After much waffling and trying to make a deal the local dealer is not budging on his last FX4 screw, and the Rib is to upside down on her tahoe (trading hers and mine (2000 f150 2wd) for her a used car and me a new truck maybe?) So my question is for you XLT owners is the 4.6L enough engine to drive the 4x4 Screw? Sure wish I could pull off the FX4 that is one hell of a truck. Thanks in advance.


Also anyone know if employee pricing might make a come back in the near future?

 

I've owned both a 2004 (new body style) Screw 4.6, and now a 2005 Screw 5.4... My opinion is that the 4.6 is a great motor, proven and very reliable. It is good if all you're going to be doing is daily driving. The reason I traded up to the 5.4 is because I also tow a 5000 lbs travel trailer. In that case, there is a significant difference (plus my 5.4 has the 3.73 LS rearend, whereas the 4.6 had the 3.55 open diff). So I think you need to decide what you're going to use the truck for, then make a decision based on that.

 

I had a 04 Screw 4x2 with 4.6 .... with the three basic mods it was still a dog and got the same mileage as the Screw Lariat 4x4 I upgraded to.. also remember that the resale on a 4.6 Screw is going to suck.. This coming from some one that has had both and took the hit when I traded up... Don't make the same mistake that I did get the 5.4.. go to a different stealer some one will work with you since gas is at premium and trucks are hard to move Good luck.
Cheers J.T.

 

I didn't really look at the difference in price when I got my new FX4, but any additional cost would be made up in resale value. I would think the 4.6 would be an option if it got somewhat better gas mileage. Fact is the 5.4 is a much better engine, not as proven as the 4.6 but same mileage with the extra power when needed, towing etc.

 

Oh yeah, one more thing... When I traded up to the 5.4, Ford was offing the "tow & go" rebate, where you basically got the 5.4 motor & 4r75w tranny for just a few hundred bucks (much less than usual). I think this was only for the XLT. You may want to see if the promo is still going. Almost a free upgrade!

 

the 4.6 is a great motor, they're just geared too high in the new F150's. Somebody jump in if I'm wrong but can you get anything other than 3:55 with the 4.6. I've got 27K on my 05 4.6, engines been perfect from day one but the tranny feels like it takes off in 2nd gear and when i come to any uphill grade at all it downshifts. Only time it feels right is from 50-55mph on up on the highway. It will barely chirp the tires off the line on dry pavement, but punch it pass a car @55-60mph and its like a whole different truck. Only thing i've done to its perf. wise is "silencer" removal and exhaust. Try to talk your dealer into swappin in 3:73 or 4:10 gears for free.....then when he starts rollin on the floor laughin hysterically....go steal the FX4.

 

I have both right now and I much prefer my 5.4 (personal) over my 4.6 (work). Gas averages out about the same. I am sure you can find an XLT with a 5.4 and I think you would be much happier with that especially if you plan on doing any towing as well. The 4.6 is still a good motor, but there is definatly a difference between the two.

 

My boss drives a 4x4 screw with the 4.6 and 3.73's and it seems to have a lot more punch than my reg cab 4x4 4.6 with 3.55's. I am running 33's and I get 17-18 mpg. I haven't heard of anyoneone with a 5.4 4x4 getting as good of mileage. Get the 3.73 gearing and you should be happy as long as you don't expect to drag race.

 

sounds like you are maybe stretching the dollars a little too thin IMO. I personally would hold onto the current F150 you have for another 10 months and go for an 07 then. that gives you time to hopefully save some more cash and not go upside on the other vehicle etc.

 

My experience with the 4.6L engine in various F-150's has been positive. It's reliable and offers decent gas mileage in town and it's well suited for highway driving. On the other hand, it is a tad under powered for a SCrew and I often found myself wishing I had a few more horses under the hood. A common post on this board is "How do I get more HP from a 4.6L"

If given a choice, I'd opt for the 5.4L. Gas mileage is about the same and the 5.4L has power to spare.

Most of my local dealers are now offering Employee Pricing on '06 Fords even though Ford hasn't officially gone back to it. Definitely shop around. Some dealers have more room to move than others, and some dealers will give outstanding trade-in allowances (just playing the numbers game) to get 06's off of the lot. I usually end up going to the dealer who offers the best "deal" and get them to transfer in the truck I want.

 

Nope, too much weight....

 

I say if you are just going to be noraml driving no towing or hauling you'll be fine. But if you plan to tow a boat or trailer on weekends or haul alot of stuff you might want to find one with the 5.4.

 

I had the 4.6 in my 03 supercab & never had any problems with it. I've got the 5.4 supercrew now & like it a lot except when I stop at the pump....lol I knew this when I bought it though. Only downside to the 4.6 is, what happens after a year or two that you buy a boat, etc...etc..... & need the 5.4? I think you'd be better off to go ahead & get it now instead on needing it like you might have to in the long run. I usually try to plan for the future & this didn't happen when I bought my 4.6.

 

If givin the choice again, I would opt for the 5.4. My 4.6 with the silencer removed, k&n filter and flowmaster helped alot, and is adequate for the type of driving i do, but if your planning on towing you will need the extra HP.
I once took my son and his friends dirtbike riding, 4 people in the cab while towing my 8 x 12 tandem trailer loaded, the truck really had to work at maintaining 55 while climbing up the Cajon Pass here in So. Cal. (4000 ft.)
Problem was when I bought my truck (Jan. 04) they were not giving them away like they are today.