My current truck is an '02 S'Cab 4X4 FX4 with the 4.6 and auto. I have a K+N and Flowmaster exhaust. The performance is well, pretty frustrating sometimes. I've never driven another F-150 with the 5.4 to compare. We have a work truck F-350 with it, but of course that's a totally different truck.

Anyways, my question is ths: Would an '03 S'Crew with the 4.6 REALLY disapoint me? It's gotta be a bit heavier than my S'Cab, and has the same engine. There are awesome deals out around here on '03 S'Crews brand new. I'm talking $23,500 for XLT 4X4. However, that is a basic XLT (which is all I want anyhow) but with the 4.6 liter. I was contemplating instead buying a low mileage '02 S'Crew with the 5.4 for about the same money. Is that a worthwhile trade-off??

 

I've got the 4.6l in the '97.
My sister purchased an Expedition last year with the 5.4l. Needless to say I bought my truck used, but the 5.4l is so smooth and the performance is great.

If you want a couple miles per gallon better than buy the 4.6l. If MPG means nothing then buy the 5.4l. You will not be disappointed. Better towing too.

MK

 

IMHO. It's the same truck. If you want to know the difference in how the SCrew drives, calculate the difference in weight and throw that amount in the bed of your SCab and drive around thinking it is a SCrew. That will in fact answer your question.

If you have to ask the question in the first place then the answer by default is YES, the 4.6 will dissapoint you a bit more in the SCrew than it currently disspoints you in the SCab based on your driving habits/needs as proven by your experience.

Keep in mind, there are two issues involved in meeting your driving need, and possibily a third. Not only does the engine make a difference, but the rear axle plays a big part. I don't know if the 4.6 comes with a 3.73, but if it does you may find that to be the answer to what you are looking for.

The third possibility is tires size, but if you like to drive a basic XLT then you most likely already have the 235s, and the tire difference is not as much as the axle.

If it is torque you want, find a 4x2 5.4 3.73 with 235s, now you got something. I don't know if they come that way, I'm just making a point. Each one of these you change will cost you acceleration, with the engine having the biggest impact, and next axle, then tires, 4x4. Changing the weight varies depending on how much weight. Since we are talking about the difference in weight between SCab/Screw I would guess it has a bit more impact than tire size does.

My current F-150 is SCrew 5.4 4x4 3.55 ...
Last 4x4 F-150 was SCab 5.4 4x4 3.73 ...

There is a very noticable difference in get up and go between the two trucks. For myself, I searched hard to find one optioned the way I wanted with a 4.6 and just gave in and got another 5.4. Every time I need power I'm glad I did, but the way I drive that doesn't happen often.

There is not much difference in gas milage from 4.6 to 5.4, but if it is acceleration your looking for then there is a larger difference in gas mileage between the two.

So, in summary, look for a SCrew 4.6 base XLT with a 3.73 LS axle. If you don't find one opt for the 5.4 3.73 and find out for yourself. It'll cost you more in gas mostly because you want to drive it more often. Oh, and that's not my opinion, that's from seat of the pants experience.

 

I've had both, the 4.6 screw and the 5.4. The 4.6 was a 2001, and it was great until I had to tow anything. As soon as you put a few thousand pounds behind it, it really dogs down. I bought a 5.4 screw in 2002 and it is a major improvement over the 4.6. The gas mileage isn't as good, but it has a lot more power and torque. You can feel it when towing, I pull a trailer regularly and it's so much smoother. I feel that it was definitly worth trading it. The 4.6 will do the job, but the 5.4 really mates well with the screw.



Rick

 

I have a 2001 with the 5.4 and my buddy has a 2001 with the 4.6. I have driven both and if you are just driving around town get the 4.6. The gas milage is better (he averages 16-17 in town, I average 12-13 in town) and in daily driving the 4.6 is plenty.

If you are towing anything, that is a totaly different world. I use my Screw to tow my Chevelle to the drag strip almost every weekend (3600lb's car on a 24 ft trailer) and it pulls really strong. I had to use my buddy's truck once to pull it just across town and there was a noticable difference. The 4.6 was a dog with a trailer.

