engine available), but, I will stand on a stack of Bibles and tell you that from where I've sat since my first F-150 in 1999. The 4.6L has gotten the job done.
That's not hating on the 5.4L, that's telling it like it is.
Then again, after typing that out and reading it, yes- I WOULD be surprised if the new 5.4L got as good of gas mileage as the current 4.6L. I think what would be more believable is if Ford found a way to increase the HP on the new 3V 5.4L and managed to keep it's fuel economy equal to the current 5.4L, that would be great. To match the 4.6L's economy would be a quantum leap.
Bottom line, they're v-8's so they're gonna drink more. All I'm saying, and you can take it for what it's worth, is that if you don't tow horse-trailers, 10,000 lb 5th wheels, mini-tractors, or 50' yachts, etc- you will not miss the 5.4L engine. Truthfully, I thought I was missing something by not getting the 5.4L, but, when the time came that I had to latch a 6,000 lb trailer on to my Expy- I was a bit nervous, having the 4.6L with no factory tow package and no knowledge of my gear ratio. However, after cruising 400+ miles of I-20 @ 95 July degrees and at 75-80 MPH with trailer in tow, I have a LOT of faith in the 4.6L. Faith that I found in 2002, because before then I thought the 5.4L was just a waaaay better engine. Maybe it is, but you couldn't prove it by me. I've had no complaints with the 4.6L.
My cousin, and boss both have the 5.4L and I've driven and ridden in both trucks, and to be quite honest, I think my S'Crew is quicker off the line than either of their trucks. My wife's truck (The SuperCrew) has some kind of payload package with different gears than I gues it would've normally come with. That may explain why hers feels quicker than my Expy.
Anyhoo, I test drove the 5.4L 2003 Expedition, and I was not impressed with the 5.4. I expected it to be noticeably more powerful than my 4.6L 2000 Expy- twas not. Felt about even.
So, like I said- bottom line, if you TRUST Ford, then you have to assume that Ford wouldn't put an engine in their full-size pick-ups that wasn't up to the task, be it the 4.2L V-6, the 4.6L V-8 or the 5.4L V-8.
If I get another one, it'l probably have the 5.4L (Just so I can say I have the biggest engine available), but, I will stand on a stack of Bibles and tell you that from where I've sat since my first F-150 in 1999. The 4.6L has gotten the job done.
That's not hating on the 5.4L, that's telling it like it is.
Last edited by Bighersh; Aug 11, 2003 at 09:12 PM.
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Bighersh,
Your making me want a 4.6L even more now.
I think the 4.6 will be more capable than what I need it for. As I said earlier, I don't tow anything except a 16" john boat every now and then. So basically all I'll be using this truck for is commuting to and from work or maybe a trip out of town on the weekends. Your right, if the 4.6 wasn't up to the "task", Ford would not have made it the "standard engine" for the 04 f-150. With 293 lb-ft of torque, which 90% of that torque comes in at under 2000 rpm, that'll be enough for me. Sure the 5.4 is bigger and better, but why pay more for something you don't need in the first place??? 
Your making me want a 4.6L even more now.
I think the 4.6 will be more capable than what I need it for. As I said earlier, I don't tow anything except a 16" john boat every now and then. So basically all I'll be using this truck for is commuting to and from work or maybe a trip out of town on the weekends. Your right, if the 4.6 wasn't up to the "task", Ford would not have made it the "standard engine" for the 04 f-150. With 293 lb-ft of torque, which 90% of that torque comes in at under 2000 rpm, that'll be enough for me. Sure the 5.4 is bigger and better, but why pay more for something you don't need in the first place???
I like those rims on the f-150!
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Joined: Apr 2003
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i bought it new and my 97 4.6 f150 automatic xlt supercab is closing in on 151,000 miles. i dont hardly believe this myself but truck repairs total $7 for a replacement oil filler cap. otherwise just filters, hoses, fluids, one battery, some brake work, tires and the truck is totally stock. it has never pulled a code--all sensors,etc are original. it still uses zero oil between 3,000 mile oil changes. hasnt even burned out a light bulb. Wierd how vehicle quality varies.
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dont forget guys, the new engines should be 24v as opposed to 16v. That will give the engine more go, which in turn will give it more power for that extra weight, i wouldnt worry too much, however i do have to agree, unless your talking strictly cruising, for the most part all trucks will get near the same milage. Even the 4.2 and 4.6 arent too far off.
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Commerce Twp, MI
I disagree with a coupel of Bighearsh's comments. The 03 Expy weighs 500 pounds more so I'd expect the 2V 5.4L to not feel much quicker. Also, I live in the city. No, I don't need the extra power, but it sure gives me confidence when I have to pull out into traffic and other normal driving situations. I consider the 5.4L a minimun in a 4wd pickup.
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Joined: Dec 2001
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From: North of Dallas, South of Frisco
Understood APT-
I live in the city too. (Plano, TX is a suburb of Dallas, and I often find myself in Dallas) and let me tell ya, when you stick your nose out on these streets, you'd better be able to get the rest out there pretty quick too, or lose it.
Driving here is crazy- almost as bad as driving a 155 HP 6.2L diesel HMMWV (Hummer) in Seoul, South Korean traffic. Ask anyone from Big D about the following roads. (75 Central Expressway, 635 LBJ, Dallas North Tollway, Dallas Parkway, Preston Rd., Midway, Beltline, Harry Hines, Plano Parkway, and not to mention I-35E, 183, 360, Loop 12, 121, and now, the ever worsening George Bush Turnpike.) Traffic is silly here- so you have to have a competent engine, or a low insurance deductible!
Like I said, to each his own- I'm just saying that from my eperience, the 4.6L has done very well... Full truck, empty truck, trailer and no trailer...
Top 10 most dangerous intersections- http://www.statefarm.com/di/danlist00.htm
http://www.statefarm.com/di/danstates00/tex8.htm
Dateline-
http://www.msnbc.com/news/592080.asp?cp1=1
Driving here is crazy- almost as bad as driving a 155 HP 6.2L diesel HMMWV (Hummer) in Seoul, South Korean traffic. Ask anyone from Big D about the following roads. (75 Central Expressway, 635 LBJ, Dallas North Tollway, Dallas Parkway, Preston Rd., Midway, Beltline, Harry Hines, Plano Parkway, and not to mention I-35E, 183, 360, Loop 12, 121, and now, the ever worsening George Bush Turnpike.) Traffic is silly here- so you have to have a competent engine, or a low insurance deductible!
Like I said, to each his own- I'm just saying that from my eperience, the 4.6L has done very well... Full truck, empty truck, trailer and no trailer...
Top 10 most dangerous intersections- http://www.statefarm.com/di/danlist00.htm
http://www.statefarm.com/di/danstates00/tex8.htm
Dateline-
http://www.msnbc.com/news/592080.asp?cp1=1
Last edited by Bighersh; Aug 12, 2003 at 11:32 PM.
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Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Irvine, CA
I agree...
I do agree with all of these statements. At the same time, if the 5.4 3v gets the same fuel efficiency and the technology has been upgraded to create more power/torque, why not get the 5.4. Unless $$ are short, of course.
Right now I have the 4.2 and the engine is great. When looking at the new 04, the only options I see are the 4.6 and 5.4. Assuming their data is correct, they both get the same mileage, but the 5.4 has much more power/torque. I probably will end up with the 5.4.
Right now I have the 4.2 and the engine is great. When looking at the new 04, the only options I see are the 4.6 and 5.4. Assuming their data is correct, they both get the same mileage, but the 5.4 has much more power/torque. I probably will end up with the 5.4.
