I'm a former owner of a 99' supercab 4.6 romeo engine and it had ok power-but NO engine noises. But when I found out about the crew- I sold the 99' and will order a crew.My question is- with all that I'm reading about this piston slap and it seems everyone is paraniod (and listening very closely on start up) should I be concerned with this if I order the 5.4 in the crew? Or order the 4.6? Thanks

 

I would stick with the 4.6. I have 35k on my 4.6 Romeo and love the truck. I towed a 2 place snowmobile trailer and 2 500lb sleds on it in OD with no problems. I did add a tranny cooler to my truck, and strongly suggest one if you do any towing at all. Good Luck!

98 regular cab, 3.55 ratio, 4.6 Romeo Lakeland truck top.

 

4.6l, no need to spend the money on the 5.4l.

 

I have a 4.6 romeo in my 97 expedition 36k and no engine noises, plenty of power. No leaks. I have also got a 96 vic. my employee drives with the 4.6 and over 100k no problems either. I would stick with a poven power plant if your worried or buy an extended warrenty. Whatever you decide enjoy your new truck!

 

The 5.4 was a top ten best V-8 in the world in a vehicle under 50k for the past 3 years. There is not jack _hit wrong with that motor!!!! I have driven both and the 4.6 is weaker period. The problems with the 5.4 are so blown out of proportion it's not funny anymore! Just look at all the 4.6 owners trying to get more HP out of their motors. The 5.4 is not that much more $ and the gas millage is the same. Slap is history and the leak (wich I had) was short lived. Get the big motor! Read the review in Wards Automotive Magazine that will help you make up your mind. It was picked tops because of it's design and durability.


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1999 F150 XLT 4X4 S/C,5.4,Wht,ORP,Pwr seats,Infinity/Alpine, Nerf Bars, Glasstite Targa Sport Topper, K&N, Tow Pkg.


[This message has been edited by Robert Rathburn (edited 04-05-2000).]

 

I have to agree that the disparity between the 4.6 and 5.4 is pretty great. Mileage sucks either way. resale value is much higher for 5.4s.

Slap is not an issue for the supercrew; they are all made after the re-engineering of the Windsor engines. A 4.6 built in windsor (before 4/99) could have slap too!

Like my wife says, Bigger really is better

But, to each his own.

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2001 SuperCrew 4x4 Lariat 5.4/4-spd auto, 3.55 l/s, elec xfer case, Skids, Class III tow, Stock 17"s, Oxford White/Med Graphite leather capts chairs, Rhinolined
Planned: K&N FIPK (When they get the CARB # for 2001's), Superchip

 

I had a 4.6 in my 97 and I have a 5.4 in my 2000. I'll try to compare. Both trucks were 4x4 SC/SB automatic trans with tow package.

I tow a covered snomobile trailer in the winter as well as various boats etc in the summer. When I had the 97 I thought the 4.6 was sufficiant. It was fine while empty, and ok loaded. MPG was at about 18 highway and 12 towing.

When I got the 00 with the 5.4 I realized what I was missing. This thing is a dream!! Plenty of power. You don't even know that snomobile trailer is back there. I get better mileage than the 4.6 all the way around....loaded and empty. Yeah it costs what $600 more, but if you plan to use your truck for a truck or any heavy towing it would be worth it. The 5.4 is solid. Do not let the report here scare you. They've sold millions of them that are problem free.

I had 80 K on the 4.6 with no problems. Currently 16k on the 5.4 with no problems.

-jeff b.

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2000 F150 4x4 SC/SB 5.4 ORP Lariet Oxford White with Harvest Gold 2 tone.

 

I have a 97 with the 4.6 only because I could not get the reg cab with the 5.4. Nothing beats cubic inches. Go for the 5.4.

