I am very happy with my 4.6. I tow 2 different boat rigs, 1500 lb almost every weekend and a 3000lb rig a couple times a year. My power is more than adequate. My only beef is that my tail wags around with the 3000lb rig. That said, if I was buying a truck today it would have a 5.4, The reason is that you can then get the 7700GVW pkg which include the 4R100 tranny and the igger rear end. That's the ticket today.

 

I've owned both as well. 97 4.6 17-18mpg highway 2000 5.4
18-20 highway. I know ...it surprised me too. With 51K on the 5.4 I got 19.6 2 weeks ago.

-jeff b.

 

I was in the same situation as you, back in Feb of this year. I wanted the 4.6L, for better mileage. I tried working a deal on a 4.6L, but the dealer didn't have the options I was looking for. I upgraded to the 5.4L, and only paid a few hundred more, than I would on the 4.6L.

I have a 4k lb Ranchero, that I towed 900 miles, thru hill country, between Abilene, TX and MS Gulf Coast. I would look down at the Speedo' every now and then. I would notice, I was doing 75, and didn't even realize it, except for the trailer getting a lil' fishy. Not a very stable trailer, it was a U Haul rental.

Any way, go with the 5.4L, w/ the Class III tow pkg. The extra power will be there, if you need it.

I average 13.4 City / 18.6 Hiway, at 75 MPH. What ever you decide, let us know. Good Luck, on your Decision. I know it is a difficult one to make. Everyone has told me, that I made the right choice, with the extra 29 Ponies.

R1968

 

I've got the 4.6 in a regular cab 2x4, and I'd bet a dollar I could keep right up with anyone in the 5.4 extended cab out there... With that said, I'd definately like about 30 more h.p.! If I was getting an extended cab, and especially if I was going to be towing a trailer, I'd defianetly go with the 5.4... The difference in gas milage is minimal (the difference in a couple miles per gallon is not even going to be noticeable at all) and you will enjoy that extra 30 h.p. everyday you own your truck. The 5.4 will always have the higher resale value aswell.

 

In the last 3 years I've own all 3 motors...

1999 XLT RC/SB flair side 4.2L 5-Speed
- Fun to drive empty, plenty of power for the truck size
- Great gas mileage (~18mpg mixed)
- Lethargic when towing
- Very reliable after 14k miles

2000 XLT RC/LB style size ORP 4.6L auto
- Fun to drive empty, could chirp tires from dead stop
- Acceptable gas mileage (between 15-16 mpg mixed)
- Decent while towing except on hills
- Bad injectors, stumbling and hesitation after 2k, random puffs of blue smoke at startup at 8k, passenger side headgasket leak by 12k, bought back at 14k

2001 XLT Sport SC/SB style side 5.4L auto
- Fun to drive, period. Can more than chirp tires from dead stop
- Great gas mileage for the power (current avg 15.69mpg mixed)
- Great while towing, even on hills
- 5k miles so far and no problems

Based on what I've read here they're all good, but my experience with the 4.6 has been less than stellar. The difference in mpg between the 5.4 and 4.6 is negligible so I would not even let that be a factor in your decision. While the 5.4 does have a higher cost, it also has a higher resale value.

Either way you cannot go wrong! Good luck with your decision!

 

Y2k offroad 3 trucks in 3 years what are you going to do for next year get a superduty with the V10

 

My father owned 2 5.0's, 2 4.6ls, and 1 5.4L, and by far the 5.4l is the better motor! Sure, the 4.6l was quick, but the small cubes and low HP, showed above 50, where it was slow. The 5.4l pulls strong all the way thru.

The 4.6l tows good, but again, the extra 60 ft/lbs the 5.4l has makes a difference when ya need it!

BTW, the 4.6l is stronger than the 5.0

 

I'll throw my two cents in on the gas mileage and reliability pluses for the 4.6. Long term average for me is 17mpg on the dot. Freeway driving I regularly get over 20mpg. My best was nearly 24mpg. Not typical, but possible!

