Given the option between the 4.6 and the 5.4 is there anyone that would take the 4.6? I have a '97 with the 4.6L 2V and I'm just about convinced there's nothing you can do to stop it. One tough motor, not to say that the 5.4L is not. I'm just curious to see it anyone would rather the 4.6L (besides me.) I'm all about power but I'd rather mod the 4.6 than swap.

 

Can't speak for the 5.4... But I have 218k on my 4.6 and it has been flawless.

 

I've owned both, both 2v's. Both were great engines for around town, I have not and do not tow much, but that is where the difference really was noticable for me. My 97 4.6 struggled to keep a highway pace with 4ish thousand pound boat behind it, while I have towed much more weight with the 5.4 without that feeling.

Both are great engines. Very comparable gas mileage.

 

I have the 4.6 2v and its great, no problems. Now that they have the 3v 4.6 with 300 horse and bumped up the torque it makes it even more appealing to take the smaller motor.

 

I figured out how to stop my 4.6
5000 pounds behind it.

 

Yeah I hear you. I have also driven a truck with a stock 5.4L and the power difference is quite considerable. Then again with some investments of time and money you can get a lot out of your 4.6.

 

What gears do you run?

 

i'm well over 200k, I've replaced the waterpump, and alternator. Had a problem with the egr.
But it is by far the best engine I've ever owned. The biggest thing I've ever towed with it on a regular basis is a 24(if I remeber the length right) foot party barge, but I have no idea how much it weighed. I haven't towed anything I can think of in probably 50k. But I wouldn't be affraid to tow with it now.

I grew up racing small block chevys, and can't really complian about them. But I love my 97Lariat, and will not buy another truck untill they make another style I like. I sure do not like the newer body styles.I bought the 97 because it is the best looking truck to roll off an assembly line since the F1

 

I agree 100%.....

My 97 4.6 is just unbeatable.I had a cracked head and burnt plugs when I bought mine and still got 11.9 mpg. My mechanic keeps telling me too throw it away, but it just keeps running. For my money this is the one to have.......

 

I've never driven an F150 with the 4.6, so I can't really compare that, but I have driven a 97 T-Bird with the 4.6 and it was pretty peppy.. But, I don't think the T-Bird weighed more then #4,000??

The other Q I have on the differences between the two motors is why do they put the 8.8" rear end on 4.6 equipped trucks (they do that on even the 2010's) and the 9.75" one on the 5.4 equipped trucks?? Must be something to it, because going down the assembly line, wouldn't it be easier to just use the same axle for all the trucks??

When I first bought my truck back in 2001 I had no idea I was going to get a travel trailer a year later, but on the lot were two F150's.. One a 98 with the 4.6 and another, a 97 with the 5.4.. The one with the 4.6 had less miles on it, had the 17" OEM wheels on it and was about a grand less then the 5.4 with more miles, and pretty crappy wheels and tires on it (stock and worn out P235/70/16 tires with the steel argent wheels with plastic wheel covers on it).... I looked them both over, but it was when I saw the size difference of the rear end and the fact that it was the biggest motor you can get in the F150 that made me pick the more expensive, older, more miles 5.4...

Yes, I'm biased and yes, I'll tell anyone that wants to tow with their F150 to get the 5.4 every time.... Even thou I have the first year 5.4 with the least amount of HP/TQ of any 5.4 out there, it's been a trouper! I've just rolled over 210,000 miles and it's not skipped a beat since I bought it with 63,000 miles on it... I changed the plugs right after I got it and it's been on the same set since!! I've had to replace the alternator, a new EGR and the starter and on COP plus all the normal regular maintenance stuff to date...

Overall, I'm impressed with the Triton motor and since the 4.6 is basically the same thing, just a few cubes smaller, it's probably just as good of a motor... But, if you want to tow, get the 5.4!

Mitch

 

Won't have a 3v anything with a Triton name on it. I'm driving my 04 4.6 SCrew until there is a track record on the new engines that are debuting this November. My bud, who owns the Ford dealership I buy from, almost talked me into a 5.4. I'm so glad I didn't make that mistake. Far too many people with issues on these engines. Yeah, I know, some haven't had any issues at all. But I know my luck.

 

4.88's and the poor thing couldnt get out of its own way, and hauling was a joke.

 

screw the 4.6, get a 4.2!

 

Screw the truck, get your confidential information scrubbed from your hard drive.

 

For me, it depends on the application and model year in question.

I now have a 5.4 in a 2003 F150 regular cab short bed, and have had a 4.6 and a 4.2 in the same era and same style F150s (2001 4.2, 2001 4.6), and I can say that for just general use with light towing, under 3000# additional weight, that the 4.6 is very capable, the 4.2 is straining to do it, and the 5.4 just has more low end grunt.

Personally, if I was looking at an F150 from 1997 to 2003, I would prefer the 5.4, with the 4.6 a very close second. In a 2004 and later I would have to pick the 4.6 due to the spark plug and variable valve timing problems with the 5.4 of that era. I'll pass on the 4.2, regardless of year, and continue to look for a 4.6 or '97 to '03 with a 5.4.