I'm debating between a 4.6/5-speed or a 5.4/auto combo in a 2wd regular cab shortbox. Can anyone tell me the difference in mileage between the 2 setups? Also, is the 5.4 worth the extra money?

Thanks for the help,
Steve



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Hopefully future F-150 XLT Sport owner.
Current:
2001 Chevy Blazer LT-wife's
2000 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP- *Supercharged* My toy with a bunch of mods. Gp-owners.com member since Oct 99. Currently FOR SALE so I can get a truck!

 

Man are you crazy, havn't you heard you can get hurt in a head on collision in these coffin on wheels. Ok, just kidding. I get 14-15mpg in my 5.4L SC 4x4, so I figure you should get a little better with a 2wd reg cab. I think you can get 17-18mpg with the 4.6L. With a 2wd reg cab, I am sure the 4.6L would be adequate, but it sure would go with the 5.4L. What are you going to use the truck for? How much do you like stick or auto?

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'99 F-150 XLT SC 4x4 5.4L Auto 3.55LS Tow pkg, skid plates, keyless entry, UWS tool box, Superchip, Gibson pipes w/ Flowmaster 40 series muffler, K&N filter, BFG 265/75/16 All-Terrain TA/KO

 

Hi Steve, I have one of the trucks you're asking about. I went thru the same thing after 20 years of a stick. I wanted one but, at the same time I didn't want to mickey mouse around with the engine choice. I wanted as much as I could get and was really disappointed when I found I couldn't get a 5 speed 5.4L.
There are not too many 5.4L, shortbed, regular cabs on the board(non-supercharged) so when I post my mpg there is much 'rolling of the eyes' but, after 26 months and 36k these numbers have been consistent.

70% highway miles:
Summer 18.4 mpg
Winter 17.0 mpg
Towing 3500lb boat, 14.0 mpg

A 4.6L 5 speed should do better than this, how much more I don't know.

Your current ride indicates you are into performance? My 1/4 time is stock.

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1999 Ford F150 Lariat RegCab 2WD shortbed 5.4L 3.55LS Towpkg Line-X
15.714@85.21

 

NSS, The truck will mostly be used for daily driving and occasional light hauling. I'm really not partial to stick or auto. I'd really like a 5.4/5-speed combo!

Raoul, Your truck sounds pretty close to what I would get. I also want the sport package so I can get the different paint job and 17" wheels. I'm the type of person that always gets the most powerful engine available whether I need it or not! I could probably get by with a 4.2/5-speed but I'm just too much of a power nut. The 4.6/5-speed would save me about $2,500 over the 5.4. Did you drive both engines? Did the 5.4 seem alot more powerful than the 4.6? I'm guessing the mileage figures on the window sticker aren't much different between the 5.4 and 4.6. I just love knowing I have the most power!

Steve




------------------
Hopefully future F-150 XLT Sport owner.
Current:
2001 Chevy Blazer LT-wife's
2000 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP- *Supercharged* My toy with a bunch of mods. Gp-owners.com member since Oct 99. Currently FOR SALE so I can get a truck!

 

No one has ever asked me that before. As a matter of fact, I didn't drive a 4.6, a 5.4, or any truck, of any make when I was 'in the market'.
I spec'd out comparable trucks from each of the big three. (Tundra wasn't around then) They were all within $800 of each other. The kicker was I had a $1200. rebate that was good for Ford only. I used a buying service at $95 over invoice, so my net was $1105 under invoice. I guess that's why the extra dough for the 5.4 didn't seem to hurt so much.

The first time I drove any new full-size truck was when I drove mine off the lot.
And I can thank F150online for that. I got here in Dec of '98 and purchased in Mar '99. I lurked for months, reading every post. The info helped me select the options. The combined experience of the members far outweighed what I would have gotten from a test drive.

 

Hey Raoul,that sounds just like my story.
Only ,I bought the truck on Jan 5 1999.

Kclm7,go for the 5.4
Haven,t regretted my decision for a second.

I was planning to buy a Chevy C/k 1500.


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'This guy's battery is totally dead, just like his brain.'

Detectiv Andy Sipowicz
NYPD Blue

99 F150 XLT V8 5.4 L Automatic
Regular Cab,Styleside,ShortBed
Bright Red,5 spoke Lariat Rims
Single CD-player,Class 3 Hitch
Pace Edwards Roll Top Cover
Dual exhaust at the back
Stainless Steel Gibson Tips 2.5"-3"
F150online WindowSticker
Tailgate XLT Triton V8 Badge
Painted Blue Ovals on Doorsteps
Worst MPG 8.7
Best MPG 15.6

The Bright Red One

 

I just checked out your site. Your truck is almost exactly what I want except I want the Sport package. I was planning on bright red with buckets,5.4,LS,tow pkg,adj pedals, heated seats and tonneau cover.

Steve



------------------
Hopefully future F-150 XLT Sport owner.
Current:
2001 Chevy Blazer LT-wife's
2000 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP- *Supercharged* My toy with a bunch of mods. Gp-owners.com member since Oct 99. Currently FOR SALE so I can get a truck!

 

I would like the 5.4L/5speed combo also. Before I got my F150 I had a Dodge Ram1500 set up the same as my current truck with their 5.2L(i think) motor. It was really slow and power was nill. So, I figured from now on, no matter what the make or model, i'll get the most motor that is offered. Those mpg numbers I gave were for a SC 4x4, and Raoul is honest as the day is long (yeah, right!!), so his numbers may be more accurate for your trucks setup.

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'99 F-150 XLT SC 4x4 5.4L Auto 3.55LS Tow pkg, skid plates, keyless entry, UWS tool box, Superchip, Gibson pipes w/ Flowmaster 40 series muffler, K&N filter, BFG 265/75/16 All-Terrain TA/KO