4.0 Or 4.6

[fteazy98]

wondering which i should go for, gas milage, power, reliability?

 

[Thelt]

wondering which i should go for, gas milage, power, reliability?

I have the 4.0 and I am happy with it. It has sufficient power and gets about 17.5 mpg in mostly city driving. The 4.6 may be a good motor but I would not want to spend the extra money for it since I am happy with the 4.0.

 

[levishake]

if you want reliability, decent gas milage i would go with the 4.0, one of the toughest motors i've ever seen!

 

[jacobl]

My 2002 xlt has the 4.0l v6. I once got 20 mpg on a road trip. It has 111,000 miles on it and the engine hasn't given me one problem. I use 5w30 mobil1 full synthetic in it and change it every 5k miles. I would say that it is a very strong engine.

My friend has a ranger with the 4.0 and has over 250,000 miles with out a cough out of the engine.

 

[belvin20]

Get the 4.6, have had one 4.0,never again, V-8, all the way. The little extra money is worth the extra power when you need it, also the resale for the V-8 with the tow package is one of the most sought after options.

 

[Sdynamite]

if you're buying used, dont consider the 4.0 V6 when you can get the 4.6 V8 for a pennies more (its already depreciated thanks to the original buyer!)

The V8 is fantastic for get up and go + passing on the highway when you have passengers + cargo. The gas mileage difference is not noticeable enough (1-2 mpg) to forgo the power of the 4.6

I dont think you'll get a V6 owner to tell you that you should go for the V8 -no one is honest enough to admit that they'd rather have the big engine.

 

[daprez1963]

if you're buying used, dont consider the 4.0 V6 when you can get the 4.6 V8 for a pennies more (its already depreciated thanks to the original buyer!)

The V8 is fantastic for get up and go + passing on the highway when you have passengers + cargo. The gas mileage difference is not noticeable enough (1-2 mpg) to forgo the power of the 4.6

I dont think you'll get a V6 owner to tell you that you should go for the V8 -no one is honest enough to admit that they'd rather have the big engine.

unless you tow something huge all the time, why go with a 4.6 v8 that eats more gas? if you are looking for one to run around the city mostly, driving to workand store etc etc...i would go with the 4.0 v6. i can still tow but i dont need it but once or twice a year. i get 17.5 mpg in the city, 21-22 on the highway. i noticed a jump wihen i ignored the factory recommended tire pressures and went with 38 on all 4 fours (they recommend 35 in front and 38 in back). i was getting 15 if i was lucky in the city.

people have different needs. you have to base your desires on your particular needs. if you are like me and just like a big suv to drive around town, go with the 4.0 v6 2wd. no need for all the extras and a bigger engine. it will just need more gas.

 

[misconceived]

unless you tow something huge all the time, why go with a 4.6 v8 that eats more gas?

I have the 4.0 and my mileage has alway sucked. The eating of the gas isn't much different.

Get the 4.6....Like Sdynamite said, it's not much more money after it leaves the lot.
Depreciation sucks on the explorers.

 

[fteazy98]

thanks for the input guys in the summer months i do tow a 17 ft fish n sport nearly every weekend i have a 98 xlt with the 4.0 and it does ok a little sluggish when towing, maybe just the gears? Is the 4.6 as reliable?

 

[red82gt]

I'm happy with the gas mileage of my 4.6L (especialy after adding a K&N Cold-air). It has a lot more power than the 4.0L and is perfect for the mountains here in BC. I drove a couple expos with the 4.0L and with the 4.6L before I bought and the difference in power convinced me it was worth the extra $$.
The 4.6L is a reliable engine, look at how many taxicabs and police cars are running the 4.6L (crown-vics).

 

[Halfnuts]

Nowadays. the .6L difference means you'll not find any appreciable change in mileage, and the 4.0 is a gamble. The timing tensioner *just* went out on mine at 100k miles, like a frigging clock.
the 4.6 is infinitely more reliable, and not that much worse (if at all) for fuel economy.
Get the 8, and never, ever consider an OHC 4.0 your friend.

 

[outlawwv]

never had a 4.0 but i really like my 4.6 -- good power not the best mileage but what do you expect when you get a 4wd -- go for the v-8

 

[03xbox]

I work as an Intern at a police department out here and we use the explorers with the 4.0, and they suck. They are so slow when trying to catch up to a speeder or to pull someone over. I have the 4.6 in my explorer and i can feel the power difference, it is a lot quicker, and the gas mileage is pretty much the same. I would definetly go with the V8.

 

[Beausdad]

I have had 4bangers, V6s and V8s and never again will I drive anything less than a V8. If you are worried about gas mileage buy a dang honda or some other silly little car. Anything less than a V8 is worthless in a mid to full size SUV/truck. IF you want better gas mileage in your V8 then add an exhaust, cold air intake and a throttle body spacer(?). Change your oil regular, run better gas, check air pressure in tires, keep air cleaner clean - Or be like me and suck it up and drive it cause you like it.

 

[daprez1963]

as i said, its a matter of choice and what you want it for. i guess you have a point and go with the V8 4.6 if you regularly pull a yacht, need to chase after cars over a 100 mph or just like to burn more gas...yes, though its not much of a difference, 2 mpg difference in my case would be (100 gallons per month, 1200 per year)....2400 less miles a year, or 150 more gallons ($350-$450). my needs are just to have a nice size SUV instead of a foreign compact car. I rarely pull anything and i live in low flat area. So, for all you V8 lovers, good for you, but some of us dont need all that power to get around town. (your nuts if you think theres no difference in mpg between a V6 and a V8).....

 

[Beausdad]

Hey fteazy98,

If you rarely pull anything and live in a low flat area then don't even crowd the roads with another SUV. Just like a 2wd truck a 2wd SUV with a V6 is as useless as a fart in a mitten. I know that is going to piss you guys off, but I mean come on. If you lower an SUV and are pimping around with a V6 that is fine. I understand. It's all about the looks. But, if you are going to use an S-"Utility"-V for its intended purpose then get a V8. I am trying to convince myself that I didn't just buy a freakin station wagon. Should I be heading to the nearest decal maker and getting some wood grain to put on the side of this thing. Hell no. The Explorer was created to phase out the Bronco, which if I remember correctly never came in a 2wd V6 model and there was a reason. Soccer moms didn't drive it.

 

[mattyk6]

Get the V8. I've had the V6 for 1.5 yrs and I wish I would have gone for the V8. I have an F150 for towing, so I rarely use the Exp for towing. It's just nice to have the get up and go when you need it. I also like the drive-ability of the V8, it just seems easier to drive in traffic.

 

[whdahel]

go with the 4.6 you wont regret it. I had a 4.0 in my 96. Now I have the 5.0 in my 98 Monty. I know its not the 4.6. But it is a V8 (what a differance). Go V8 baby! I have a 4.6 In my 92 Vic and I beat the snot out of it and it hasn't broke yet and it has 179K on it. very reliable engine. Also the transmisions are a bit stronger behind the V8. Somthing to keep in mind, I learned that the hard way with the 96. $2,500 for them to rebuild and put it in.

 

[sledneck9]

love my 4.6, pulls my 4 place sled trailer w/ four guys in the truck and gear and she pulls great, still has power left over. the mileage is around 15 on mine sometimes 18 on the hwy. gotta love v8 power

 

[fteazy98]

I have a 98 with the 4.0 and the trans is starting to slip. Do the 4.6's have a stronger trans. I do tow quite a bit noth