Gentleman
Well my search for a used 97 and up 150 continues. In the mean time I have had plenty of opportunity to read this forum. I’m purchasing a used <obviously> 150 4x4 in a 3 door model. This time of year pickings are slim or so it seems. I had previously decided that I would stand firm on my 5.4 or bust stance. However it looks like 90% of the 4x4’s in my area up for sale are 4.6L equipped. This forum leads me to believe I will be disappointed in the performance of the 4.6l. If I do decide to add larger tires Ill have to re-gear to help the little 4.6 along. That’s an expense I might not have to perform with the same truck and the 5.4.
If the 4.6L in the 150 is basically the same as the Mustang I will assume the aftermarket has speed parts up the wazoo. Honestly though, I’m looking for something to drive daily, no wrench on daily.
I do not at this time own a trailer/boat or otherwise to pull. However a car trailer or a small boat could always be in my future. My former 86 150 was great, till I put something behind it. The 300 just could NEVER get the job done.
So I ask you, what’s a guy to do with 14K burning a hole in his pocket? Hold out for the 5.4 or “settle” for the 4.6?

Opinions always welcomed. I’m sure a lot of you faced the same question.

Regards

Tommy in NY

 

If you really want the 5.4, wait. You'll never give yourself a break if you dont get what you want. Obviously used doesnt give you alot of wiggle room in that area, but I would try to keep digging for a bit and see if nothing pops up. It also comes down to how long you think you can wait.

I dont think the 4.6 would dissappoint you. Obviously its not as powerful as the 5.4, but I dont think you will really notice it until you start hauling heavy loads.

Just my $.02

 

Depending on your needs, the 4.6L may suit you fine. But I would say with the extra weight of the 4x4 and the SuperCab, you'd be more happy waiting for the 5.4L, IMHO.

-Flea

 

Tommy

I would tell you that the best way to judge what vehicle you want is to find the ones that meet your criteria and then give them a test drive. It's true that a lot of people will give you some good info (me included, I hope!), but nothing will tell you what you need to know like you can. As far as experience, I have owned 2 different vehicles with the 4.6L; a '97 T'bird and the vehicle in my signature. In my opinion it is a great engine. The 'bird was great, and as for the '00 F-150, even without the mods I've done, I never thought that I lacked power. . . I just wanted more . . . I'm used to going fast! Also, I love tinkering with my truck. Anyway, having towed a few things, including stuff that was *too* heavy, I'll tell you that the 4.6L can be suprisingly strong.

[quote] "You'll never give yourself a break if you dont get what you want." [quote]
Johngs is absolutely right, find out which one you like best . . .

 

there are a couple in the classifieds on here

 

I say get what you want and need!!! When I was searching for my truck, I really wanted the sport package and a 5.4l engine. I went to every dealer in my area and could not find exactly what I wanted. It was Sept. 2000 and the new models were due out shortly and all that was left on the lots were left overs, mainly trucks in odd combos which were not very popular. I ended up ordering the truck through a local dealer and had the truck I wanted 3 weeks later. In retrospect, I'm glad I chose that route because it was better to wait a few weeks to get what I wanted than to be miserable and making payments on a vehicle that I didn't like or that didn't meet my needs(for years to come). Stick with your search and you'll be much happier in the end when you find your truck!!! JR

 

I'll third that motion - "get what you want/need and don't settle for less!"

In August of this year I searched all over the region to find the right truck. My specs were: F150 4x4 Flareside 5.4L SuperCab 4-door. Secondary wish list: Lariat, not red, Off Road Package (w/ 17" wheels), Towing Package, with 40/60 seating and CD. I knew that to meet my price range of under 13k I would have to settle for a 100k mile truck, too.

Found lots of options in the area, but couldn't find the right combo, especially the Flareside. They seem to be as rare as hen's teeth in this state. After a couple of weeks of fruitless searching, I talked with the wife and decided that I should be patient and get what I wanted (it helped that she liked the Flareside, too).

I then started searching with unlimited mileage just to see what was out there. I spent 3 hours one night scanning all the matching ads in Autotrader (I took the time to learn the VIN codes for the options that would be in the VIN that I wanted) and found only SIX in the entire country listed at that time that meet my primary criteria. I narrowed it down to a 1999 in Kansas City and a 2000 in Kansas City, but it didn't have a price listed - I don't usually even call those.

