Just curius, If I was to look in a magazine like truck trader, and I was looking for a 5.4, how would I be able to tell its a 5.4 and not a 4.6, or even a 4.2. Of course that is besides calling the person on the phone.
Thanks alot.

 

as far as i know, if the truck descritpion doesnt say then i dont think theres any way of finding out unless you call the people up.

 

If it's a 1997 you can't tell from the fender.
In 1998 they started putting TRITON V8 Emblems on the fenders.

The only way to tell a 4.6 from a 5.4 without popping the hood would be to look at the 'pumpkin'. The 4.6 pumpkin is round and the 5.4 is lopsided.

 

Don't go bringing up that race thing again.
You pal will need to jump in here with his box of hammers, and set you straight

 

Sir Raoul, makes a good point. When I see another F-150 on the roads, I always look at the rear differential cover to see if it's a 5.4L, as opposed to a 4.6L.

 

If it's a stick, it's not a 5.4.

 

umm ok now im confused i went to the ford dealer today and asked a few questions about my F truck........and i now know the rear "pumpkin" is an 8.8 and not a 9" and there are 2 different types of the 4.6L one being the windsor and the other some funcky name i forgot........but thats not what im confused about..i thought the 5.4 and the 4.6 both have the same 8.8 rear " pumpkin" ...or so thats what the parts sales man told me today..... without starting a "war" someone please tell me the difference...........and i can tell the 5.4 f trucks from my 4.6 only cause of the 4.6 f-ies have the Tritonv8 emblem on the front fenders......and for the 4.2 i still aint "noticed" them yet

 

After '97, 4.6l and 5.4l trucks all get the "Triton v8" Badging on the sides. V6's do not get that badging. 97's don't have the badging at all.

4.6's come in two flavors (or at least did) - Romeo and Windsor. That refers to the engine plant that produced the engines. Differences in the engines is mainly internal - with the Windsor generally considered stronger - but you won't find many people who have found the romeo to be inferior (me included).

All 4.6l trucks and v6 trucks (4x4) come with the 8.8" axle front and rear. All 5.4l trucks (4x4) come with the 8.8" in front, 9.75" in the rear. The 9.75" is huge, and you will definitely know it when you see it. That's how I usually figure out whats under the hood.

No 5.4's can be had with a stick in an F150.

Hope that helps...

 

This is what the 5.4L, 9.75" rear end looks like.

 

?? now the parts guy told me i had a Dana 44 front axle...how can it be a "chopped" 8.8.....that i do have to disagree with.....but i cant argue with the 9.75 cause i just aint seen it yet.or even looked at one.......ahh i would like to see a technical manual from ford or a ford based web site that gives the "break-down " of all the components on my F truck.......umm would a Chiltons Manual have this kinda info.anyone know ?? or even better is there an "updated" version of the F-150 owners "bible" for the 97-present body styles and Mod motors.....

 

?? now the parts guy told me i had a Dana 44 front axle...how can it be a "chopped" 8.8.....that i do have to disagree with.....but i cant argue with the 9.75 cause i just aint seen it yet.or even looked at one.......ahh i would like to see a technical manual from ford or a ford based web site that gives the "break-down " of all the components on my F truck.......umm would a Chiltons Manual have this kinda info.anyone know ?? or even better is there an "updated" version of the F-150 owners "bible" for the 97-present body styles and Mod motors.....

 

The last generation F-150 used the Dana 44 center section for it's TTB (twin-traction-beam) setup. Although the axle was fairly solid and easy to lift, it was difficult to keep it's alignment in check.

The new F-150's use an entirely independant front suspension, with an all-new double A-arm Torsion bar setup. The center section of choice, in this case, is the stout Ford 8.8" i believe in a reverse rotation format. (someone correct me if I'm wrong) The outer shell has been changed around quite a bit, as it spreads apart (rather than being covered as the rear is) for gear work.

If you crawl under your truck, you can see stamped on the side of the "pumpkin" an 8.8" in case there's still any doubt.

As for repair manuals: personally, I have a haynes and it's very informative IMHO.

-Flea

 

Why can't you just type in the VIN on our infamous f150online homepage?

 

1st off listen to the people on this site! They know their stuff!

2nd "Chopped" might mean that the new IFS front pumpkin has its outer axle ends "Chopped" off to alow for the CV jointed half shafts to be added. Also Dana may manufacture the guts of the pumpkin.

3rd your parts guy sounds very old fasioned! Get another one!

I have done my own research (A lot of trucks at my job) all 5.4's have the 9.75" and not one 4.6 has the 9.75"

peace-

 

Check out the ignition system...I believe the 4.6 has the plugs located on the outside of the heads and the 5.4 are located on the intake side of the heads. I'm not 100% sure of this but I also believe the 5.4 are the only engines with individual coil packs and no spark plug wires. (At least on the 97-98's)