I currently own an ‘01 Eddie Bauer Expedition with a 4.6L engine. The vehicle is beautiful, but it gets lousy gas mileage (13 MPG overall), and it is gutless. I am shopping to replace it with a new truck. I apologize to loyalists, but I am not brand loyal. I’ve owned Chevy & Ford, and there are pro’s and con’s to both.

I just test drove the ‘04 F-150. I love the looks and the refinement of the truck. The interior is more plush than my Expedition....it’s almost too nice. However, I was disappointed in the raw power. It didn’t seem to live up to it’s 300 HP claims. I am also worried once again about fuel economy. The fuel economy gauge said the truck was getting 13.1 MPG, albeit it wasn’t broken in yet.

I drove down the street to the Chevy dealer, and test drove two of their trucks. 5 less HP, but it drove like it had over 100 more. A lot more throttle response, and those I know that have them get 16 MPG or better. But, not as nice looking as the F-150 (except for the SS...wow!).

So to you new ‘04 owners out there with the 5.4L engine, what kind of mileage are you averaging? This will be one of the deciding factors in which truck I buy. Thanks!

Craig

 

I think it'd probably be best for you to do a search on this topic, it has been discussed a few times recently.

Buy the Ford, its a better truck. Take from a non-Ford-guy.

 

Thanks, I did just that. It seems most owners are getting about 14 overall...not much of an improvement IMHO. I'm very disappointed that Ford couldn't dial that in better, especially when their competitor is getting 16 and better.

I know I sound like a whiner, but this will be my everyday vehicle, and I drive 70 miles round trip to work everyday. 14 MPG just won't cut it. Too bad, I think the new F-150 is an awesome looking truck.

Craig

 

If you want a truck buy a 1/2 ton or 1 ton Ford. If you want a toy box with fuel economy, buy a small rice burner. It's a simple decision. Most truck buyers now want the large truck while sacrificing the fuel economy.

Just my 2 cents.

 

it's all about the tire size, axle ratio, and how you drive it. You can put together a rig that will give you great acceleration with careful tire and axle selection, you can do the same for MPG, also the MPG is drastically reduced every time you stomp on the throttle, for ANY vehicle.

I know for me, with less then 1000 miles, I'm getting 16.5 MPG with a 3.55 limited slip on the 4WD train and the wider 17" tires.

But just be real.... it's a truck. the MPG will suck, and the 0-60 time will suck. the amount that each suck is almost the same for all trucks.

 

Distance Traveled (miles) Gallons Used Actual Mileage (MPG)

329.7 23.38 14.10
313.1 22.36 14.00
298.6 21.44 13.93
283.9 20.00 14.20
266.3 20.84 12.78
343.6 24.13 14.24
319.9 20.99 15.24
297.3 21.09 14.10

I know these numbers are not ver impressive. However, this is on a supercab, 4x4 3.73 limited slip diff with the 18" lariat wheels/tires. Also, during highway driving, I have gotten about 17.5 with the tailgate down and cruise control on.

EDIT: the spacing in the chart didn't come out right so it's a little hard to read. Sorry.

 

Fuel economy: based on what I'm hearing it's about the same as last year. Also this is about the same a GM is getting with their trucks, the HEMI seems to be slightly worse on fuel economy, but close

Power: After driving all 4 trucks back to back and seeing them side by side, I can relate to what your saying. The new F-150 doesn't feel as fast as the GM trucks, and the HEMI feels much faster than both. However, this is just feel, not actual performance. If you put them side by side, you'll see the F-150 will out run the GM truck. There are three reasons it doesn't have the seat of the pants feel (in my opinoin).
1. Noise, the F-150 is MUCH MUCH quieter and this takes away from the sensation of speed. Loud exhaust would greatly help this.
2. Power Band, the F-150 has a very linear power band that doesnt' peak, the GM and Hemi really come alive at higher RPM's which makes them feel really good, but also means they don't have power at lower RPM's.
3. The drive by wire system I belive takes away from the power feel. based on my playing (and no hard facts), I don't think the throttle opens fully on initial putting the pedal to the floor (at least from a stop). I think Ford is using this system to cheat emmisions (why else have it?) and it is further hurting the "feel" of performance. I'm hoping aftermarket chip makers will fix this, or that there will be a high performance replacement pedal (Already available for older Power Strokes).

So before you say it doesn't have the power, compare them side by side and I think you'll find otherwise. We had simmilar complaints when the 4.6L started in 1997, but they'd outrun a 350 (non Vortec) but you wouldn't beleive it to drive both until you put them side by side.

 

I agree XCR440SP you cant feel all the power it has. I constantly find myself speeding before looking down at the speedometer. also I believe the computer in the truck was programmed to limit the performance especially throttle response untill after the first 300 miles for break in perposes. after my truck got past that point. I noticed a difference. I even roached the tires a little twice in the same day on dry pavement without even trying to just getting into the throttle. I was happy when this happened as I had heard of other owners who couldn't do so. I even have bigger 33 inch bfg's and a limited slip rearend. the fact it broke 33's loose with a limited slip rear end shows it dose have plenty of power. I believe it accelerates so smothely that it doesn't feel as powerful but it is as you will be suprized how quick you get up to speed. also I really noticed how well it handles. take it into a 30 mph corner at 50 mph and it dosn't hardly lean at all.

 

Jason's right on the Money.. I sqauck my 33 BFG's all the time taking off. It's kind of cool. Load it up to about 2200 rpms before you tromp it and you're laying serious scratch! For some reason I can't get my gas mileage above 13 though?????

 

This kind of stuff always cracks me up. Please don't take this wrong craigtaz but let's look at something. You said you drive 70 miles round trip to work everyday (I can appreciate that) so 365 days - 104 weekends - 6 holidays gets you driving to work 255 days (more or less). That's 17850 miles/year. At 16 MPG you'll use 1115.6 gallons of gas .... at 14 MPG you'll use 1275 gallons. With gas at about average cost of $1.45 gallon for regular unleaded here in Texas, you're only saving about $232/year by demanding 16 MPG ...... I agree with OE812 and McFeely, if you want gas mileage, don't buy a full size pickup!

C'mon, buy the truck you want and find another way to save $232/year.

Just my $232 worth!! Good Luck!

 

with tose kinds of miles daily I am assuming you are doing alot of freeway driveing. if so you will probably get that 16 mpg or more once the motor is broken in. I got 14.6 with a mix of about 50/50 city/highway driveing. I think that will go up to arround 15 or so once it is fully broke in. if I did more highway driveing there is no doubt it will be 16 mpg of better. especially if I can get some of that lead out of my foot

 

Great point dukhunter! You just convinced me to stop driving like a sissy and staring at the mpg display. Thanks!

 

 

5.4 04 Screw with 3.55 ltd slip - 800 total miles. 16.8 on an 80 mile cruise thru the Tx hill country. 14.8 in the city. And, when I hook up my bay boat and pull it 220 miles to the coast, it will be 10 mpg, and I don't care!!

(dukhunter's stats say it all!)

 

I am actually quite please with the mileage in my 4x4 Lariat Scab. I have the 3.73 LS rear end and with 2400 miles on mine, (a good combo of city and hwy miles) I am getting 16.2 mpg. This is much better than I anticipated. I drive pretty conservatively, but everyone in a while, I like to step on it. Ford is the much better truck of the big 3s to go with.