Well, I checked on the 99 and it was black with everything I wanted and then, out of curiosity, I called on the 2000. It had about 10k less miles (just turned 100k) and the price was $1500 cheaper!!! The guy even agreed to a trade over the phone for my 96 Aerostar-- needlesss to say, I was in Kansas City the next weekend trading vehicles!

We used to live in Missouri, got to meet some old friends on the trip and take the kids to Worlds of Fun and drive home in my "new" truck, which isn't from Michigan, doesn't look like it has been sitting on the bottom of the ocean, and is so clean on the underside you could eat off of it!

John

2000 F150 4x4 Flareside
Lariat Package
Off-Road Package
Towing Package
5.4L
Leer Lid
Arizona Green/Gold
New Michelin Cross Terrian SUVs

 

I know where you are comming from - I search for almost 6 months to find a 5.4 (if you haven't checked - look on www.traderonline.com). I finally found a 2000 that I liked - it was worth it.

Good Luck in your seach!

 

Make sure you get a 99+ (I beleive this is the starting year) so you can get the PI heads. Especially if you go with the 4.6L. Good Luck!

-Brian

 

I also agree on not settling for anything less than you want. I have a 99 Lariat for my daily driver - it is just what I wanted.

I also have a 98 XL 4.6 and 99 XLT 5.4 that are used on my farm - both are good trucks that do their jobs very well. The 99 5.4 is also the first year of the 260HP.

Keep up your search. You will find your ride.

 

Thanks guys.
Every time I drove through the hills of PA back in the day with my 86 4.9 I used to loose my mind. Same things for any 4x4 action on the beach. The truck never had the power to do what I wanted it to do. Worst of all the 4.9 with the carb got AWFUL MPG. So it was like I had a 351 fuel economy with out the power!

Regarding the 5.4 and model changes for 99 and Up. Can I ask aside from the better heads was there many other changes? Also what was the 98 5.4 rated at?

I have located 2 trucks in my area. One a 99 <silver> with 100K+ on it. XLT "4 door" extended cab 4x4. It has the options and features Im looking for. The price is 8300$. Located at a used car lot.

The 2nd truck is a private seller. 98 red <YUMMY!> XLT 3 door 4x4 with all the bells and wistles. 83K miles. The asking price is 11,500.
Can I expect any paint problems on specific colors? For example you all know what I experienced on my 86!

Ok with that said I'm to understand the 5.4 <knock wood> is good for at least 150K. But what about the rest of the truck? My 86 <apples and oranges> needed about everything in the front end at 100K.
I'm just looking for a little input as far as what I can expect to fail.

Thanks again for the info.
Tommy

 

Depends on your needs, but I would take the 99 4-door over the 98 3-door. 17k miles for $3000 off -- I would take that any day, too.

The advantages to the 99+, besides the PI heads, is the 4-door vs. the 3-door. I knew after driving a 3-door ext. cab that I was going to get real tired of walking around the truck to use that back door. I use the door behind the driver more than I use the passenger door!!!

The big question, is what kind of condition is each one in - body, engine, type of use. However, with my 2000 and over 100k on it, I knew that it was all highway miles and wouldn't hurt the truck like 100k city miles racked up over 8 years would.

Also, as you noticed earlier, I did NOT want red, so that would even make my choice easier!

John

 

i know what you mean, i had a 84 i-6, it was very slow and underpowered. pulling my boat 18 ft 4winns, it could go 66 mph max and pulling hills was a b!tch.
i just dove my brothers 4.6 expedition, IMO very underpowered especially compared to my wifes 5.3 suburban. i also have a 97 5.4 (235 hp) L/D f250 and it will run circles around the 4.6 expedition.
i think in a regular cab or with a 5 speed it would be ok, but i honestly could not imagine putting a boat or loaded trailer behind the 4.6 expedition.

 

I second that statement. The 4.6's arent that fast, but ive hooked up to a couple big trailers and had my truck pulled surprisingly strong.

If i were you id get the 5.4 just so you will know you got what you wanted.

 

I currently drive a 2001 Expedition with the 5.4 with 4 wheel drive and love it. My wife drives a 2002 Expedition with the 4.6 2wd. She loves it too but I could definately tell a power difference from when I originally bought mine. Now I have cat back duels w/stainless magnaflow muffler, SuperChip Supertuner and a K&N FIPK. There is no comparison now but before all of the above mods the 5.4 still had much better response. By the way I tow a 19' Searay about 20 miles each way when I go fishing and you have to look back to remember it is there.


My 2 cents,
MELMAN