I'v gotten the urge to shop for a F150 and the options are mindboggleing (I currently own a VW and it's options were with or without air). Of the three engine choices which is the best of combo of power/reliability and gas consumption (least).

I have never owned a Ford and all my buddy said when I was looking at a Mustang this year was "their V6 is a piece of poo, don't even consider it."

I don't plan on hauling anything of real weight except for the many surfboards and gear I'll take on trips.

Thanks in advance.

Andrew
On the prowl for a F150

 

If your going with the regular cab get the 4.6L V8, if the Super Cab get the 5.4L. Get the LS differential especially if you are not getting 4X4. The 4.2 V6 is a fine little motor too but I wouldn't advise getting it in the SC. A lightning would look way cool with surf boards however! JMHO

 

Gas consumption depends on how hard you drive your truck.

From what I've read here, the 4.2L V6 can be economical running. However, if you push that engine to get the performance of the larger engines, it will swallow as much gas as the V8. The V6 is not a Triton (It may be for 2000?).

The two Triton V8 engines are excellent engines. The 4.6L has been a trouble free engine. With a 3.55 LS rear end and the stock 16" tires, performance is very good. I didn't have any complaints with this setup. BTW, if you want a stick, the 4.6L is the largest engine you can get. The 5.4L only comes with an auto tranny.

The 5.4L has not been without problems, but once you get it running right, it's an awesome engine. It gets decent mpg compared to the other two engines, especially considering the bump in horsepower and torque.

If you're not going to tow, put big tires on, or live in a really hilly area, the 4.6L V8 engine would probably be the best choice for you. It has decent power, decent mpg, and better than decent reliability.

 

ditto

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99 2wd S/C s/b XLT 4.6 Triton auto. w/3.08
BONE STOCK...for now

 

I have owned both the 4.6 and now the 5.4. From experience, the 5.4 gets better mileage than my 4.6 did. With a chipped 5.4, you will not want for more power. My 5.4 ,chipped, currently gets 18.5-19 mpg hwy, and 15-17mpg in town. My 4.6 never, under any circumstances, got better than 14 mpg. Loved that truck, hated that gas mileage. Would, without reservation, order another 5.4.
D

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99 Lariat, sc, 5.4, 3.55 ls,loaded,Superchipped, Flowmaster, K&N.

 

In order to minimize fuel consumption, you must AVOID a truck - any truck.

That said, you should get the largest engine you can in a truck. The smaller the engine, the harder it has to work to haul the truck around.

A lot depends on how heavy your foot is. A modern 4-speed Automatic transmission is hard to beat for fuel economy. I wouldn't even consider a truck without a Limited Slip differential (but that won't change mileage).

Since you plan to go on "Surfing Trips", I'd suggest the Crew Cab. A 4x4 is also worth considering - but the LS will get you through most stuff without the added expense and maintenance of 4x4.

If the 150 Crew Cab doesn't come in a Long Bed, the boards will fit on the longer roof.

While looking, price a Super Duty. I believe you'll be pleasantly surprised with their prices. You can get a Crew Cab with Long Bed in a Super Duty. You also get the bonus of 2 additional engine choices - the 6.8l V-10 gasoline or the 7.3l V-8 diesel

Enjoy your new truck - forget everything you ever heard about fuel economy. Just DO IT

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1999 F-250 XLT Super Duty Crew Cab Long Bed
V-10, Automatic 4R100, 4.30 Limited Slip.
GVW = 6700# Towing Capacity = 13,300#
4 Wheel ABS disks + Reese 15K hitch
Dark Hunter Green. Ford Running Boards.
Grey Rhino-Liner. Captain's Chairs. CD+Tape
Polished Stainless Steel Wheel-well Molding http://members.home.net/jchartier/jnctrk.html



[This message has been edited by J-C (edited 11-03-1999).]

 

I would go with the 5.4L engine, especially for resale value in the future.

I have owned a 1998 supercab 5.4L and now a 2000 supercab 5.4L F-150. I really like the get-up-and-go power of this engine .... especially in the new 2000. Passing power is more than enough.

I decided to try a 0-60 run yesterday with an empty truck, 520 total miles,(weight 4,312 Lbs)...I clocked 7.8 seconds right at 60 m.ph. from a stand still. This was a full 2 seconds off of my 1998 time.

I averaged almost 16 mpg on my last check..with mostly city driving. Advertised mileage for the 2000 5.4L with my set up is 15 city and 19 highway. The 98 5.4L with the same set up was 14 city 18 highway.

I am sold on the F-150 and the 5.4L V8.

--------------------------------------------
2000 F-150 XLT, 4x2, 5.4L Supercab, Styleside, Black with silver two-tone, 3.55, class III towing package, sliding rear window, keyless entry, dark graphite interior, in dash CD, Pendaliner bedliner, K&N air filter, cabin filtration system, Bugflector II




[This message has been edited by Dustoff (edited 11-03-1999).]

 

The 4.2 V6 is enough engine for your purposes. The 4.6 V8 gets about the same gas mileage but when you get on it the sound of the V8 revving is a rush!

 

I kinda like the little "snarl" sound my V-10 makes when upshifting at WOT.

 

But, you can't beat the sound of the PSd. Sure beats the sound of the GM diesel!!!!

 

Ease up guys, he's a surfer, nothing but sand in his pockets.

First, regular cab. I mean just how many beach bums DO you want to have to haul around?

Second, Short bed. Nobody uses a board over 6.5 feet!

Third. V6 for fuel economy. (The sand thing )

Also for the V6, Surf = Beach = Sea level = no hills.

Cowabunga Dude!

 

also around here you can drive your truck right up to where you're surfing BUT it has to be 4x4. So for your needs I would do like Raoul says, only add 4x4 to that truck and limited slip

 

Go with the 5.4L V8. You can always drive it conservatively to achieve decent milage, however you've got enough motor when you feel like getting into it a bit. The 4.2L V6 seems to be a poor choice in the long run, if you don't drive it conservatively your milage really suffers and the power is still lack luster. The 5.4L also provides the benifit of a forged steel crankshaft, while the 4.6L V8 uses a cast crankshaft. The 5.4L appears to have the bugs worked out now. This motor should gain a lot of support, in the form of performance parts,from the aftermarket in the future. Especially when this motor gets stuffed into the Mustang, and that will happen.

Bob P.

 

The 4.2 has to be for corporate fleets. Those guys want something that won't get the employees in trouble and gets good gas mileage.

I would go with the 5.4. It would get better gas mileage if you kept your foot out of it and when you want too... that engine really opens up. Very strong!

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'97 F150 Lariat, Flareside, white/sliver, SC, ORP, 5.4 (FQR), Mods: 305/70/16 GY ATS, AR Baja wheels, dual exhaust, Smittybilt Nerf Bars, Edelbrock IAS Shocks, K&N Filter, Carbon Fiber Bug Gaurd and rigged the fog lights too.