I'm looking into the F150 SuperCab for my first full size 4x4. I don't expect great fuel economy but want to do the best I can and still get the job done. I will occasionally be pulling 2500 - 3000 pounds and won't be hauling particularly heavy loads. I think I could get by with the 4.6 and the 3.31 axle ratio. However, I don't want to go this route if there are too many drawbacks. The 5.4 with the 3.31 may make better since... from what I've read, it seems the typical 4x4 F150 gets around 14-15 mpg -- and that would be a 5.4 with a 3.55 limited slip rear end. How much difference would the 3.31 make?

Thanks for your advice/suggestions.

 

Nobody has mentioned that their 5.4L had too much power for towing.

Remember that if you ever plan to hit the mountains, you lose 4% of your HP (due to altitude/air) for each 1,000 feet -- which means you can easily notice it on any half-way decent hill in the Rockies.

It's obvious that Ford can squeeze more HP out of these engines -- and/but that running them in a mild 'de-tune' helps keep their torque range at a nice real-world towing rpm range -- but what isn't so obvious is that running a big engine at low HP levels should mean longer potential life.

It all depends upon your point of view regarding % towing and Gas Mileage and length of time you intend to keep it.

For every fellow that owns a 5.4 and likes it, it seems that another likes his 4.2 just as well (but then, didn't Edsel owners like them while they owned them?).

Go Big! You can always ease up on the pedal -- not the other way around.

------------------
Y2K™ 7700 4x4
Jim - N8JG@Hotmail.com

Toreador Red, Keyless XLT SC SB 5.4L E4x4 4wDisc/ABS, 3.73LS, Skid, HD 7700# Towing, LT-245's on Chrome, Tube-Steps, Captain's, 6CD, Tonneau, named: "Nick"

 

Ok, this is my opinion. I have the 4.6 with 3.55Limited Slip. I'm running 33" tires and i get apporx. 10-12 mpg in the city. Highway is somewhere like 12-15 just depending. I'm puttin on 35 inch tires and am jumping gear size to 4.56. Thats a pretty huge gear jump. The place that is doing the swap said i can expect 1-2 mpg loss around the city. Thats with 35" tires and 4.56 gears. If i am only losing 1-2 mpg and i'm changing gears and tires that much, than i'd say the difference between 3.55 & 3.31 in mpg is very small. BUT, you will notice a power difference i think, esp. if you tow. So my advice to you is this: stick with the 3.55 rearend. You won't notice the fuel economy difference and power you will notice. As for engine size- 2-3000 lbs. i'd stick with the 4.6L- but if you plan on towing a lot over mountains and want to tow more than 1.5tons you're going to want that 5.4l. It'll make all the difference. My .02 cents. Hope this helps-
-Brandon
97 F50 4x4 4.6L 3.55LS SuperCab bright red
3" body lift
315/75R16 Geolander MTs
16x10 Atlas
1" torsion bar
clear corner lenses
true dual exhaust (2- stage 3 flowmasters)
lots--o-stereo
--pioneer,rockford,sony,boston acoustic
custom 4x4 sticker
PICS being developed as we speak

 

FYI - All 4x4 come with 3.55 only from factory.

I had a 1997 4.6L 4x4 ORP with tow package and 3.55 - it sucks pulling - hated it.

I now have 2001 5.4L 4x4 ORP with tow package and 3.55 - LOVE IT.

Don't worry about the 2 mpg difference.

------------------
Mine:2001 1/2 F150 Super Crew, Lariat, Oxford white w/silver lower accent and Med. Gray Leather Captain Chairs,4x4 ORP, 5.4L, 3.55LS, 17" Chrome wheels w/GY AT/S LT265/70/17, auto, 6 CD,Towing package, alarm, Westin Chrome nerf bars, Seat Savers and Husky mats for hunting, bed liner, white tail light lens covers.

http://albums.photopoint.com/j/Album...1294&a=3025874
Wife: 1999 Explorer Limited,pearl white/tan leather,4.0L,4:10LS,CD,sunroof,towing pkg.,alarm. Bought new Sept. 1999

Previous: '65 Mustang 289 HiPo, '70 Chevelle SS 396, '70 Vette Conv. 350/350, 72 Datsun PU,'74 Vette TTop, '79 Blazer, '81 F150, '83 Bonneville, '84 Gran Marquis '89 TBird Super Coupe 3.8L SuperCharged, '93 Explorer 4.0L, '97 F150 SC XLT, 4x4 ORP

 

I have a 2000 4x4 supercab with a 4.6 and 3.31. Got it in March 2000 so they were making them then.

I too only tow about 2000-3000 pounds and my % towing is fairly small. The combination worked good for me so far. Everything is litres here so I dont know my MPG. I get 520 km on 88 litres of gas in the city.

If you are towing anything heavier or towing through the mountains you would lose power though and need the 5.4.

I took mine on the Coquihalla (long haul with 8% grade), not with the trailer though, and I had pretty good power going uphill.


------------------
2000 F150 S/C 4x4, 4.6L, Black
Raider Nomad canopy, Iguana carrier

 

I have a 2000 4x4 supercab with a 4.6 and 3.31. Got it in March 2000 so they were making them then.

I too only tow about 2000-3000 pounds and my % towing is fairly small. The combination worked good for me so far. Everything is litres here so I dont know my MPG. I get 520 km on 88 litres of gas in the city.

If you are towing anything heavier or towing through the mountains you would lose power though and need the 5.4.

I took mine on the Coquihalla (long haul with 8% grade), not with the trailer though, and I had pretty good power going uphill.


------------------
2000 F150 S/C 4x4, 4.6L, Black
Raider Nomad canopy, Iguana carrier

 

I agree with Dewyane.

I had a 98 S/C 4x4 4.6...It was OK in the hills unloaded, BUT towing a boat to the coast was a chore. I was not sure if the tranny could take much more shifting. It couldn't make up it's mind.

I now own a 2000 S/C 4x4 5.4...BIG Difference. Much better ride, and the additional cubes are really noticeable. When I tow, it is either a 16' flatbed, or the boat and neither seems to bother the 5.4. One guy, that I helped move, asked if my truck was a diesel (still laughing about that one) but he was impressed with how "spunky" the truck was with a full load of furniture on the trailer.

Both trucks averaged 17 MPG on the highway.

Good luck on your purchase, I have enjoyed both of mine so far.

P.S. My 98 ate two rear Limited slips in the two years I owned it.

 

Just a note:

Starting for the 2000 model year, the standard diff in the 4x4 trucks went to the 3.31. Fords statement was "increased fuel economy with no loss in towing capability". The laws of physics defy that to be true, but anyway. The 3.55 became a $50 option with the 3.55ls being $285 list.

I put the 3.55ls in my truck and currently get about 17mpg on the highway and 15mpg on a mixed tank. But the ability to run 285's without doing a gear swap it well worth the initial cost.