hey guys i just signed up and i got a question. i just bought a 99 f-150 lariat with a 4.6l in it. its got 133k miles on it which is alot. it has the towing package on it. i was wondering, im keeping this truck for along time but should i do all my upgrades on the 4.6 or should i take it in the pooper and switch it out for a 5.4. now i will be doing some towing but nothing insane. but i will be doing ALOT of offroading. so waht do you guys think.

 

I guess it depends alot on how much weight you will be towing. I tow a 4,000 pound trailer (camper) with my 4.6 and it does fine.

 

Also, Welcome aboard!!!

 

i won't be towing alot just my boat and horse trailer. but i will be doing some serious off roading. nothing like you see on tv, but just having fun.

 

welcome to the boards and 133,000 on a 4.6L is just breaking these motors in.

 

alright thank god cuz i think i will just buy suff for the 4.6 and i dont want to start a huge argument but, is there that much differnce between the 4.6 in power and torque. NO BIG ARGUMENT!

 

Yes.

 

how though

 

I've driven my truck, which has a few mods, and my aunts 2001 or 2 Expy with the 5.4. Same gears (3.55LS), size tires (255/70 while I had them). Only difference was that hers weighs more. Hers just felt like it had more get up and go. Pulled harder and stronger, etc. I always found myself driving hers faster than my truck because I was so used to pushing harder on the pedal. Hers also had less miles, but that shouldn't make a huge difference. It also had a lot more low end torque than mine.

 

but will it effect me alot going off road im not gonna be pullin much just a trailer? over all is it worth puttin money into or shoul i just ge ta 5.4

 

Correct if I'm wrong but one doesn't normally look for 0-60 speed and times when offroading do they?
Change the gears if you want a bit more GRUNT in the dirt and better low end pulling power.
Gear swap is much cheaper than engine swap. Less hassle too

 

I don't understand you guys. You just bought this truck and you want to do a engine swap to a 5.4 Why didn't you buy a truck with a 5.4 and save all the questions.... Do what orvs4me sugested, change the gears or use 4low when 4 wheeling. I was a 4 wheeling jeeper until my back gave out. now I'm a cruzin 4 wheeling ford driver now..

Gerry

 

i had a 97 4.6 with a 5 speed and it had good power for just normal driving but when i pulled a two place snowmobile trailer it was really doggy. i now have a 5.4 and it pulls like there is nothing back there and gets better mileage than my 4.6 used to during normal driving. so i would say trade your 4.6 off for a 5.4 and dont worry about an engine swap

 

Just my opinion, 5.4 has much more power for towing. Engin swap isn't worth it. Enjoy your truck, its just broke in.

 

The 5.4 doesnt have THAT much more power that it justifies swapping it for the 4.6. The 4.6 is a perfectl capable engine. If your 4.6 dies somehow, then it wouldnt be a bad idea to look at swapping the 5.4, but right now I would put your money towards other mods.