Does Ford make a Supercrew with the 4.2L and with 4x4? Heck 4x2 would work but 4x4 would be better.

I'm a storm chaser and we are in need of a truck that doesn't use as much gas as a 5.4L that we use now.

 

how much gas do you think the 5.4 uses? In all honesty, I am getting better mileage in my 07 supercrew 5.4 w/ 3.73 than my 2000 4.6 with a 3.08!

you have to consider the amount of weight you are trying to move and if you want a 4x4 it will be even worse. You will be sucking gas like a mad man just trying to get that thing going. if you had super steep gears (4.10 and higher) maybe not, but then you are losing the top end.

FYI, I get just over 400 miles on a 26 gallons driving around town and our last road trip netted me 490 miles on 25.4 gallons or 19.6 MPG avg 68 MPH.

because you are chasing storms, you are screwed either way. i am guessing you want the super crew for gear and passengers. Have you considered a V6 explorer?

 

a supercrew 4x4 with a 4.2L wouldnt be able to get out of its own way. my 4.2 reg cab 2wd is painfully slow. im not sure a screw 4x4 v6 would actually move. v6 explorer is a good idea. maybe a sport-trac if you need a bed?

 

I call BS on the 400+ miles in city driving.

But I can see the highway mileage.

 

The 4.2 would have to work so hard just to move itd suck more gas than a 5.4

 

I know man, I about dropped a load. Keep in mind I live in Texas at sea level and drive like a grandma around town. But i am being completely honest, with no reason to lie. 400+ is 401, 402 but absolutely no more. The lie-o-meter says I have 20 miles or less when I fill up too.If you do the math it's only 16 MPG. I have factory 18's and OEM size tires. Stock tune with no mods.
Keep in mind the truck has a 3.73 so I am at 35 or 40 mph quickly with very little throttle and I live in a master planned community (the woodlands) so there aren't really any roads except the main roads in and out of the community where you can go over 45. If you have lie-o-meter on your truck, drive around at 40 mph for 5 days and rest assured you will achieve the same results LOL. My commute to the office is 6.8 miles and I have no stop lights between myself and the highway. So yes, its a very real number for where I live and very common amongst the conservative drivers. I am sure there are a few on this site which will vouch for the numbers. That being said, I did not by the vehicle for gas mileage.

 

Oh yeah, I forgot about the 3.73s...that helps a bit too. What size tank do you have? I was thinking you had the same size tank as me. =/

Yeah, that helps having planned lights in the Woodlands too, unlike back home (Brazoria County...West Columbia to be exact) where it can take you 10 minutes to travel 2 miles through town with the lights.

 

My 4.2 reg cab 4X4 gets a little worse city, and a little better highway mileage than my 5.4 7700 extra cab 2WD work truck. Bottom line is that it takes fuel to move a heavy truck ... it really doesn't matter too much what engine you're running the fuel through. Buy a V6 F150 because they're cheap and reliable ... not because you think you're going to get great mileage.

 

i get 405 miles in all city driving and up to 470 on the highway with my 03 5.4

 

I guess I'll look into a V6 Explorer. Or maybe one with the V8..

 

if you are a very serious storm chaser you want the V8. more power, higher weight limit, etc

 

I'd get the explorer sport track with the 4.6 3v paired with the 6spd Auto if I was in your shoes, plenty of power and good mileage to boot

 

My 04 F-150 4X4 with a 4.2L and a 5 speed gets right aroung 14.5-15 mpg in the city. I dont even think Ford made a Screw Cab with a 4.2L V-6.
You dont save anything with the 4.2L. The only reason I got borught a V-6 was the price. $16,xxx for a brand new truck back in 04.

 

If you want to have the availability of a bed, look at the Ford Sport Trac. You can get one of those with the 4.0 V6, which should render decent MPG's and performance.

 

I wouldnt want to be chased by a storm with that big of a truck with that small of an engine. Wouldnt have the power to get away if it wanted to grab you.