New member with what may be a silly question, but I'm not much of a gear-head, and expect to be schooled, so I'll ask it.

I'm looking at buying a used F150, probably in the '06-'07 range. I've been driving my wife's '07 Edge a bit, and I really like how much power it has for it's size and was hoping for something comparable in a truck.

Looking at the drivetrain options for the F150, I'm seeing that the 4.6L sits around 230hp for the '06 or close to 250hp on the '07. Looking at the Edge, the 3.5L V6 has 265hp! More than the 4.6L in a vehicle weighting a half ton less! The Edge also produces almost 9% more torque/lb of curb weight as well.

I'm probably leaning toward the 5.4L, just because I would like the power to be available if I need it, but can anyone explain why the 4.6L seems so anemic? Shouldn't an engine with 1100cc more displacement and two more cylinders produce more power?

 

Tuning, reliability, Emissions

Horsepower, the Facts - FastestLaps.com

Plus a work truck is intended to be used for towing things that is why the F150 has more torque v6 and v8 versions.
2007 Ford F150 Specifications

 

Good points by go-part.
In a nutshell: Truck engines are tuned for maximum torque over a wide range of RPMs. That's why trucks can pull heavy weights. Also the transmissions and end gears are geared to provide pulling ability. That is at the expense of maximum horse power.

Personal cars and vehicle with more limited gross vehicle weight and trailer pulling capacity are usually tuned for more horse power and geared for more fuel economy. That is at the expense of maximum torque.

Your best approach is test driving a few trucks to get a feel for their driving manners.

 

the smaller engine may have variable valve timing or direct injection

 

I picked up a good deal on a '06 4.6 4x4. It has more HP and more torque than my previous '92 4.9 I6 and I can say with a Gryphon tuner it is way better performing. Even stock it has better brakes, better ride, and much higher towing capacity than the '92. It's not a Mustang, it's a truck. If you want a truck that goes fast pay the $$ for a HD or Raptor, or (treason) Toyota with the 5.7L.

 

I had a 2001 crew cab 4.6..had almost 180k miles b4 I sold it..That truck did nothing but pull stuff for me. Run a landscaping bus. and fathers a contracter, so it def did its fair share of pulling trailers and plenty of power. That truck ran great. I currently have a 2006 ex. cab 5.4..And it def pulls harder more HP, but i've had moter probs with it from day one. It ticks like crazy. I've taken to mechanics and ford dealership(they said it be 2,300 to fix it)..I've also had a lot of friends with that year or within a yr or two and theirs have that ticking sound with the 5.4. I liked my 2001 a lot better than my 2006.

 

the 5.4 spark plug design and the issues related to it rule that engine out for me.

Thanks for the towing information; I'm looking at a 4.6L and was wondering how it tows 4000 - 5000lbs

 

I pulled a 16ft double axle trailer with gate..and would have two 60inch Hustler zero turn mowers and a 48inch ex-mark walk behind turned sideways on the main back for about 7 years. We bought that truck with 12k miles and sold @180k. Also had a car hauler I pulled with it. pulled a 70 chevelle, mustangs, etc.. Me and my father had pulled loads of lumber from tennessee to michigan, Ohio, Missouri, if they were short on a Job sight. I did have to get the transmission rebuilt at about 170k but I'd honestly say It had a trailer hooked on the back of it about 75% of the time I had it.

 

My wonderful wife bought me a 2004 F150 XLT 4X4 with the 4.6 and I was a little apprehensive about it. I pull a 25ft travel trailer listed at 4700lbs dry and have no problem. Haven't been in any hills but figure it will be fine. Jim.

 

ive owned a 4.6 and 5.4, id go with the 4.6 better mileage and has more noticable power, 5.4s have spark plug problems