FakeFVC, well to be 100% honest the 3.8/4.2L motors have had some coolant sealing issues both around the waterpump housing and head gaskets have been known to go south after awhile...90K miles sounds good. That's what I need...I bought this truck in the interrum period between old truck and getting a new truck. I bought my 97 with 28K on the clock , and figured I'd trade up in a year or so...that probably wont happen for awhile. I actually like the V6, I just don't like the "minivanish" sound when you start it up or when it's idling. Always been a V8 guy and will hopefully get a PSD in a Superduty next...

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

 

I have 30,600 miles on my truck now. No engine problems none. I also have the right turn loud pop, or crack noise going to get that checked out. My 5 speed second gear engagement is very poor Ford says that is normal. Only warranty claim so far is the cigarette lighter circut quit.

The power is fine for a V-6 engine.
Solo cruise at 75mph 15.45mpg
Solo cruise at 60mph 18.10mpg
Loaded 1,200 pounds 63mph 16.43mpg
Towing 3,000 pounds 70mph 12.46mpg

I am very happy so far with this vehicle.


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98 F-150 XL 4x4, 4.2L, 5sp, 3.55 LS, tow package, 8 ft box

 

I chose not to extend the warranty on my truck (planned on getting a V8) but has anyone had Ford replace the HEAD GASKETS in their truck, not under warranty??? If so, HOW???


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

 

36,000 trouble free miles and it runs great!

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HotRodSix
'98 STX Flairside 4.2L
Best 1/4: 16.26 sec. @ 84.4 mph
Dyno: 180 rwhp / 228 ft-lb

 

Bowtie- I have the 4.2 5 speed with the same 2nd gear problem. I would say contrary to what the Ford dealer told you, this is NOT NORMAL.Other people on this website have complained of a similiar problem and have had their trucks fixed.Take it back to another dealer. Let us know what you find out. Good luck.

 

I have almost 43K miles without any trouble from the motor. The tranny is a POS. I have broken it three times under warranty. No matter how much I complained Ford never would replace it altogether, instead they just put new internals in it.

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'98 f150 STX 4.2l, 3.55, Busted @ss 5- speed, snuglid, custom dual exhaust, K&N mods, clear turns, 2" shackles, tint, Pioneer head, TS-A6813's, MTX 12" 3000's, Kenwood KAC-848...

 

57k on the clock and never been in the shop for any engine related service. I had to replace the master cylinder and the rear wheel cylinders.

I change oil/filter every 5k and the filter after 2.5k as it is so damm small.

 

Borrowed an about averagely maintained '98 SC 4.2. It had about 50K on the clock and ran like one! I have no idea of the history of this truck, but FWIW, I was amazed to learn it was a V6, as it was fairly zippy and bordering on fun to drive! No leaks, no squeaks. Seemed perfect.
(Can't wait for my own 5.4, though.)

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On order (due week of 1/24): 2000 Lariat Flareside, Deep Wedgewood Blue monotone, gray leather, 5.4, trailer tow, 3.55 posi.
New Orleans

 

Have put 18k on mine with no problems other than the sorry gas mileage.. Tranny is shifting rought sometimes though.. I am definately going to buy the warranty though because I have already put that many miles in 8months..


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BLACK 99 F-150 XLT Supercab, Flareside. 4.2 auto 3:55. K&N Airfilter and soon to be Superchipped (as soon as I can overcome the no-start problem)

 

I had my 1998 truck with the towing axle and 4.2L engine for 20 months, roughly. 44,000 miles and NOT ONE PROBLEM PERIOD. No trouble with the truck at all--was never in the shop for any work other than routine maintenance. Not a rattle.

I pulled a 4000+ pound horse trailer all over the mountains in New Mexico--most drives were 700+ miles round trip. And I was pulling some high revs up some hills.

The engine never used any oil. The transmission was bulletproof. NO PROBLEMS.

I pulled a 3000 pound trailer cross country on my move from Georgia to New Mexico in July of '98.

The only reason I sold the truck was to get an older truck (like the body style better) that I can put a 400 horsepower 351 into. LOVE the '88-'91 Ford trucks!!!!!

No coolant problems on the '98, either. As long as I can get trucks like that from Ford, I'll never go with GM.

-Mike

 

You mean '87-'91.

 

Here's part II to my first post above:
To go with the 4.2's V8-like pep, the truck had a V8-like appetite for petrol. I would not get the V6. Although you save $$ on the front end, you lose most of it at trade-in or resale. And you lose the fun and utility of the V8 when you need it. To boot, you don't save a significant amount on gas or insurance.
I drove the borrowed truck gingerly most of the time and it got about 15 mpg. I had it about 3 days and put 200 mixed miles on it. The new 5.4 is rated at 15 city.

 

37700 miles on my 4.2l 97 f150 and no problems with the engine. (knock on wood)

 

I doubt you're losing much utility when you opt for the V6. Where is everyone getting these six cylinder engines that get the phenomenomally poor fuel economy? The worst I've gotten has been 15 mpg and the best has been 21 mpg and most of the time I get 19 on the highway and 17 in the city (and that goes for every six cylinder I've had). If you plan on keeping your vehicle for at least seven or eight years, and/or close to 200,000 miles, resale is not a factor at all if you're wanting to compare it to the eight cylinder pickups.

 

I agree with Ford Man, I get 22 mpg on average. 60 000 km's (37 282 miles). No
problems whats so ever. On a 4.2l note:
Do NOT buy Bosh platinum plugs, I tried these for the fun and my engine really didn't like the plugs I got 10 mpg and bad starts. the package reads better milage, improved performance... Yeah right. Stick with Ford platinum plugs although they are 4x the price. Glad I didn't discard my old plugs. (It was only a test).

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'97 4x4 XLT fully loaded -automatic trans.
K&N filter charger, fake dual exhaust. (not for sound but for looks)