Waterman

Any comments/recommendations for a first time truck owner?

I've never owned a truck and currently own a very quick 2007 S60R Volvo. I test drove GMC, Dodge, Toyota and Ford. It came down to GMC and Ford. In my opinion the 2010 is a superior truck, and based on financials should be able to service their customers better along with better R&D.

That said, I have narrowed my Ford purchase down to the SuperCrew XLT Fx2.

I am still torn between the 4.6 and the 5.4. I know I don't need the 5.4 for what I'm going to be doing (taking boys surfing, towing a waverunner, camping) but it sure felt great driving.

I guess my concern is getting a little better gas mileage out of the 4.6 3v.

Is the difference in MPG really that great between the 4.6 and 5.4 to give up what I want?

This will be my daily driver and I drive about 75% hwy and 25% city.

Any advice, comments, recommendations, etc. is greatly appreciated.

As a side note, I hear Ford is going to keep Volvo rather than selling them to the Chinese. This is great news for Ford and Volvo owners. I can't help but think the safety ratings improved because of the Volvo technology. The frontseat headrests are Volvo all the way.

Thanks for all your advice.

f150cwcw

Hello water man,
Here is my opinion on what your asking. For you i would go with the 4.6L 3v motor. I have a 2006 F150 Supercrew XLT 2wd 4.6L but i think mine is the older 2v motor. I should have bought the bigger 5.4L V8 because of the amount of towing i do. I tow a boat, and tow farm trailers that can get weighted down pretty easy. My truck gets the job done but struggles sometimes up hills with heavy loads. I also live 3 min from work and the extra fuel for the 5.4L wouldnt be a big hit on the pocket book.

For you, if you only haul stuff in the bed and pull a wave runner, the 4.6L V8 will be fine for you. With you also driving 75% on the highway, the 4.6L will get about 17mpg (maybe 19 if you baby it). I would go with the 4.6 with that much hwy driving. JMO.

Turkey Hunter

I would go with the 4.6 if I was you. You can always get a tunner/programer 2 make up for the lack of power with the 4.6 compared to the 5.4

Stealth1

Another option would be to wait for the 2011 model and get the 5.0 liter engine. It's code named 'Coyote' and sounds like it will be an awsome powerplant.

f150cwcw

Wow, this is new news to me! Are there any hp ratings out there yet? Is it the replacement for the 4.6L?

Stealth1

It's Fords new 4-valve engine said to replace the 4.6 and 5.4 engine for 2011 model year. The engine will be shared with the Mustang and is expected to produce approximately 400 horsepower and 400 pounds-feet of torque.
the 5.0-liter Coyote V-8 won’t use direct injection or turbocharging. It’s a naturally aspirated motor with fuel economy that’s expected to be comparable to the current 5.4-liter V-8. It’s also expected to use a cast aluminum engine block instead of iron, to help save weight.

sbronemann

The new 5.0 all aluminum power plant is amazing. Started out in the Mustang, but have heard rumors of going into the truck possibly. The 6.2L will definately be available as optional motor in the trucks as it has made it's way into the F-150 Raptor that we all know.
http://blogs.insideline.com/straight...ang-gt-50.html This article is a dyno run in the new '11 Mustang 5.0.
Here is a quote from there.....Peak numbers are 365 lb-ft of torque at 4,350 rpm and 395 hp at 6,600 rpm. All of these at-the-wheels figures were obtained in 4th gear on a Dynojet 248 chassis dyno and include a 3% SAE weather correction factor." Ford is rating it at 412 HP at the flywheel and it put 395HP to the wheels. Gotta love Ford Engineering!!!

Behemoth_F-150

I have the 4.6 3v, drive 90 miles + per day, and my average is about 21 - 22 when doing speed limit with about 75-80% highway at 55 mph. I also have the 3.55 LS rear end and mine is a 2wd. I haven't towed anything, but since it is rated at 9500 lbs, I don't really think you'd have any problems towing. I can't speak for the 5.4, but I would say that my truck has never had any issues with getting into traffic and has plenty of giddyup for passing when needed.

bigsmit

right now ford is the most financially stable and the only publically traded american car company and i would go with the 5.4 if i were u the 4.6 isn't that much of a diff in mpg's for the power coming from the 5.4 either way they are both overcapable engines but sometimes u never know what u are going to have to pull in the future you might buy a boat that needs the power of the 5.4 don't think what i need now think what will i need in the future