i have found an 98 f150 that i want to purchase (my very first!), however the only thing is that it is a v8 4.6
is there a real difference between the 4.2 v6 and the v8 in fuel consumption? they tell me that the difference is tiny. is this true? how is it possible for 2 more cylinders to burn approximately the same amount of gas?
what are your experiences with this? i'm sorry if this has been asked before. but it's urgent that i find out. Thanks. Defacto

 

defacto,

Do the math 4.6 vs 4.2 = .913% So if the 4.2 gets 16mpg the 4.6 gets 91% or 14.5mpg. The 4.2 has 205 HP vs 220 for the 4.6 and 250 lb/ft of torque vs 290. The 4.6 isn't that much bigger.

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier

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00 F-150 XLT SC Flairside 4x4 4.6 w/5spd
Warn XD9000i, skid plates, Draw tite class III,
Rancho RSX Reflex shocks,
SmittyBilt Nerfs, Borla Cat Back
Modified Air Cleaner Outlet Tube,
Superchips

 

OK see if this makes sense to you. If your just going to tool around, go to work, not carry much and in no peticular hurry, then a 4.2 would get better milage. Now that is not to say that the 4.2 is a wimpy engine, but to carry a load, it would seem that the 4.2 would have to work a little harder than the 4.6 would to do the same amount of work. So if your carrying a load often, the additional gas milage on the 4.2 would be negligable. In other words, the "empty" 4.2 would get better milage then then "empty" 4.6, but a loaded 4.2 would probably get close to the same as a loaded 4.6.
I do use my truck loaded and I had a '97 4.2 now I have the '98 4.6 and I didn't notice any decrease in milage. I'm not saying there wasn't a decrease, just that I didn't notice it.
Another note: some people after a time, wished they had gotten the bigger engine. I would have kept my 4.2, but thats a long story. When the op to get a new one came up, I naturally went for MORE POWER!!!
My milage sucks now but that's because it's so much fun to drive, I just can get off it!!



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Andthensometoo ®
"Moonlight Blue" 98 F150 SC XLT 2WD 4.6, 3.55 LS Tow Pkg. SUPERCHIP, K&N Airbox mod. w/ "Cool" intake, Mobil One Oil, Bosch +4's, Throttle Body Spacer Plate. Lund Fastback, Lighted visor, Runninng Boards, Crome Taillight covers, Polished Steel Fenderwell Moldings, Smoked Bug and Rain guards, Shelf-it, Carpet dash cover, "Andthensometoo" in silver Letters 3" tall on tail gate. Red Wings license plate in front, Red Wings license plate frame in back, Little Detroit Viper hanging from mirror, Oh yeah, and one "Blacked-out" grill.
Gonna get my Bed rails back on, Finally!
Couldn't find the right Polished steel design, so once I modify the powercoated ones I just bought, I will paint them.

Q: who wants my "Pocket Mount" chrome ones? Price:cost of shipping, or gas and maybe lunch if you live in S/E MI.

"Rocks don't move unless pushed, and neither do chevys!"

http://www.fortunecity.com/silverstone/daytona/843/

 

I get easily 15 city and 20 highway.

 

now it's starting to make more sense to me. Help me settle an argument then, based on what we've been discussing. My friend has a short box, reg cab, 96 xl 4.9 v6. He insists that since his is a v6 it will burn less gas than the v8 4.6. Is he right? Based on what has been posted so far, i suspect this is not true.

 

Isn't the 4.9L a straight6 ?
Any full size truck is going to suck down the gas.
Mine does well on the HWY but due to my right foot is sucks it down around town.
It's just the price you have to pay for driving a 5000Lbs F150 instead of a 3500Lbs Ranger.
Also remeber the biggest cost of owning a vehicle is depreciation.
A F150 holds it's value very well so you will get back the $$ when you sell it.
Most cars that are good on gas depreciate quickly therefore what you save in gas you will pay for at trade in time.
Consider a NEW F150, especially if you are considering buying that used one from a dealer.
When I was looking at a 98 A NEW 99 was only $300 more.
The NEW 99 was only $2,500 more than a 97.
I couldn't see any point in buying used for that small price difference.
Also many ppl are trading in thier 98s for 00s and there must be a reason for this.
Dealers vary by area, but do yourself a favor by checking the price of a new one before you buy used.
There is a wealth of info on this site about getting the best price on a new F150.
See "truck costs" for further info.

[This message has been edited by 54regcab (edited 01-03-2000).]

 

defacto - I'd bet that your friend is about to lose a bet of his own. I get about 17mpg mixed driving on my 98 4.6L

Tom in Tacoma

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1998 F150 XLT S/C 4.6L Auto, 3.55LS, 4X2, Moonlight Blue, all the bells & whistles except for leather seats. Lund Deflector, Lund Premier Tonneau, K&N, Body-color painted Throttle Cover, Pentaliner S/R, Window tint, factory side-steps, Infiniti component speakers, Superchip. Tom in Tacoma (Washington not Toyota)
Go check out http://communities.msn.com/SS97FordsPics for the second best website for F150's

 

Not confused yet? Go here: http://www.en.com/users/smorris/ford/

 

54regcab,

Your F150 probably weighs in at around 4300lbs.

ATST,

16mpg sounds about right. I have to calculate mine, should be interesting.

 

i get about 16-17 in my truck with a v6 and a five speed. i think i have a heave foot though. Have to get out of the parking lot and to lunch quick, all while being sure not to get hit.

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1999 XL, 2WD, standard cab, short bed, sport package, nascar package, bright red, V-6, 5 speed, Rockford Fosgate CD player, Pioneer 6x8.

 

Fast46 actually 4400lbs but A regular cab 4x2 is the lightest of the F150s.
Most are more, and I don't know what kind of truck he is considering.

 

I have been getting 15 mpg average on my local driving and I have a lead foot my mustang gt that I traded off for this truck got around 19 mpg average local driving so this truck is not doing that bad for a V8.

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2000 F150 XLT Reg. cab
4.6 Triton Engine
4x2 3.55 rear end gear
sliding rear window
automatic keyless entry
white styleside short box

 

As far as a 300 I-6 goes, I know several people that have them both 4x4 and 4x2s, and I get 1-2 mpgs better. If it is a manual, they can beat me by 1-2.

It also comes down to axle ratios, a 3.08 will get better milleage than a 3.55 and etc.

I will order a new truck when I get in the market, because I can't find a truck that is perfect for me, and the dealers around here are TOO lasy to look!

54Regcab: What is the best mpg's you got with your truck?

 

I haven't really checked it since it was new but I feel that it uses MUCH less gas on trips than around town.
13/19 would be my guesstimate.

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99 XLT 5.4L Regular Cab 4x2 120" Wheelbase 4 wheel disc brakes/ABS 5 star larait style wheels Toreador Red/Silver 3.55 gears 255/70/16 OWL Delta toolbox, Ventshades, Bugflector, Bullrings, Donnelly compass mirror, 2" Rear drop.
Eclipse 5340 cd player
Memphis ARCS50 component speakers w/tweeters mounted flush in the door panels (excellent sound)powered by a Sherwood 35x2 RMS amp
Jensen 50x2 RMS for the 2 Audiobahn AWC10 subs
regcab54@sc.rr.com

 

MPG doesnt really matter much to me. When I see it on half, I fill it up.