I am capable of putting almost any engine into any F150 that it can reasonably go into.
That said, Which one gives best mileage for light to medium towing (3000 lb. boat) and just running around.
My wife and I drove the 1991 4.9liter I6 supercab and liked it but we don't know what kind of mileage to expect.

I am not interested in power as much as getting the boat down the freeway occasionally and decent mileage all the rest of the time.

Thanks for any opinions.

 

I also tow a boat (5300 lbs).

Things you should think about:

1) Larger engines dont work as hard to tow, hence, better gas mileage while towing, less wear on the engine, safer for you.

2) You might end up spending as much money modifying the small engine to tow as you could have to upgrade to a big engine.

3) Big heavy vehicles tend to get better gas mileage with the bigger engines. This is typically true with the Expeditions. The 5.4 appears to get as good or better MPG than the 4.6. The drivers have to push the smaller engine to get the vehicle moving. The energy to do this comes from fossil fuel!

4) ALWAYS but a vehicle equiped with a towing package, regardless of engine size!

5) Think about longevity and the future. If you want to keep this vehicle for some time, you might want to consider the biggest engine. You can wear out the smaller engines by working them hard. I know someone who always buys the smaller engines in his F150. Does a lot of towing, and short trips on the farm. He's put 3 engines in his truck by 100K.

6) If ALL AROUND gas mieage is your biggest concern. By all means get the smallest engine available that will LEGALLY pull the weight you want to tow!


Hope this helps and good luck!

------------------
Rand

98 Ford Expedition 4X4 XLT
5.4, 3.73s, 17" wheels,
Homemade 3" "COLD" Air-Box
mod, SuperChip, Amsoil
everywhere but tranny, Perma-
Cool combo 6 pass trans/oil
cooler (FQR 5.4 @ 50K)

 

Just got back from a weekend at the lake. My boat and gear total about 3500#. I ran a steady 60 mph on the 280 mile round trip.
14.3 mpg
I avg between 17.5 - 18 mpg otherwise.

------------------
1999 F-150 Lariat 4x2
Reg cab Short box Styleside
5.4L 3.55LS
Dark Toreador Red/Gold
VentShades
Tow Pkg
Line-X

 

nomo:

Never got 20. Have gotten 18 on my original 230 hp 5.4...

I'm sure you are one of the lucky ones and you drive it REALllllllll easy....

My FQR 260hp 5.4 is giving me around 12/16... Gettin about 13 all around...

 

This is really good info and is giving me an idea of what to expect. I am reading around some of the enhancements and remembering when I first discovered the K&N filter and also learning a few things. There is a little discussion about different chips as well. I am fine with the idea that it takes a certain amount of energy to move a large truck and tow a boat. But I, or my wife, will be spend most of the drive time hauling nothing around town so I do not need a lot under the hood.

I am just interested in which motor and add-ons will make this work best. I am looking for that best kept secret, you know?

Thank guys for all your posts.

 

New Buyer,

You can do small things with a big engine but you can't do big things with a small engine.

Get the 5.4 if you are going to tow anything.

Rand,

On my trip to the F150online gathering to Norfolk I got 19.2 mpg down and 20.1 on the return trip. Kinda surprised myself a little but it's within the estimates.

------------------
Dunbarton "The Middle Aged Kid" '99 XLT SC SB 4x2 4.6 auto 3.55 ls The occasional Z-71 Eater! Wedgewood & Denim, SuperChipped, Airaid FIPK, HD electrical and cooling, power seat, Rhino Liner, Extang Classic tonneau cover, Mobil 1. Man, I got it all! (New Jersey)

 

I go by this formula,,buy the biggest engine you can afford ,both monetarily
and maint./fuel wise. and you'll usually
be happy with your choice. It is true that
larger engines strain less to do the same
amount of work. they have more torque
so it takes less fuel and less engine wear
as well. have fun ,,,pssst. (get the bigger one)lol

 

The 4.6L is great for light to medium towing. If you can, go ahead and get the larger engine. You sure won't regret it.

BTW Rand-
When was the last time your X got 20mpg?



------------------
1997 4x4 Expedition- 4.6L, true dual exhaust w/glass-packs, K&N air filter, SuperChip, airbox mods, Edelbrock shocks, 285/75R16 BFG ATs, 2000 "XLT" wheels, 4.10 gears, Auburn LS, Clarion In-dash CD player, Smitty Bilt push bars and nerf bars.

2000 4x2 F150 XLT Reg. Cab LWB- 5.4L, Tow Pkg, 3.55LS, CD player,Remote Keyless Entry, Sliding back glass, Special Appearance Pkg., tinted windows, Line-X bedliner, K&N air filter, SuperChip, airbox mods, 285/60R16 Goodyear Eagle GT IIs and Prime #155 wheels.

http://members.visualcities.com/NoMo

 

summit has a boat load of 302 cast iron blocks for sale. something like $500.
depending on how much $$ you want to spend you can get about 425hp w/ add-ons no forced inductions or juice.
Even w/ World heads a good cam and a Trickflow upper/lower intake you can still get about 300 ponies.
They also have kits to bump it up to a 306 or 347. I saw the dyno sheets on a carbed 347 and they were 422hp/410tq.

For simplicities sake i'd go w/ a 302 before the tritons. Parts are easy to come by and cheaper than for the newer motors. BUT SHM does have a 5.4 for sale. $5000 shortblock or $11,000. Yes the zeros are correct.


