I'm in the process of picking out my new 2004. The main thing that I'm stuck on is whether to get the 4.6 or 5.4. The 4.6 is considerably cheaper and will also pull anything I do on a regular basis. I have in my mind to just buy it and then add some aftermarket performance mods in order to gain back most of what I lost by going to the 4.6. I have looked at the Airaid but was wondering if anybody has put one on a 4x4? I am worried that when I get off-road that I will get water and mud directly on the filter and possibly in to the motor. Has anybody done this or had any problems with this or am I just worring for no reason?

 

Just my 2 cents; you will probably spend more making a 4.6 perform like a 5.4 than the cost of the 5.4 option. Additionally, you will not get rich over the difference in gas mileage if in real world driving there is any. The reason the V6 in not offered in the new body is that it had no gas mileage advantage over the 4.6 and the additional weight of the 04 basically made the existing V6 not practical. There was suppose to be a V6 diesel option but the manufacture of that engine had problems with it resulting in Ford having to abandon that for now – if not indefinitely.

Unless the difference between the 4.6 and 5.4 is a deal breaker, go with the 5.4. Lastly, when I was selling my ’00 F150 the second question generally asked (the first being mileage) was whether it had the large V8. It appeared the V6 or 4.6 would have been a negative.

Screwdrive

 

do you want 12 MPG or 15 MPG? i went with the 4.6 b/c i went with an STX. i wouldnt go 5.4 for my needs. too much gas and isnt realistically worth the extra $3,000

 

$3000 ? My 5.4 was only an $895 option. The Airaid is $300 and the help is minimal, if you want the extra power get the 5.4 if you want the 4.6 for mileage then leave it alone. Everything you do for extra power will decrease mileage. Also Im getting between 13 and 14 mpg around town with a 4X4 so mileage may not be as far away as some think.

 

SVTErick, I am not too sure what you are comparing, and which of those numbers refers to the 5.4 or the 4.6, but I am getting 17-18 in my Scab 4x4. 15 city driving. Perhaps you should have gone with the 5.4 for better gas mileage if you are only getting 15 with the 4.6?

 

I agree with Wolfman064. From the reports we've seen around here, the 4.6 does not seem to get any better gas mileage than the 5.4. Maybe 1 MPG, but I don't even know about that. Most folks, depending on driving habits of course, seem to average 13-17 MPG no matter what engine they have. I average 15-16 MPG about 50-50 hwy-city driving.

Go with the 5.4. The mileage is about the same and the power is all there. Then you can put some performance mods on and really have some power. Who can pass up 300HP stock? I know I couldn't...

 

The gas milage isn't my problem. It is the extra money up front that I can't afford. I'm already going over budget in order to get the Scab so what I'm looking at; is getting the 4.6 and saving the money then later down the road adding more power to it when I can afford it. Like I said the 4.6 has enough power for me I just always will take more. On this truck I'm just getting what I basically want and skimping on what I can change down the road like the larger tires from the factory because I will level the truck and buy 285's or larger the first time I get tires and things like that.

I guess my main question is more along the lines of whether the airaid is worth the money and is it practical on a 4x4 that gets off-road on a regular basis?

Soon to Own:
2004 F-150 Scab
XLT 4x4

 

go with the 4.6. youll be more than pleased. i forgot the 5.4 was an option on the XLT's so i added 3k to the price of an STX to get to a FX4

 

If you are off-roading quite a bit, that puts a good bit of additional stress on the engine. Considering how the Airraid costs 450 bucks (I may be off, dont jump on me for that), you are MUCH better going with the 5.4. With the constant jumping of RPMs, spinning of tires, etc., the 5.4 will give you a good bit of extra engine security should you need it. And the airraid would never make a 4.6 equal to a 5.4, but in any event good luck with your decision

 

While I was having my tonneau installed they let me drive their stx (also in yellow, they bought it because they liked my truck so much)... it had the 4.6 and I can honestly say that there were night and day differences between the two, and I was happy to get mine with the 5.4 back.. I thought that since I had 4x4 and the stx was 2wd that there wouldn't be much difference, Boy was I wrong... IMHO... if you can't get the 5.4 then I wouldn't get either, until you can...

Also resale is better with the bigger motor down here in TX... won't see much more $ resale wise but it is alot easier/ quicker to resale... and time is money...

also for what it is worth my philosophy is always get the most motor you can, even if it means not getting some of the other options you want right now and try to add those later... easier to add nicer stereo later than to add bigger motor..

sorry for long post.. good luck with your choice..

 

The 5.4L option is the chepest performance upgrade you can buy. Figure about $700 (no one pays MSRP for anything) for about 70 horsepower and 70 ft-lb of torque. There is no aftermarket product or combo of products that will get you that much for that price.

 

I would only do the 4.6L, if you can get an outstanding deal on one. If you get the 5.4L, also get the 3.73 Diff gears.

I went with the 4.6L cause the dealer had an STX on his lot selling for $23,300. So, maybe it more comes down to the deal at hand as to which way to go.

I have to 4.6L regular cab with the 3.73 gears, and towed an older CJ5 into the Mountains quite a ways over the weekend, and the towing seemed more than fine.

When I test drove against a super cab 5.4L equipped with the 3.55 gears against the 4.6L running the 3.73 gears I ended up buying, I just did not notice hardly any difference running empty and not towing anyways.


Choices, choices, we all love choices right???? lol

 

STXMan,

I'll answer your question regarding Intake systems and 4 wheelin'. Unless you go through sloppy mud, deep mud puddles or just deeper trenches, you will not have a problem. I have gone through 2 - 3' creek crossings and as long as you don't go to fast you will be fine. Even if you do get mud on it, it should not hamper performance too bad.

I do a ton of driving on seasonal two tracks, not designated serious 4x4 trails, which contain enough mud to make me happy and haven't seen any problems.

But, I have to agree with most of guys above - I haven't heard one person in my life wishing they got the 4.6 instead of the 5.4. And you are going to wish you had that 5.4 if you do any type of semi/serious off roading.

 

I would also imagine the 4.6 would have a little cheaper insurance than the 5.4L That was a factor when I purchased my
F-150

 

insurance quotes didn't differ at all