Hey folks, been browsing the boards for the last few weeks, and have almost decided to plop down the hard earned dough for a 2003 f-150. The deals are great, but am having trouble deciding which way to go. Best deal so far, FX4 5 speed w/ 4.6 XLT. But have looked at auto's w/ 4.6 and 5.4. Like the fx4 look and package, and like driving a stick, but any info. appreciated on their reliability, towing capability (if any) , and whether its worth the extra few thousand for an auto, or the 5.4. Hope to join you all soon...

 

well you'll get a million conflicting and argumentative replies on this one! you don't need the 5.4 unless you tow heavy loads often. i tow with my 4.2 and it does just fine. as for the tranny, the 5 speed has a reputation for poor synchros; especially on the 2 to 3 upshift. but i have a 5 speed and it is just fine. i, like you, prefer the direct feel, control, and involvement of the manual. but you do give up towing capacity with the 5 speed. if you manuever a lot in a construction setting; backing up trailers, etc., you may be better off with an automatic. the automatic sucks up about 30 to 40 horsepower; so a 4.2L 5 speed will be about as quick as a 4.6 auto; all things being equal. this is a practical assessment i think. many will insist a 5.4 is the only way to go but IMO you don't need it.

 

Had a manual before and now have a 2003 auto 4.6. This was the right combo for me. Price, MPG and tow capacity. The big factor was that I had previously put in 3 slave cylinders on my manual and didn't want to go through that again. Also wanted the increased tow capacity. What works for you is what you should get, it's your hard earned money.

 

Originally posted by acadianabob
... you don't need the 5.4 unless you tow heavy loads often. i tow with my 4.2 and it does just fine...

Uh.. no.

... as for the tranny, the 5 speed has a reputation for poor synchros; especially on the 2 to 3 upshift. but i have a 5 speed and it is just fine...

Nope!

... so a 4.2L 5 speed will be about as quick as a 4.6 auto; all things being equal...

Nope!!

Be safe or be sorry..

 

I'll try and shed a little light with my experience here.

If you are considering the V6, I can't help. If you are looking for a V8, I personally would spend the $800 for the 5.4L upgrade.

I recently purchased a new '03 FX4, my old truck was a '97 with the 4.6L. I was not happy with the way that my 4.6 performed versus my fathers 5.4L. His towed better, hauled a load better, ran more smooth in town, highway and interstate. (as expected)

My 4.6L was modified with a intake kit, superchips, magnaflow cat-back, and ignition upgrade and it still would not compare to my dads truck that was stock.

If you are not going to do any towing or hauling anything heavy, the 4.6L can get the job done just fine, and many praise it on this forum.

But, IMHO, the 5.4 is far superior for only a $800 upgrade and thefuel milage advantage for the 4.6L is almost nothing.

Like I said, just my opinion, and many will say the 5.4L is overkill if you are not doing any towing?

Either way, you will be getting a great truck with a reliable engine.

As for the auto vs. man trans........I agree with the above statements, and feel personally that with the way that autos are built today, manual trans are for sports cars.

Good luck on your decision

 

You would be correct with that NOPE to the 4.2 stick will be "about" as quick as the 4.6 auto.

The 4.2 stick will beat a 4.6 auto everyday of the week and twice on Sunday. The 4.2 has MORE horsepower at the real wheels then does the V8 4.6. Sad but TRUE...


As far as towing, you want an auto to get the most out of towing, it can handle more towing then a stick with the same motor. However 2 motors and 2 trucks being the same, same weight, same motor etc, the stick will ALWAYS put down more horsepower at the real wheels.

Like I said above the 4.2 stick can beat a 4.6 auto every single time...

 

Originally posted by 01 XLT Sport
... twice on Sunday

LMAO. It's those heavily loaded jelly donuts from Saturday morning isn't it?

 

madman74,

If you want a stick then get the 4.6. If you want an auto get the 5.4. As far as acceleration from slowest to fastest. 4.2 auto, 4.6 auto, 4.2 stick, and depending on how well you drive 5.4 auto and 4.6 stick or vice versa. If you want tow ratings then the autos beat the sticks hands down. Real life the sticks will tow as much but will strain the clutch. If you off road then you have to consider how hard core you are. If you are serious get the 5.4 auto unless you want to upgrade the rear axle of the 4.6 stick from an 8.8 to a 9.75. I play hard on and off road and I have gone through 1 clutch, 2 trannies and 3 rear ends. I now am awaiting $$ to replace the tranny at which time I will replace the clutch with a Centerforce. I have a 9.75 rear that is holding up well. Would I ever get an auto? Not in the foreseeable future... If the new tranny goes south I will look at either a ZF 5/6 speed SD tranny and T-case or I would get a Tremec T56 with a divorced t-case. But I digress. If you like the Fx4 get it, you are the one driving it. Besides Sticks are rare.....

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier

 

Don't buy the 4.6 ecpecting a lot better mileage, you'll be lucky to get an average fo a mile or two per gallon better. In the long run, not worth talking about to me. The 5.4 is the ticket IMHO.

 

I think what you meant to say is the 4.2/5-speed combination puts more horsepower to the wheels then the 4.6/auto combination. Even with light to medium weight towing though, I think you would rather have the 4.6/Auto over the 4.2/Stick.

 

Madman,

Sorry some of our members have probably left a bad first impression on you with all of their public infighting. I assure you we are not all that way. I have a 5.4 but I wanted an auto tranny. I think what transmission you want should really drive the engine choice. If I were buying one new(which I did) I would not get the 4.6 auto, I feel the 5.4 is well worth the additional 800 bucks. I have never been wanton for more power. I have never said "Damn I wish this thing had more torque". If it were possible to get a chain around it, I believe I could pull my house down the block. All of the engines are extremely reliable but there is something special about seeing the 5.4 Triton when you open the hood, and any red blooded american male will want to look under the hood before anything else.

 

I enjoy my 4.6L auto. No it's not as powerful as a 4.2 man or a 5.4 but it get's the job done. Mine is a daily driver to school and work. I'm actually getting about 20+ mpg, hard to believe but it is true I only drive about 6 miles per day just so you know.

 

I'm actually getting about 20+ mpg, hard to believe but it is true I only drive about 6 miles per day just so you know.


That is really good gas mileage. But you drive so little. Don't you worry the fuel will sour in the tank. JK I am jealous.