I hear a lot of talk about all the faults, short-comings and problems with both the 4.6 and 5.4 Trident V8s. I thought it might be refreshing to some readers to hear some positive feedback.

It is a '99 regular cab flareside automatic with a 3:08 rear-end.

I have nothing but good things to report about my 4.6 V8. I am enjoying my engine to the fullest. It is a pleasure to jump in and drive. Whether it is just a trip across town, or a long trip down the freeway ... it runs smoothly and performs even better than my highest expectations. It pulls really hard at all rpms. It averages about 15.8 mpg. It gets 23 mpg on freeway trips. And, when I get the larger fipk K&N installed along with a new exhaust system, I expect to pick up another mile per gallon or two. Guys, I just love this engine and this truck! What a pleasure to drive!

I bought it with 13,600 miles and immediately swithced from Valvoline 5W-30 to AMSOIL 5W-30. I have put almost 4,000 miles on that oil change and the level was down less than 1/4 quart. And I pushed it pretty hard a few times.

Sometimes, listening to nothing but reports of problems and failures in this forum, I thought it might be refreshing to some readers to hear reports of great performance and great luck on a 3-year old 4.6 V8. Happy Motoring!!!
BillVoyles

 

I can say pretty much the same about my 4.6 had it almost 2 years now with almost 43,000 miles on it with no problems.

 

Maybe all the others have the "sugarless" kind! j/k, couldn't resist.

I'm in the same boat. 5.4, 75k miles, no problems since I've owned it (KOW). Love it!!

 

There are quite a few happy owners out there, me being one of them! I've got five years under my engine and 138,000 miles (I know I need to update the sig), and I still haven't had a mechanical fault on this engine. It pulls as hard as I'll ever need, and thats good enough for me! I still don't leak a drop of oil or burn a drop of oil. I do my oil changes every 3,000 miles and forget about it until the next oil change. Long term I'm at 17 mpg over 5 years and I am completely satisfied with this rig.

 

Thanks MitchF150 for catching me on that, I just noticed what I said, "Trident V8" Actually it's a "Trident Nuclear V8". Very powerful!! But only when I'm running under the Polar Ice Cap!
Hee hee heeeeeeee!!!

Bill

 

I gotta say, I like my 4.6, it does run very good. It pulls hills well and acceleration is good too. I think it's just how you use the lock up, and how fast you're going at the time. Seems to me it's in the trnny and converter. The engine runs and runs well. That's my 2 cents.............good day

 

I hear ya Bill. I get kind of tired of all the bitching too. There are some good how to's though. If they are going to bitch about the truck, why don't they join a new club...like aaaaa something far eastern and burns rice!!!!!My 2 cents.

 

I have 169k on my 97 f150 with a 4.6l. I run it hard everyday. Usually make it to a hundred a few times a day. I haven't had a single problem.

 

I didn't mean to sound like I was complaining about the bitchers.
Engine problems are up-setting to anyone. And this is a great place to come to for quick, excellent advice.

If I were having problems ... I'd probably be the first cry-baby to be screaming my head off about it. And you'd be reading about it right here .... lots!!

But I'm just pleased to report NO PROBLEMS! ( KOW )

That's one reason I'm not interested in adding anything to my engine except things I know will help. Like AMSOIL with the best Oil Filter I can buy, FIPK K&N Breather and a good Cat-Back Exhaust System. All of these add-ons are known to help performance .... not screw it up.

I try to apply some common sense to the situation instead of letting my ego and my wallet do the thinking. Try taking your rig in for warranty work with all those exotic goodies hung on it. Ford loves guys who screw themselves out of their warranty. They're not real big on "do-it-yourselfers" add-ons either.

Sometimes you can do things to your truck that will end up causing you more grief than it was worth. I try to stay away from exotic engine add-ons.

BillVoyles

 

67, 564 miles on mine, and uses NO oil!! Amazing. As much as I abuse this engine and tranny it should have blown long ago Believe me, I've blown up a few pushrod engines. I've had a few problems, but none have been bad enough to get rid of the truck. I love this truck more than any vehicle I've owned!!,,,,98

4.6's rock!!

 

I may be one of the few here who have had both engines.

My '97 with the 4.6L engine was exceptional. Absolutely no problems in the two years I had it. On certain road surfaces, it would have just enough power to break the rear wheels (3.55 LS). On turns? 1/4 throttle it would spin the wheels. It towed 6,000 lbs without complaint.

My '99's 5.4L is somewhat trouble free. I've had a squealing fanbelt. Rough idle. Defective IAC. It can't break the rear wheels on rough road surfaces (3.55 LS). On turns, 1/4 throttle causes the wheels to chirp. When it's rainning I wish I had AWD. It tows 6,000 lbs without breaking a sweat.

In comparison, the 4.6L was more than adequate. It beat the 5.4L by about 2 mpg. Up to 45 mph (pretty much city driving) it's hard to tell the difference between the two. It defniitely takes less throttle on the 5.4L to keep the truck going 60 mph than it did with the 4.6L. Going up a particular hill, the 5.4L can just barely do it while staying in OD. The 4.6L always dropped out of OD.

I have to say that at this point, if I were to buy another truck, I'd probably get it with the 4.6L engine because of the better mileage, reliability, and lower initial cost.

For me, the only good thing about the 5.4L is that it's a bit more fun to drive and there's something to be said about getting the biggest engine available.

Bottom line? For the average truck owner, the smart money is on the 4.6L.

 

I agree Dennis..I went with the 4.6 and 20mpg is hard to beat...

The hill country here is hard on the truck though...Its very sluggish up those hills...