How much horsepower does a 2002 5.4 triton have?
The 2002 Ford 5.4-liter Triton V8 delivers about 260 horsepower. This article explains the figure in context and what it meant for Ford’s 2002 trucks and SUVs.
The number in context
For the 2002 model year, the 5.4L Triton V8 was Ford’s larger V8 option in full-size pickups and sport/utilitarian SUVs. Officially rated at roughly 260 horsepower and around 360-365 lb-ft of torque, the engine was designed to balance street performance with towing capability.
Technical snapshot
Engine family: Ford Modular Triton family, V8. Displacement: 5.4 liters. Valvetrain: SOHC with two valves per cylinder in the 2002 5.4L configuration. In 2002, the engine typically produced about 260 hp and around 360-365 lb-ft of torque, numbers that varied slightly by model and market.
How this compared to other Ford powertrains in 2002
Among Ford’s lineup that year, the 5.4L Triton sat above the 4.6L V8 in power and below the potential gains seen with later 4.6L/5.4L developments. The 4.6L V8 delivered around 220-250 hp depending on configuration, while the 5.4L offered more torque for towing and heavy-duty use.
Evolution after 2002
Ford expanded the 5.4L family in the years that followed, introducing a 3-valve-per-cylinder version that produced around 300 hp, starting in the mid-2000s. This represented a notable jump over the 260-hp figure of the 2002 5.4L Triton, reflecting ongoing improvements in fuel delivery and engine design.
Summary
In summary, the 2002 Ford 5.4 Triton V8 produced about 260 horsepower, with torque around 360-365 lb-ft. This configuration served as the backbone of Ford’s full-size trucks and SUVs at the time, offering a robust balance of power and towing capability. By the mid-2000s, Ford introduced a higher-output 5.4L with a 3-valve design, pushing horsepower closer to 300 in newer models.
