Looking at getting a new truck. Right now I've got a '99 F-150 w/the 4.6 v8 that I've been driving since I was 16 (7 years). I'm looking at getting a 2006-2008 Screw. There are 2 trucks that I'm very interested in and I will give the details on each below.

Truck 1: Listed for $18,900
2007 XLT 4x2 with the 4.6L
Dark Shadow Gray (my fav. color F150)
32k miles
Haven't seen it in person (truck is in Houston) but from the pictures, it looks flawless. It has brand new tires and the Interior/Exterior are both perfect.

Truck 2: Listed for 21,000
2007 XLT 4x2 with the 5.4L
Dark Red, not my fav. but still nice
30k miles
I test drove this truck. The exterior is in great shape, there are a few small scratches on the tailgate but nothing major. The interior is in great shape except for the fact that there is a small hole in the driver's seat.

Both trucks have the 3:55 rear-axle.

My question is do you think its worth it for me to spend the extra $2,000 for the bigger v8? I do tow pretty often but I have yet to tow anything that my current truck couldn't handle. I know the newer 4.6's have more power than mine does. When I test drove the truck with the 5.4 I could tell a definite power difference between it and my truck, but my truck also has 162,000 miles on a 12 year old motor.

 

I would say a 2008 to avoid the spark plug issue....however, since you're not looking a that year then go with the 5.4...you'll like the extra torque at lower rpms....especially when towing with 3.55 gears....

 

It's a wash. Get the one you like better. They are both probably priced appropriately, but unless you tow a lot or tow heavy weights, you probably won't see too much advantage in the 5.4L.

Although if you get the 5.4L, we let you into the "cool kids club", no 4.6L's allowed.

 

The 4.6 might have more power than your old one but remember that the 04-08 trucks are a LOT heavier. I think you would appreciate the additional torque from the 5.4L engine with the 3.55 gears and heavier truck. If you do get the 5.4L I would do the plugs right away.

If you can, try to find a truck in your area that is the 4.6L similarly equipped as the one you are looking at. Since its your fav color and it seems to be flawless, if you like the test drive of the local 4.6 and feel its enough power, then by all means grab the 4.6l truck!

 

They both sound like they have their advantages and disadvantages. The 4.6 sounds like it looks better but has a smaller engine, while the 5.4 truck doesn't look as good but has the bigger engine. Maybe look around for another 5.4 truck in a better color?

 

While a lot depends on how you will drive and use your truck, given the heavy curb weight of these vehicles I'd be inclined to go with the bigger engine -- especially if you are looking at a Screw......

 

Thanks for all the replies. Test driving a local truck with the 4.6 is a good idea. I hate to deal with salesmen anymore than I have to but I believe it's my best option. My friend has a 2010 screw with the 4.6L, I've never driven it but I can tell it has more grunt than, but the 6-speed also plays a role in that.

Hopefully within the next few weeks I will be calling the 04-08 forums my new home.

 

You say you do towing pretty often. Between those 2 trucks I'd go for the 5.4. Better yet find a 5.4 with the 3.73 axle ratio.
Nobody that tows ever wished they had a smaller engine or a higher axle ratio.

 

remember with the 5.4 3v you get the cam phaser issues as well

the 09+ 4.6s can be in 2v or in 3v setups, so that could also be the feeling of more grunt

 

I would go with the 4.6. I used to have a 05 fx4 and it had the 5.4 3v it was nothing but problem after problem with that engine, cam phasers, injectors, and spark plugs. My dad has an 06 with the 5.4 3v and it has cam phaser probs too. The 04-08 4.6's don't have the cam phasers. I hope this helps, save yourself from constant headaches and get a 4.6 and you will be happy.

 

It's tough to come to an enthusiast forum, ask a question like that, and get a good answer either way. Mostly biased opinions.

 

I went from a 98 5.4 to an 08 4.6. Yes the 5.4 had more power and all that, but since I don't tow, this 4.6 is all I need w/o the extra probs.

In your case, the 4.6 gray one is the truck you like...

 

Not all 5.4s had the issues, and by 2007 they were pretty much solved. The trucks are only about 30K miles. Many 5.4s .... even 2005s, go 200K plus miles. I seem to recall several here nearing 300K. At 30K, I'ld probably wait a while, at least to 50-60 K before putting plugs in unless you're going to replace them every 30K?

The 4.6 2v motors have their pluses as well, like being damn near bullet proof.

Having said all that and keeping a sound budget and your needs in mind ...
... get the truck that "trips your trigger".

Back in 09 when I was looking, I was looking every day or so in a different town, etc. I looked at 100 or more. Looked at a '08 F-150 FX4 Scab Flareside that was black and grey. Looked great. Third time I looked was at night under lights .... WOW ..... glad I didn't get that truck! The lights really highlighted the fine scratches.

I looked for 5-6 weeks about every other day or three at lots from Harrisonburg to Roanoke to Lynchburg to Covington. I would load up the wife and we'ld ride to different places and I looked and took countless digital pictures to review later .... and delete as I culled the finalist. I found a white 08 FX4 Scab Stylside at Roanoke with low miles, made an offer, they wanted way too much on it. No deal.

I was getting frustrated. Was already looking at trucks that were higher $$$ than I had planned on. Finally drove a dark red '07 Lariat Scab that was dark red, 18K miles, great driving truck. Brakes needed turning already though. I convinced myself that it was "OK". I told salesman I'ld be back in two days to get it but it needed rotor work.

Next day I was "sick". Next day after that, even "sicker". Not physically sick really, just really dreading getting off work and going to get that truck. Finally about noon (I didn't even feel like eating lunch) while working some radar, I called the salesman, as soon as he answered he said "Your truck is ready"....
I told him "That sure is a nice truck .... " and I paused .... then I said "But it ain't my truck".

He got really quiet, I told him of the knot in my gut, that I didn't even look forwards to quitting time, that I could not take that truck as nice as it was. He was some "dissappointed". It was his last week of work as he was retiring that weekend, this was Thursday. He got over it.

Monday after work, come 2:00 pm I get home and park the CV and changed into civies and told the wife "Let's go" and we went totally the opposite direction to Christiansburg to see what the Motor Mile had. Got down there about 4PM.

There while I was gaping at the first Raptor I ever knew I saw,



wife said "There it is" ..... I said "Yeah, but what is it?" as I thought she was looking at the Raptor too.



Nope, she was loking at a beautiful red and grey 2007 F150 Scab FX4 Flareside across the road at the used car lot, loaded, lot's of "POP" ... 24K miles.



We drove it that evening, fell in love with it, went to supper and talked it over and went back and sat down with that salesman .... and made a great deal on it that night, they even did the paper work on it and it was after 9PM when we left to come home, and we went back and took delivery a couple days later ....
... and I am so glad I didn't go get that dark red 07 Lariat!

(Pictures of the Raptor were taken later that night after we took our test drive and made our deal and as we were leaving ..... I didn't take any when we first saw it as we got distracted so quick. With the $41K price on that Raptor, it was easy to pass on it. Had it been $10K less, tough to pass up. Short short bed, but I still think this solid color without the fake mud splatter was the prettiest Raptor I've seen .... neighbor has a blue one, there's a black one here too ..... no where near as sharp as this one was. )

 

Either way, you won't be disappointed. My STX has a 4.6L and it does the job nicely. If towed / hauled more, I'd have looked for a 5.4L.

The spark plug issue and the cam phaser issue was also a factor in my decision.

 

If it has enough power for you, the 4.6 is historically more reliable (less complicated) than the 5.4 3V. Gas mileage difference is probably going to be a wash.