How would you say the Ford 4.2 compares in power and reliability to the other V6's of similar size such as the Toyota and Nissan 4.0 as well as the Dodge 3.7?

 

I love my 4.2, I have had no problems in 93k..

my friend on the other had, has a dodge with the 3.7...

not only does mine, eat his for breakfast... but he has had too many problems to count

 

I remember back in 2001, there was a sign at the dealership that said the 4.2L has more horsepower than any v6 in any full-size pickup. I don't know about these days though.

 

my 05 company silverado w/4.3 definately runs stronger than my 05 4.2, i still like my ford better. dont know about the others

 

Well, my 2001/2002 V6 Silverado caught fire and burned to the ground before I could even put 5,000 miles on her.

Bought the 02 F150 V6 in March 2002 and have put 74,000 miles on her since. She's taken a brutal beating, but no issues yet.

I do like the Dakota - the 3.7 V6 in them is very spry, but that 3.7L V6 in a RAM runs very sluggish IMO. MUCH more sluggish than the Ford 4.2

You couldn't pay me to drive a Nissan or Toyota. After I narrowly escaped with my life, the same is true for ANY GM product. There are so many reasons why I wouldn't drive a Nissan, Toyota, or GMC/Chevy - many go WAY BEYOND the power of the motor. When you consider the entire truck - engine, tranny, safety, durability, the ride, features, technology, recall record - there really is only one clear winner.

 

Might be good in a small truck, but underpowered for a full sized extended cab if you want to use it as a truck.

As far a dependable, I guess since I've replace the original 4.2 that comes in my truck it might get over 100,000 miles out of the body.

 

I couldn't disagree more.

I hauled a one bedroom apartment's worth of stuff in my 2002 4.2 V6 - biggest UHAUL trailer they rented hitched to the back with furniture in my bed strapped down, 2 feet over my cab. It drove no differently than my friend's V8 did when we were hauling his stuff around town.

The body - if you abuse it, then don't expect to see 100,000 miles. If you actually take care of it, you'll see 20 years easy.

 

i've got 189k miles on my 4.2L, i tow a 2 horse trailer about 1200 miles a summer too...can't say a bad thing about her.