Hey guys, I'm new to both the forums and Fords.
I just bought a 2001 4.2L V6 F150 XLT 96k Miles 6 weeks ago. I haven't done a thing to it as it appeared nearly flawless with the exception of a couple dings.

What is now happening is that it stutters upon acceleration BUT it's at a specific spot in the pedal, repeatable and sustainable. For example if I'm doing 40 and want to accelerate to 45-50ish. That small amount that you would push on the pedal makes it stutter or hesitate. If i hold the pedal at that location indefinitely it will continue indefinitely but if I push the pedal further or let up it smooths out and runs/accelerates perfect. Same goes at take off. If I accelerate slowly or floor it all is well but 2 inches into the pedal and it bucks.

I'm used to my old 90 Chevy Cheyenne 4x4 and 86 Monte Carlo SS and would normally jump straight to cap, rotor, plugs, wires etc but I'm not up on all the new electronics so I definitely appreciate some assistance.

Edit: Additionally, Just in case it makes a difference it has also gotten real noisy the last couple weeks from what appears to me to be either lifter tap or exhaust leak from the drivers side. Unsure what the specific cause is yet.
Thanks guys.

Edit2: The truck doesn't hesitate when it's cold.

 

At 96k, it's due for spark plugs if they are still original. You have conventional plug wires and a single coil pack, it's very straightforward. If you change any of the items, OEM Motorcraft parts highly recommended - aftermarket stuff doesn't always work well.

I had to change my plugs, wires, and coil pack at 84k to cure an intermittent miss.

You may want to scan the OBD2 to see if there are any stored trouble codes.

 

thanks