I am in the process of making my final engine size decision for my new Supercrew (2WD) purchase. This will be my truck and I will dive it to work daily. I am planning on using it to haul my family around and on slim occasions, haul other stuff in the bed. Most of the people who have posted on this site have the 5.4l and tell of very low fuel economy numbers (less then what is posted on the window sticker).

I have driven a 4.6 l and a 5.4 l Supercrew (fully loaded with 6 good-sized passengers) and noticed a small difference in acceleration. Does anyone have some real 4.6l fuel economy numbers and real word daily experience with the 4.6l? I don't want to buy more then I need and I don’t want to waist money on gas if I can avoid it. Any help would be appreciated.

 

Whatever you do motor-wise get the Limited-Slip rear. Last night we had alot of wet,icy, crappy snow and I was able to 2 wheel-it alot of the time because of that rear.(Just as a test) and I of course took it to the Shop-Rite parking lot to put it in some slides and spins and it was GREAT!! VERY controled donuts, and excellent fishtail control and recovery.
IMHO,FWIW.
WT.

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Ordered on 11/2/00:
VIN'd on 11/13
Built on 12/4
ETA week of 12/25
Merry Christmas to me !
Picked up 12/28/00
drove 100 miles in Snowstorm on sh!&&y roads on 12/30/00 -- SWEET !!
4X4 Lariat
SCrew, Arizona
Beige, 5.4 Liter, Offroad
Pkg, Moonroof, Rear
slider, Capt's seats,
Side steps, Bed xtndr,6
CD, L S D 3.55

Soon: ******* X2K Lid, Line-X Spray-in liner, Intake mods.

 

I just ordered my Screw yesterday at the dealer and settled on the 5.4L with the 3.55 LSD.

My daily commute is 10 miles each way with 5 miles in stop and go and 5 miles on Interstate. I was worried about the MPG with the 5.4L but, I figured what the hell.

I have never owned a vehicle, when purchased new, that didn't get above the EPA estimates, except the anemic Dodge Caravan with the 3.8L V6. '83 Fore EXP about 35MPG, '88 Honda Prelude 37MPG from day one. '92 Ford Ranger 20MPG city and about 24MPG highway. '92 Chevy Lumina 24MPG. My first car a '72 Stang with a 302 V8 w/ 2V got, on a good day, 11MPG. So, based on this evidence I felt comforable getting the V8. It'll be the first V8 in 20 years!!!

One of the other factors was that I will be getting a boat in a year or two and I figure that the rig (boat, trailer and stuff) will weigh in at about 6500# and I wanted something that could pull it with ease.

Thanks
Bert

 

I have heard that if you have the tow package, the resale value (and ease of reselling) is more with the 5.4L. After all, anyone who tows wants to be sure that they have the capability, even if they don't use the extra power. I Don't know if this is true or not, but something to consider.

 

We recently test drove a new S/crew with 4.6L (3.55 L/S). The Wife & I were really impressed with the performance of the 4.6L vs our 1999 4.6L. The downfall og the S/crew we drove--Massive valvetrain noise @ cold start-up (35 deg. F). I asked the Sales Rep. "are you sure this engine has oil in it?" I also commented to Sales Rep, "our 4.6L Triton makes no noise like that @ cold start-up". Every detail of the S/crew test drive surpassed our expectations; except the steering. Our 99 F150 steers more responsive & had less play than the S/crew we test drove.



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1999 Teal Blue F-150 s/c
4.6L, XLT, 3.55 L/S
Tow pkg., rhino liner, engine block heater & hard toneau cover. single c.d.
255/75 r16 Generals-owl

 

Hey Tomcat,

I went with the 5.4 and I get about 15 MPG. The 4.6 did't have enough acceleration for me. You will probably get around 18-19 MPG with the 4.6 depending on the type of rear end that you get in the truck. I guy I work with has the 4.6 with good gears and he gets 20MPG highway vs my 15MPG highway.

Hope that helps.

For what it's worth the Supercrew is a GREAT truck! I wish they made it sooner.

Wing

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2001 Bright Red Supercrew
4X4
5.4 V8

Mods:
BFGoodrich TA KO 285/75/16
Airforce One intake kit
Exhaust: Hooker AeroChamber Muffler, SI/DO
SurePull Class III Hitch
Rhino Liner (Planned)
Catch-All Floor Mats (Planned)

Go Buckeyes!

 

F14-
with my 4.6 2wd xlt I get an overall average mpg of 15.1 (I've been tracking it since I bought it in July.) With a lot of hiway driving I've seen tanks average up to 17.3, but with a lot of stop&go it can get as low as 13.1
If I had it to do over I'd get the 5.4, since the mileage doesn't seem much better with the smaller engine.
(I have the 3.55 rear end and use regular unleaded.)

