F 150 V6...what to look for when buying??
Member
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio, TX
It's nice to see new members. For an initiation, doesn't arielred need "FordMan" to call him a complete idiot, a liar, an uneducated young punk, etc? In fact, I haven't been initiated by FrodMan.
For $500 to $600 per month on fuel, I can now see where just a 1 mpg increase can have an effect. If most miles are highway, would the 4.2 with the 3.08 give better fuel economy than the 4.2 with the 3.55? Then again I guess that depends what crusing speed you use.
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1999 F150 XLT ExCab 4.2/5 speed
For $500 to $600 per month on fuel, I can now see where just a 1 mpg increase can have an effect. If most miles are highway, would the 4.2 with the 3.08 give better fuel economy than the 4.2 with the 3.55? Then again I guess that depends what crusing speed you use.
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1999 F150 XLT ExCab 4.2/5 speed
Member
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Florida
I don't want to try and alter your thinking one way or another(and everyone here is just trying to give you their personal experiences and help you out as much as possible),but the real deciding factor of what engine or anything else you are interested in really boils down to what you want and expect from your truck,and what kind of options you feel as though you need in your truck.All I can tell you is that I love my truck,even if I had decided to leave it stock.I have done some minor mods,and have more planned,but if financial restraints prohibit me from doing them, I can certainly live very happy with what I got.My best possible advice is to do your research and decide what YOU really want from your truck and go from there.No matter which engine,transmission or options you decide on,I think if you get a good deal and the truck is sound you won't regret your purchase regardless.
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2000 F-150,4x2,supercab,4.2,5 speed,Amazon Green.
Current Mods:
K&N Filter
Pendaliner
Tinted Windows
Lund Bugdeflector
Future mods:
Step Rails
Soft "snapless" Tonneau
Superchip
Oh and these aren't in any particular order...
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2000 F-150,4x2,supercab,4.2,5 speed,Amazon Green.
Current Mods:
K&N Filter
Pendaliner
Tinted Windows
Lund Bugdeflector
Future mods:
Step Rails
Soft "snapless" Tonneau
Superchip
Oh and these aren't in any particular order...
Member
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Oh shoot......I average about 16 MPG and its mostly around town banging,very little highway overall..If this helps any...
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2000 F-150,4x2,supercab,4.2,5 speed,Amazon Green.
Current Mods:
K&N Filter
Pendaliner
Tinted Windows
Lund Bugdeflector
Future mods:
Step Rails
Soft "snapless" Tonneau
Superchip
Oh and these aren't in any particular order...
------------------
2000 F-150,4x2,supercab,4.2,5 speed,Amazon Green.
Current Mods:
K&N Filter
Pendaliner
Tinted Windows
Lund Bugdeflector
Future mods:
Step Rails
Soft "snapless" Tonneau
Superchip
Oh and these aren't in any particular order...
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 1,506
Likes: 0
From: Bakersfield, CA, USA
I agree with Toadman that these are excellent trucks no matter what drivetrain.
I got the V-6 mainly because of the mileage and cost difference - 1 mpg & over $1,800 cheaper vs. the 4.6 by the time all the incentives were thrown in (both w/autos). A V-6 5 speed was almost $3,000 cheaper than a 4.6 auto. That's a big difference when the rest of the truck is the exact same.
The 3.55 gears are a must. So is a Superchip for better performance, mileage & automatic shifting. I get about 1 mpg better w/the chip.
Get the XLT for all the features inc. standard cruise control. If you can afford a '99, the extra door in the SuperCab is really nice.
As far as the low tow rating on the 5 speed, many people feel that Ford rates it low because people who don't know how to drive were burning up clutches. Used properly, it should tow similar to what the automatics do.
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1999 XLT S/C, 4.2 V-6, auto, 3.55 rear, dark torreador red/harvest gold, bed liner, Sony 10 disc CD, Edelbrock IAS, K&N filter, Superchip
I got the V-6 mainly because of the mileage and cost difference - 1 mpg & over $1,800 cheaper vs. the 4.6 by the time all the incentives were thrown in (both w/autos). A V-6 5 speed was almost $3,000 cheaper than a 4.6 auto. That's a big difference when the rest of the truck is the exact same.
The 3.55 gears are a must. So is a Superchip for better performance, mileage & automatic shifting. I get about 1 mpg better w/the chip.
Get the XLT for all the features inc. standard cruise control. If you can afford a '99, the extra door in the SuperCab is really nice.
As far as the low tow rating on the 5 speed, many people feel that Ford rates it low because people who don't know how to drive were burning up clutches. Used properly, it should tow similar to what the automatics do.
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1999 XLT S/C, 4.2 V-6, auto, 3.55 rear, dark torreador red/harvest gold, bed liner, Sony 10 disc CD, Edelbrock IAS, K&N filter, Superchip
Member
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: austin, tx usa
Hey, I have the V-6 and before I started to do any mods I was still very happy and to me the towing on mine is excellent!! I had 3 jet skis and the jet skis I owned weighed over 500lbs each, and I can't even fell it behind my truck, and when I crusie and go over a rail road track at 60mph I just had too look back and saw the jet ski jumping up and down like crazy, but I didn't fell the force from my truck at all. Honestly I really like the V-6.
and It beat the heck out a of RAM v-6 BIG TIME!!!! beacuse I used to own a 92 dakota w/ V6 and that was a lacking weak engine, and they put that in a RAM.... all I have to say is fords V-6 powerplant is a excellent choice for your needs!!
Also what I think u really need to get if you buy one is to make sure u either get a 60/40 bench or captain chairs. Dont be a idiot like me a go w/ straight bench.... I swear my back looks falt as paper!
joking. Oh .... also get better tires too, the ones that came factory (235-70-16) are really bad on traction, espically in rain!!!
good luck
Laters,
Dropped
and It beat the heck out a of RAM v-6 BIG TIME!!!! beacuse I used to own a 92 dakota w/ V6 and that was a lacking weak engine, and they put that in a RAM.... all I have to say is fords V-6 powerplant is a excellent choice for your needs!!
Also what I think u really need to get if you buy one is to make sure u either get a 60/40 bench or captain chairs. Dont be a idiot like me a go w/ straight bench.... I swear my back looks falt as paper!
joking. Oh .... also get better tires too, the ones that came factory (235-70-16) are really bad on traction, espically in rain!!!
good luck
Laters,
Dropped