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View Full Version : Ford 4.6 or 5.4?



JJB
09-23-2005, 06:59 PM
I was offered a deal on a 2001 Ford F150 4dr x/cab 4x4 17" wheels with tow pkg....everything looked good but when I open the hood to look at the engine it was a 4.6 and not the 5.4...question, is there that much difference in tow capability between engines? It would be used for pulling around 4000-6000 depending on which boat I tow. Could I get away with the 4.6 v-8 or do I need to keep looking for a 5.4 engine.

JJB

beer30
09-23-2005, 07:06 PM
What kind of towing with the 6000 lbs. boat? If you do alot of towing over hills, yes, then wait to find a 5.4. But if you do towing mostly on flat roads, you will be fine. Make sure that you don't tow with the overdrive. 4R70W will NOT last if you do. 5.4 has more torque then 4.6. But if you use the 4 wheel drive to pull it out of the ramp, you won't even notice it. :) Chuck.

johnt
09-23-2005, 07:11 PM
JJB, I had a 97 F150 with 4.6 V8 and auto..at the time I had a 20 Stratos bass boat with a tandom axle trailer..I goota tell ya..it did not have enough power to pull itself up a hill.. always had to take it out of overdrive..wide open up a hill all it did was sound like an air pump..go for the bigger mota..just my oppinion..

Ted Stryker
09-23-2005, 08:22 PM
I drove an F-350/5.4 van as a work vehicle for about a year... I don't know what the unloaded weight is, but we carry about 1000+lbs. of parts and materials... The 5.4 had just the kind of power that a truck needs, way down low with great torque response... I liked the engine a lot better than than the 5.7 Chevrolet 1 tons, and the Ford got better mileage at 14.5 highway/city...

JJB
09-23-2005, 08:56 PM
Hmmm..........I'm in Florida and the only thing that looks like a hill is some of our bridges and most of them is flat too. I do agree though that the 5.4 might be the way to go.

JJB

Fast Shafts
09-23-2005, 09:52 PM
I've got a 2001 with a 4.6 I towed my 28 Magnum (6,000 lbs boat/trailer) from NJ to Chicago, plenty of power on flat surfaces, it struggled a little going over the mountains in Pa. Overall, I'm very satisfied with It's towing ability. I also use it pull a Grady White locally, I have no problems pulling the boat out at a sand/mud ramp.

The Big Al
09-23-2005, 10:22 PM
JJ I have had both, a little more punch with the 5.4, but fuel milage is a lot better witht he 4.6, and better when pulling.
If all I was pulling was the boat and driving more, I would have the 4.6,
drive it like ya stole it!

AL

The Big Al
09-23-2005, 10:40 PM
If it's 4X4 don't get the 4.6.

Other than that go with the 4.6.
Also the 4.6 will respond better to Flowmaster and K&N.
Done it to both and the 4.6 responded better to the changes than the 5.4.

Also do not worry about the overdrive button. The switch is for braking downhill.
I would cut it off if in hills and it's shifting in and out a lot.

But if it has factory towing that's more than a hitch on a Ford. Bigger alt. engine oil cooler bigger transmission cooler, and wiring all the way to the fuse box for trailer brakes. Also reverse wiring is also in place for hyd brakes and for these new trailers with back up lights.

If you are the kind of guy who has to feel his ****! Get the 5.4, but the 4.6 will do the same job and will not break the bank. I pulled enclosed 18ft long 7ft tall trailer all over the country when son was racing. 1st truck 2yrs (1997) 4.6 200,000 miles not the first problem. 2nd was a 2000 5.4, 140,000 miles not one problem, but it was harder on the gas funds. Then in 2002 I got a F-350 7.3 diesel and sold all the racing stuff and only pulled the boat. Sold it, now pulling with Navigator.

You can ask The Fast One about those first trucks he will tell ya. I gave them pure hell! Never let me down, never.

4.6 is more than what ya need if ya like the truck.

AL

JJB
09-24-2005, 12:38 AM
Well,
It is a 4x4, but it also has the flow master exhaust system, plus every available option including leather. Truck Body is in excellent shape and has 58000 miles and change on the odometer. I took it out for a spin and without towing anything it ran real strong. Asking price is 11,500.00 but I think I can probably get it for 10,000.00 or 10,500.00 at worst.

Al why do you say no if it's a 4x4?

JJB

YELLOWXD
09-24-2005, 03:16 PM
5.4 is the only way. i have had 7 f-150 and only one with a 4.6. there is only 1-2 mpg advertised difference from one to the other. There is only 750.00 difference on a new and I can tell you from working at a dealer for a short time the 4.6 is a poor reseller. I only pull a Bullet and I can tell you that you will tell the difference and common since will tell you the more effort and engine has to go through the less gas mileage you will get and the 4.6 struggles the whole time. There is about 50 horses difference between the 2

The Big Al
09-24-2005, 04:45 PM
The 4X4 kills the 4.6, but were you live and pulling under 5k you would be fine.


