Sterling 10.25??? In a 1/2-ton???? Seriously??

I've hauled and towed with both engines in the same truck. (OK, different truck, 4 years apart, same options.... flare-seid supercab, 4x4, automatic) I can honestly say that when empty, 90% of the time, the 4.6 is fine. However, when loaded with wood or towing my 5000 lb boat with the 4.6, I always wished I had waited for the 5.4. When doing the same with the 5.4, I've never thought, "Gee, I wish I had saved that 2mpg and gone with the 4.6."

-Joe

 

Yup, the f150's that have the heavy duty package or the 7700 package have the 10.25" rearend. These trucks are basically identical to the f250 LD's, except the badges.

 

GIJoeCam,

I'll agree with you 100% on the 4.6 being fine most of time because I've owned both too. (In fact one could say I've experienced ALL of the variaitions between my '97 (4.6), '99 (5.4 PI), '02 (4.6) and '05 (5.4). Where I might disagree is the 2 MPG thing. I put over 25,000 miles a year on my trucks and that 2 MPG adds up in a real hurry. I can tell you that my next F-150 will have a 4.6 under the hood for just that reason. I love my truck, but it's killing me these days to feed it.

 

I knew about those.... When I read "Heavy Duty Payload Package," I saw, "Heavy Duty Towing Package" instead LOL!!

-Joe

 

If all you are doing is pulling some wood everynow and then, even if its 3.ooo pounds, the 4.6 will have no problem doing the job.

The 4.6 has more power per displacement, which means it is a more efficient motor...
The 5.4 does have more torque, but it takes alot more gas to achieve that.

With my 4.6L Screw, I personally have towed a v6 grand prix on a uhaul dolly about 30 miles, no problem on low end torque, but then again i wasnt trying to floor it either.
I also have had a payload of over 1000 pounds, and towed with a chain a lifted 4x4 F350 diesel about 3 miles, no problems except its a pain to tow with a chain....

So i would say unless you can get the 5.4 for cheaper, there is no reason you need it. Also up through mid 02, they had problems with the 5.4 popping out sparkplugs b.c the head didnt have enough threading on it...
-Patrick

 

I agree with the 4.6 on a pre-04 F150. Not sure of any trans problems, haven't read that on this forum and I've been considering both A LOT. I did purchase an 04 with 4.6L and towed 3500 pound ATV trailer. Consider that ATVs have pretty high wind resistance as there is a lot of turbulance around them and on the trailer they are nearly as high as the cab of the truck (cargo box on ATVs). In the end I traded back in for the post-04 5.4L in the interest of uphill towing and ability to maintain speed on interstate hills.
In your case, 2000 pounds of wood once in a while with the 4.6 will be fine, you might have to slow on hills some, but if you're not doing 600 miles in one day as part of a family vacation some slower driving is fine IMO.

 

I appreciate your replies and advice. I am going out tomorrow and Friday to look at '01's and '02's.

We towed about a 2300 lbs of wood today on a trailer with my friends F-150---I believe he has the 5.8.

Ref

 

Forget what the salesman said, it's BS. The 4R70W is a fine tranny. My '98 was a little slow to downshift climbing steep hills but the Superchips tuning took care of that and a lot more. Mine never needed anything but routine PM as recomended in the owners manual.

As far as 4.6L vs 5.4L. It is personal choice.(unless you live in the Rocky Mountains) If you're going to use it as a daily driver and don't need the "fun factor" of a few extra ponies the 4.6L will save you some gas money and serve you well.

Good Luck

 

i have a 2001 f150 4.6 4x4 extended cab i just got it in june how do i find out what trans i have and what ones have the trans problems and is it on the 4x4 and the 4x2

 

look on the door jamb sticker for trans code, call dealer, they will tell you.

 

Hi.

Try this:

http://www.fordf150.net/howto/decode.php