what's up fellas.

i'm considering buying an f150 this week or next...97 or newer (no 2001 and up though) v6 extended cab auto...was just wondering if this is a worthwhile truck to purchase for the possibility of aftermarket upgrades...i'm not really knowledgeable in this truck thing as i'm more of a sport compact guy...mainly hondas and such, but i'm growing tired with the immature scene and jokes and figured it's time to move on...what i'm really interested in is what models should i avoid if i wanna go the route of forced induction(supercharged) down the road, and ease of DIY interior customization(mainly dash, door panels and headliner)...any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

I would not recommend getting an extended cab with the 4.2 if you are looking for performance upgrades. If you need/want the extended cab then at least get the 4.6. There are more performance upgrades available for the 4.6 then the 4.2. Someone else will be along to tell you about what year(s) you should avoid buying.

John

 

I second that, the extended cab seems to need a 4.6 in an automatic. I think the 4.2 has pleanty of power (respectively) with the 5 speed trans. I have spoken to 3 people who have extended cab trucks with the 4.2 and an auto trans, one was even a long bed too, and they all said they need more power.

Mitch

 

First of all welcome to the board.

Secondly. I own a 97 Extended cab V-6 myself. I am not really one to expect it to be a roadburner but I do believe in tuning and getting optimal performance if can be done cheaply. Before you think about doing anything aftermarket you need to know a few things about the truck/engine. Check to see what recalls have been performed on it. The V-6 especially the 97 and part of the 98 year had a problem with timing cover gaskets leaking. This caused a further catastrophic engine failure as a result. There is also an issue with lower intake manifold gaskets leaking allowing water into the cylinders and causing bent rods from hydrolock. This is not to say that this engine is bad or that it happened to a HUGE number of trucks. But it is an issue and you do need to research this some. Consider an insurance policy with an extended warranty as well.

Having said all that, this is a pretty decent engine. It gets a lot better mileage than the 4.6 and has about the same power in stock form. It does need some higher RPMs to make that power but heck I have used mine to pull stumps, tow cars, haul crud, loads of rocks etc and it has been just fine for me. Yes you can make more power with a V-8, but the V-8s also have issues about them that make them something to think about as well. Try changing the spark plugs as an example. I bought mine not looking for speed or tire burning. I don't look at trucks in that way. Some do. Yes you can make them do that if you want. This V-6 can also make some very good power, but it will cost you some money to get there. Some simple inexpensive upgrades are a chip, an electric fan, clean up the intake some, muffler changes. You can make up for that 20 HP difference between the V-6 (4.2) and the V-8 (4.6) pretty cheaply, and still get better gas mileage.

It depends on what you want your truck for. For me I got it to work and be comfortable in. It has lots of room. I'm 6'6" and need it. I have the rubber floors. Wipe them down with a damp rag and your done. I put a cruise control and a CD in mine and some aftermarket tires and rims. Then I tweak with the aforementioned upgrades.

The V-8s have thier own set of thing to watch out for so all things being equal, the V-6 is a smaller less powerful engine, on purpose. But stick around here and you will find that people can get lots of power out of them. Its all budget and tolerance. Just like you are used to with what we call "RICERS" here. By the way, this post should be the one and only time you mention them....laff. The Ford owners get kinda uppity sometimes.

Again welcome. I am a car guy. All makes have good and bad to them. Ford isn't my favorite make, but the trucks I like compared to what else you get for the money.

 

thanks for the help tom (and others) i mainly need the ext cab for wifey and kid purposes...v6 will do fine, i just want some respectable power out of my truck, nothing too crazy, just decent get up and go...i'm more into it for the style change really, i plan on dropping it, 20's, and doing a nice interior...a change of scenery that i can enjoy for many years to come you might say. sorry 'bout the import reference, my old man was the same way...laughed at me until i walked him in my "little" 1.6...i don't think he was expecting that...not with the way he was grinning before the start anyway

keep the suggestions coming guys as i am doing my research as time permits.

 

If your set on an ext cab, get the 4.6 V8 at the very least. The 4.2 v6 will be a dog off the line.

 

I have a v6 4.2 ext cab.
there nice but lets face it they are no ball of fire.
its a auto to, but for kid purpose(like myself) there great.
and if you got the cash later on theres even superchargers out there! plus the wight difference you can affofd the ext cab and be as light as the v8(or close any way)
but!! gas miliage is no better then the 4.6 liter and with the auto you will want the chip.
slap in a chip and 4:10 gears and you will swear its a v8.

