FORD 4.6L vs 5.4L

bucky7680

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 12, 2006
Messages
296
Time to replace my 93 Ranger (255K miles). I've decided on an 08 F150 Super Cab short bed 3:55 gears. My question are. What's the real world fuel mileage between the 4.6 and 5.4? Is it significant? Any quality issues with either one? This will be my daily driver. I have 2 other trucks for pulling my 20' Regal.
 

dolluper

Captain
Joined
Jul 19, 2004
Messages
3,904
Re: FORD 4.6L vs 5.4L

4.6 depending on year can be a pig or not to bad on gas, only issue I know is part of the plug breaks off and ends up in the cylinder....pull heads or let Ford use their specially designed tool to take them out for 600 bones....Makes you wonder that they know all about their problem eh!!!
 

bucky7680

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 12, 2006
Messages
296
Re: FORD 4.6L vs 5.4L

My 5.8 hates cheap gas. It knocks like crazy. I realy like the F150s look, I'm just not familiar with the motors. I don't want any suprises.
 

Mike Robinson

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 29, 2005
Messages
752
Re: FORD 4.6L vs 5.4L

I don't have an answer to your question but there is a forum for ford owners similar to this one that I have used and found helpful.

I don't think I'm allowed to post a link, but if you enter "Ford Enthusiasts Forum" into a web search engine, you will find it quite easily.
 

dave11

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Dec 2, 2007
Messages
1,195
Re: FORD 4.6L vs 5.4L

In a given vehicle with the same kind of engine (gas v gas), the motor size will not make a big difference in over all mileage. I prefer a larger engine, because it will not be working as hard. The smaller engine will give marginally better mileage.
 

dave11

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Dec 2, 2007
Messages
1,195
Re: FORD 4.6L vs 5.4L

It is a Ford. Which ever one you get will be great!
 

bucky7680

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 12, 2006
Messages
296
Re: FORD 4.6L vs 5.4L

I think I'll go with the 5.4L. Now to go out and hammer out a deal. Thanks for the responces.
 

bjcsc

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jun 1, 2006
Messages
1,805
Re: FORD 4.6L vs 5.4L

I'd say go with the 5.4. Fuel mileage can't be that great of a concern since you're buying a third truck! More power is the logical conclusion...
 

bucky7680

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 12, 2006
Messages
296
Re: FORD 4.6L vs 5.4L

Not wanting to brag, but this truck will replace one of my 7 trucks. It will be my daily driver. Everyone needs a vice. Mine's trucks.
 

bjcsc

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jun 1, 2006
Messages
1,805
Re: FORD 4.6L vs 5.4L

Nothing wrong with that, brother, I do, too...more power is better....but you can say that here now without worrying about the mpgs. Since we've changed to the kindler more gentler, most of the hippies left and the ones that are still around can't post to threads like this and thus won't start the argument (or they'll get edited and eventually technoed).
 

Kenneth Brown

Captain
Joined
Feb 3, 2003
Messages
3,481
Re: FORD 4.6L vs 5.4L

My wife has the 5.4 in her '03 Expi with 373 gears. Around town she gets about 14 mpg. On the highway it gets an honest 22-23. Its quite a bit heavier than the trucks so that should be some help. Powerwise its great. Its got just a tad over 100K and still will yank the 16' stock trailer around.
 

bucky7680

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 12, 2006
Messages
296
Re: FORD 4.6L vs 5.4L

dave, I just went to ford-trucks.com. The 09 F150 looks real sweet. I might just wait for 09. Maybe I can squeeze 20K more out of my Ranger.
 

NeverEnough02

Seaman
Joined
Feb 12, 2008
Messages
62
Re: FORD 4.6L vs 5.4L

if money is not an issue then go with the larger motor. If not you can get the 4.6 and buy a full exhaust, intake and chip. This will improve your mileage a lot and bring your HP higher than the larger motor for about the same cost. If you can do all of that to the larger motor than go for it, you will see better gains.
 
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