Hey guys, just picked up my first truck a couple days ago. still excited about it, its a auto 2004 heritage 4.2l regular cab with 47k miles on it. i've been missing out lol. already got plans to get it tinted this weekend and have a cd player already ordered. after thats done, i'd like to do some more modding to help with mpg. i'm used to 30+ on my zx2 i traded in. i'm shooting for 17-20ish on this one, i rarely drive hard.

i already have an xcal3 with 3 tunes on it for the zx2, i reverted it to stock before i traded it in. i havent used the software for it, but im assuming you can replace the tunes with new ones? i was thinking of starting off with an 87 economy email tune from vmp since i just use the truck to commute to work, and hauling the 4wheeler(main reason for truck lol). can i expect pretty good improvements from just having the tune alone? i know the shift points helped on my car.

i'd also like a cold air intake but i'm having trouble picking one out. k&n i know of, but i keep reading about other ones as well. which is a better choice for the 4.2? and should i wait and get the intake first before i get the tune or does it matter?

i'm holding off on exhaust/muffler for now, i'll look more into that later down the road. any extra advice about the truck would be helpful, thanks guys!

josh

 

Congrats on your truck

I have a drop in K&N filter and VMP tunes. Mine is a stick shift, so I can't tell you about shift point changes, but I can tell you the low to mid range power levels / acceleration is noticeably improved.

As long as you returned your other vehicle with Xcal3 tunes to stock you can upload new tunes for your truck. VMP has fast service and should be able to email you the tunes you purchase.

 

Josh, welcome to the site, and congrats on the "new to you" truck. I've been running a Troyer tuned XCAL2 on my 4.2 with the A\T for years now and love it. You will definitely see some great improvements over the stock tune, and I'm sure 17-20 mpg will be easily accomplished if the truck is in good operating condition. I'm running a AF1 intake, however, I think they're discontinued and I'm sure there are better\equal products out there. I got mine as part of a package years ago when I got my truck tuned by Troyer Performance. I would only go with an intake set up before or the same time as you get your truck tuned. Basically making sure your custom tunes recognize the fact that you have an aftermarket intake system. I'm not a fan of aftermarket exhaust on a V6, but some members on here say they have accomplished a decent sound with their set up, so perhaps they will chime in.

Post some pics of the truck when you can.

- Chris

 

Yes the XCal helps these trucks out tremendously. I'm running a K&N with mine, got it for $200 shipped brand-new

 

thanks guys, i'll post pics of up the truck after i get the tint decided to sleep in and wait till monday to get it lol. by the way, where did you find the k&n for 200?

 

it was 3-4 years ago I believe, but let me see if I can dig up the receipt.


Edit: Wow, that was quick. Good thing I save my digital receipts. Website is www.fasterthanthem.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Alexander M,

Your order has been processed successfully.

Order id: #3077
Order date: 17-10-2007 13:48:41
Products ordered
Part Number Product Item price Quantity Total
KAN-77-2550KP136 K&N Cold Air Intake 1998 FORD F150 4.2L V6 FI All 77-2550KP $201.54 1 $201.54
Subtotal: $201.54
Shipping cost: $9.72
Total: $211.26

 

seems like it no longer sells for that price . i'll find one somewhere though, btw here's a quick pic after tint