Just sold my F250 SD and am in the market for a new truck. This time I'm looking for an F150. I love the power of the 5.4l but am curious how the 4.6 3V with the 6-speed compares. Also most of the 2010 trucks around here don't have the 5.4l in them, which is why I'm considering the 4.6.

Thanks!

 

Bet there are more 4.6 owners wishing they had gotten a 5.4 then 5.4 owners wishing they had gone 4.6.

 

I have the 4.6 and it has plenty of power [295 HP] and excelleration for my needs .If you do a lot of towing or carry heavy loads you'll probably want the 5.4.

 

generally speaking, the 4.6 will be fine for anything you throw at it. If you want to tow and haul at the max ratings of the F150 you're really into superduty territory and should be looking into a heavier/stronger truck.

I have two 2003 4.6s and they both have been solid through everything ive towed and hauled. Great trucks/engines!

 

i drive these trucks everyday the 5.4 and the 4.6 i bought one with a 5.4 i used to think there wasnt that much difference until i get into one with a 4.6 from driving my 5.4 to work and there is quite a difference down low but like everyone else says if your not towing anything heavy wont be a problem plus u get the added fuel milage

 

There is a big difference between the old 2v 4.6 and the 3v. Between the 3v 4.6 and the 5.4 you will barely notice any difference. I think it's less than 20hp. I went from a 2005 with the 2v 4.6 to the 3v and it was night and day.

 

even though I'm a 5.4 guy the 4.6 is the best engine made IMO

 

I did want a 5.4 but they didnt have any FX2's locally with the 5.4 and a LSD. You cant have a truck without at least LSD in my book. So i went with the 4.6 3V. I originally test drove a 4.6 and then the 5.4. Yes the 5.4 does have a lil more get up and go and more when towing comes in. But for everyday driving and the occasional towing the 4.6 3V works great. I live in key west so the lil bit of added MPG is nice. Plus with a kid on the way the money i saved on the 4.6 will help. I love my truck and couldnt be happier.

 

The 4.6 3v should be adequate unless you tow over 5000# frequently. It has the power of the old 5.4 2v.

 

Actually, the 2V variant is - when they added VCT / 3V heads to the 4.6, they incurred the same reliability impact (due to increased complexity) that the 5.4 3V is burdened with.

The very different HP and torque curves between these 2 engines is significant in 6,000lb brick. Broad, flat torque and a lot of it, is key in a very heavy truck. The 6-speed is not a factor because that tranny is available for both engines. Driveline losse are also identical.

"295 peak HP" is absolutely meaningless unless you always WOT driving it.

Any day of the week, given the moot points of reliability and tranny ( above) , the 5.4 wins.

At any point in the load envelope the 5.4 will be working significantly less to achieve the same performance. Same architecture; simple physics.




MGD

 

Tis the one I meant

 

Yeah baby!


MGD

 

I had a 2006 SC with the 5.4 and recently upgraded to a 2010 supercrew with the 4.6. I can definitely tell the difference. I bought the 4.6 for the same reason you mentioned; all the 5.4's were in trucks I couldn't afford. The difference is mainly noticed when pulling into traffic. The 4.6 seems to have great passing power, but just doesn't have the the get up and go from a stop. The power doesn't come until high rpm's. It only bothers me because what I was used to prior to this one. I keep trying to talk myself into regretting that I bought the 4.6, but can't. Like someone else mentioned, unless you are going to tow on a regular basis, the 4.6 is fine.

 

Last year I traded in a 2005 regular cab, short box XLT 4x4 with a 5.4, 4 speed automatic and a 3.55 LS rear for a 2010 identical truck, except it has the 4.6 with a 6 speed automatic and a 3.73 LS rear. Although I never ran one truck against the other, I will virtually guarantee you that my 2010 4.6 would run away and hide from the 2005 5.4. Even towing my 22' boat, I can barely tell the differencalthough the 4.6 is down on peak torque according to the numbers.

One difference I can quantify is mileage. The absolute best I ever squeezed out of the 5.4 was 16.9 MPG on a trip. The 4.6 returns me 18.3 going back and forth to work. I've gotten 19.8 on a trip. I'll take the 4.6 any day of the week for a daily driver.

 

Thanks for the input guys. Pretty much mirrored what I've been thinking.

Now I don't know if I want an 05-08 w/5.4 or a new truck with the 4.6 3v. I know the newer ones get better fuel economy with the 6-speed and seem to ride a bit better. I'm going to school now and just working part time, so that's making me think a bit more as well....