Well thanks to reading many of the post on this message board .I am convinced my next truck should be a F150 SC . Ive been shopping the Lariet and XLT with all the bells and whistle's,but find most come with the 5.4 V8.Because MPG is more important to me than HP I am leaning toward the 4.6.Also have some concerns about the piston slap problem in the 5.4.Can i improve the MPG on the 5.4 with a flowmaster cat-back system? Has the piston slap problem been solved?
Does anyone get near 20 mpg with a 5.4 and cat-back setup?

Thanks for your imput

 

What, are you kidding? I would like to see the 5.4 that gets 20mpg - even driving 300 miles down hill with a strong tail wind he! he! he!.
Mods or no mods I don't think you could even get close to 20. I get 12mpg. Okay, I have a severe case of leadfootedness but still - 20mpg?
Really, kidding aside. There are some survey stats on this site's home page. Check 'em out.

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'97 F150 Lariat, Flareside, SC, ORP, 5.4, Mods: [i]305/70/16 GY ATS, AR Baja wheels, dual exhaust, Smittybilt nerf bars, fog light mod and Big Bird mirror toy.[i/]
kkirt1@hotmail.com

 

I don't think "near 20" is realistic and I would be surprised to hear anyone make the claim mods or no. Best I've gotten is 15.7 on a road trip. Have yet to crack 14 in everyday driving. You don't buy these things for mileage.

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Ben Mc.----'99 XLT 5.4 SC SB ORP Dk. Red/Dk. Grey----Fact. Cab Steps, Tonneau, Slider----Straight Duals, Superchip, Airaid/KN (non-sag), Prime Designs Air Deflector----PPI 4240 Amp,McIntosh 6x9's w/crossovers front, Polk DB 5.25's rear---Tuessssdayyyy Affffternoooooon----gotta love it!

 

kkirt1/dirlton
Thanks for the reply ,sounds like the 4.6 is the way to go . I may have to wait for a 2000 to get the truck equipped the way I want.
thanks again

 

molecule, Yea these guys are right. The truck is too big to get 20mpg. The 4.6 is a good engine, and some report that it has good power......like me. I have got about 15mpg and I kind of like to "let her wind out" on occasion. Maybe my mods helped or maybe not.

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97 F-150 4.6 auto, 4x2, 3.55 LS, trailer tow pkg, ABM with K&N, Dynomax Super Turbo exhaust.
Oh yeah, it's Oxford White with crome wheels, Legacy shell & custom grill.

 

I would buy the 4.6 for your purpose. I have a 4x4, SC with the long box (truck cant be any bigger) with the 4.6 and manual trans. This truck has some serious snot to it. I have ran up mountain passes at 80mph, truck just humming along. The 2000 model 4.6 will have an additional 20 ponies. My mileage has ranged from 13 to 18 mpg.


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1999 XLT SC, 4x4, Long Bed, 4.6 with manual trans. Deep wedgewood blue

 

I have gotten 19mpg and it was combined driving (city/hwy) I had a terrible time remembering to keep my foot out of the gas! Most of the time it's averaging about 17mpg. I'm sure I could get 20+ hwy if I'd keep the ole foot off the peddle

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97F150 XLT SC 4x4 Flairside 4.6 V8 5sp Dk Toreador Red, 3.55LS
ARE tonneau cover, p255/70rx16 tires (came w/235), Superchip
Pioneer CD w/4 Polk Speakers & Clarion APA5240amp, skid plates
bed liner, side window deflectors, reese hitch, K&N air filter
40s-2chamber Flowmaster, Bosch +4 spark plugs, rustproofing

 

I make a once a week round trip of 220 miles (freeway). I consistently get a little over 17 MPG. 2000 RPM between 70-75 MPH. I got almost 19 once when I ran Texaco gas however, here in California Texaco is too expensive.

99150 SC 4.6 auto (no mods).

 

Molecule,

Look at my profile and you will see that even the 99' 4.6 can run awesome. I cant wait to see that new 2000 4.6, but then again, I might have it in my truck.
Who knows, mix-ups happen!

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1999 Ford F150 XLT 4x2, Cloth Seats, Amazon green, 16" All season tires, Soft Tonneau Cover, CD Player, 4.6 liter Triton V8, 3:55 ls, towing package, 4 speed auto, K&N Airfilter, soon Superchip and K&N GEN II.

Fast46Triton

The Terminator!

 

Molecule,

It also depends on what ya want. Do you want to tow? Do you want speed? MPG?

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1999 Ford F150 XLT 4x2, Cloth Seats, Amazon green, 16" All season tires, Soft Tonneau Cover, CD Player, 4.6 liter Triton V8, 3:55 ls, towing package, 4 speed auto, K&N Airfilter, soon Superchip and K&N GEN II.

Fast46Triton

The Terminator!

 

molecule,
I have 600 miles on my truck. Most of these miles are around town. Mileage so far is 15.4 MPG. Don't believe I'll see 20 MPG though. However, I don't see alot of posts indicating that the 4.6L V8 gets any better mileage on average. It may, I just don't see it right now. Anyway, whichever you get I'm sure you will love it. I love mine that's for sure!!

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1999 Ford F-150 XLT Sport 4x2 SC; Black, Med Graphite Interior, 5.4L, 3.55LS, 17" Wheels, 275/60 Tires, Tonneau Cover, Captains Chairs, CD Changer, Heavy Duty Electrical and Cooling, Nerf Bars, Rhino Liner, Tinted Windows

 

Thanks again, the mileage info on the 4.6 is something I can live with ,I guess 20 mpg is a stretch to say the least.
Huckster the 20 extra HP for 2000 sounds great ,I haven't gotten too much info from the on-line dealer about the 2000 ,I'm sure they want to move their existing stock ,Have you heard of any other changes for 2000?

 

I've got to say something in defense of 5.4 gas mileage here. I got 19.4 on a trip recently. I get a steady 17 mpg in mixed driving with about 65% highway. I think the 4WD is the killer for gas mileage and the weight of the super cab.
3878 trucks empty weight
200 tank of gas
242 one Raoul
----
4320 lbs


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99 Lariat R/C 2WD 120"WB 5.4 3.55LS Tow Dark Toreador/Gold Line-X
The Bubbamobile
raoul_oba@hotmail.com

 

Tina
the mileage figures you are getting are what I would like to get also,I notice you have quite a few mod's,Did the superchip help your milage that is the only mod I would not add.

 

Are you sayin the only mod you wouldnt add is the superchip? Thats the first one you should get!

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1999 Ford F150 XLT 4x2, Cloth Seats, Amazon green, 16" All season tires, Soft Tonneau Cover, CD Player, 4.6 liter Triton V8, 3:55 ls, towing package, 4 speed auto, K&N Airfilter, soon Superchip and K&N GEN II.

Fast46Triton

The Terminator!