Alright! The v6 is $1000 less. I guess it is acceptable in regular cab form. The general census is that the v6 in the sc is not desireable. It is a shame that you are charged around $2000 more dollars for 2/3 back seat and they don't throw in the v8.

 

Just got my new 1999 XLT SC 2WD 4.2, w/3.55 axle last Friday. Went to Bloomington, IN over the weekend. There are several somewhat steep hills that I went up, and the 4.2 handled these at 55 MPH without ever going over 2500 RPM's smmoth and easy all the way. As far as I'm concerned the 4.2 is more than sufficient if you don't haul heavy loads on a regular basis. I'll let you know how it handles pulling a 3500# boat this summer. So far my biggest complaint is that the tires had more than the recommended pressure in them when I checked Sat morning.
Michael

 

I have a '98 STX with a 4.2L and 3.55. I recently raced and beat one of my friends '97 S/C 4.6L. I realize there is a weight difference, but I was still satisfied with the result.
One of my other friends is getting a new engine in his '96 Mustang Cobra. I have been entertaing the idea of buying his present engine and putting it in my truck. I have no idea if this would even work, but I was just curious if y'all had any comments or sugestions. Best of luck to all . . .

 

As I own a 4.6 w/3.55 and a 4.2 with a wimpy 3.08 rear end, I can definetly say that the V8 truck is much stronger just off idle or towing up hills(A large part of the difference is the gear I think). But throughout the rest of the RPM range the V6 is pretty closely matched. Also I find that if I run premium gas the V6 runs a heck of alot better, its able to hold overdrive up hills where the V8 would not! The 4.6 doesn't seem to benefit from premium gas. My 4.2 pings lighty on regular but runs really strong with the good stuff. Anybody have a similar exp. with trying diffrent grades of gas in a 4.2?

 

Sam N

The 4.2 compression is like 9.3/1. So I'm pretty sure it should run better on mid or premium gas. My 8.8/1 4.9 to me seems like it runs better on the good stuff. If you buy the cheap no name gas you can hear the valves doing a tap dance.

 

I have heard different opinions regarding gas "quality" and "octane levels". Has anyone done a long term study on the effects of good "quality" gas or "higher octane gas" on engine performance and quality (i.e. is the engine less prone to problems)?

Also, for those believers in "good quality gas", what do you consider "good quality".
I am very interested as I have just oredered an F-150 XLT 4.2 and I want to feed it right on the getgo.

 

I have a 1998 with the 4.2 v-6. I bought it because Ford could not fix the manual tranny problems I had in a 1998 4.0L Ranger. Very fast truck. Ford is lucky I bought another vehicle from them, as I lost so much money trading in a 1998 Ranger with 28k miles that I could not afford a V-8 F-150 to replace it. Ford's maintainence let me down.

The V-6 sucks in stock form. I have added a Superchip to it, and it now has LOTS of punch off the line. The tranny shift points have been changed so that passing at highway speeds is much more acceptable. The top speed limiter has been removed, and I have found that I caught and passed a V-6 chevy uphills when he was trying to play with me. But barely.

I tow a 5000 pound horse trailer regularly in the New Mexico hills. The truck struggles on one hill in particular near Las Cruces. Otherwise does fine. Estimated 0-60 time is a second or so slower than a stock 5.4. Can almost hang with a stock 4.6. Have 3.55 towing axle.

The truck is fair. Ford needs to improve the V-6. I am beginning to look for ways to graciously get into a V-8 but at this point will be taking too much of a loss, as I did with the Ranger that was a perfectly great truck other than the tranny failure. Routinely blew away Z-71s with all the LOUD mods.

Ford is not taking care of its customers, as my experience with the Ranger proved. But for capability in the base models I could not beat them--hence sticking with them in buying this V-6. Actually have bested RAMs on the highway trying to pass.

-Mike

 

In 1996 I leased a 97 5.4 SC 4x4, it was by no means fast, but it was pretty quick also maybe it was the excess weght of the 4wd or something, but that truck was a real pig on gas. And besides I found that I rarely used the 4wd, so when the lease came up I ditched it.
In 1998, I got a company truck for a few months, a 4.2 sc 2wd. The V6 is noisy and
a whale of truck like this simply needs more torque. As others have said, you need to really wind up the V6 to get it to just keep up with most traffic. Fuel consumption was only slightly better than my old 5.4!
A few weeks ago I picked out my new truck and dedcided on the 4.6 and baby does this thing ever go! Feels way more powerful than my old 5.4 But then this is a lighter truck with smaller tires.
I test drove a 99 5.4 however and believe me, it is a torque machine the diference between my old 97 and the 99 is like night and day. But seeing as I don't tow much I went with the 4.6 and am more than satisfied and enjoy great gas mileage.
The choice is clear get an 8, if you tow over 2k# get the 5.4, period.
sorry for being so long winded.

