F150 Help

[chief8000]

I am looking into getting an F150 I am looking at years 1998-2000 and looking at the 4.2 V6 engine. is there any thing to look out for, tale tale signs of issues? your help is appreciated.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I forget if it was intake or head gaskets that went out, the came out with an "improved" gasket that was supposed to take care of it. Otherwise it is a really good engine.

They like to rust on the bed right behind the cab down low and behind the bumper below the tail lights.

Also check the seams along the bottom of doors, if caught early it isn't a big thing to have fixed. The tailgate has the same seam but doesn't seem to rust as often (I still see them that are once in awhile though)

For what it is worth, a 4.6 will get roughly the same milage and is a whole lot more engine... so is the 5.4 for that matter.

Why not a '97?

 

[chief8000]

Why not a '97?

no particular reason, there seem to be more in the 98 - 00 range in my area. I have thought about the 4.6 as well.

 

[robertc1024]

I'm with 85 on that one. My father in law had one of those 4.2's and it was a dog. I just got an extended cab 150 with the 4.6 in it. It's pretty acceptable.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I have a '97 f-150 with the 4.2/5-spd. The motor was rebuilt before I got the truck. Apparently its the earlier head gaskets that cause problems, they have a coolant leak and the engine hydro locks.
I have a short box and it's fiberglass, so no rust issues there. I'll have to look at my doors though, thanks @ 85_ranger4x4.
My transmission has jammed in gear a few times. According to the tranny shop this is fairly common due to wear on the [iirc] shift rails. I was able to pop it back into neutral each time until catastrophic failure happened. I haven't checked what caused the failure, I'm still in the process of swapping in a new trans. I suspect low fluid.
Fuel mileage is acceptable but as previously mentioned, the bigger engines do as well.
Power is acceptable as well, I hauled a lot on and in the truck but I am not in the mountains where it may be an issue.

Richard

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I have a '97 f-150 with the 4.2/5-spd. The motor was rebuilt before I got the truck. Apparently its the earlier head gaskets that cause problems, they have a coolant leak and the engine hydro locks.
I have a short box and it's fiberglass, so no rust issues there. I'll have to look at my doors though, thanks @ 85_ranger4x4.
My transmission has jammed in gear a few times. According to the tranny shop this is fairly common due to wear on the [iirc] shift rails. I was able to pop it back into neutral each time until catastrophic failure happened. I haven't checked what caused the failure, I'm still in the process of swapping in a new trans. I suspect low fluid.
Fuel mileage is acceptable but as previously mentioned, the bigger engines do as well.
Power is acceptable as well, I hauled a lot on and in the truck but I am not in the mountains where it may be an issue.

Richard

There are peope that just never care and the engine just keeps sipping coolant until it runs out... that never ends well either. I don't know if early really had much to do with it, 3.8's were good for it as well as most of the 4.2's.

Only the stepsides are fiberglass, if mine ever rusts out I will look for one of them.