I'm happy..

 

Just because rhost doesn't know how to tune his 4.2 don't let that scare you away from it. There are plenty of guys on here that have their 4.2's running quite well. Do a search on a gentleman named "Talleywacker" and check out his Signature to check out the mods he has done. He has his 4.2 running in the 15's which is very respectable.

 

I myself got a 99 V-6 4.2 extended cab, and I love... I gotta start bye saying if your looking for something with major speed, why got with a truck in the first place?? No disrespect... Now as far as the extended cab goes, its not bad... You can do some cheap mods as far as chips and gears etc. , to get some extra ballz on it..I havent had any problems with it at all. I admit that I rev that engine when i pull along a ricer, and with the ext. cab I gave alot of them a run for there money, I even stayed neck and neck with a Silverado v-8... Now its no speed demon..But I think for a v.6 extended cab its not bad at all man... Also Im into my truck looking good, pertty soon im gonna bag her and put her on dub's myself NO ONE BETTER BE LAUGHTIN !! But lets face the fact, might as well look good, If i know, I dont got what it takes under the hood.. Its all up too you, and what you wanna do man... Only you can make the final decison to make your self happy, and not wanna kick yourself in the ***.. Wish you luck man...

-Bryan-

Oh yeah, like the other dude said, ask TALLEYWACKER for what kinda mods and what not... he has a damn beast that will blow your skirt up..

 

I agree, too.

Talleywhacker is the man.

He's a rare mix of friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable.

Best of all- he knows what works from experience. . .not hype from some magazine, salesman, or heresay from some speed shop goober.


---J

 

You too wrongday... you too. Of course you have the knowledge to make the auto's quick... that which I gave up a year ago when I traded the auto in for the 5spd.

Don't forget that I am friendly, helpful, knowledgeable, AND arguementive at times



Anyway... Only advice I can give you DLM is to LISTEN to TallTomG because he knows what's up w/ the 97's.

 

well, i found a nice white, 2001, v6 extended cab, 40k miles, new 20in. rims and goodyear rubber(already priced them from a local tire store, $1600 promo special) everything but leather, don't even know if they came with leather so whatever...i guess i'm not really all that concerned with performance, just something i can work on a little later on...what's a fair price i should be paying for this truck? sales guy says he can do it for around $20k(not over though)...seems a bit high considering i've found a lot of the same going for around $18K with half as many miles.

...BUT theres a 2001 ext cab silverado 4x2 5.3l v8, 42k miles, fully loaded minus leather (power seats everything imaginable!) for $18,800 about a block away from the place sellin the ford.

i defintely prefer the chevy trucks to be honest(keep the rock throwing to a minimum, this isn't inteded to start a flame war) i always have. my dad has been ford, grandpa chevy, i've owned a chevy too. you guys, honestly, what sounds like the better deal here? either one will work for me, the ford though will be a little cheaper on ins.

should i try working the dealer? ...telling him about me wanting the cheaper, more powerful chevy, telling him his ford is over-priced and underpowered and seeing if he can work me a much better deal than what i would get with the chevy?

 

well, I'm biased here. I hate chevys but...

yes you can tell the Ford dealership about the 'more powerful' cheaper chevy, but then he can tell you about all the problems you'll probably have.

 

I programmed some of the lines that built the chevy you're looking at, stay away, poor quality. I would still use it as leverage with the Ford dealer, if that dosen't work try another dealer in the area. These trucks are the best selling truck in the US so there are plenty of them on the used lots, they just don't last long on the used lot is all. I personally would say to get the 4.6 however i am biased as that is what i have in my 98. I have 75K miles on it and the only engine work is i just changed my spark plugs. Honestly on the V8 once you get #4 out the rest are simple. also yes it is only 15 HP more however remember you also get an extra 35LB FT of torque, that helps at the line and is not as easily made up for. There is nothing wrong with the 4.2 and if that's what you really want then go for it but don't pay 20K for it used at that rate skip the used and spend the extra 5K and get it new! I just looked at ford.com and you can get a 2002 F-150 SuperCab 4X2 Styleside 6-1/2' - XLT with V6 and Automatic for $25,990.00 MSRP and if you can get A/X plan then it's more like $22,934.00. I'd be willing to bet the dealer gave too much in trade and is now trying to get someone to pay too much to cover their *******up. Just $.02