Well you already listed most of the reasons to get the 5.4L. Since you are not towing much the fact that the 5.4L gets you a little more towing capacity is a moot point. I had a 4.6L in a F150 Supercab Lariat 4X4 and it was just fine for everday driving. But when I went to tow a 24 foot travel trailer it was barely enough. Good investment up from for the 5.4L now just in case. At a loss of only 1-2 MPG. I have not driven the new vesion of the 4.6L but have the new 260 HP version of the 5.4L. You need to drive one and see. Those loaded to the max 4X4 SC trucks are heavy and realy cut into your GVW for hauling. Most of them in that loaded configuration weigh in close to 5500 pounds without driver or any passengers and gear and that's with a GVWR of only 6600 pounds. So your only going to have 500-600 pounds left for stuff! Have you looked at the F150 7700? Might be worth a look see for a maxed out 4X4. Would be my choice.

 

Karl, If your at a high altitude go for the 5.4. My 4.6 sucks at anything over 3000ft even with eng mods. Wish I had a 5.4

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97' F150 Lariat S/C long bed 4x4 3:55LS 4.6L auto...SuperChip, Air Raid, 40 series Flowmaster cat back.
Colorado Springs, CO

 

Humm, interesting, still mixed opinions.

Like I said I will rarely if ever do any towing. It's power going over the passes that concerns me most. Most here, even at lower altitudes, can be steep and long.

I have driven examples of both on the street and eway and to be honest I didnt see a big difference. Wheels can be spun on both easily from a stop and they both get up to 75 quickly.

More comments, keep 'em comming!!

--karl

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Go with the 5.4! We've got piston slap and cracked blocks but hey, they've probably fixed all that by now right? Welcome to the board!

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Stock Stuff:
Y2K SCab 4X4, Chesnut Metallic, 5.4L, 3.55 Limited Slip, Skid Plates, Factory AM/FM/CD, 40/60 Split Bench, Sliding Rear Window, Towing Package and Keyless Entry.

Extras so far:

• GY 305/70X16 Wrangler ATS Tires
• American Eagle Series 146 Chrome Wheels
• Ravin Z-55 3" Single In/Out Exaust System
• WMS Velocity Tube
• K&N Filter
• Blaupunkt Houston CD Player
• Blaupunkt PCxt573 Speakers
• Catch-All Floor Mats
• Tinted Windows
• Bull Ring Retractable Tie-Downs
• www.f150online.com Sticker (below center brake light)
• University of Georgia Hitch Cover "GO DAWGS!"

Coming Soon:

• Clear Corner Lights (ordered 10/11/00)
• Altezza Clear Tail Lights
• Spray-in Liner (or Herculiner haven't decided)
• Stainless Step Bars
• Hood and Window Deflectors

Pictures:
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/Album...3401&a=8556922

 

OK Mr.Idaho, I guess I have to put one in here for us 4.6L guys.

Yes the 2001 4.6L Triton is the smaller of the V8 Tritons, but being the owner of a 4.6L that first thought I may regret down the road not buying the 5.4L has never ever came up. I pull a 4 place snowmobile trailer fully loaded in the winter and a 20" ski boat in the summer and have never had any problems here in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Now it really depends what you need to do with your truck such as "what am I going to be pulling"....If your out there pulling around a 24'-30' holiday trailer "full time" you should be going to a 3/4 ton with a V10 or Powerstroker Diesel anyways. Most are shocked after riding in the Supercrew 4x4 and finding out that it was the 4.6L...BIG things come in small packages!!

Sure I have the WMS velosity tube and Superchip installed....but who doesn't, its cheap fun!!!!

You won't go wrong with either of the "newer" 4.6L or the 5.4L Tritons

Call my motor Mr. Realiable...Call Me Happy!

 

go with the 5.4 you can never have enough cubic inches. size does matter. all kidding aside the best thing to do is to drive both i found that the 4.6 was a little sluggish from 50-75 passing where as the 5.4 got the job done. i had a 97 with the 5.4 and now have a 2001 and there is a difference between the two. i think it was in 99 that they bumped up the ponies so make sure you check that and drive both. good luck.

[This message has been edited by deezer (edited 10-16-2000).]

 

Whatever you do, get the 5.4. I'm not sure what they're offering for gears these days. When I bought mine, 3.73's were as low as you could get. Get the lowest they offer. The difference in milage will be nil. But the difference in power will be worth the extra cost,if any. Plus, if I'm not mistaken, you get the 4R100 trans with the 5.4. Which is a little beafier than the 4R70W that comes with the 4.6. If I'm wrong, someone will be along shortly to correct me. Take a look at my signature. You can see what I've done to make an adequate amount of power. And believe me, it's just adequate. As far as I'm concerned, anyway. It's no "pin you to your seat" hot rod by any means! Of course, these are only the opinions of the author. The author assumes no responsibility for regretful decisions my by the reader(s).

