I'm 15 and looking for an f150 and me and my grandpa are debating over which engine is better 5.4 or 4.6. From what iv read 5.4 gets like 2 mpg worse than 4.6 I want the 5.4 but my grandpa thinks the 4.6 would be better cause of the mpg He thinks the 4.6 gets 20 something miles per gallon also I live in Houston so it mainly would be city driving also how does 4 wheel drive affect both the 5.4 and 4.6? And is there a difference in mpg between regular cab, extended cab and super crew? Thanks I really appreciate it.

 

I cant say for sure on the 4.6's, but my 5.4 3v gets as good as millage as what i hear others are getting on thier the 4.6's if i drive it right. if i keep my foot on the pedal and have fun it will drink gas. And it might help to say if your looking at a 5.4 3v or 2v .

 

i average 12-14 city and 18-22 hwy out of both of my 4.6 screws. Probably could get a little higher if i drove it "softer" One is stock one is modded, and the modified truck gets better mileage.

 

What YEAR truck are you looking at?

 

I doubt the difference is 2 mpg. the 4.6 has to work harder to do what the 5.4 does. The difference is minimal and in some cases the 5.4 will even do better then the 4.6. If you tow for sure the 5.4 will do better.

 

depends



living in town you sure will not need 4x4 as Houston doesn't get much snow



you never said what models/trim levels you were looking at





my vote is for a 5.4 truck hands down, BUT a 4.6 will treat you right as long as you have all the other options you want

 

I too wanted the 5.4 when I was looking for trucks, but at the end of 2008, we got a deal on my 06 with the 4.6l that we couldnt pass up (i could sell it today for more than I paid for it 3 years ago). I dont tow ever, but I haul a fair amount and drive it on 800+ mile road trips 4-5 times a year. I have never felt like i didn't have the power i needed. The mileage is good, 18-19 on the highway and its a 4x4 with a 3.73 rear end. It isnt fast, but if you put your foot in it it will chug to 90+ to pass truckers on 2 lane highway.

In closing, you will be happy either way, unless you plan on towing, if thats in the plans, get the 5.4.

 

If your looking at 04-09 I would lean towards the 4.6 2v engine because its more reliable. I personally would avoid 5.4 3v engine especially 04-07

 

I'm looking for an 04-07 XLT or fx4. Did they ever make 4.6 fx4's in those years? Because wasn't fx4 just a package for the XLT? Thanks for all the comments I really appreciate it

 

also i dont plan do a lot of towing maybe in a year or two just hauling a small jon boat couple times a year for a 2 hour or so drive

 

What specific reliability issues are you referring too, with the exception of the 2006 5.4 2- piece spark plug design..?

 

FX4 was 5.4 only, but you can get a XLT with a 4.6. Not the most powerful thing out there, but it's very reliable.

 

and you can get 4.6 4x4 thats non-FX4 as well

 

There isnt enough difference in mileage to justify one over the other based just on MPG.
Both are great engines that should run a long long time, however the 5four definatley has more go power...you'd have no problem being able to tell which one was the 4six and which one was the 5four just by driving them.
If your not worried about towing power or driving it like a race car then either one will be just fine.

Personally I wouldnt go back to a 4six if I had too just because of the power difference, but im sort of looking for an 97-03 with a 5 speed and a 4six is the only option.

 

Also how many miles do y'all have on your. 5.4 or 4.6. Anyone in the 300's. My dads got a chevy but its got 310