Why would you spend $3000 on a supercharger for the V6 when you could just get a V8 and have nearly the same power? Isn't the V8 only about $800 more when you buy the truck? Whatever it is, it is less than a supercharger. Just curious. My 5.4 V8 seems adequate for towing/speeding through traffic.

L

 

Because when i bought my 98 i was 17 and couldnt afford the extra goodies. I don't know if your asking a serious question or your another person being an ahole saying why didnt you get a v8 blah blah.... v6's are ***** engines. I got my truck for 15,500 with only 8 miles on it. A 3000 grand SC will make it MORE powerful than the 5.4 (260 hp) vs. 4.2 (205 hp) + expected 100hp increase with intercooler. Besides I love my 5 speed and would never get an automatic. Sorry having a bad day.

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98 XL, 4.2L, 5-speed, Pendaliner bedliner, SlimTop flushmount tonneau, ASP crank underdrive pulley, Gibson split duals, Clarion CD player, Belltech 2/2 drop.(Springs, shocks,and shackles Not installed yet.)

Future
-Vortech Supercharger
-Autometer boost and tach guages.

 

I went with the 4.2 cause I was thinking with my doink rather than using common sense. I am not afraid to admit that the 4.2 was a mistake (my opinion!, not looking to spar with the 4.2 owners). I dont "hate" the v-6, but would never do it again. And besides, have you ever heard a v-6 with an exhause upgrade?. Yuck.. It just aint right! Again, not bashing,, just admitting! Next time (hopefully "02") it'll be a 4.6. the v-8 is better on gas!!. I drive one for a "shop" vehicle at work. Same driving style nets me 1.5 more mpg.. Hmmmmmm,, I have to use my actual experience IMHO......... I'm a 7 time Ford truck owner.. Love em!!!!!!!
Hows that for a penny!
Rick........

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"99" F-150 4x2,SC, med red / silver, 4.2L, auto, 3.55's, 265x16's premium snd w/cd, 4 wheel antilocks, leer "too heavy" matching cap, Mobil 1.
"Gutless thing!!"

 

I look at it this way, both arguments make sense from the different points of view. If you have the money up front, I think most people (except for those few enthusiasts that just have to make a V6 rock) would have bought the V8. At the time I bought my truck, the actual price difference was on the order of $1500 and I was hurting financially anyway. I needed every extra cent that I could keep each month. Now, things are better for me, and I have a V6 to start from. What's better for me? I have 35000 miles on my truck. My warranty will be history in less than three weeks. So, I can trade the truck in, and pony up my money for a duplicate with a V8, or, I can keep my truck and just get the supercharger.

Given the depreciation that my 99 has seen with the high mileage that I have put on it, and the amount that I owe on it (I didn't have much to put down when I bought it), I'm going to net an even balance on it plus maybe 500. If I put down 3500, that gives me 4000 down. 4000 down and trying to match my monthly payments will put me in a 2001 version of the exact same truck. Granted, I gain a warranty, I also gain an extra 2 years of truck notes, which definitely will even out over the long run.

Or, I could just get the supercharger (and a custom programmed superchip) and only have to worry about getting a Ls rear end. Granted, I would still have problems keeping the wheels down, but the fun I could have on the innerstate with the 3.55 rearend I have. And that's where I do most of my driving anyway. I like my truck, just the way it is. The only thing it lacks is a bit of power.

My 2 cents.

 

Time for my 2 cents...
On paper it appears as if the 5.4 is only a 800 dollar option.However the factory incentives on the v-6 trucks are much better than on either v-8 trucks.My 1st v-6 truck (a 98 2wheel drive 5spd) cost me 12,999(brand new) with factory rebates. For an identical truck except w/ a v-8 I was looking at spending around 4,000 more.I could not justify that. When I decided, I *needed* a 4wd the v-6 was a natural first choice.A y2k 4x4 w/ v-6 on sale with rebates was 17,999. A v-8 similarly equipped truck 23,000.If you don't tow alot, is all that extra cost justifyable?Depends on if you like fast acceleration.My 98 2wd had major traction issues(from a standstill).There was no need for more power.My y2k is not exactly quick off the line but it is no slouch. I have raced and beaten a toyota tundra 4x4 extracab. Gas mileage for the v-6 isn't spectacular but it is better than the v-8s.I guess when it comes down to it,it really is just a personal and or financial decision.Either way,ford trucks do rule.