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2001 Supercrew XLT 4x2, 4.6, 3.55, tow pkg, moonroof, Oxford White ext. Dark graphite int, Bed Ext, ******** Decklid, Pioneer/Infinity/Rockford sound sys

 

This is very helpful information. Are you the "need for speed" driver type or are you a "conservative accelerator" type? Also have you had it loaded up with people and cargo and found the 4.6l to be lacking?

Thanks for the information.

 

F14Tomcat,

I have the 4.6L engine (4x4, 1st gen 220hp version) and have not had any regrets (8 months old). I test drove both engines and did notice a difference in acceleration but not to the point where the 4.6 was lacking. I have loaded it down with weight training gear and driven up hills. Taken it on trips where I had to frequently pass cars going 55 mph on 2 lane roads. Driven it at 70+ on freeways. Accelerated onto busy freeway on-ramps. Never once have I wished I had the 5.4L engine. Especially when I'm getting 20 mpg on the highway. These are great trucks regardless of engine size. Get one and have some fun!


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2001 SuperCrew, XLT, 4x4, Island Blue/Silver, Med gray int., 4.6L, 60/40 seats, 6 disc CD, cab steps, power seat, 17" 10 spoke wheels.
Mods: Access Roll-Up tonneau cover, Ford bed mat.

 

F-14:

I think I'm pretty conservative as far as in town speed goes, but I'll usually drive at flow of traffic speeds on the highway (70-ish).
I have loaded the truck down on occasion with people as well as cargo, and did not notice much difference in performance from when it is empty, so that is a plus.
I just feel that when I do start to tow stuff I'll probably wish for the extra power (haven't towed anything yet, but looking at watercraft in the future.) Also, getting on the freeways I miss the acceleration of the smaller trucks I used to drive. The SCrew is not bad but I'm sure the 5.4 would pick up sooner.
I don't regret getting the 4.6 performance wise, I just feel I did not get the fuel economy benefit I expected by choosing the smaller engine.
It does seem that others are doing a little bit better on fuel economy than I am, so there could be a difference in driving habits, or method of calculation. I reset the trip odometer on each fill up, then divide total miles traveled by the number of gallons it takes to fill up the next tank.


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2001 Supercrew XLT 4x2, 4.6, 3.55, tow pkg, moonroof, Oxford White ext. Dark graphite int, Bed Ext, ******** Decklid, Pioneer/Infinity/Rockford sound sys

 

 

F14Tomcat,

In town mileage is much worse. It really depends on how you drive. I've seen it range from 14 to 12.5 mpg. It all depends on how hard you drive it. I don't baby it however so you probably could do better than 14 in the city if you took it real easy.


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2001 SuperCrew, XLT, 4x4, Island Blue/Silver, Med gray int., 4.6L, 60/40 seats, 6 disc CD, cab steps, power seat, 17" 10 spoke wheels.
Mods: Access Roll-Up tonneau cover, Ford bed mat.

 

man, i drive to work 26 miles each way in bumper to bumper and i get about 11 miles a gallon only. i have the 4.6

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2001 torreador red screw, 4.6, 3.55 axle, sliding rear window, and all the extra goodies
mods:
magnaflow 3" catback
stull billet grill with logo in the middle
go rhino chrome side bars
line-x spray in liner
airraid fipk system

and oh yeah, personailzed license plates that read RAIDAS

 

I was very concerned about gas mileage given that I use my truck for everything and often have to commute long distances. It was a tough decision for me to make because I will use it for towing a horse trailer too. I ultimately decided on the 4.6 for gas mileage reasons (lessen the negative impact on the environment) and I'm glad I did. The mileage I'm getting now is about the same as a regular 5.4L due to my snugtop and I can only imagine how terrible it would be with the 5.4L snugtop combination. Without the Snugtop I was getting about 17.5 mpg (city,hwy combo) and with the Snugtop, I'm getting about 16.5 hwy and 14.5 city.
The funny thing is that I was under the impression that the camper shell would improve my gas mileage. Oh well...
I'm still totally in love with this truck.
Good luck!


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SuperCrew 4x4 Lariat Bright Red/Arizona Beige, Moonroof, Capt chairs, tow pkg, lim slip, sliding rear window, cab steps
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1378049&a=10283139

 

Hey Jill,

I'd have to agree with you on the reasons for the 4.6 and also the fact that I'm getting worse gas mileage with my cap than without it. Overall average for me is 15 MPG doing a combination of driving on mostly rural country roads.

The 4.6 gives me plenty of power for my needs and I put the $800 I saved towards the cap.

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Gen III 2001 Screw 4x4 XLT
Arizona Beige/Wedgewood Blue Tu-Tone
Captains Chairs w/Power Drivers Seat & Autolamp
6 Disc CD Changer
4.6L, 3.55 LSD, Moonroof
Cab Steps, 17" 10 Spoke Wheels, Skid Plates, Trailer Tow Group Sliding Rear Window

Mods:
ARE Z Series Cap
BedRug
VentVisors
Catch-all Floor Mats
Lund Interceptor Hood Deflector (Painted to Match)
Ford Mud Flaps