And before when gas was 1.00 a gal a 4.6 was a dog on resale, but now things have changed. Now everybody wants out of the 5.4. Also that advertized MPG is BS!

Also were you live has a lot to do with resale, up here were I am you got to have the HP to pull, mountains. So a 4.6 would be a little hard.

Now, my 97 F-150 pulled good, it would feel the hills, slowdown on steep grades, and the 5.4 did better. But I can tell ya, you will pay at the pump for it. When it comes to towing, the 5.4 will eat it!

Go hook it up, if you are satified buy it. We are all go fast nuts, we like big bad HP.
But some times we need to look at the big picture. I have done it, owned both trucks sold both truck and the facts are what they are.

You have to be happy first. Mechanicaly no problems it's just what ya want.

Al

beer30
09-24-2005, 05:15 PM
Then just look for a F-250 Super Duty 4X4 with the 7.3 Diesel. 2001 to 2003 are the best years, and Diesel has a unbelievable resale value. Also Diesel is cheaper than gas, gets better gas mileage, and will last for at least 350,000 miles. ;) No gas engine can stand up to it. You will pay more for it, but everything I mentioned above will make up for that. :) Chuck.

The Big Al
09-24-2005, 05:17 PM
Then just look for a F-250 Super Duty 4X4 with the 7.3 Diesel. 2001 to 2003 are the best years, and Diesel has a unbelievable resale value. Also Diesel is cheaper than gas, gets better gas mileage, and will last for at least 350,000 miles. ;) No gas engine can stand up to it. You will pay more for it, but everything I mentioned above will make up for that. :) Chuck.

Very very true! But, your not gona find one for 10k!
Mine was a 2002 f-350 4X4 7.3 had 75k miles sold it 4 months ago for 29k took 4 days.

Al

JJB
09-28-2005, 10:50 PM
Unbelievable........I called the owner of the truck after pretty much deciding that I was going to purchase the ride and as one last idea got the VIN # and had a friend run it through a title program with the state. The title program shows the complete history from the day it was manufactured to the last time it was sold. Well it turns out that the great deal wasn't so great, the truck that has 57000 miles on the odometer actually showed that the last time it was sold (at auction) on July 2004 had 178,000 miles with no accidents (reported at least). It's amazing, if I hadn't run the VIN# I would have purchased a truck with at least 178,000 miles but in reality probably closer to 200,000 miles or more. Anyway back to looking.

JJB

The Big Al
09-28-2005, 10:53 PM
Just how much of that goes on?
I think a lot!!!

JJB
09-28-2005, 11:14 PM
Your right..........I think I'll spend a little more time looking and then when I find something run the VIN#'s again.

JJB

Ted Stryker
09-28-2005, 11:27 PM
I would notify the proper authorities of that vehicle... Mileage tampering is a stiff offense...

150aintenuff
11-11-2005, 12:19 PM
ONLY if the title doesnt show it... I hadto replace my ECM and speedo on my PSD so my odometer reads 27K with a MEMO on the title showing replacement at 310K on XX/XX/XX date for actual reading of 337K.....

LGT-FST
11-12-2005, 02:22 PM
If you really want to tow get a Lightning with a blowed 5.4. The diesel's dont't even pull that hard up big hills. :D

beer30
11-12-2005, 05:59 PM
If you really want to tow get a Lightning with a blowed 5.4. The diesel's dont't even pull that hard up big hills. :D
Next year at the Romp, we will chain your Lightning to the back of our Excursion! :D Then we will see who has the pulling power!!!! ;) :p :D Chuck.

LGT-FST
11-12-2005, 07:29 PM
Next year at the Romp, we will chain your Lightning to the back of our Excursion! :D Then we will see who has the pulling power!!!! ;) :p :D Chuck.
When I am towing the race car up big hills in Vermont I have never been passed by an Excursion or anything else towing. :p

chynewalkr
11-12-2005, 08:59 PM
lightning motor = 450 ft/lbs of torque! :D

beer30
11-13-2005, 06:06 AM
When I am towing the race car up big hills in Vermont I have never been passed by an Excursion or anything else towing. :p
There's a first time for everything!!!!!!!!! :D :D :p Chuck.
P.S. And what's the gas mileage of the Lightning????? :D

chynewalkr
11-13-2005, 07:24 PM
There's a first time for everything!!!!!!!!! :D :D :p Chuck.
P.S. And what's the gas mileage of the Lightning????? :D

gas mileage

about 17mph hwy in OD, with no boat and totally off the boost going 65mph

around town its about 12mpg with the occasional wot run.