 

Just noticed this thread was active again, and thought I'd add my 2 cents worth. My 4.2 now has 7200 miles on it, and I am quite impressed with it, (comparitively speaking). I have a 3300# boat which I tow to the lake (90 miles round trip) almost every week and the 4.2 makes very easy work of this job. My 4.2 actually tows better than my brother 5.9 Ram. The v6 and v8 chevy's that we have at work don't compare at all, no pep or torque unless you floor them.
I did add the SuperChip a few weeks ago, mainly for the mileage and the improved transmission performance. As of now I get 19 mpg normal driving (mostly country roads) and 14 mpg pulling the boat. As mentioned by others the 4.2 is a little more noisy than the 4.6, 5.4. With all that said the 4.2 is a very good, and very torquey engine for the person who is on a budget or doesn't have a 6000# boat to tow. However anybody that has the extra money or the big load to haul should definitely get a v-8.

------------------
Michael Krieger
99f150@pickupman.com
mkrieger@mailcity.com
99 F-150 XLT Supercab, 4x2, Bright Red/Harvest Gold, 4.2L, Automatic, 3.55LS, 255/70R16 Goodyears, Captains Chairs, Keyless Entry, CD Changer, Tow Package
Accessories: SuperChip, Donnelly Compass Mirror, Lariat Wheelwell Moldings and Bumper Cap, Ford Splash Guards, Bug Shield, Bed Mat, WeatherTech Deflectors, Mobil1 Synthetic Oil
Modifications: Painted Tailgate Handle

[This message has been edited by mkrieger (edited 08-26-1999).]

 

Just a quick note...I have a 1997 2wd Reg Cab/SBox with 3.31 rear and 4.2L with automatic. I consistantly get 17mpg city and 21 highway. If I did the V6 over again, i would get the 3.55 rearend. Otherwise put me down for a V8. 6 cylinders = good....8 cyl=better!! For a 2wd truck it's okay. But for a 4x4 there better be an 8 under the hood.

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1997 F-150 Reg. Cab/Short Box, 4.2L, Auto 3.31 Rear, Black/Silver

 

A V8 is the only way to go if you want to go fast.

 

it's easy to make the 4.2 work. i traded out of a 2.5L wrangler & got more response with the F. maybe the secret is to go with the 5spd. it's the only way to get all the ponies to dance. when i get into a situation and i think it would be nice to have a little more power, i'm glad i have the $1000 dollars instead.

i also loaded the truck slightly beyond the 6000 lb limit and drove it up some pretty steep hills and (you guessed it) i went one gear lower & not any slower.

there IS no substitute for caliber, but there's always a faster gun, Pinto Kid...

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'99 F-150 XL 4x4 Sport Silver V6 5spd LS 120wb SS 60/40 ConvGrp Hooks Skids A/C AeroCover LouisvilleSlugger TweetieBirdAirFreshener

 

Ok, I have sat out this discussion long enough. Lets get down to some data here. If anyone has taken their 4.6L to the drag strip, please post your times. Here is my best ET to date for my '98 STX 4.2L V6 Automatic....16.48 @ 83 mph. I will be at Milan Dragway on 9/18/99 for a little friendly match racing!

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HotRodSix
1998 STX Flairside 4.2L

 

16.48? Thats good, must be a reg cab, short bed, with a chip or somethin!

 

I'm with P-38 and a few others on the 5-speed business. I liked my '98 so much with the V-6 5-speed that yesterday I factory-ordered my new 2000 with the very same powertrain and basic body layout. I'm obviously satisfied. Only things I changed were the colour (will be all black) and to go to the XLT. For general duties, I find there's plenty of power.

Another thing: You all know that none of these trucks gets great mileage, but I just logged 21.5 miles per imperial gallon (about 17 mpUSg)on a tank that included city + lots of trip cruising at 120 km/h+ (75 mph) with the air on. In Canada, when you pay 61 cents per litre for regular and drop close to $50 bucks to fill the tank, you think twice before chosing the big blocks unless some company is paying your gas bill.



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1998 XL SC short-box 4.2 5-speed 3.55LS, Pacific Green, A/C, factory box liner, factory dark tinted rear glass (like the XLT), cassette, carpet, Canadian XLS package (split bench, chrome wheels, side mouldings, box light, tailgate lock), sill guards, Windstar (driver's) wiper blade (the one with the air scoop). Oh ya: snazzy Tweetie Bird floor mats.