Ive been toying with the idea of tradeing in my f150 for another truck. You can all relax because for once i will not be looking at chevys. I also have a child on the way so no reg cab anymore. I was just curious about engine choice. The truck i have now has the 5.4 triton. As much of a pain as this engine is to work on i cant complain about the raw power and torque that comes from this brute. My question is this. Is it really worth it in the end. I mean i do haul loads and occasionally tow cars. But for everyday use would i be betteroff with the 4.6 I have found some trucks reasonably priced around 15 or 16 with crew cabs or extended cabs. Something 98 or above.

Any help would be great.

ben

 

id go 5.4 the powers there when you need it it wont work as hard as the 4.6 has to i doubt youll get better milaege with the 4.6 you have to remember that 05 is a heavy truck, go 5.4 you wont be sorry, to many reasons to list them all

 

nonononono no 05 what do u think im made of money lol probally 2003 or older so old body style.

 

From what I've seen there is no BIG difference in fuel economy between the 4.6 and the 5.4. But I sure do know I won't be giving up my 5.4. It'll eat the boogers out of a dead man's nose.

 

I'll keep my 5.4 also, thank you!!

 

well for a family truck, the 4.6 is just fine. Its not a powerhouse, but its perfectly adequate for normal use. My 4.6 supercab auto is perfect for what i use it for, 18mpg highway, 14-16 city, hauls 6 people with reasonable comfort, and is very reliable.
If you want the tire-roasting power in your fmaily truck, get the 5.4, but the 4.6 is hard to beat as far as reiliability is concerned.

Just my .02

 

If I had a dollar for every time I've heard that one... LOL...

Well, I guess I'd have a dollar.

RP

 

Everytime I have tried to "save a buck" when buying a vehicle and gone with the "smaller" or "more economical" engine, I have lived to rue the day I did it!

If you were buying a new vehicle, I would definately encourage you to get the bigger engine. But since you plan on buying used, I think other factors (general appearance and condition of the vehicle, maintenance record of the previous owner, etc.) will probably be more important in your decision. However, with all things being equal, I would still get the bigger engine if you can!

 

Having owned both the 4.6 and 5.4 liter engines, I'd suggest that you look at several factors. First, there is about a 2 MPG difference between the motors. (Trust me, I know.) If you don't drive much, then the difference in overall cost of operation here is minimal. I drive around 25,000 miles per year. Do the math. It adds up.

Then there's the power thing. Yes, power corrupts and absolute power is kind of neat. Oh yea, and th 5.4 has a lot more power. But, the 4.6 can run pretty decent too. It depends on whether you NEED the extra power and how often. My last truck had the 4.6 and 99% of the time it was more than enough.

In summary, you need to separate NEEDS from WANTS. Good luck, and by the way, they're both great motors.

 

I have a 4.6. Dad has a 5.4. I am jealous. My truck sucks. His truck rules. My truck slow. His truck fast.

Get the picture. This is of course comparing 2 4x4's. The tourque and power from his 5.4 is awesome and it makes my truck seem very limited in those departments. I guess the only way to not feel like the 5.4 is a better motor is to never drive one. I now wish I would have never gotten behind the wheel of my dad's.

 

BLUEWORKHORSE, the engine decision should actually be easier for you, buying used.

If you were buying new, you would have to fret about whether the bigger V8 was worth the extra 1000-1500 option charge because all other things are equal.

That's not the case in the Used market.

One truck will be a little better than another and prices will vary.

I wouldn't pass up a nice 4.6L to take 5.4L that wasn't as nice just because of the engine. If they are equal as far as you can tell it may be worth a few hundred more to get the 5.4L.

Remember those options depreciate just like the rest of the truck.
KBB says that ($1000-$1500) 5.4L option is worth $535 more than the 4.6L on a 2002 SuperCrew.