i need some advice on this truck i looked at. 4.2 auto with 33K i have no experience on this engine. can someone give me any pro's or cons on this motor, do they still have the water pump problem i have been reading about ? we do have a 2000 7.3 superduty and we love it, but it time to replace the 4.3 S10 and we want another ford. any info is apprceiated

 

I've got 145k on mine and the water pump is still original. The only engine work I've had to do was plugs, wires, and coil pack at 84k and plenum gaskets and isolator bolts at 120k. If the price is right and it looks well taken care of, jump on it. It will be running long after the S-10 is in the junkyard. It uses a quart of oil in 6k.

 

I have done nothing more with my incarnation of the 4.2L than glc has. Mine has about 183k miles on it and I only wish they made a higher displacement version in the NBS SuperCabs. Oh well, can't have it all.

 

My 2003 F150 with the 4.2 has been the best truck I've ever owned! Bought it new and have 164000 miles on it now. NO engine or transmission problems. I've only done routine maintenance on it.

Original water pump, alternator, hoses, ball joints, suspension, muffler, O2 sensors, etc.


It's the only vehicle I've ever bought the extended warranty on and lost money on it! I'm talking at least 10 cars and trucks which I had the warranties on.

How much do I like this truck? My wife keeps nagging me to buy a new vehicle, but I refuse to give this one up!

 

IMO the 99-08 4.2's are one of the most reliable engines ever made.

 

x2. Seen many of them overloaded pulling trailers and they held up fine. 5.4 does hold it's resale value better though.

 

That worked to MY advantage when I bought the truck - I got it in 9/06 with 55k on it for $7700.