The moral to my take is 4.6 is perfect for hauling the kids to hockey practice, but you need the 5.4 for true towing power.

My take

 

I would agree that the 4.6 would be fine for getting around town, and occasional towing. I just got a 4.6 screw 2 weeks ago, and have no problem with the power.. It can get going if I need it, and lets face it, its a truck, not a sports car... I would say if I was going to do heavy duty towing, the 4.6 my get tiresome, but for the occasional weekend its fine... The thing that I think could be improved is the downshift time.. Seems like its too long of a lag..

Also if your going to buy the new, request information from Ford on the 03 screws.. They will send you a $500 off coupon...

just my $0.02

 

$23,500 for XLT 4X4 Super Crew is a very good price, is this after your trade? Just got the exact same truck in July for 2K more. It comes with a 3.55 and 4.6. Plenty of power for what I need.

 

I had a 4.6 in the 1999 SCab that I owned. I regretted not buying the 5.4 back then. My SCrew has the 5.4 and I haven't regretted it a single day. I'm not sure about the 4.6, but the 5.4 responds very well to many of the performance mods available without breaking the bank (catback, intake kit, etc.).

I think the extra power for such a heavy truck is a definite plus, especially if you tow anything. Take advantage of the great deals out there.

 

Is there really that much weight difference between an ext cab and a screw? The Screw has a shorter bed with composite fenders and the wheel bases are the same. I wouldn't think there would be a huge difference in weight.

For the record, I wouldn't even consider buying a SCrew without a 5.4L, but then again, I tow and haul with it frequently. If I just drove around town or on trips and hardly ever towed, I'd be OK with a 4.6L especially if I got a great deal on it.

 

I have an '03 4x4 S'crew with the 4.6 and 3.73's..... I've driven my buds 02 with 3.55, and the difference is quite noticable. My truck accelerates MUCH better.

As far as towing, this is the heaviest example I have: I towed a Nissan Frontier 4x4 (on a flat-bed) from the Sacramento area, all the way up the hill to Grass Valley, and had no problems pulling it at all. It did quite well........

 

I think it's a matter of personal preference. If you drive both motors, decide if it's worth the extra 800 or so for the 5.4. I have an '02 SCrew FX4 with the 4.6. I have had it loaded with tools and lumber, and a trailer with a load of lumber and 2 ladders. We drove it from Charlotte, NC to the top of Beech Mt., NC. The trip took 2 1/2 hours, on Interstates and back country roads, climbing some of the steepest roads in the area and we had no problems. We didn't outrun any "ricers" on the way, but neither did we slow up any traffic behind us on the Interstates or the climbs.
Drive them both, the gas mileage doesn't make very much difference. If you are towing alot, I'd go with the 5.4, if not the 4.6 is very reliable and adequate.

 

I had a 2001 SCrew (4.6 w/ 3.55s) and now have a 2003 SCrew (5.4 w/ 3.73s). I mostly haul people and light cargo and found the 4.6 plenty enough for this role. The only marginal area that I found was passing cars on the highway. It takes a while to get the 4.6 around a car going 55. The other minor annoyance with the 4.6 was cruising at highway speeds. It would downshift even for slight inclines. With the 5.4 it never downshifts unless the hill is steep and long. I think this has as much to do with the 5.4 as with the 3.73 gears. I have heard of other SCrew owners with 5.4s and 3.55s that also complained of the downshifting.

Gas mileage is another matter. I could easily get 14-15 MPG city and 18-20 on the highway with the 4.6. With the 5.4 I have yet to get anywhere near those numbers (11-12 city, 15-16 highway).

Overall I am glad I have the 5.4. It is more fun to drive and it definitely has more low end torque. But when I had the 4.6 I never felt it was incapable of doing anything. It was still a great truck.

 

My 5.4L never downshifts on any hill, at all. Are you guys towing 5000lbs and going up major inclines or what?