Is there anything I need to be aware of with this model. I currently own a 94 f 150 with a 5.0. Is the v6 adequate in a truck of this size? Will I notice a performance drop or increased gas milage going with the v6 compared to the v8.


thanks a bunch

 

I personally own a 1999 4.2 V6 F-150..

I get pretty decent gas mileage, its a standard and when I drive it like a dog it gets about 17 miles per gallon. When driving like a sane person, I generally get about 19-20 to the gallon.

The only truck I have to compare it with is my dad's Ford F-250 which is a V8. Because the 250 is heavier, my V6 is noticeably faster on acceleration, but doesn't have the same pulling power.

However, there is nothing so far that my truck hasn't been able to pull that his can, from boats, to trailers, to a bed full of wood.

My truck is an extended cab..

Being that I'm 17, I also do the things common for a teenage boy =] Things like a jet performance chip, airforce one cold air intake, v-force muffler with single in, dual out exhaust (which sounds EXCELLENT), and also a hellwig rear sway bar..

There are plenty of ways you can get more performance if you want it, you just have to drop a little money into it. I was happy with it stock, but the few mods I've added give me a feel of more power that I like, yet I retain the mileage benefits of the V6, my mileage has never dropped.

I'll soon be adding electric fans and maybe some pulleys down the road... I'll be going to college @ georgia tech in atlanta next year... Not sure how much money we have to work with here

Be sure to see if you can test drive it. You never know with used vehicles, but i would fully recommend the 99 F-150. Its a good truck and there's plenty you can do with it.

 

hey dryice do u have a sound clip of your exhaust. i want to hear what it sounds like??

 

I have a 99 F150 w/ the 4.2 V-6. Everything is stock and I'm getting about 15 mpg driving mostly short trips. It's surprisingly quick and it's nice to have the possibility of getting better MPG than the V-8. It's always a trade - Power Vs economy. With gas prices where they are now, I'd opt for the V-6. Unless of course you do some serious hauling/towing. But even then, I'd consider the 4.2. Good Luck!

 

My previous truck was an 01 F150 Scab XLT with the 4.2.
It was a great truck, actually i would have kept it but it was a lease, and with the interest rate they wanted to give me, the new F150 I "bought" actually will cost the same in the end.
I kept it in immaculate condition, put a Flowmaster 40 series muffler on it, and a K&N filter.
It had great pick-up, and pulled my motorcycle trailer no problem.
(6 x 12 trailer 2 dirt bikes-2 quads).
Due to the fact the 6 is so big, it sounded great, hard to tell it was a 4.2.

 

my 97 4.2 runs anywhere from 23 mpg (not often) to 16.8-18.3 mpg an average and i pull a boat with it. i have 3.55 ls gears and manual tranny. the ones with 3.08s seem alittle doggy to me.

 

The stock '99 V6 is a little weak in the low end of the rpm range, so you want to avoid the 3.08 gears. With the 3.55 gears It will move out OK if you rev it up. The Superchip added a LOT of low and mid range power to my 4.2, and improved mileage. It is a bit of a dog without the chip, though.

The motor responds well to minor bolt ons and can easily match a 4.6 in mileage and power. When I bought my truck new, with the various incentives it was about $1,400 less than the same exact truck with a 4.6. In '99, the 4.6 V8 was rated at 15 more hp and like 20 or 25 more lb. ft. of torque than the 4.2.