Which engine
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Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: MI
Which engine
Im shopping for my first F-150.A 97 - 99 4X4 SUPERCAB with all the goodies.I will be using it to tow 2 snowmobiles & trailer (about 1500 lbs) on 350 mi trips at 75-80 MPH in winter.Also ski boats in summer.Will the 4.6 do the job or should I look for the 5.4? PS anybody want to buy a 93 Z71?
Senior Member
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,961
Likes: 1
My 4.6 does a good job with my 3200 lb camper. It really depends on gears, tires, how often you plan to tow, ect. Also the 4x4 drivetrain adds a little friction. The 5.4 uses a little more gas but gives the hp without as many mods. I would say drive a couple of times in both and pick the one that gives you everything for the best value.
Again I will say, I like my truck.
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Black 1997 F-150 Supercab Flairside. 4.6L with Superchip, Jacobs DIS, K&N Generation II, Cat back Exhaust with Flowmaster 40 and MEG'S Stainless tip in front of rear wheel (nice rumble). 17" Off Road wheel pkg. Lots of body mods. 5 yrs old and still turns heads...and now paid for!! New is NITTO NT404 275/65/17's and Hellwig 1/7/16 front and 1 1/8 rear bar.
Again I will say, I like my truck.
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Black 1997 F-150 Supercab Flairside. 4.6L with Superchip, Jacobs DIS, K&N Generation II, Cat back Exhaust with Flowmaster 40 and MEG'S Stainless tip in front of rear wheel (nice rumble). 17" Off Road wheel pkg. Lots of body mods. 5 yrs old and still turns heads...and now paid for!! New is NITTO NT404 275/65/17's and Hellwig 1/7/16 front and 1 1/8 rear bar.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 2,233
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The 4.6L engine will do just fine and at less cost than the 5.4L.
Watch the axle ratio. I'd suggest going with a 3.55 LS rear end. Look at the code in the driver's door "frame." The code you're looking for is H9.
Go with the newer truck. The '99 is better than the '97. My '97 had 3 or 4 recalls, so make sure if you buy one that the recalls were performed. Since you're going to be driving in cold weather, make sure the exhaust pipe exits behind the rear wheel. If it exits in front, your rim/cap might end up corroded from the condensing exhaust gasses. There was a TSB on this and previous owners should have had this done while the truck is under warranty. After warranty, the truck owner is outta luck.
My '99 has had ZERO recalls and the damned door handle of the '97 that dug into my knee was moved up higher on the '99.
I forgot to mention. It feels like my '99 rides and handles better than my '97 did.
[This message has been edited by Dennis (edited 04-03-2001).]
Watch the axle ratio. I'd suggest going with a 3.55 LS rear end. Look at the code in the driver's door "frame." The code you're looking for is H9.
Go with the newer truck. The '99 is better than the '97. My '97 had 3 or 4 recalls, so make sure if you buy one that the recalls were performed. Since you're going to be driving in cold weather, make sure the exhaust pipe exits behind the rear wheel. If it exits in front, your rim/cap might end up corroded from the condensing exhaust gasses. There was a TSB on this and previous owners should have had this done while the truck is under warranty. After warranty, the truck owner is outta luck.
My '99 has had ZERO recalls and the damned door handle of the '97 that dug into my knee was moved up higher on the '99.
I forgot to mention. It feels like my '99 rides and handles better than my '97 did.
[This message has been edited by Dennis (edited 04-03-2001).]
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 513
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From: Lebanon, TN
demon,
i gotta agree with dennis here. the 4.6 is plenty of motor for what you have planned, and in my opinion, the 99 is a better truck than the 97's. not for any reason other than a first year run is always a little rough around the edges. good luck, Rich.
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-1999 F-150 4X4 XLT SC
-4.6, auto
-3.55LS
-Westin chrome nerf bars
-dual straight pipes
-goodyear mt/r 265/75/16
-hikerdadrich@aol.com
i gotta agree with dennis here. the 4.6 is plenty of motor for what you have planned, and in my opinion, the 99 is a better truck than the 97's. not for any reason other than a first year run is always a little rough around the edges. good luck, Rich.
------------------
-1999 F-150 4X4 XLT SC
-4.6, auto
-3.55LS
-Westin chrome nerf bars
-dual straight pipes
-goodyear mt/r 265/75/16
-hikerdadrich@aol.com