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98 F-150 XLT 4X4 ORP Super Cab Short Bed, 4.6, Auto, 4.10's, Mag-Hytec diff. cover, Magnacharger supercharger, Superchip, Gibson single cat-back, 80/100w German head lamps, Warn HS9500i winch with semi hidden mount, Wrangler dual battery kit with red & yellow top Optima batteries, Torsion bars cranked up 2.5 turns. Needs one more door.

 

I have the 4.6w/ 3:55's. I pull a 21ft. bay boat, a tandem axle trlr w/ 4 atv's, and I've even pulled the trailer with a mid size truck on it-all this without ever having a problem or looking back. But to be honest I wish I'd have gotten the 5.4 w/3:73's like I wanted. I decided on my setup for gas mileage 16/17 is what I get. With the other setup I'd get 15/16 'whew' what a difference huh!!! Get the bigger engine if you want it, dude!

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'97 Ford SC 4X4 XLT Off Road pkg., 4.6,A/OD, 3:55, premium sound w/CD chg, Black clct,towing pkg., hvy duty elec. pkg., Bridestone dueler AT's, line X, Flowmaster true duals, chip, K&N air filter, westin black painted (custom) nerf bars, 5th wheel diamond plate alum. Delta box.

 

The 4.6 runs great & no probs. Next will be a 5.4 or bigger if available.

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97 Lariet-sc-4.6-4x off road-auto-3.55 LS-
superchip-K&N-3"
pvc air box mod-Granetelli MAF

 

I have a 2001 Super Crew with a 4.6, and it is excelent. I hauled a 16ft trailer loaded with solid Oak and it performed great. I've loaded it down and gone camping through the hills in West Virginia, and it was great. You definitly need to put a better air filter in though. K&N, this engine needs air. How do you know if you have a new 4.6 with 240 hp??

Thanks,

Rick

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2001 Super Crew XLT 4x4,Toredo Red/Harvest Gold, Tan Interior, 4.6l, Keyless Entry,Towing Package,Captain Chairs, Line-X Bed liner, Limited Slip,3.55 axle,Skids,and Sliding Rear Window

 

I am going to buy a new f150 SC XLT 4x4 Auto, but am unsure about the engine. the mileage est for the two appear to be similar.

Use: daily driving; highway/freeway/short trips/long hauls. Driving over mountain passes (usually around 3000-4000 ft, occasional use up to 10,000 ft). Forest service roads and trails, mountain roads/twisty/windy roads.

Not planning on doing any towing; if I do it will be rare. I dont think I have towed anything in 10 years. Most I put in it would be camping stuff, or moving household but that is rare, too (camping:frequent 8-) ).

I have a heard a lot of opinions of these two motors. Around here, the dlrs seem to push the 5.4 "you wont like the power in the 4.6 esp driving over the passes". and I have seen posts to the same effect. Others I have talked to have said the 4.6 will fit my needs fine.

On a '99 F150 XLT with 30,000 miles the 5.4 adds nearly $1,000 to the resale value. Not bad for an $800 (list) option!

So, let's here it--you have read what I use it for--what are your thoughts??

--karl (no longer in idaho but wished I was at times)

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Just do the mental block thing in your head and imagine that your 4.6L has 240+HP....it works...it even works well on 250/260HP.

I agree with the guys that say there is no replacement for displacement, but the 4.6L is no slouch and rocks hard for a smaller V8!

 

To those who say the 4.6 is rated at 240 hp--according to the information from ford the 4.6 is rated at 220 horse. If there is a production change I am not aware of it.

Like I said before I have driven both and not seen a big difference, both motors seem pretty nice. And strong.

--karl

 

Went thru the same analysis. Liked both engines. Went with the 5.4. Saving a lot $$ on my deal ehlped justify it. VERY glad I did. To each his own.

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2001 SuperCrew, Lariat, DWBlue/Beige, Tow Package, 5.4 Triton V-8, Ltd-slip Diff., Sliding rear window, 6 Cd, and Moonroof. Ordered 07-17-00 and delivered 10-6-00. $200 under invoice from Mike Buckley at Al Bilton Ford in Holly Hill SC (803-496-3150).

 

I used to have an old F150 with a 5.0.
I just picked up my 4.6 and find it has more pep and I am perfectly happy with it. I won't be doing any heavy towing with it, just daily driving for the most part just like you. As far as horse power is concerned, the 5.4 may be rated at 260 but some say the new rating on the 4.6 is 240 vs. 220, though the old 220 is measured at 4500 rpm and I found a source stating the new actual h.p. is 231 but at 4750 rpm, not an apples to apples measurment. Now, since nobody runs a "daily driver" at these rpm ranges, the true difference is measured in torque ratings. If you are going to work the truck hard and tow heavy, get the 5.4, otherwise save the money.


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2001 F150 SC SPORT 4X4 FLARESIDE
* Black
* 4.6 240 H.P.
* awesome factory 10 spoke wheels
* "MAN"ual shift 4x4
* 3.55 Limited slip
* Captains chairs W/console
* Factory tube steps
* Slider