Now sitting at 132,500 miles, with a spark plug change being the only thing done to the engine. Doesn't leak a drop of oil, doesn't burn a drop of oil, and does everything ever asked of it.

I ain't gonna be the first one in a race or the first one to the top of the hill - but I'm gonna get there!

Good luck in you choice...

 

Personally I liked my 4.6 better. It was a 4x2 sc with a 3.55 rear with ls. I towed a 4,100 pound trailer a couple of times a week and you could easily forget it's there. My screw has the 5.4 with the class three package, wrong radiator, and is a 4x4. Down low it is a monster, but at highway speeds I find it to be a bit of a dog.
Just my .02 cents.

 

Ok, I decided to buy a 4.6 because I found one with the 3.55 LS, tinted glass, and a few other mods. I really only plan to commute to work and haul my son and his rc racing gear to the track on the weekends. And, of course, a truck comes in handy for many other chores. I thought I would try out the 46 for better mileage since I don't plan to haul a heavy trailer any time soon. So, last night I signed papers and gave dealer a bank draft. I took off half a day of work to go up to the country and pick up my 3/4 ton GMC for trade. I get to dealer, stand around again for an hour or so. Finally, after meeting with service advisor, he hands keys to me and asked that I try out second key. Well, I noticed the vin on the tag was different. I offered to try it and it started truck. But, in the meantime he went back to sales manager to check vin since truck number was different than that on paperwork. I had shook hands on this deal and signed all paperwork last night and presented a check. Well, salesman comes back into lobby and said that he had wrong truck for me! I made a deal on the truck outside, I was ready to drive off, and I noticed their error on vin. Well, they wouldn't let me have the damn truck, said it was a dealer trade with no holdback, and they could not sell it unless I paid an additional $500!. What bull**** they gave me at Gillespie Ford in San Antonio, TX! PS, I am posting this message elsewhere, I am sooo pissed!

 

get the 5.4

i have a 2000 f-150 xlt supercab 4x4 and when it went into the shop for warrenty work, i got a f-150 4x2 xlt for a rental...

let's just say night and day doesn't begin to describe the difference...

the 4.6 was far to slow for me, and the low end torque for towing, well it just isn't there..

i have only one thing to say about the 4.6 ford can keep it....

 

I had a 97 4.6L 4x4 SC and now I have an 01 5.4L 4x4 SC. The 4.6L is a sweeet engine. Sound, tough, strong, excellent. I really liked it. ., I bogged a bit with the 4.6 on hills going north. I do a bit of towing and when I traded I got the 5.4L. More power and torque, yes for sure, especially vs the '97, but I sure wouldnt bash the 4.6L..

 

It sounds like you guys are saying the difference in the fuel mileage is not as wide anymore...

My 5.4 got 16 on the highway...The SCrew I have is 20mpg...

You guys saying the 5.4 with the same setup up is about the same mileage...I know the 17" on the 4X4 knocks the gear ratio's off...so you cant compare these...

I am saying with the 3.55's and the auto they both ran 2000rpm at 70mph..

If I had know they were that close then I would have got the 5.4...

Springfield--I had a Mark VIII with the 4.6 4 valve that would dust about 99% of the trucks on this site and still got 25mpg...

So yes I will keep the 4.6...

Oh yeah BTW--you migth want to check your roots and see where the 5.4 came from...Hint; modular engine family...
4.6 out in 91 I believe...

 

i think the 5.4 in the cobra r would dust off 99% of the mark vIII's around. so what? how about those 99, 2000, 4.6 cobra motors? (all motors have some kind of problem)

i think a 4.6 would get 1 to 2 mpg better at the most. so for an average driver thats about 2 to 3 gallons savings a week for a savings of about a $4.00 a week (give or take).

btw i have a 97' 5.4 that does not leak a drop, no piston slap, and has 103,000 miles.

not very many people that have the 5.4 wish they had a 4.6.

 

That really sucks about the "switch" of your truck. Are the two exactly the same as far as options and color, etc?

Strange why they want $500 bucks more for one over the other. Aren't both brand spankn' new?