Now for the aftermarket business, the money I saved by getting the v-6 can be invested into go fast parts.Supercharger,headers,cat back exhaust,airraide etc..

I would not hesitate to buy another v-6 ford truck again




[This message has been edited by lightningcrashz (edited 01-24-2001).]

 

lightningcrashz that is also what made my decision. I got a 500 rebate for the V6 and a 500 rebate for the 5 speed. Ended up paying $100 over invoice.

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98 XL, 4.2L, 5-speed, Pendaliner bedliner, SlimTop flushmount tonneau, ASP crank underdrive pulley, Gibson split duals, Clarion CD player, Belltech 2/2 drop.(Springs, shocks,and shackles Not installed yet.)

Future
-Vortech Supercharger
-Autometer boost and tach guages.

 

How nice would this sound... Hey you just got beat by a V6 F150...ha ha ha

 

Ya that tundra wasn't too happy when I told him I had a bone stock v-6.Thats what he gets for not buyin a ford lol

 

Not being an ahole..just wondering. It seemed that for all practical purposes, a 5.4 has plenty of power. Maybe it could use more power for towing, but I doubt that all that many people tow 30 foot enclosed trailers or something similar. Maybe you want more power for speed...it is way to easy to spin the rear tires in the dry (not to mention the wet). It's a truck. There is no weight on the rearend. I thought about getting a SC for my 5.4, but what for? It is fast enough. Don't pull much anyway.

As far as price - I paid just over $21k for my 2000 5.4xlt (ext cab/sport package/O miles). Once finished, you will have almost as much in a truck that is two years older. There are also warranty issues to condsider (both supercharger and engine). What is the expected life of the SC? Can you get the money you will have invested in the truck out of it if you sell it?

Horsepower increase??? The 100hp is claimed at this point anyway as I understand. Is that at the crank or the wheels?

Price? Actually the SC is supposed to be $3500...even more reason to not get it.

What about insurance? The V8 might have been more, but the SC seems like it would bump the V6 back up in the same bracket.

I'm just curious...I could really care less if people have V6's or V8's. I don't care if you drive a Chevy LUV pickup...doesn't affect me.

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Ok. Hows this. When I bought my truck in 99 I only had about 10,000 to spend. Total! So when I wanted an F150 I was looking in Used car Land!! The only truck I found with less than 150,000 miles on it was my v6. It had 56,000! So it was a logical choice. Sure, I would love to have an extended cab v8 with 4x4, but it just wans't in the budget!! Now that I'm making a little more cash, I can't afford to sell my truck for the maybe 7000-8000 its worth and take out a loan for a new, better one. So I am forced to just upgrade mine with goodies! I haven't gotten to the supercharger yet, but in time I will! SO thats my excuse! Money is always an issue!

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1997 Ford F-150
4.2 L V-6
Thrush Turbo Tube catback exhaust
K&N Air Filter
Window Tint
Pioneer 7000R CD player
2 Rockford Fosgate DVC HX2 10's
Rockford Fosgate 500a Amp
Lund bug shield
Vent Shade Vent Visors
GTS headlight blackouts
Bedliner
Chrome Toolbox
3" Body Lift
305/70R16 ProComp Muds
16x10 Eagle 589
Chrome Westin Nerf Bars
Custom Key racing stripes down both sides thanx to some a**hole in the HS Parking lot.
My WebPage

[This message has been edited by Mav07 (edited 01-25-2001).]