Ive never figured it towing my boat, but my guess is it wouldnt change much.

baja200merk
11-13-2005, 09:02 PM
my uncle has an 02 hd edition supercharged 5.4 (lightning) its got a vac/boost guage on it and it seems like unless you are nailed its runs at 15lbs vac? wouldnt that be inefficent? shouldnt it be at 0? is the guage wrong?

just wonderin
thanks
kevin

chynewalkr
11-13-2005, 09:23 PM
mine is usually around 0-5lb vacuum or so cruising around, a little throttle gets it above zero, a hole lot of throttle gits it up to around 9 or 10lbs boost.

the harley trucks have a bigger diameter blower pulley so they only have around 6lbs of boost vs 8lbs on the L's.

baja200merk
11-13-2005, 09:30 PM
lightning motor = 450 ft/lbs of torque! :D

a stock 97 psd makes 500ftlbs... and is very easily upgraded... :D

Ted Stryker
11-13-2005, 09:32 PM
The Diesel will make at least 50 ( closer to 100 ) or more lbs ft./torque, and it'll do it at 1000-1500 less RPM... I would like to see the two vehicles in a towing race... I think the SC 5.4 would fair OK until the load got over 1,500 lbs. or so... :)

baja200merk
11-13-2005, 09:38 PM
hey jjb didnt ask about diesels stop talkin bout them would u!!! :D

thanks for the explination... gotta let my uncle know hes got the wrong pulley! :D

kevin

150aintenuff
11-14-2005, 01:17 AM
When I am towing the race car up big hills in Vermont I have never been passed by an Excursion or anything else towing. :p


OBVIOUSLY you wernt on the road when I was in your area last year....

LGT-FST
11-14-2005, 05:08 PM
The towing race will be this weekend in Haddam Ct. Bring your stock towing vehicle. We will first tow 2000 lbs then we will tow 5000 lbs. Both pulls will be up a reasonably steep hill about 2 miles. :eek:

horsepower
11-27-2005, 01:09 PM
Very very true! But, your not gona find one for 10k!
Mine was a 2002 f-350 4X4 7.3 had 75k miles sold it 4 months ago for 29k took 4 days.

Al
If you are looking for a 2002 7.3 ...I got ya one...Its got 80,000 miles on it...4x4 crew cab Lariat....and I also have a 2-wheel drive 97' 5.4 triton towing pckg/supercab.....Or I can give ya a racers special on a new F-150 or F-250...We have a dually 6.0 F-350 black 04' XLT with 40,000 miles. I may be located in Alabama, but I'll make it worth the drive. :rolleyes: ;)

Hot Shot Merc
11-27-2005, 01:52 PM
The Lightning and the Harley trucks arent all that great for towing because you are allways in the boost when towing and accelerating.I know this because I have owned both.They have the torque and the power but they are only rated for around 5000 lbs.You are creating detination when towing heavy loads.This can be avoided with a splash of 100 octain though.I use this now for towing.500 hp and over 500 ft lbs of Torque :D http://home.comcast.net/~hotshotmerc/tandb.jpg

Ted Stryker
11-27-2005, 02:06 PM
Trailer looks to have very little tongue weight, do it try to sway..?

Hot Shot Merc
11-27-2005, 02:16 PM
No actualy its too tounge heavy :p

Ted Stryker
11-27-2005, 02:27 PM
I'm surprised, that Truck must be sprung like a 3500..

Hot Shot Merc
11-27-2005, 03:24 PM
3500 tranny too. :)Dont get me wrong.Its just a little heavyer than I like in the tounge but most would say its perfect.

LGT-FST
11-27-2005, 04:23 PM
The Lightning and the Harley trucks arent all that great for towing because you are allways in the boost when towing and accelerating.I know this because I have owned both.They have the torque and the power but they are only rated for around 5000 lbs.You are creating detination when towing heavy loads.This can be avoided with a splash of 100 octain though.I use this now for towing.500 hp and over 500 ft lbs of Torque :D http://home.comcast.net/~hotshotmerc/tandb.jpg
If the Lightning is not very good for towing you better tell everyone that it passes up hill. The srt10 2 door is not rated to tow anything. Wanna race? :D

JJB
11-30-2005, 09:29 PM
I can't believe this thread is still going.............. Anyway.... Rob nice looking rig, rated or not it looks like it would pull whatever you wanted to trailer.

JJB

Hot Shot Merc
11-30-2005, 10:05 PM
My truck is rated to tow over 7600 lbs its the two door srt that has NO tow capacity.I also have 4.56 gears and over 500 ft lbs of torque....The lightning will tow yes I towed my boats all over but you are always into the boost(not good).I have a broken rod for proof :eek: