The 4.2 doesn't get very good mileage either - I get between 15 and 20 on mine.

 

thats what i was unsure about..i knew the old straight six got terrible gas mileage but i didnt know how the new v-6 faired...i seem to remember doing the mileage math one time on the straight six my roommate had and it was getting between 10 and 12 at best....but that could have just been that particular truck with that particular driver since every driver gets different mileage from their particular driving style

 

Back to the drawing board...

After reading the input from this thread, I didn't even look at the '99.

The '93 looked and sounded like a sweet deal - pictures looked good, Carfax report looked good except for one accident that sounded minor and there didn't look to be any damage in the pictures. The gent bought the truck new when he retired and used it up until last summer when he passed away. The daughter was selling the truck to buy her mom a car.

My son and I went to look at the truck on Saturday. You probably already guessed but just in case, the accident was a little more than minor (read: multi-car accident with the truck hitting all involved). There was considerable body damage on both quarter panels, the rear bumper, and the gate was badly damaged including the hinge points. It barely shut. I guess they took the insurance money, but didn't repair the truck. My guess was $1,500 to $2k in damage.

That said, we were still interested, just not as interested. We played the haggle game, but couldn't come to terms.

Oh well, just another one of those "if it looks too good to be true, it probably is" life lessons.

We're still in the hunt, but after reading the opinions in the thread, we're sticking to the older models (kinda bummed me out a bit as I have an '03 with a V6 and a manual tranny).

Again, thanks to all for the input.

 

if the 99 didnt have the V6 it would be a really tough call, but with the miles and the V6, the 99 loses to the 93.

sorry you didnt find the truck that was described

 

If the price is right on the 99, it should be a decent truck. The 4.2 V6 is not a BAD engine and it's apparently quite durable.

 

If it doesnt hydro lock it yes its not a bad motor

 

Too bad the deal on the 93 fell through I'm sure you find another older style truck with a 300 soon enough.

 

I had a 97 4.2 at 75K it hydrolocked and bent a rod. I almost switched to Dodge after that. The 300 is a great engine.

 

Didn't the 99's have the improved gaskets?

 

I didn't mind the V6 with a M5OD-R2 stick, but seemed reeeeal slow with the 4r70w auto.

Keep up the hunt for a pre '97. Don't overlook Bronco's either. Insurance is even less as they don't require truck plates.

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