Almost ready to purchase: 5.4 or 4.6?

I am looking at two comparable F150s. One has the 5.4 and the other the 4.6. Is there any compelling reason to go with one over the other? Otherwise the trucks are nearly identical.

5.4...for all the reasons that make a full size truck make sense.

What he said. They're the same engine year-for-year with just a stroke/deck height difference.

Another vote for the 5.4. Might as well have bit more power for about the same economy.

LSx.

Wait, what was the question again?

the 4.6 is a bit anemic for towing, but gets slightly better mileage. dd? 4.6. tow rig/work truck? 5.4

-JoN

I had a 2011 standard cab, short bed truck at work. Total stripper model, only option was power windows. As light and small as an F150 gets. It had the 4.6 and it was -BARELY- enough motor. Get the 5.4.

We tow a two horse gooseneck trailer with a supercab 4.6. It isn't going to win any drag races. Towing my open car trailer with the Europa is a breeze. Having said that, all else being equal, go for the 5.4

5.4. I have had 2003, 2006 and 2009. Great for towing an open trailer and sports car.

Marty

5.4 because bigger is always better! probably better resale too.

Neither. Go 4.2 V6

The 4.2 engines really good for what they are, the 5.4 has the odd spark plugs and some occasional coil issues but are strong engines other wise.

The 4.6 is a solid engine yes but better suited for cars.

JtspellS wrote: The 4.2 engines really good for what they are, the 5.4 has the odd spark plugs and some occasional coil issues but are strong engines other wise. The 4.6 is a solid engine yes but better suited for cars.

ALL SOHC Mod motors have spark plug issues.

The 2v engines (note: this includes 4.6 and 5.4 engines) had issues with blowing plugs out. I understand that this was addressed in late production engines.

The 3v engines (note: this includes 4.6 and 5.4 engines) had the plugs with the opposite problem, where they didn't want to come out when you tried to remove them.

The 4.2 has the problem where it gets a short #4 rod when the plastic composition intake gasket fails like a GM, only the coolant leaks into the intake port instead of just the valley. Also EGR plugging issues just like the 3.8 version.

Junkyard_Dog wrote: LSx. Wait, what was the question again?

this is GRM: the correct answer is some sort of a 2 liter diesel that was only installed in some Eastern European mini truck some time in the early 80's. because different is always better.

Knurled wrote:

JtspellS wrote: The 4.2 engines really good for what they are, the 5.4 has the odd spark plugs and some occasional coil issues but are strong engines other wise. The 4.6 is a solid engine yes but better suited for cars.

ALL SOHC Mod motors have spark plug issues. The 2v engines (note: this includes 4.6 and 5.4 engines) had issues with blowing plugs out. I understand that this was addressed in late production engines. The 3v engines (note: this includes 4.6 and 5.4 engines) had the plugs with the opposite problem, where they didn't want to come out when you tried to remove them. The 4.2 has the problem where it gets a short #4 rod when the plastic composition intake gasket fails like a GM, only the coolant leaks into the intake port instead of just the valley. Also EGR plugging issues just like the 3.8 version.

You got it! (cell phone site is odd...) Although the only real issues I've had with the 4.2's in my fleet has been intake manifold gaskets and exhaust manifolds cracking at the collector's.

With the 5.4's the plugs are not terrible to take out but time, brakekleen, and a cold engine are what you NEED to have.

And yes when I was working at a ford dealer I lost count how many P71's came in with the plugs blown out (never more then one at a time though) but being one of the only issues with it, I would take it.