Hi all...I just happened to stumble onto this wonderfully informative site in my quest for info on a 97 or 98 F150 and I was wondering if anyone out there could give me any advice on what I should be looking for as minimum requirements in purchasing one of these...This is what I was originally looking for...
97 or 98 F150 Extended Cab (3 door?), V6, Auto, Short Bed?, and has to have CC (don't know if this is standard)...what kind of specs should I look for or possibly think of adding on? Any help at all would be appreciated because I am totally in the dark about all this tranny and "chip" stuff....

TIA,

arielred

 

I would say go with the V-8 if you can. But the V-6 itself is a competent engine as long as you don't have too high of an expectation. Anyways, make sure that you get the 3.55 rear axle and the automatic, since that gives it inthe V-6 class the highest tow rating and better acceleration. If I remember correctly, with that combo, you could pull 1K lbs over the 3.08 rear. And probably a ton or so over the manual.

Leo dC

------------------
99 F-150 XLT SuperCab, 4x2 3.55 rear, V-6 4.2l Pretend Triton (haha) HEAVY HAULER (for a 1/2 ton)

V-8, who needs a stinkin' V-8? The question is, who wants a stinkin' V-8? Me!

 

I would have to agree with the above on all points.Either one you get though a superchip and catback system should be your first mods.

------------------
TRUCK
2000 F150 Sport XLT 4.2L V6 Bright Red Flareside S/C. CD Player.

MODS
Code Alarm Surestart LX, Window Tint, K&N Filter. Flowmaster 50 series dual exhaust with 3.5" chrome tips, Superchip,Muth Signal Mirrors, clear corner lenses, ultra white halogen headlights, Lumi Logo In the front, Black Westin Nerf Bars, Pioneer DEH-P7000R cd player.

 

oh and welcome to the site glad to have you here

 

Thanks so much for the advice...I probably will stick with the V6 though...don't really need the 8...I have a Chevy V8 454 right now and with the gas prices and commuting over 120 miles per day I am dying!....
oh and wanted to know who you would have do the mods?
Thanks for the warm welcome...hopefully I will be joining your ranks as a F 150 owner before too long...

arielred

 

I have the V6 and would still recommend getting the V8. They get better MPG than I do. I believe it's because they have more power to move the truck and thus use less pedal(and less fuel).

If you still insist on a v6, the following is what you will want to look for:
[list=1][*]XLT Package for PW, PL, and CC[*]At least 3.55 gears. The 3.08's will get you run over pulling out into traffic....[*]I would get the 98 over the 97. Many improvements were made from the first model year release. It also has a little more value.[*]You don't have to make mods to the truck. But if you hang around long enough on this board, it probably won't be too long till it happens! [/list=a]

Good Luck in your search!

Todd Crank


[This message has been edited by Tsip (edited 04-12-2000).]

 

Really? The V8's get better gas mileage?..Wow! I knew I should check this stuff out before I went out and just bought what I thought I needed....Thanks...point taken and will definitely reconsider...
Are the specs the same then for a V8? XLT and all that?
Thanks...and sorry to be a pest..

arielred

 

you should test drive all 3 engines before making the decision.
your driving style and supercab vs reg cab will determine your gas mileage. I have the v6 and make 88 mile round trips to work 9 times a month, 80 mile round trips f/ home to school 5 times a month, and a 600 mile round trip f/ OK to TX once a month - right now my winter mileage is ~15 mpg, in the summer it will go back up to ~17 mpg. that's alot better than the 13-11 mpg my boyfriend gets w/ his 5.4L supercab 4X4.
(still got 17mpg after driving 90mph for about 3-4 hours going to KC, Mo - i swear)

the v6 is just fine, you are not going to do any peel outs w/ it though or win many races. get some kind of bed cover, do an airbox mod (i notice an improvement in peppyness), and if you do exhaust mods don't do a glasspack.

if you get the v6 then make sure that it went through all recall work (especially the timing chain cover leak) - these repairs should be paid for by ford unless the offer has expired. if you get the v8 research it as well, certain '97 v8's have piston slap.

if gas mileage is a huge concern for you then you should already know that a truck isn't the way to go.

good luck in your choice and look over it w/ an magnifying glass before buying it.
and welcome to the site.

