I'm about to order a 2010 F150 and am struggling with the engine size to choose. The truck will be a Screw 4x4 with the 6.5' bed - 3.55 ls gears. Looking at the stickers, the 4.6 gets 20mpg vs 18mpg on the 5.4. I've had a couple of the 2v 5.4s in a 2000 and 2002 F150 and they seemed to pull a ~6000# trailer fine. The 3v, I don't really remember a huge difference between the 2002 and 2004. Any ideas of what would I expect with that load on the 4.6 3v with the new 6 speed trans. HP I'd be giving up 18 and torque 45 lb/ft. FYI -- My current 2008 has an Edge running level 2 towing. Highways mileage with my 285 BFG KM2s is probably about 16-17 and I'd love to get better mileage. Your thoughts are appreciated as I plan to order it Monday night. Thanks!

 

If it was me i would go for the 5.4 as it's a good combination of power and MPG. The powers their if you ever need it and it gets great MPG if you take it easy.

 

There isn't much difference in hp between the two. The 5.4 does have the better tourque though.
I thought I had the 3v graph but they don't have it posted right now.

 

Depends on how you intend to use the truck. If it's a daily driver and nothing more, then you'll save money in fuel having the smaller engine. If you plan to use it for hauling and towing, get the bigger engine.

 

If you want the 3.55 limited slip axle then you must get the 5.4L. If you want the limited slip axle with the 4.6L 3V then you will have to go with 3.73 gears. The 4.6L 3V and 3.73LS would be my choice.

 

5.4 hands down. im not sure if its just me but I could never own a truck with that engine if i know there is a more powerfull one available. and for 2mpg?? who cares!

 

If you're using it for towing, get the 5.4

 

+100

 

X2.

I'll take the bigger engine every time... Especially with such a small difference in MPG, and a big difference in torque and where it's at in the RPM's...

 

5.4 man......being 4wd you'll want the bigger engine....trust me....4.6 2v here with 4wd = no good....no pep

 

do the cubic inch conversion and then see if you even need to ask the question....
5.4=329
4.6=280
back in the old days would you have considered a 280 v-8?

 

Thanks. It's a daily driver but also tows/hauls on the weekends. Looking more at the order guide, it would have to be a 4.6 3v and 3.73ls. With the 3.73 vs a 3.55, the mileage difference may even be less. I'll guess I'll stick with the 5.4 with has been a great engine for me so far.

 

Get the 5.4L 3.73 gear, which means the Max Tow package which means 500 pounds more GVWR than the oens without the max tow package. Pretty much required in my book for any 2010 F-150.

 

hands down 5.4L

 

The difference in mileage between the two is going to be nill if anything at all. A co-worker of mine has the 4.6 and I have the 5.4 and I think I'm getting better mileage than he.

I think mileage will be more on how you drive it than any differences in the engine. More torque, I'd go with the 5.4.