I'm looking at buying a used F150 between 1997 and 2000 model. Which year and what motor can I expect the least trouble from? I do some towing but rather be a little slow and get better overall mileage.Test drove a 98 4.6 and it was pretty peppy. My 07 5.4 does pretty good on mpg but have heard the older model 5.4's did'nt do as good on mpg's as the 4.6's. Are both engines plug spitters? Help me decide.

 

4.6 rarely spits plugs. I have 2 5.4's and love them so of course my vote is 5.4. the 4.6 is good though. It was rate in the top 10 most reliable engines and still might be.

 

Not much difference in gas mileage between a 5.4 and a 4.6. I believe that it is better to have a little more power than needed than not enough...but the 4.6 has proven itself to be a solid powerplant, too.

But, I have the 5.4 and wouldn't have anything else. (I have an '02 XLT 4X4.)

TSC

 

I had a 97 F150 with a 4.6 with 275000 miles when i sold it. I towed and did long distance driving. I can not complain. I now have a 2001 Expedition with a 4.6 with 135000. I dont mind the 4.6 but never drove the 5.4.

 

Thanks for the responses. Making me lean toward the 4.6. I own a possible plug sticker and don't want a spitter too LOL. Do this generation have the phaser problems too? Are the coil packs more reliable than the COP's? Would like to hear about the 4.6's problems if any.

 

On My 2000 Expy 2wd, IMHO it is way overpowered... Mine is rated to pulll 9000 lbs... unless you are living in mountainous area towing, I would go with 4.5 gas wont stay cheap for ever

Either way prices were forced so far down you should get a steal right now.

 

5.4--the mpg difference is negligible.

 

OK so the mpg's are about the same. So why not go for the 4.6 if it has less problems?? Still no answer on the phasers?? Coil pack vs COP's?

 

My last f150 was a 2001 4x4 Sport package XLT long bed regular cab with 5.4L, bought it new and traded it at 68000 miles. Never had a problem or spit a plug. Never touched the plugs since they're supose to last 100,000 miles. Hauled ten full loads of fire wood last spring. No problem!

Traded the 2001 for a 2008 xl with 4.6L long bed regular cab 4x4 in June when gas was $4. Got a good deal!!! I've had the 8 foot bed loaded full with green wet oak fire wood five times. Probably 1500 to 2000 pounds. It has good power.

The 2001 5.4L has more low end torque, but the 4.6 does fine fully loaded. Not that much MPG diffference. I prefer the 4.6 due to the spark plug & cam phaser issues. Both are good motors!

Jerry

 

5.4 gets a tad bit better mpg with more power. Easy choice. As soon as you get the truck change out ALL the fluids, fuel filter, oil filter, air filter, pcv valve, blah blah blah etc. do a COMPLETE tune up.

That is one of the stupidest things I've heard in awhile. You think you're '00 expedition is way overpowered!? Are you serious....? You sir are a moron. BTW mpg about the same for both engines.

 

The 2v's dont have cam phasers. The cam phasers are because of the VCT (variable camshaft timing). Coil pack vs COP's are wharever you want them to be. Some like the traditional coil and plug wire, I prefer the COP.

Also I don't see how buddys 2000 expedition is rated to tow 9000 when my 2000 7700 series is only rated 8300....

 

Great. No phasers. 1 less problem. So which engine is easier to tune by a DIY'er? And again thanks for all the help.

 

they are pretty much the exact same motors except the 5.4 is 3/4 of an inch taller. There are some minor differences like like 5.4 got PI heads in 99 and 4.6 got them in 01. 5.4 has always had COP's. 4.6 got them some time in 01 (probably the same time as the PI heads).

If you are looking for something with a little more power with a better resale value than go for a 5.4. If you find your ideal truck but with the 4.6, or a really great price on one with the 4.6 then go with it.

If you are looking for something to mod for performance, like intake exhaust etc. Than you might as well buy a 5.4 because of the extra power it already has.

 

They're both great engines. The 4.6 is really reliable, no cam phasers or breaking spark plugs but isn't as powerful as the 5.4, obviously. If you have to have the absolute most power get the 5.4. If you don't then get the 4.6.

 

the early 3 valve 5.4's had the cam phaser issues so a 2 valve isn't related

I would never willingly buy a 4.6 unless it came in a supercab 4X4 stepside with a manual transmission so I could swap it to a 5.4


most people that own 4.6 engines are happy with them and there's more performance parts available for the 5.4.

How about you find a truck that has the options you want and see what engine happens to be in it



just my $0.02