Looking closely at a 2008 F-150 XL with a 4.2L V-6 engine. It's a real "plain Jane" truck. standard cab, 8-ft bed, no frills at all. But I'm curious about this V-6 engine. Is it powerful enough? I don't intend to use the truck as a work truck so it will mostly be driven empty with an occasional heavy load and maybe pulling a small 5x8 ft motorcycle trailer once or twice a year for less than 50 miles each time. I test drove it, empty, and it seemed to have enough power around town.

Any comments? Also, is this 4.2L engine reliable? Will it go 150K+ miles like other engines do?

BTW, I've had two F-150s before, a 1987 and a 1994. Each had the old 300 cu in in-line 6 cyl -- that old tractor engine that's older than me. And I'm OLD!

 

That is basically my old truck...although it had the shorter bed and it was a 2007. From what I understand it is a very reliable motor...never had a single thing go wrong with mine. It was kind of a slug, but that isn't a big deal for a truck. I thought it was a great truck, and would have kept it if it had 4WD...I almost like the plain jane over my FX4...less things that rattle, it was a solid truck!

 

I have an 07 regular cab, 6.6ft bed(thank God) with the 4.2. Love it. I laughed when he said the doors rattle because they do, a lot which sucks if you live in New Orleans like me. Real bad streets. Power, I could go for more but I'm 17. Of course I want more power. I've got 60-65k on my truck. No engine problems, yet. I know someone who had a 97-03 gen 4.2 and he got at least 300k with that truck. Real work truck. He does landscaping and such so I assume he towed some decent loads.

4WD, hahaha. Only thing I wish my truck had. Not gonna complain. Great truck. Even better first vehicle.

 

Thanks for the responses. I'm going to look at it again tomorrow (if it's still available).

I failed to mention that the 08 XL has 55K miles.

 

To give you an idea how reliable it is, when Ford discontinued the 4.2 after the 08 model year, they continued to sell it for industrial use - just like they did with the old 300 I6 after the 96 model year.

If it has an automatic, it can tow up to about 5k. Cut that in half with the 5 speed stick, its a light duty tranny.

 

Thanks! I went ahead and bought the truck this morning and drove it home. I hope this is the beginning of a good 5 to 6 year friendship.

 

A coworker of mine has an '04 XL with that engine. Last time we talked about it, he had 210K with no leaking, burning, smoking, or rattling. One alternator, one water pump, and a radiator a frozen turkey went through. (driving home, following somebody else from the grocery store that hit a bump, their thanksgiving bird smashed through the grille / radiator and fan assy...). His is an auto. Not super powerful, but for scooting to / from work, and hauling gear to his deer camp, it works. He left his rock stock...

His family is growing, and he is talking about a new Ecoboost F150 crew cab.... I guess he likes the Ford sixes...

 

Thanks for the info.

Well, I'm happy with it so far -- had it five days. It's not as peppy as my 350 ci V-8 '95 Silverado but it'll do. Good enough for me.

 

Not surprising - the 350 has about 50 ft/lb more torque than the 4.2 and I think the F-150 is a considerably heavier truck.

 

I wasn't aware of the large weight difference, but yeah I wasn't surprised at all with the F150 having less power. 100 ci is a lot to give away (252 ci versus 350 ci). And yes, I realize that displacement doesn't necessarily equal horsepower but it's a lot easier to get horsepower without over-stressing the engine with a 5.8L engine than it is with a 4.2L engine.

But so far I'm happy with the little V-6. It's good enough for me. My days of ripping up the road are way behind me and I never haul too much and even when I do it's not very often.

 

If you have an automatic, you can even tow 5000# with it.

 

Yes, it's an automatic. I occasionally tow a 5x8 single-axle open trailer with a motorcycle -- I have to believe the whole thing (loaded) is less than 2000 lbs.