which f150 should I get?

[Snal]

I'm thinking about selling my ranger after saving up a little and buying an 04-08 F150. I've found 3 engines; the 4.2 V6, 4.6, V8 and the 5.4V8. I don't want the V6 and I'd prefer the 5.4 if I can find it but I wanna know how is the 4.6 in comparison? is the 4.6 like the 3.slow in rangers?

 

[TheTopher]

They're all good motors that will move the truck along just fine.

There's also two 4.6 v8 motors. One's a 2 valve and one's a more powerful 3 valve, borrowed from the Mustang.

 

[Toms01PSD]

I wouldn't consider it the 3.slow because the 4.6 is a peppy engine but it's not as peppy as the 5.4. My dad has a 08 crew cab F150 with the 4.6. It's no speed demon but it'll get up and go in it's own respect. If it's something you want to put a tuner on or make faster in any way go with the 5.4. You can tell a difference in power between the two, but not a whole lot.

 

[Mr 85Ranger]

If you plan on doing any towing at all I would recommend getting the 5.4. I have had the 4.6 and 5.4 engines and the 4.6 seemed to struggle with my 16 foot trailer empty and witht the tractor it suffered terribly with any kind of incline. But with the 5.4 it was almost as if it wasn't even back there.

 

[Snal]

thanks for the input guys. I'm into the mild prerunner kind of truck. I plan on going with the camburg 7.0 and deavers in the back if I do get the truck. it's what I wanted to do to my ranger but I've got the 2.5l and it's not worth it since I lack the power and if I buy a new truck I was gonna get a 4.0 ranger or just an f150 and the f150 seems more ideal. I don't tow a whole lot but if I tow anything I'd be towing my families small trailer with our quads and bikes on it but I think I could trust my ranger to tow it so towing isn't much of an issue for me but it would be nice to be prepared just in case

 

[powerranger262]

Get the f150. I've noticed a pretty good difference in acceleration and all around power between the 4.6 and the 5.4. I just bought a 07 screw with the 5.4 and love it. Lots of power and room. Just wait until you can find the bigger engine, you will be happy you did.

 

[BigBlueRanger]

5.4l good 4.6 baaad

theres no replacement for displacement

get the 5.4 my buddies selling his 4.6 so he can buy a 5.4 and finally tow his boat on the highway without having old ladies pass him

 

[a-5 freak]

I have a 2001 4.6 and it hates to go anywhere... REALLY wish I had the 5.4 with the fuel econ of the 4.6.

 

[ronclark]

I have a 5.4 in my E250 work van. it does pretty good if you hit the OD button before passing. i hate the way the auto shifts.
I get about 11 to 12 mpg with ladders and rack

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I have a 2002 F-150 with a 5.4, shy 20mpg and does what I want to do.

The 4.6's are no slouch either, my brother has a '97 and it really is pretty impressive. He just put 4.10's in it (to go with the 265/70-17 tires he put on it) and it scoots right along.

Dunno how big of a deal it really is, but he is a tech at the local dealership and they have been having a big run on timing chain tensioners and cam phasers on the 3v 5.4's.

 

[shane96ranger]

I have a 2002 F-150 with a 5.4, shy 20mpg and does what I want to do.

The 4.6's are no slouch either, my brother has a '97 and it really is pretty impressive. He just put 4.10's in it (to go with the 265/70-17 tires he put on it) and it scoots right along.

Dunno how big of a deal it really is, but he is a tech at the local dealership and they have been having a big run on timing chain tensioners and cam phasers on the 3v 5.4's.

I concur. I just bought a 97, and it goes great. I put a load of gravel in it over the weekend, and it did well as far as power goes. It squatted a bit quicker than I'd hoped, but hat can be fixed.

85, I have 3.55's right now. What did your brother have before the 4.10's? Did it affect fuel mileage much after the change? Or is it too soon to tell?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I concur. I just bought a 97, and it goes great. I put a load of gravel in it over the weekend, and it did well as far as power goes. It squatted a bit quicker than I'd hoped, but hat can be fixed.

85, I have 3.55's right now. What did your brother have before the 4.10's? Did it affect fuel mileage much after the change? Or is it too soon to tell?

3.55's, he just put them in last weekend, it has only seen one day of active duty so far. He threw a L/S carrier in the rear too.

It downshifts much less often with the cruise though, I think it would have to help.

 

[shane96ranger]

3.55's, he just put them in last weekend, it has only seen one day of active duty so far. He threw a L/S carrier in the rear too.

It downshifts much less often with the cruise though, I think it would have to help.

I'll have to remember to ask you later. I just went through my first tank and got 15.6 mpg with a 50/50 mix of city/hwy driving. Not a whole lot worse than my Ranger which was always between 16 and 17 mpgs.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I'll have to remember to ask you later. I just went through my first tank and got 15.6 mpg with a 50/50 mix of city/hwy driving. Not a whole lot worse than my Ranger which was always between 16 and 17 mpgs.

Strangly his all time best to date was 19mpg loaded down with both halves of his toolbox in the back coming back from college with the stock 255/70-16's.

I think pre swap he was in the 15-16mpg range with the bigger tires.

 

[BRONCMAN]

Imo the 4.6 is to f150s as what the 3.slow is to rangers. My neighbor had one & my old boss did as well. On my bosses we used it before to tow a 2 place snowmobile trailer with 2 sleds to go riding. Anyways, 6% grade=50 mph tops. The 5.4 is the only way to go with that era f150. Everyone I personally know who has one wishes they got the 5.4.