1998 f-150

[chico4554]

alright so i have found a 1998 ford F-150, single cab, short bed, 4x4, 5 speed manual with the 4.2 6 cyl engine. Its got 111,000 miles on her. Was thinking about going to check it out tommorrow. You guys have any info or opinions on the 6 cyl 4.2? I have read a few reviews but its all mixed thoughts. Some people love it, others hate it. I was just thinking that it would get similar mileage to a ranger, and have the extra bed space. Im looking for a cheap truck of some kind until i get some money for a nice one.

 

[rangerbum]

98s are pretty nice, my dad has one with the 5.4. Beware, the 98's are known to have inconsistent mileage. A kid that went to my school last year had an Identical one that was getting 18 Mpg, my dad's gets 14. I've heard that the V6's are just as inconsistent between trucks. Make sure to check out the mileage before you buy. Also take into consideration that the teenager hotrods the truck and my dad drives like his like a granny.

 

[AngloSaxon]

My dad got the exact truck with 4.6. I think he has around 200K miles on it. One hell of a truck, the only think we had to do in the last 6 years was to change an alternator.

 

[chico4554]

good news so far fellas. Hes asking 2000 obo, so maybe get it for around 1500. Its got a toolbox as well which will come in handy.

 

[metalmacguyver]

You could tow your ranger with it too.

 

[chico4554]

i havent found any solid towin ratings for it. You guys know what the max towing capacity for this truck would be? I would think somewhere a little above 6000

 

[truckmanson]

i havent found any solid towin ratings for it. You guys know what the max towing capacity for this truck would be? I would think somewhere a little above 6000

not sure about towing ratings but my dad use to use his to hall a 16 ft trailer loaded with scrap, also used it to tow a couple of cars a couple times. always seemed good his 4.2 2wd got about 21mpg

 

[alaskan155]

i tow my bronco II with my 06 4.2, had up to 80 no problems, and thats with 3.55 gears my buddies working on his second 4.2(first had over 200,000 and second probally has 100,000 by know(been a 1 1/2 since i talked to him) and i was just talking to my dad friend and his has 200,000 with a rough idle(sounded like the IAC that it) as far as rating it damn near close to the 4.6

98 has the revised head gasket so you should be good, these motors are based on the 3.8 so they been around since the 80s and i get about 19 on the highway and my gen is heavier than the previous gen(97-04)

 

[chico4554]

dang, sounds pretty good to me. Ill give it a call tommorrow

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

i havent found any solid towin ratings for it. You guys know what the max towing capacity for this truck would be? I would think somewhere a little above 6000

For a 2002 (same truck, different grille/interior) with the 4.2 I found the following #'s based on gearing counting the weight (4400 lbs) of the truck:

3.08 - 6500 lbs
3.31 - 7100 lbs
3.55 - 7800 lbs

http://www.fordf150.net/specs/02f150.php

4.2's like to go thru intake manifold gaskets so check the oil, coolant and exhaust for signs of coolant going places it shouldn't.

Also check the bottom of the doors for rust, if you catch it early it is a cheap and easy fix, if it is really far along and rust is visable on the exterior side of the door it may need new doors. Mine was $50 a door to reseal and repaint, it was just bubbling under the paint.

 

[chico4554]

thanks for the info 85ranger, ill def be on the lookout. I know watching on startup for white smoke indicates oil/coolant being burnt, and the oil will be a milky dark color instead of brown if coolant is getting into it. What else can be checked to see if coolant is running rampid?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Really that is about all you can do, I would take it to a shop and have them check out out for sure. If there is nothing wrong that they know about the owner shouldn't have a problem with it.

They had a TSB on it, in really bad cases it would even hydrolock. There is supposed to be a improved gasket out now that eliminates it. Aside from that though they are a really good engine.

 

[snake]

Make sure you look in the coolant recovery tank and the bottom of the oil filler cap. Both places will show tell-tale places of milky goo or oiley residue.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

7800lbs?

My 96 is only rated for like 5500, and i know the 300 is a stronger tower then a 4.2L.

later,
Dustin

 

[dirtraider]

You could tow your ranger with it too.

My DD is a 4.2 v6 and there is no way i'd tow my ranger with it, i wouldn't doubt if my ranger now weighs more than it....