------------------
aka Mudderette; '97 (12/96) f-150 XLT V6 auto 3.55 silver reg cab flareside , 6 cd, Lariat floor mats, tonneau, full length running boards, tint, "bumblebee" glasspack w/ duals, billet grille, ion optics fog lights, cracked windshield, 16X8 Eagle Alloys, K&N air filter, painted taillight covers, Cobra CB radio, Sean's Trailmaster shocks. Future Mods= driving lights, sunroof, superchip, pulley, dynomax #17776. the heartbeat stops here.
http://www.angelfire.com/ok3/ponysix8 http://www.angelfire.com/ok3/ponysix8/images/T004.wav

 

i will be honest, i got the V6 for the price, plus i do not plan to do any hauling. i have not had any problems with power or speed. i commute from South arlington to north dallas (addison...about 40 miles one way) thru bumper to bumper dallas traffic and my gas mileage stays at 16/17 mpg. it is not great but much better than the V8's i know.
mel

------------------
99' Black F150 ext-cab
V6-Manual 4x2
Mods:
Tinted Windows
Awia CD Player
Pioneer Spkrs
Flowmaster Exhaust
Rear exit/18" Chrome Tips
K&N Filter
Stainless Steel Nerf Bars
BFG A/T 265/75R/16's

 

PonySix8...Gas mileage is a big concern with me right now but only to shave something off the monthly gas bill of $500-$600/mo..with the miles I am doing right now there is a gap of almost $200/mo between the 9-12 mpg that I get compared to the 14-20 that everyone is talking about...plus I really just can't go back to a car...they just don't feel right anymore...for that I will pay extra in gas any time...just want a newer truck that maybe pays for itself in reduced gas mileage...hopefully..
Thanks so much to all for putting up with my questions...I really appreciate it..
You have all been so informative...I will be back to hang around when I get my truck...
Thanks so much everyone..
arielred

 

I got the V6 5spd and I drive 15 miles to work through the city and no complaints. At first it was a little sluggish, but now with the mods I've made it is a fire breathing beast. I don't do a whole lot of towing and probally never will that and the price is why I bought the V6. Check out all of the fourms and you will find that it will be quite informative on engine comparison. If you do get the 6 I would recomend the exhaust and computerchip mods.

Snow white

------------------
2000 White sport
4.2l V6 5spd
K&N filter
Superchip
Single in dual out 40 series Flomaster

As soon as i can afford it: Airaid FIPK

 

500 or 600 dollars, ouch! I'm glad to see that you will be joining the F150 cult So come on, sit back, kick off your shoes, and enjoy!

You can visit my site http://www.eph1fifty.cjb.net for some pics of my V6 truck, as you can see the V6 doesn't stop me from going where I want

And please enjoy this site, the people here are really cool. I ordered the F150online sticker to help encourage the site. I will display it proudly on my truck...

[This message has been edited by eph1fifty (edited 04-12-2000).]

 

Well guys, did you know that the V6 with 2WD is considered the "greenest full size truck ever". I have the 4x4 with 3.08 gears and 5 speed, its true it can't haul very much but I don't plan on using a trailer. I get between 20 and 23 MPG on highway use. I love my truck as is but I agree that the 3.08 gears kinda suck when you want an off-road truck with bigger tires.

Also the 4.2L with a SuperChip has about the same Hp and torque as the 4.6L V8, Its a great deal with the price delta between the 4.2 and V8s.

Over all I recommend a V6 if you don't need to tow much (allthough some people here has tested the V6). But if I would have a choice between two trucks like mine, one a V8 and auto, I would go with the V8. Because I love the V8 sound.

 

Oh and to your original question! I would look out for: To see if the Recall has been done (Leaky timing cover). Next, lets see, what has happened to my engine,... Nothing eles I can think of for now. I'm at 34,000 miles and no probs with the engine, no noises, etc...

 

Here is also what to expect with a V-6 4x2 SuperCab 3.55 rear.

1) It's no racer. Add 1000 lbs payload and you can feel it gasping on semi-steep hills.

2) There is no power on demand, step on the gas, wait a few secs then you feel the power gain.

3) It sucks gas on the city (14-15 40/60 mix), but you can get 19+ with nearly 2000 lbs on the bed in the freeway at 65 mph, and 22+ empty.



------------------
99 F-150 XLT SuperCab, 4x2 3.55 rear, V-6 4.2l Pretend Triton (haha) HEAVY HAULER (for a 1/2 ton)

V-8, who needs a stinkin' V-8? The question is, who wants a stinkin' V-8? Me!