Any great preference for the 5.4L vs the 4.6L3V? Test drive with both engines around town showed little difference. I'm not planning on towing anything just daily driving.
Roger

 

Fuel mileage difference between the engine choices is small - it's inconsequential. For hauling/towing, it's better to have the 5.4 engine.

 

What model? Personally, I wouldn't buy one without a 5.4.

 

5.4

 

I've only had my SuperCrew 4x4 a few days but I would not want anything less than the 5.4. The difference in fuel economy is negligible and the extra HP and torque is there if you need it. I assume you are looking at an XL or XLT if you are considering the 4.6.

 

5.4 only for me.......waiting on that 6.2

 

I am looking at a XLT with the 5.5' bed and a 3.55 rear axle. I have little need to tow anything, an occasional run to Lowes for lumber and yard stuff plus once a year helping to move someone. I just want something that I can accelerate in similiar manner to my '94 SuperCab 302. I don't expect it to match my son's '07 Mustang GT or my '73 Corvette. A couple years ago I had a 5.4L FX4 that was a 'dog'. It couldn't match the acceleration of my old '94 or even the family '98 Caravan. Several folks said to get a tuner but the dealer I use said that could cause problems. When checking for acceleration I use the same location in driving to work. I pull out of a side road onto a 4 lane road and see what speed I can get to by the time I get to the speed limit sign. In the '94 I'm at 60, the Caravan 55, the '05 sometimes I could get to 55, the Mustang and Corvette exceed the posted limit with ease.
Roger

 

i made the bad decision to go with a 4.6 in my 03... not this time though. 5.4 all the way.

"there is no replacement for displacement"

 

$523 invoice cost extra for the 5.4L with 45ft-lb of peak torque at lower engine speed. Get it.

 

Test drive them both. Take the 4.6 to the same spot you refer to, and if it meets your needs then buy it. If you were doing any towing, then I would recommend the 5.4, but since you aren't, the 4.6 should suffice (I know, I'm disagreeing with the rest of the group here).

Another thing to look at though is how long you plan to keep it. If you plan to keep it just a couple years, go with the 5.4 as resale value will get you the cost of the 5.4 back at resale time. If you plan to keep it for 6, 8, 10 years, then it won't really matter much.

 

5.4, a 4x4 screw is a heavy truck and resale will be better.

 

One other thing to consider, if you plan to resell the truck at a later date, most people will want the larger engine. just a suggestion.

 

if you get the 4.6L there willbe a day when you need to tow someone large and won't be able to or will be underpowered rather have the 5.4L just in case

 

Seriously, the 4.6L is a great engine. Mated to the 6-spd, it's better than the 5.4L mated to the 4-spd. It has plenty of power to move 15k pounds. It's just that the 5.4L is better with the only penalty 1mpg highway worse and $500 up front cost.

Oh, one more thing. Payload is about 110 pounds lower for the 3V 4.6L models, all else equal. The 4.6L is lighter, but GVWR is lower by more than the difference in engine weight.

What about the axle and transmission? In the past, the 5.4L has had a larger rear axle (9.75" vs. 8.8") and upgraded engine/trans cooling. Does anyone know what the 3V 4.6L uses?

Edit: Okay, one more point for the 4.6L. That extra 1MPGhighway makes it qualify for the cash for clunkers if that ever passes.

 

Is this from experience?