General Consensus on V6 trucks.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2007
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Originally Posted by Hector
very good. Now how about transmission? you have a manual right? does an automatic change things much?
Just for conversations' sake, I used to have an 85 f150 V8. It absolutely swallowed gas. That's why I'm thinking V6 this time.
Just for conversations' sake, I used to have an 85 f150 V8. It absolutely swallowed gas. That's why I'm thinking V6 this time.
honestly i have no idea. I have never driven a 4.2L auto. lots of other people are happy with it, for me it wasn't worth the extra $1000+ and i would rather drive a 5 speed anyway.
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Joined: Oct 2007
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From: hobbs nm
Originally Posted by Raptor05121
I've got a '98 F-150 4.2L (I've already had my gasket issue, cost my dad $4K for a new engine) and with my K&N CAI, I'm just barely able to do 100 mph on the floor. Accel is good for a V6, I took my friends '99 Dodge Ram 1500 with a 5.2 HEMI on a 1/4 mile on a back road. (I have a manual, btw) Good for hauling loads. We have a pop-up camper and we load it to the bilge (4K pounds in the camper, plus a full tank of gas, 4 people, and the bed filled to the top. Gets 14 mpg with all that weight on vacation. Right now I'm getting about 17-20 mpg just going to work and school. Really great truck!
I'd say if your looking for a full-size pickup, mostly for driving around and hauling things or pulling small to medium sized trailers, a 4.2 is the way to go. I pulled two '95 Toyota Tercels (one was totally flat on all fours) about 50 feet and my truck didn't strain a bit in 1st gear!
Of course, if your looking for a work truck, or need it to be pulling things around, I'd reccomend a 4.6L or 5.4L. Good luck with paying for gas with the 5.4, I paid $90 yesterday filling up my V6!
Just my 2 cents!
I'd say if your looking for a full-size pickup, mostly for driving around and hauling things or pulling small to medium sized trailers, a 4.2 is the way to go. I pulled two '95 Toyota Tercels (one was totally flat on all fours) about 50 feet and my truck didn't strain a bit in 1st gear!
Of course, if your looking for a work truck, or need it to be pulling things around, I'd reccomend a 4.6L or 5.4L. Good luck with paying for gas with the 5.4, I paid $90 yesterday filling up my V6!
Just my 2 cents!
the 5.2 isnt the hemi lol the 5.7 is and there is huge differnce in power in the 5.2 and 5.7 lol
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Originally Posted by glc
If you have a report that you have already obtained and want it looked over, I believe it is. The management does not want any more report solicitations in here though.
Yea, I've looked it over. Just wanted to collect some more opinions. I'll post it and if I get some negative feedback, I'll be sure to take it off.
Here it is: that's all one line, btw. I just broke it up. Let me know if you can see that.
http://www.carfax.com/
Last edited by Hector; Nov 13, 2007 at 09:26 AM.
Technical Article Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,636
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From: Vernon, NY
I like my 4.2l V6. It's getting excellent gas mileage and the power is more than fantastic. But having that extra gear helps out a lot.
Just wish they'd make the 4.2l COP or something... update it a little in its time.
Just wish they'd make the 4.2l COP or something... update it a little in its time.
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 386
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From: New Hampshire
if you have tires that are 27 inch or less with 3.55 gears, you should like the performance. i swapped to 4.10s for my 32's and don't have any changes in mileage/performance. maybe a little better off the line. towing/hauling has never been too much for this v6.
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Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Central Coast, California
I bought my V6 for two reasons...They're a lot cheaper to buy, and I felt they would be easier to work on than a V8 (over 30 years of owning cars and I've never taken one to a shop). I off-road it often in the desert, and it climbs the rocky trails just fine (I have no idea how a V6 would be in mud). While no powerhouse, I have no problem keeping the speed limit on highway grades. I hoped for better milage when I bought it...I get 14-19, the guy I bought it from claimed 22. ('99 Reg cab 4X4 short bed auto) All in all, considering what I paid for the truck, and what I use it for, I'm real happy with it.
PS: COPS are partly what made me get the V6
PS: COPS are partly what made me get the V6
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Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Loganville, GA
My V6 is a stick with 3.55 rear. It is not fast, and the best mileage I got was 20, but usually I hit 16 mpg. I like my truck, it is fun to drive, but I wish I had gotten the V8, mainly for towing purposes. My boat is a bit heavy for the V6, it tows it, but it struggles. The other thing I dislike is driving on the hwy, with the 3.55, anything over 60-65 puts you up in the rpm range that ruins gas mileage. If you just want a daily driver, and occasionally pick up stuff from the hardware store, the V6 is fun, geared properly, but I believe you could achieve nearly the same mpg's with the V8. The modular V8's are not near the gas hogs the old 5.0/5.8's were in trucks.
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Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Ocala/Orlando, FL
Maybe I've been spoiled by my 5.4, but I would never own a v6 in a bigger truck like the f150. Now in a ranger/s-10/something of that sort, then sure.
I have heard the 4.2 is pretty reliable and can take a beating though.
I have heard the 4.2 is pretty reliable and can take a beating though.
