F 150 engine size

[backlash 1]

For pulling a boat or a drop down fish house is the 5.4L the way to go over the 4.6L? And will the bigger engine affect gas mileage much more?

I think there is an option for axle ratio also, is that something I should be concerned with?

Thanks in advance for any info.

[Powerstroke]

In general it just depends on the size of the boat and/or fishhouse. If they are larger and heavier than I would definately consider the 5.4L

The 5.4L is also mated to a heavier duty transmission, beefier rear axle and better gear combo. There are lost of options available to the 4.6L but it is still a weaker engine with a weaker tranny. Not to mention, the new F150 is almost 6000lbs on its own and tends to be a dog with the 4.6L

If you do decide to go with the 4.6 then you should get a gear ration that is higher numerically. If your options are 3.55 or 3.73 you should choose the 3.73's.

[Dano2]

I have the 5.4 in my 2002 f-150 supercrew. Alll kinds of power, and pretty decent on gas for a truck. Had a 01' ram with the 318, and it was a dog plus sucked more gas compared to my Ford.

GMC Sierra with the Duramax will be my next truck though

[Northlander]

I have the 4.6 and love the gas milage but would like a little more power. My next truck will have the larger motor and bigger tires than what comes on the F-150's. Maybe the GMC talked about above or the Chev Z-71.

[ChuckN]

Get the 5.4L. Gas mileage is minimal or no difference, but the power difference from the 4.6L is noticable. I have a '97 and love it. Pulls everything I need it to and extremely reliable and durable.

[cliffy]

I agree with ChuckN on this one. I just bought a 05 s-crew with the 5.4. I love the truck, more than enough power to pull just about anything. Its a heavy truck and gas mpg shows it...but I dont think it would be worth getting a 4.6 just to save 1 or 2 mpg.

[blakjack23]

I Agree, its definitely worth the 1 or 2 MPG's to get the 5.4L. I have an 04 supercab with the 5.4 and the thing could tow a house. I average 15mpg even with my heavy foot. Not too bad in my opinion.

[backlash 1]

Thanks guys, another case of bigger is better.

[Papa Woodie]

I also have an 04 SuperCab W 35" tires...average 9-12MPG...but...5.4 is definately the way to go. If you want to get rid of throttle lag and spice up the engine a bit more, get a custom tune done for it...little spendy (around 4xx) but well worth it! Specally when towing! (and recalibrating the speedo for larger tires)

[caseymcq]

Skip the F-150 and get a Chev or a GMC. You can get a 310 HP aluminum block 5.3 liter (or litre for our Canadian friends). I have had Ford products and I have had GM products. I will not have any more Fords. I have a laundry list of reasons why but I won't get into that.

[Ufatz]

Now isn't that odd? I have a Ford Powerstork that is the greatest truck I've ever owned. And I also have a Chevy Tahoe with the big V8 and it is one of the best performers on snow I've ever had. Drove a Dodge Power Wagon all over the Yukon for years and it would pull a bridge off its abutments.

I've had trouble with all of them at one time or another, so I finally made a solemn vow to NEVER say I would never buy another one.

Except my Yugo sport convertible....now that was another story.

[swampman]

Well said Ufatz

[caseymcq]

Maybe I just had the bad luck of getting two lemons in a row from Ford. I had a Chev that had 170K miles on it when I traded it in, that truck seemed like it was bullet proof. Just going off of my experiences with the two different manufacturers.

[knoppers]

there are two 5.4L motors, anything before 2004 was a 260 HP motor, then in 2004 they came out with the multi valve 300 HP motor. I had both, and I can say the 300 HP pulls very good, it also has the most tourqe in its class. I get 17 MPG with this.

[brian6715]

it's still a ford

[Dragonsm]

I have owned 2 of the 5.4 motors, and have been pleased so far. 12-17+ pending on driving habits. You can never have to much power.

If you want to dive in further on information, you can visit www.f150online.com

I stumbled across that HSOforum and it has been very helpful with my truck.

Either way...you can't go wrong with the blue oval!

[wisconsinfish]

You won't be dissappointed with the 5.4 v8. We currently run 12 f-150's as work vehicles and have had very minimal problems. Mostly coil packs on the 02 and 03 models that we have. The worst part about the 2004 and newer f-150's is the ground clearance. And odds are you will get worse mileage towing with the 4.6 if it is a considerably heavy load.

Skip the chevrolet comments. I've owned them, not so impressed with the torque and transmission in the half tons. Not to mention the very weak payload of the half tons. And anyone that thinks putting drum brakes on a truck that could be towing 9000lbs is an (Contact US Regarding This Word). And yes, I do currently own a chevrolet pickup.