 

Here's my 1 1/2 cents! I am not a huge fan of the V6 and several people on this site probably know that. I tow my boat regularly and the lack of power that this truck has ticks me off to no end. However when I bought this thing, I was looking for something affordable, good on gas mileage (boy did I screw up), and a truck with most of the features I wanted. I got a 99 V6 5spd X-cab 4 dr with XLT trim on it for 16,500. Had I thrown the V8 into this same truck it would have cost me 20-21K. I didn't have the cash or credit at the time to go for the stretch. I enjoyed the truck up to the point when I bought my new boat last summer. I have yet to this day been able to get out of 4th gear when towing. So I have looked at the mods to improve this. I started with freeing up the intake/exhaust and now I am adding 4.10 gears and the flip chip. After I am done I should have equal power and perfomance to many of the V8s out there and still have spent less money.
-Dan out

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F150 V6 5spd 3.55
Custom True Dual Exhaust
Tonneau Cover, Westin Side Steps, Draw-tite Class 3 Hitch, K&N Filter
FUTURE? chip, intake, 4.10 gears

 

I love my 4.2, sounds mean, accellerates nice!
I can't praise the gas mileage but if you take it easy on the pedal, you'll do 17+

I had no care about what engine I was getting when I purchased my F150.. it looked great and it ran powerful.. that's all I needed to sell me!!

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Green & Tan
97 F150 XLT
V6 4.2L auto 4X4
MODS :
K&n air filter
Superchip
Ravin Z55 exhaust
GOODIES:
12 disk cd changer,
jvc 4ch 560watt poweramp (waitin on the speakers)
Tinted Windows
What's next?still thinkin):
FIPK,Tornneu cover,
headers?, Jacobs ignition system,anything
for more hp....

 

Lesse, My truck was 22,000 on the sticker purchased price of 17,500 (including a rental car program I let the dealer throw on)
Oh and BTW they gave me almost 4,000 for my trade that was an 89 with 189,000 miles and had well since been paid for .
that makes around 13,500 out the door.

I priced around and the exact same truck with 4.6 would have cost me several thousand more ( around 3,000 I think with all the incentives for V-6 and manual)

I don't tow, I haul just personal gear and my dogs and bike. Sure I'd love to have a huge motor mayeb even a diesel but after driving a new truck with 5.4 I was still happy with my six pack. once it's out of warranty I might go with a supercharger if I have the money. but I'm ok without it.
think about it why do people swap out for navigator or lightning parts? why not buy one to begin with? Because its fun to tinker with our toys! With what I've added ( all could be removed) I'm well under 20,000


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Y2K F150 4x4 XL Med Torredor Red
4.2 5 speed,AIRAID, SuperCHIP,
3.55 LS, Leer camper shell, bedrug,
Ranchhand Rover Brushguard with 6 LIGHTS and
Wireless remote switch Tint/alarm/ aftermarket keyless entry/locks
2m/10m/11m/12m radios, Scanner
LT285/75/16 BFG All Terrains
regulator@f150driver.com

 

I would love to have a 4.6 at least but I bought my truck used and didn't have much choice. I do like it the only thing that I don't like about the V6 is the sound! MAN I hate that sound! I guess I am used to V8 engines...

When/if I start to make some money again and if I still have my truck I will do some upgrades like 4.10 gears and a lift lift kit. To me the money I saved with the V6, I will put it in a lift kit. With 4.10 gears my engine should be able to pull the heavy tires as well or better than the 4.6...

Again I think its a financial thing sort of like the 4cy vs. the V6 in the Cougar.

What ever we own, it is still a darn good Ford truck!

 

I love my 4.2. It does anything I ask it to. I pull a 18.5 ft ski boat occasionally and have no problems. Plus I love the passing power. I didn't want a V8 because the 6 was almost as powerful and a little better on the gas. This is important to me because I drive almost 40 miles to work ONE WAY. You can do the math. The extra mile or two per gallon saves me a buttload.

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98 Reg cab XLT 4X2 LB
4.2 V6 mnl
Window Tint, SnugTop Xtra-Vision camper shell, Drawtite class III, GTS Headlight covers,
Wilderness AT P255/70R16

Very near future:
FIPK, Gibson Dual Sport Truck exhaust, Bosch plugs & wires, Herculiner bedliner

Further down the road:
Billet Grille, custom alloy wheels, painted taillight covers, nerf bars

Dreamin about:
Supercharger!!!!!!