nagata

Hahaha, it's cool man, I took it in good fun I do agree that a 4.6L or 5.4L beats the snot out of a 4.2L in all categories, I just didn't want to pay the initial cost or the gas for one, and I can't stand automatic transmissions, so I insisted on a manual and this is what I found

Good old Bill

Hey man, in no way was I bashing your truck. You bought your truck for your own reasons. I bought mine for similiar reason. I pull my boat every week, almost. Its a 14 mile one way uphill pull for 3k elevation change, it does it in second gear just like my 1973 F250 390 CID does. Only the 02 has AC and its 109 degrees today. I'd love to grab a lower gear with a manual trans, but here is the problem. People get lazy and don't down shift and the engine lugs with no RPM to help. Pull what ever you want where ever you want. The truck will do it. And 95% of the time when you are empty you will enjoy the better mileage. Again enjoy your truck, keep looking around this site and if the oportunity arises to yank somebody's chain go for it. It was not my intention.

NGM

What mileage are you seeing with the V-6 Man. trans?

nagata

Thanks man, no worries. As I told Ty, I take everything in good fun I was just trying to get some discussion on the subject, perhaps see if anyone has towed significantly more than factory rating with the same set up. By no means am I planning on overloading the truck, just wanted to see what others thought. Thank you for all the input, I really appreciate it! I'm sure this truck will meet all my demands for the forseeable future

Well, my truck only has 130 miles on it, but I topped off the tank yesterday and calculated it to be over 19 mpg, with at least half of the miles being city driving. This is very inaccurate, as the engine is brand new and I've always been told that engines won't start being as efficient as they can be until they have 1000-2000 miles on them, along with the fact that I've been babying the hell out of it for break in. Still, 19 mpg right away is very encouraging!

NGM

Drive it like you stole it to break it in. Do not keep it at a one RPM range longer than a few minutes. