I've got a '98 Ranger 4x4 right now. I'm thinking of trading it towards a '97 F150 and buying another older model ranger or 4x4 for offroad use.

I'd use the F150 for pulling a popup camper or possibly a jeep. Will the V6 be enough to do this? Or will it be doggy? I prefer to drive a standard so that will lessen my pulling capability. Other than that the truck will be my transportation back and forth to school/work. The V8 would be nice, but I guess I'm looking at at least $13K for a lower end '97 V8, I think the V6 will go for around $10K or less.

I plan on making mods just like I did with my ranger, K&N filter, Gibson Cat Back, ect...

 

You wont get a V6 for 10k or less and a V8 for 3k more. The 4.6 option is like 500$ over the v6. Get the 4.6 Liter V8. Great engine. You'll be glad you got it.

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Fast46Triton ®

1999 Ford F150 XLT Supercab, Shortbed, 4x2, 4 wheel disc brakes/4 wheel Anti-Lock Brakes, Cloth Seats, Amazon green, 16" All season tires, Soft Tonneau Cover, CD Player, 4.6 liter Triton V8, 3:55 ls, towing package, 4 speed auto, K&N Airfilter

 

I've seen plenty of the V6's for under $10K, why do you say I cannot? I've been checking out the classifieds and there are quite a few 97's with the V6 for around $10K.

If the difference between the V6 and V8 is only like $500 I'd do it for sure.

PS: What's the HP/Torque difference between the 6 and the 8?

[This message has been edited by DanH (edited 11-09-1999).]

 

There are several 1997 F-150 XL's in Oklahoma that are selling for about 9500 dollars, these are plain jains with 6 cyl/5-speed, cruise ac. Just the basics

 

The $500 difference is for NEW trucks.
V8s hold thier value better so in the used market they cost more $$$.

 

Get the V8 its the only way to go and the gas mileage diference between the V6 and the V8 isn't enough to write home about.

 

I was saying that the V8s wont be that much more than the V6. I didnt say they couldnt sell for less than 10k, because I know they do. V6= 205hp and 255 ftlbs 4.6 V8=220hp and 290ft-lbs.

 

If you buy a V8 new, you lose the six cylinder discount, in addition to paying the extra $500. Therefore, for a new vehicle, it winds up costing a little over $1000 extra to get the 4.6L V8 (I believe $1250 extra).

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'98 F150 XL Regular Cab, LWB, 4.2L V6, 5 Spd, 3.55 LS, Rhino Lining, factory heavy duty suspension, 3" Gibson Swept Side Cat Back, K&N filter, Oxford White minus the two tone garbage. BIG TIME FoMoCo p/u fan, not some fair weather hammerhead.

 

The V-6 is a little sluggish but with the 5 speed you should be OK for daily driving. However, the auto is rated at a higher towing capability by Ford. The 4x4 V6 Reg Cab with 5 speed and 3.31 gear is rated at only 1,900 pound max trailer weight! The 3.55 gear gets you up to 3,200 lbs with 5 speed, but the auto is rated at 5,400 lb with the 3.55.

Although the auto can tow more, I wouldn't get the auto with a 4x4 V-6; it would be really slow. Maybe a 2wd V-6 5 speed with limited slip would be a good way to go? It can tow 3,600 lb with the 3.55 gear, according to my '99 owner's manual. It would also cost less than the 4x4, leaving you more money for the toys.

My '99 auto SC XLT 2wd V-6 is not as fast as the 4.6l, but it was over $1,700 cheaper with the same equipment. How $1,700? The V-8 option is $750, and I was credited $500 for the V-6, and Ford was giving away the $295 wheel/tire package and 3.55 gears ($50 option) with the V-6 XLT. Sales tax on the total of $1,595 was over $130. Most V-8s will have the auto trans, a $995 option. I'm not surprised a used V-6 with manual can be $3,000 cheaper than a V-8 with auto, because by the time you add tax and registration, that is about the difference in price as new. So much for the 'I got a V-8 cause its only $500 more' logic.

Also, the V-6 has lower insurance cost and is rated at 1 mpg better. At the time I bought, I decided $1,700 and cheaper operation was more important to me than 15 horses and 40 lb. ft. of torque. I can buy a Superchip and a lot of premium fuel for $1,700. In the real world, the V-8 seems to get the same mileage as the V-6.

1999 V6 is 250 lb ft. of torque at 3,000 rpm, with max horsepower at 4,750 rpm. 4.6l V-8 is 290 lb. ft. at 3,250 rpm, with max horses at 4,500 rpm. Both engines like to rev, but the V-8 is quite a bit stronger everywhere.

I used to have a '92 Ranger with the 4.0 V-6 and 5 speed, rated at 175 hp, and it was A LOT faster and with more low end torque than my current ride. But the new F150 is so much better in every other way. You will love the way it handles and rides for a full size truck.

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1999 XLT S/C, 4.2 V-6, auto, 3.55 rear, dark torreador red/harvest gold, bed liner, Sony 10 disc CD, Edelbrock IAS, K&N filter, soon to Superchip

 

Until you threw in the towing and manual trans together I was ready to say the 6 would do the job. I suppose if its a realy small popup it might be ok but that's probably the limit. But now I say go for the 4.6L

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97 F-150 SC Lariat, Styleside, White over Gold, 4.6L (Windsor), Automatic, 3.55 rear end, electronic 4X4, w/ every option of Lariat and ORP packages except the 17" wheels and the 4X4 decals, MODs so far: K&N air box mod, Gibson Super Truck, clear Bugflector II, Leer TSC 600 hard cover, Bridgestone Dueler OWL ATP 265/75 R-16's, TrailMaster Invader N7 shocks, Smittybilt step bars, Ford moulded mud guards, "White-white" head lamps, Bosch platinum + 4's.

 

rmarrieta -
Your new truck must be awesome! I've already got the Superchip, but I've had the 'no start' problem, and just haven't got my computer circuit board soldered yet. Thanks for the offer, though.

 

dirt bike dave

I just traded my '99 4.2 auto 3.55 for a '00 Lariat and kept the Superchip for computer code AAT3. If you're interested, $150 and I'll pay shipping.

DanH,

You might be better off with the V8 if you're going to be pulling a Jeep.

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'00 WHITE/GOLD F150 LARIAT FlareSide SC 5.4 Auto 3.55 LS
Black Westin Nerfs, White Prime Design BugShield,
White Vtech Taillight Covers, K&N Air Filter,
Leather Captain's Chairs (like a screen door in a submarine!),
and all the Lariat goodies
SOME SHOW and a LOTTA TOW
My am E, Fl *** Member of ??? Ford Group


[This message has been edited by rmarietta (edited 11-10-1999).]

 

dirt bike dave
When you get the board fixed, you're going to really like the new
response from your engine. And yes, I love my new truck, even
getting use to the screen door!


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'00 WHITE/GOLD F150 LARIAT FlareSide SC 5.4 Auto 3.55 LS
Black Westin Nerfs, White Prime Design BugShield,
White Vtech Taillight Covers, K&N Air Filter,
Leather Captain's Chairs (like a screen door in a submarine!),
and all the Lariat goodies
SOME SHOW and a LOTTA TOW
My am E, Fl *** Member of ??? Ford Group