Just wondering if anyone could comment on how the 4.6L mill performs. I have an '04 Lariat S'crew 4x4, and the 5.4L is great, but I was just curious on how the 4.6 performs. I love my truck, but may have bitten-off a little more than I could chew in the price department. If I were to get another one, I'd probably get an XLT s'cab. That's what my '99 was, and it served me just fine. (and was paid-off!!!) I had the 5.4 in that one, too. It's easy to fall in love with that Lariat at the dealer, though, and I fell prey to that. So if anyone has an '04 XLT S'cab with the 4.6, let me know what you think of it.

Thanks!!

 

i have a 4.6 reg cab xlt, and absolutely love it to death. The 4.6 has all the power i need. Granted i drove a 2.5l 4-cyl ranger before, but its all i need, i can pass people with out a prob. and everything else. The only thing is that 1 second it takes when your at WOT to downshift; it makes it feel slow at times.

 

Is there a noticeable difference btw the 2 engines in regards to fuel economy ?

As an example if the 2 engines were in the same body styles & driven in the same manner.

 

Yes, there is a difference in the mileage. Had three 4.6's, XLT, 4x4, SC. Now have same with 5.4, 3-valve. 4.6's get 2 mpg better mileage, averaged over the time I drove them. Alot of people think they are the same, not so.

 

I had the 4.6 in my 98 150. The engine was adequate. I also had the 3.55 gears, automatic, regular cab 4x4. The best mpg I ever seen out of that config was 19. The worst was 11. I picked up a 04 x-cab with the 5.4 and 3.73 2 weeks ago. My first tank was 17.5 and still working on the second tank. I would bet that in the same truck configuration, the 5.4 would get better mpg. The engine hardly has to work to keep the truck going down the highway. On hills where my other truck would shift out of overdrive, this new truck pulls over without a shift.

If you were to get a 2 wheel drive 150, the 4.6 would do. But remember, the new 150 is heavier then the old 150. If you do not plan on towing anything, the 4.6 is a good choice. If you plan to tow in the future, get the 5.4.

 

tx04f150

I'm willing to bet if you had the 4.6L you would be telling yourself you wish you would have gotten the 5.4L. I have decided if I can afford a new car, may as well get the biggest engine. Living in a mountain region helps with that theory.

zman

 

My truck (see sig) gets 13-14 city and 16-17 highway. From what I have read with the new body style (more weight than the older style) the 4.6's seem to get no more than 1 mpg more than the 5.4 if at all. From test driving both of them it seemed to me that the 4.6 was working a lot harder to move the truck than the 5.4 so the 5.4 may get just as many mpg as a 4.6 in the new body style. Differences in the quality of regional gas blends make this harder to compare too. JMHO

 

i got it with the tuner your 4.6 problems are solved.

 

I have an '04 XL S'Cab with the 4.6, with about 2000 miles. My main consideration was price and it was hard to find a base model with the 5.4L.

I agree the truck does not "feel" fast, but it has no trouble keeping up with traffic and passing. The quiet cabin and the smooth trans have a lot to do with this. I've hauled a few loads and the truck accelerates just fine. Also, the engine has "loosened up" a great deal

On a recent trip to the high desert (30 miles, mostly uphill, 4 people, 400 lbs in the bed, AC on) the truck had no trouble keeping 75-80MPH, but it would downshift a lot into 3rd gear on the steeper grades.

My only suggestion is getting the 3.73 rear end over the 3.55. It seems the engine is right below its sweet spot at 65mph with the 3.55 gears. This is the first mod I'll be making.

 

Nope. Not at all, went to bass lake (near yosemite) for 4th of july weekend. I had about 1000lbs of camping crap, driver, going 90 uphil with od on, never downshifted once. And i also heard the 4.6 was a more of a free spirited engine revving wise.

 

I know from my own experience pulling a 28' 5K lb Avion TT to the N. Ga. mountains that I had no problems. Of course it worked harder than my older 7.3 l diesel, but that makes sense. I am really happy with mine anyway. At least if it breaks down and the engine goes out, it shouldn't cost me 5-10K to replace.

 

the 4.6 is extremely reliable also. with any new engine you have doubts...

 

I went with the 4.6 because it was cheaper plus I know my self. If I had got the 5.4 I would have already ordered the supercharger for it! I plan on just keeping this one as my every day truck. To me I couldn't tell a dif in power because I was coming from a big hp diesel. The 4.6 seems to be plenty of power if you just need a truck for a truck!

 

All of the '04 F150 are pretty much the same truck except for the trim and options.

I only have a regular cab STX with a 4.6 and it has all of the power I need. Pulling a bass boat up a ramp or a 28' camper the 4.6 performs fine.
It's not a race horse but with the SuperChips Micro-Tuner it sure did wake up it's performance.

http://www.fordtruk.com/2004-f150.htm

 

i couldnt agree with you more.