------------------
Dr.(wife says i'm spoiled) Jones.
2000 F-150 5.4L(whatpowerawaitsthee)
AUTO,SC-sb 4x4-XLT, 3.55LS, 8.8 front- 9.75 rear, sidesteps, sprayed in liner, 17"wheels ORP, trailer-tow pkg, CD, Cpt chairs, 4whl ABS, Keyless Entry, Airbox silencer removed/K&N, Amsoil(transfercase, motor, rearend), 3" custom dynomax ultra flow catback, as an anniversary gift. PSD coming for christmas!
djones01@elp.rr.com

 

Sure, the 260hp 5.4L will outperform the 220hp 4.6L engine. But, I can tell you that, owning both, I don't discount the 4.6's ability to work. The Expedition would out-run and out-pull my '93 4x2 F150 w/5.0L engine. And, to this day, I still think the X is the better tow vehicle for our 3000# boat.

As for economy, look at the mods and rest assured that the X gets driven hard. The best of 20mpg came between Ashland, KY and Harrisonburg, VA (the WV Turnpike isn't exactly "flat"). Around town, 15mpg is about it. Several other 4.6L Expedition owners report similar mileage.

------------------
1997 4x4 Expedition- 4.6L, true dual exhaust w/glass-packs, K&N air filter, SuperChip, airbox mods, Edelbrock shocks, 285/75R16 BFG ATs, 2000 "XLT" wheels, 4.10 gears, Auburn LS, Clarion In-dash CD player, Smitty Bilt push bars and nerf bars.

2000 4x2 F150 XLT Reg. Cab LWB- 5.4L, Tow Pkg, 3.55LS, CD player,Remote Keyless Entry, Sliding back glass, Special Appearance Pkg., tinted windows, Line-X bedliner, K&N air filter, SuperChip, airbox mods, 285/60R16 Goodyear Eagle GT IIs and Prime #155 wheels.

http://members.visualcities.com/NoMo

 

Nomo, the 5.0 in the truck series during that time only produced some where in the neighbor hood of 205hp.
It produced only about 8 more than the I-6 300, BUT dollar for dollar and parts availibility, short of switching to a GM 350, the 302 is the better bet IMHO.
To compare the two 280 VS 302 ci does give the 5L the advantage, but the 4.6 is a lighter motor.
I personally don't believe that 3 years is a suffcient track record to state the the triton motors are the best motors so far, as some have claimed. Ford switched from the older motors to the tritons for 2 reasons. EPA regulations and the fact that they are modular.


------------------
Dr.(wife says i'm spoiled) Jones.
2000 F-150 5.4L(whatpowerawaitsthee)
AUTO,SC-sb 4x4-XLT, 3.55LS, 8.8 front- 9.75 rear, sidesteps, sprayed in liner, 17"wheels ORP, trailer-tow pkg, CD, Cpt chairs, 4whl ABS, Keyless Entry, Airbox silencer removed/K&N, Amsoil(transfercase, motor, rearend), 3" custom dynomax ultra flow catback, as an anniversary gift. PSD coming for christmas!
djones01@elp.rr.com

 

The 302/5.0L is a great little engine. But it has to be "built" in order to become a good choice for towing or even a daily driver with good economy. The factory (mine was 185hp) setup is total crap compared to the Triton.

So, as an economical daily driver w/occasional towing, I'd choose a newer 4.6L powered truck. Besides, the 4.6L has been around for several years (more than 3) in various cars without getting too bad of reputation. I trust it.

 

Powerlifter405

The 4.6L V8 has been around since I believe the early 90's. It was used in most cars such as the Thunderbird and the Crown Vic. I believe that ford has done their homework and got ahead of the other manufactures in offering the only OHC V8 in pickup trucks. And in my opinion they are the best engines you can buy today. I had a 99 GMC with the new 5.3L and won't have another one. Now the 5.3L engine was fast but don't expect it to pull much.

------------------
2000 F-150 XLT, 5.4L, 3.55 Reg Axle
Regular Cab Shortbed 2WD
MODS
K&N FIPK
Kenwood CD and CD Changer
Kenwood Door Speakers
Flowmaster 40 Series Muffler (42541)


[This message has been edited by CodeBlue (edited 08-23-2000).]

 

true the 4.6 has been in the crown vics since about 95 or so, but in a slightly varied.
I've been able to experience the 4.6 VS the 5.0 in the crown vics and I don't think the 4.6 where any better of a motor.

The 302 block can be ordered from summit for 299.
A long block GT-40 345hp can be ordered for 3,479. AT one time they also had a 2?? hp unit for 1,400, as I recall.
From what I'm seeing you will spend at least that much for a new triton but minus the hp and tq, the only way to get close is to go v-10.
From what I recall for some reason i remember a member saying that they had to put a new 5.4 in and it was upwards of 5g.

 

5.4 liter has the low end,,,, driving speed,, torque,, that really makes the difference,,, forget horsepower for a minute... when your driving speeds are in the 1800 rpm to 2200 rpm range,,,normal cruising or light towing range,, the torque is the key component.. compare the 4.6 to the 5.4 in torque you will see the difference.. go for the 5.4 you will never say......."man i wish i had more power" rememeber its a truck not a dragster.

------------------
2001 Super Crew 4x4,Amazon Green Lariat,Tan Leather, 5.4 liter,Keyless Entry,Towing Package,Captain Chairs,6 CD Changer,Running Boards,Duraliner,Limited Slip,3.55 axle,Skids,and Slider