This is not a flame of sorts whatsoever. Just a question for those who own a 4.6L as something's had me scratching my melon for a few days now.

I've only had my 2005 Lariat Screw 5.4L for a little over a couple of weeks. I gave up a 2004 Pontiac GTO (488RW/HP) for this ride, so the power differential is something I'm still adjusting to . . . as you could imagine.

Prior to purchasing my 5.4L I had the opportunity to test drive a 2005 4.6L for about an hour and change.

I was truly amazed at the lack of ponies and torque this truck had. It was truly horrible IMHO. In fact, I was so dissapointed that I thought twice about purchasing the 5.4L I had ordered a few short hours prior. I thought the slight engine displacement wouldn't satify my needs. The 5.4 has NOT satisfied my needs/expectations (all things considered) but I can live with it . . . and there WAS a significant difference between the two rides.

My question is to the 4.6L owners --

What made you purchase the 4.6L over the 5.4L?

I understand the money aspect and fuel efficiency side of things but is this the ONLY reason you purchased the 4.6L as opposed to the 5.4L? Is the 4.6L "better" suited for aftermarket mods? Is it in actual fact a "better" engine all round, all things considered?

Is there something I'm missing?

Help a fellow Ford brutha understand . . .

 

I got the 4.6L over the5.4L because of the extra cost to get the 5.4 and I was interested in the gas savings. I don't really care how fast my truck is in the 1/4mile. It is a work truck, it packs a lot of weight and is fairly inexpensive to run.

 

Gas mileage is not really a factor with the 4.6 You probably won't get more than 1 mpg better than the 5.4 The 4.6 has to work harder to get the truck to speed so it really depends on how hard you mash the gas.

I bought the 5.4 strickly for towning my boat inbetween lakes.

I have not noticed a better aftermarket based on either V8 in the F150.

 

My 99 regular cab 4.6 5 speed 4x4 will run circles around my 04 with the 5.4

 

Cost is no excuse to get the 4.6, at least not in FL (I don't know if the same discounts apply across the US). If you got the "tow and go package" on the truck, you got the 5.4L engine along with the tow package, and then you got a rebate equal to the price of the options seperately.
So, in essence, the "tow and go" package made the hitch and the 5.4L no-cost options! It was a no-brainer.

 

Cost was the issue when I bought mine, which was Jan. 2004.

 

what did you have in that to give you 488 RHP at the rear since its only rateds for 400 at the flywheel?

 

Well for me I got the STX 4x4 and thats the only engine option available. I absolutly love the way my truck looks for such a bottom level model. On the outside my truck looks identical to the FX4 minus the fender trim, and I got my truck for like $10,000 less than the FX4. For me I needed a truck and this truck does everything I need it to do and more. I have all the options I could have wanted like running boards, fog lights, sliding rear window, tow package, cruise control, and limited slip rear. I have the rubber floors which I love so easy to clean. Although power windows and stuff like that is nice its not something I would die without.

Now to the 4.6 motor, I tow a pretty big horse trailer that holds two horses plus has a dressing room in it, and my truck pulls that with no problems. I also should add I have the 3.55 rear end. I also pull a tow dolly and transport cars and have no problems at all on the highway towing in OD. So its not the fastest thing in the world but I don't get all these posts about how fast or slow these trucks are. You are trying to compare a supercharged 3,000 pound car to a 6,000 pound truck? My truck is also 100% bone stock, although I just ordered the Xcal2 for mine and I'm sure I'll be even happier after I get that installed.

Bottom line is this engine is proven and I have never got under 16MPG, with all the 12-13MPG posts I see and with gas at 2.50 a gallon I'm not upset I didn't opt to go for the 5.4. Just my 2 cents.

 

One edit to my post, I though you had a GTP not the GTO hence why I said supercharged.

 

I average 18-20 mpg in my 5.4 liter Supercab with a 3.55 rear. I've got a utility trailer that I use from time to time to move stuff around, including cars, and they're as if they weren't even behind the truck. I've driven 4.6 liter '04+ F150s, I don't know what would possess someone to not opt for the 5.4, but to each their own I reckon.

 

Maybe you can reach the people at ford and ask them to offer the 5.4 in the STX and I would be all over it. It is hard to opt for something when its not available. I mean heck even the XL offers the 5.4. Come to think of it, I think the STX is the only model where the 5.4 is not available, sucks but such is life.

 

I dont meen to be rude but i think this Thread is just here to stur up trouble, people like their trucks otherwise they wouldnt have bought them, maybe its time people started accepting that and not try to belittle anybody over something this stupid.

Why on Earth did you start this thread???

 

So true Fx4man2004 These trucks are awesome no matter which one you have. Keep on truckin

 

^^^ very true Happy!! (BTW, love the screen name)lol


I bought mine mostly because of cost but also because I'm a 21 year old with a TERRIBLE driving record and the insurance was about $500 a year more for the 5.4L

 

Cost is the only reason.

I'm 22, I just graduated from college, I make peanuts now as a grad student, I needed a reliable vehicle to visit my GF who is 650 miles away, it's more powerful than a 4.2. Figured it was more power than what was available a decade or more ago. I decided to get 4x4 over the 5.4 engine.

You may wonder why i didn't get a car for gas mileage and my answer is that i love trucks and their utility. At this point in my life I move around a lot and need something to move all my chit around.

When I actually make money, my next truck will have the larger engine. Until then, I love my truck with the 4.6.