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97 F-150, 2WD, Reg Cab,Flareside,Dk Toreador Red, Windsor 4.6, Magnecor 8.5mm wires, Bosch Plat +4s, 3.55 LS, EGR Bug Deflector, ******* Bed Cover, Bed Liner, XL Full Length Running Boards, Air Aid Kit, Gibson Single Out Cat Back, Superchips, TransGo Shift Kit, Hellwig Rear Sway Bar, Hellwig 2500# Overload Springs

 

I must concur w/ Robert, 1stSupercrew, FarmBoy and T. Get the 5.4.

I had a '98 w/ the 4.6 and was satisfied, but when some low life scum stole it I got a 99 w/ the 5.4 and it truly was a noticable diff especially when towing.

You reaaly can't go wrong w/ either tho

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1999 Super Cab XLT
Windsor 5.4 V8 complete w/ Piston Slap at no extra charge (Thank you very much)
Intake Silencer Removed
White w/ Grey interior
LoJack Anti-Theft System
Bug Deflector
Aluminum Tool Box
Bed Mat
CCA Redfish Decal
TTMB Sheepshead Decal

 

Isu76,

Get the 5.4L. I've had the Supercrew w/5.4L since mid-February. Prior to that I owned a 98 F150 w/4.6L. I intended to get a 4.6L with my Supercrew but changed my mind after test driving a 5.4L. The 5.4L's power and responsive proved itself when I recently went on a ski trip - 4 adults and 1 child plus luggage. Passing other vehicles was a breeze and the engine did not feel sluggish on the mountain road. Although the 5.4L cost more and gets 1-2 mpg less than the 4.6L, its performance, power and versatility (if you plan on towing) made it a more logical choice for me. I only have 2.5k on the engine but have had no problems with it so far. Hope this helps.

----
2001 Supercrew Lariat Harvest Gold: 5.4L, Line-X, loaded except for sunroof and audio visual system.

 

As owner of both powerplants, I know them both very well. Unless you tow really big loads, I say go with the 4.6.
Heck even if you do plan to tow alot, I'd still get the 4.6 and just put in a big tranny cooler. The tranny is the weak spot, it is highly unlikely that you'd even phase the 4.6 if you asked it to work harder.
If that isn't enough to convince you, just take a look at all the topics concerning 5.4 engine problems, the board is littered with them. There should be a 5.4 problem forum!!
Also given that there are considerably more 4.6 owners on this board than 5.4 drivers, the problems reported by the 4.6r's are quite few and minor in general.

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99 2wd S/C s/b XLT 4.6 Triton auto. w/3.08 and
2000 Lariat SC 5.4 4x4
3.73 LS (for sale)

 

ISU76,
I would go with the 4.6 engine with an extended warranty. Don't forget that you can negotiate the cost of the extended warranty with the dealer. The transmission cooler is ideal if you plan on towing. Also, get the factory trailer hitch with the heavy duty wire connector. Ford has a cheap four prong connector. Also, Ford still hasn't proven that they corrected the piston slap problem with the new 5.4's. Bugman.

 

notirT
Wich 2000 5.4's have problems? I can't seem to find one

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2000 F150 SC XLT
5.4
4-sp auto
255/70r-16
3.55 LS
Heavy Duty electric
Heavy Duty cooling
Trailer Towing Group
Keyless Entry
Soft Cover
Captains Chairs
wedg blue& silver two tone
Fog Lights
Bed Liner
Fender Flairs
Cab Steps
10 disc CD changer

(Just 892 more payments and that sucker is all mine)

 

Just give it some time.

 

Piston slap was proven to be corrected as of 4/99.. It was a rare problem even in its prime, its just that when you sell that many 5.4L's a small % turns into a decent number..

I've not heard of anyone with confirmed piston slap on a truck built after 4/99. (Btw, there was also time to hear about it to, because last year around 4/99, there were folks whose trucks were less than a year old who were diagnosed as piston slap..

The fact is that Ford isolated the problem, so developing the fix was trivial.. (Remember, some of the engine manufacturing plants engines did not develop this problem)