Hi, I am a new member and am in the market for a used F-150 truck. I am fairly unexperienced in the area of trucks, I have just started researching them in my spare time the past couple of months. My budget is in the range of 10 to 11 grand, and so far by searching over the internet (mostly on ebay motors) I have come to the general conclusion of what kind of truck I can get for that price......either a fairly new, '99 or '00, F-150 extended cab with a v-6 4.2L engine that has about 30k miles on it. Or....I could get an older F-150 with a triton v-8 4.6L or 5.4L engine that has about 100k miles on it. I would really love to have that powerful 5.4L v-8, however I dont want to have to pay for it in repairs, or have an underpreforming truck because of all the miles on it. Now keep in mind that I am new in this field, and am certainly not an expert on the quality of Ford trucks, thats why I'm asking for advice and suggestions. And if I do get an old V-8 with around 100k miles, how long do you think it will last before it starts breaking down on me? Any suggestions and advice is greatly appreciated, thanx.

 

I used to have a 99 w/ a 4.2, I thought it was underpowered and the gas milege was not what I thought a v6 shold get. At the dealer the 4.6 is only $750 more. Also the 4.6 gets the same gas milege as the v6 b/c it doesnt have to work as hard to move the truck. I would opt for the v8, you will be much happier, but deffinatly try to find one w/ less miles on it. My dad has a 97 f-150 4.6 that has 135k on it and for the first 80k it was pulling a 4800lb cattle trailer. The clutch has been replaced once and it is coming do again but other than regular maintnence it has been a great truck. Almost forgot about the 4.9L straight 6 offered until 96. It is the best motor I feel ford has produced. Great low end and runs forever.
-Good luck w/ the search for a great ford truck.

 

At the time I bought my V6, Ford was offering some incentives (255 tire upgrade, 3.55 gears, etc...) so the truck was about $1,400 (including sales tax) cheaper than the exact same truck with a 4.6. I figured $1,400 was a lot for 15 horses and 40 ft. pounds of torque, so I got the V6. If I'd opted for the 5 speed, I could have saved another $1,000 over the 4.6 auto.

Like Silver says, the stock mileage and performance were a little disappointing, so I did a few mods that helped. However, it still is a little soft at low rpm, but makes decent power if you rev it. If you can't abide a truck you need to rev, get a V8 or an older truck with the 4.9 straight six - Silver is right, that thing is a torquer.

I knew the V6 resale would be lower than a V8. I'll happily keep this truck for a few more years. But I'll probably go V8 next time.

 

Hey guys, thanks for the advice....I think what I have decided was to just stick with the 4.2L V6, this way I can at least get a newer truck that will last quite a while. I realize that it wont be a very powerful engine, so what kind of mods do you think I should put on it? I am planning to save up over the next year until I can get up about 2 or 3 grand to use to modify the engine.....I realize that for this extra money I might be able to get a V8, but I need a truck now, so I cant afford to save up any longer. Welcome all suggestions, Thanks.

 

i like the 6, but wish i would have got the 8 for the money, they get the same millage....

 

have you gone to the dealer beinto check prices and monthly payments with the cheap finacing available?

with the 04 around the corner and the v-6 not offered, prices should be dropping the closer to the 04 arrival. (if you can wait a new v-6 f150 might be a better deal towards the end of summer)
if you are already considering modifications and a supercharger then if i were you i would spend the money up front and get the 5.4. considering you already have the need for speed and the v-6 in the curent body style will be losing in the resale department, i dont think the v-6 is the way to go for you.

 

Here is my opinion:
I have both a 4.2 and a 4.6

98 4.2 V6: I think its a great engine and is almost as powerful as the V8. The 4.2 nas like 205HP stock and a good number of torque as well. Its not fast but it is definately enough. I would recomend getting a single cab though with a 4.2. An extra cab wont be that bad also but I would personally go with a 4.6 if you can afford it.

97 4.6 V8: Great engine. I have experienced some knock when the engine is real cold but nothing else. It has 125k miles on it right now. Other then that I dont think I have ever had it repaired.

 

To GASGUZZLER007....

I was considering getting the 4.6 v8, however when I looked at the numbers there didnt seem to be that significant increase of horsepower (I think like 20-30?) for the extra $1500 or so....Wouldnt it be more practical to do a couple simple mods (air intake, chip) to achieve the same effect?

 

air intake and chip are not going to cover the spread and that is around $500 plus for those 2 mods and then you have to run 93 octane gas. an extra .20 a gallon say 20 gallons a week = $16 a month. add $16 a month to you budget for the truck because that what you will spend. on a 5 year note thats $960 + the $500 for mods = $1460. so the v-6 saves you $40.

check out this months sport truck magazine to see how much each mod adds.

 

The chip and air intake were about $450 including shipping. IMO, after these mods the truck has at least as much peak hp as the 4.6, but still has a little less power below 3,000 rpm (though low rpm power was also improved by the mods).

After mods, my fuel mileage increased some, around 1.5 mpg total, though my mileage always vaires. IMO most of the mileage improvements was from the electric fan, but if you figure with superchip and mods you can increase your V6 mileage to 10% better than the 4.6, there is a bit of a $ savings offestting the premium fuel. You can always take the chip off and run regular if your budget gets tight.

Since we are splitting hairs regarding cost, your insurance might be lower with a V6.

All in all, expect resale and power to be better with the V8, but you gotta pay for it.

 

My advice is to go test drive both. That way, you can decide for yourself. Some people are happy with the V6, some like the V8's. Its whatever you will like. Like said above, the prices are getting cheaper. Some dealers around here are advertising a brand new supercab V6 w/ auto and XLT package for $17,600.

 

I agree with the test drive suggestion. I like the 4.6 because I was used to it in my mustang. It likes mods and likes boost The 4.6 also has a better deeper exhaust note which cannot be achieved with the 4.2.

 

Yeah I like the test drive suggestions....right now im kinda split between the two (4.2L and 4.6L) and I think if I just drive them both it will help me to make a better decision. Does anyone know an approximate estimation of the price for a used (about 50K miles) 4.6L F150??? Oh yeah....about the test drive- do you think they will mind if I floor it up to about 60 ?

 

For the price just go to
www.autotrader.com (LOOK FOR IT HERE, TRUST ME)
www.dealernet.com
www.showauto.com

You will find out what you are looking for. There is a large number of the 4.6s running around.

Take it up to 60? What thats it? When I was looking for a mustang I tookit onto the highway, hit about 95. Came back did a nice burnout to test "traction" and then locked up the brakes to test them I had to make sure everything worked lol The dealer was cool, he was the one that asked me to do all of that. He said he hasnt been in a mustang in a while.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by GASGUZZLER007

Take it up to 60? What thats it? When I was looking for a mustang I tookit onto the highway, hit about 95. Came back did a nice burnout to test "traction"



LOL thanx for the advice, i'll be sure to remember that for when I go to the dealer......