I currently have a 2000 F150 and planned buying a 2004 model. But I having been reading a lot of negative press regarding the power of the 04 model. Apparently the extra weight and small bump in power has made the F150 kinda slow. They are essentially stating that a 5.4L is a must!

What do you new owner's think of this? Do you have a 4.6, do you think you have adequate power?

I read an article regarding the new Titan 5.6L that pretty much said it was as fast as a Chevy Silverado SS, and faster than Mercury Marauder! Other than it's ugly looks, 6.9 sec 0-60 times (even with a low 3.36 rear axle) is looking kinda interesting.
http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=3&article_id=7272

 

What do you want ? Drag-strip, ego-satisfying, performance or sophisticated, high-tech, appreciation of overhead cams?

Buy whatever your heart desires.

 

read this thread
https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...18#post1112618

Edit: Upon re-reading that I seem to be in the minority thinking the 4.6 is fine..........

 

I understand the 4.6 is not drive by wire. It may actually have a better feel to it. Something to consider though....The 5.4 is much smoother than the other engines. The tranny is smoother as well. It like a big Benz...you know the power is there but is so smooth and flat that it does not throw you in the back of the seat like the Chevy and Dodge. I did not buy my truck to race. I bought it for function and appearance. There is no other truck on the road that compares to the ride quality and the look of the Ford.

The Nissan Truck, allthough probably more technically advanced than the Ford has a serious level of ugly built into it. I also have hard time thinking that Nissans' first year building a full size truck will even remotely compare to the U.S. big three. I am sure in a few years when they make revisions to it and make it look like a truck, it will probably formidable competitor to the U.S. models.

Good luck in what ever you purchase. You will not go wrong with any of them. Lets face it, all the major full size truck manufacturers are have a great amount of success. The competition is strong and therefor it is win win situation for anyone buying any full size truck

 

I dont understand why people are so concerned with less than 2 seconds difference getting the truck from 0 to 60mph.

I didnt buy a truck to be a speed demon. I got it for practical use, ie hauling, going to the snow, beach, lake, etc. I have the 5.4L and believe me when you need power just step on the gas and you will have it.

I dont know how many people are going to floor it each time they are getting onto the freeway. I truely enjoy the new fly-by-wire system and havent had any problems yet. I could have a different opinion once i start hauling....I guess I will have to update when I use the truck for the heavy towing.

 

Again...here we go again.

 

Wow, I didn't know that. I've been telling people it was.

Oh well, still love our truck.

 

So what is the scoop on the 4.6L .........is it drive-by-wire or not? I too have been hearing that all the 2004's were.

 

That's what I thought. It does "feel" different.

 

Isn't the 4.6 the same as last years engine? I thought only the 5.4 was retooled (3-valve). Be as it may, from my test drives (pre-breakin) the 5.4 does seem like it could use some more whammy, but I would rather have an engine that will go 200,000 before coughing up it's lungs than another 1.5 off the 0-60. MTC.

 

I test drove a 04 today. FX4 Screw w/the 5.4.
Nice truck but I did think it would have felt more powerful.
My lifted 01 Ram 5.9 felt just as strong if not stronger.(I know it's not, but it just "felt" that way)
If your looking for a faster "feel" get 4:10 gears or at least 3:73's
My opinion, the 4.6 is out of the question unless you just dont care about performance and want nothing but gas mileage

 

Reading this thread got me thinking about the SOTP (seat of the pants) feel. Me & the wife went & test drove a '03 Cobra back in the summer to compare it with our '01. For those who don't know the '03 is supercharged with 390 (underrated) HP & the '01 has no supercharger with 320 HP. I done some various mods to our Cobra but it's nowhere near the '03. Anyway when we drove the '03 it didn't "feel" as fast as our '01 even tho the speedo told me different. Why? Because the smoothness & quietness of the ride made it seem that it was slower than it was. It IS way faster than our car, but from that short test drive it didn't seem that fast.

Maybe that why you all are thinking the truck is underpowered. It does ride smooth & quiet.

My .02

 

Buy a Dodge Viper

 

the 4.6 is drive by wire - the only difference to the engine from 03 was a switch to drive by wire.

Drive by wire controls the throttle opening which is why when u mash the gas you are not acctually mashing the gas, you are gradually accelerating (remember how ford said that drive by wire would increase fuel milage), i'm sure if people complain they will change that a bit (programming)

Its just like when the power stroke diesel came out in 94.5 (drive by wire) it would take off like crazy but then in 97 ford slowed the response down but the vheilce still had the same power and pull potential just less stress on the powertrain. (and less kick on take off)

 

Well, I finally drove them both extensively yesterday.

The 4.6L with 3.55 limited-slip felt very slow. I wasn't quick anywhere. This isn't a surprise because the 4.6L is a carry over, and the truck now weights 800 lbs more. It's essentially like getting a 03' model and putting 2 Yamaha R1's in the rear bed permanently.

The 5.4L was more respectable, but it feels like the 4.6L did in last year’s truck. I think if I get this truck, I will need the 5.4L to be satisfied.

Don't get me wrong, towing and hauling are important traits for a truck, and the new F150 excels in that. But 90% of my driving is highway and city streets, and it would be great to get up to speed. As it stands, the 4.6L V8 takes over 10 seconds to hit 60 mph. The 5.4 takes just under 10 seconds.

This would make the new F150 slowest out of the existing full size truck market. I didn't buy my 2000 F150 because it was the fastest, but the nicest overall. But the noticeably slower 04 model is definitely making me think about it this time around.