I just bought an 04 Heritage with the 4.2 and love the truck overall. My old truck was a 96 with the 302, and while it wasn't "fast" by any means, traction was a little tricky on hills in the rain. This new truck, I have to really try to spin the tires in the rain and can't even bark them off in the dry. Is this normal? If I'm at a stop sign, and floor it, it will bog down for a second and take right off. It seems like I don't have a damn thing on the lower RPMs and it really wakes up at the top end. I guess my question is, should I be able to brake the rear end loose with relative ease?

 

Mine does the same, even running 94 octane tune. Only way I can get any spin is if its wet or I go around a corner, but from a dead stop on dry, no spin it just takes off. You might be new to the 4.2s but they make most of their power higher in the rpm range.

 

<<<<Chuckles @ your automatics

Whats the engine code? (passenger door sill, front of cab)

 

That makes me feel a lot better. Yes, I am new to the 4.2, I've had a few Ford 3.8's in my day, but lately I've been on a 4.6 and 5.0 kick. Honestly, after driving it for a few days, I think this truck could keep up with my old 5.0 F-150, just not off the line. I bought it mainly for a DD and hauling stuff I can't or won't put in my Mustang. I think it should work out great for me. As for the chuckling at automatics......I hear the same trash about my auto Mustang too.....I know, I'm just a lazy bastard who doesn't want to shift in traffic.

 

no you wont break them loose on dry pavement, although some guys will swear you can. if you had a stick you could, but your stuck with us automatic guys.


nice choice in truck, the 4.2 isn't fast, but if you do it right you can get a really decent exhaust note out of it, and overall have a great DD truck.

 

everyone is right. unless you put some bald@$$ stock tires on the back, you wont spin them from a dead stop, unless you powerbrake it, then you will spin.

as far as throttle response off the line, look into a CAI and an exhaust. magnaflow and flowmaster seem to be the favs in the exhaust dept, and K&N or MAC intakes seem to be the favs for most 4.2 lovers.

welcome to the site and happy ridin with your 4.2!!

 

I would think a large chain hooked to a staionary object and your rear axle and then give 'er hell that should break it loose!

 

MythBusters did the "American Graffiti" myth with a police car, tow chain, and telephone pole. Remember that?

Myth Busted!

 

What about a tow hook on a "Big rig tow truck"? (gone in 60 seconds style)

 

Yea he tied the cable to the back of the car and ripped the front end off, as for the Braking loose i can in my 03 reg cab 5 speed, but I also have some bald *** AMERITRACS on it lol.

 

and a clutch

 

any consolation i broke them loose on the beach a few times pulling everyone out!



my truck is a 4x2 reg cab v6, it absolutely WONT get stuck no matter how hard i try

i pulled a chevy 350 out, two mustangs, and a few golf carts.



planning on getting pictures soon

 

That makes me feel better about what to expect in snow then.

 

it handles it great its a light truck so it stays on top of whatever your on top of

 

My v6 with the manual spins em very nicely