Hoping someone can help me decide what Ford truck I want and comments about different engines. I was looking at a used 2003 F-150 XLT with a V6 in it, however I am not sure I want a V6 in a truck. What would be the most economical engine to have in a pickup? I know that the F-150 is not an economical vehicle, but I want to have enough power to do whatever I may want to do with it. Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks
I had a 2000 F-150 XL V6 4x4 and it was a great truck but it didn't have enough power for me. Then I got a 2002 F-150 XLT 5.4L V8 FX4 and it had a lot of power compared to the V6. I really don't think that the gas milage is that much of a difference. I have got a 2004 F-350 6.0L FX4 DWR now with more than enough power and it gets about 18-19 mpg on highway. About the same as the 2002 F-150.
Unfortunately for you the Best 6 cylinder manufactured by FoMoCo, the 300 I-6, is no longer manufactured by them, '65-'96. So you are out of luck because the V-block design is nothing but Junque, as compaired to an Inliner.
Thanks for the information on the different engines, I agree the ford inline 6 300 was a real workhorse and I don['t think I reallly want a ford V6 or at least not in a full size pickup. I have a 4.0 V6 in my areostar and it has been a great enging and has always been economical. But that is not the same engine that is in the pickups. Which of the V8s have the better reputatiion? The 4.8L or the 5.4L?
Well.. I have an '04 5.4 V8... This thing is a monster, specially with a performance chip, exhaust and intake installed... I don't haul anything at all.. It's reliable and personally I rather have a V8 and not use it than a V6 and then need the extra V8 power... I get about 15 - 18 MPG dependant on ambient temps and my mood that tank... =)
I believe that you will not be happy with a F-150 with a six. We currently own 3 Ford trucks. The '92 F-150 2wd supercab has 5.8 efi with E40D auto trans, bought it new. Has 359,000 miles, never had a valve cover off. Has averaged 15 mpg since it was new. My wife has a 2000 Excursion 2wd with the 5.4 efi & auto trans. It gets around 15.5 mpg around town, & as high as 17.2 on the highway. This has been the best vehiclke we have ever owned, as it has 202,000 miles on it & we have done virtually nothing in repairs. On the engine other than oil & filter, we have done spark plugs once, & just replaced the original serpantine belt. ( No water pump, starter, alternator, or any of the sensors ! ) That leads me to believe that the 5.4 is a well engineered engine that will last a long time. My everyday driver now is a 2000 F-350 Lariat LE, Crew Cab Long Bed 4X4 Dually, with the 7.3 diesel & auto trans. I average about 16.2mpg. around town in the winter, & as high as 19.2 mpg in the summer. I think that is pretty amazing for a 6,600 lbs vehicle. I run synthetic oil in all of these vehicles, & have since we purchased them. We also generally drive our vehicles pretty easy. We have done some long distance towing , including a 12,000 lbs sailboat from Long Island to Houston, Texas with the f-150 with over 275,000 miles on it at the time. We also hauled a 12,000 lbs sailboat from Rhode Island to Houston Texas with the Excursion. The Dually has hauled 34 foot camping trailers from Lousiana, a three horse trailer with horses all over Texas, & hauled a sailboat round trip to Detriot MI this past summer. The Dually is the best heavy tow vehicle, & the Excursion is next. The F-150 has been great vehicle , which I have used to haul things that are considerably heavier than it was designed to haul. While it has been used to pull 12,000 lbs..... the brakes are not designed for that much weight. So basically, all three of these vehicles get about the same mileage empty. The big difference is in the handling & driveability. Trucks generally get about the same fuel mileage due to the aerodynamics & the weight of the vehicle. Just consider what kind of weight you will haul & how often. The heavier the weight, the more you will want to have the larger engine. I believe that any Ford engine but the six will serve you well.
If I were you I would be looking for a 6.0 PRE 2007 diesel truck.....unless you are in a snow or ice area avoid the 4x4 as it is really unnecessary/ lowers your load capacity/lowers your MPG and wears the tires out faster. BUT its really up to you I however LOVE my 2006 F250 2wd and get between 24 and 28 MPG........sure beats my old 440 dodge 3/4 ton anyone want to buy the dodge???
I have a 2004 F150 4.6 lter new model and I love it! I have a VOLANT cold air intake, Airaid PowerAid throttle body spacer, and an Aero exhaust system on it. I'm now looking for a JET power module for it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ni-cUPcSAxk
that's a vid of my truck before I got the Airaid (I installed it last night)
Trying to have it both ways, does not work very well. What do you really want? Performance or economy? For performance I would recomend a old 350cu.in. v-8 or the newer 4.8L V-8's. For economy there are many small straight 6's around. Good luck. :o) Ms. Traci
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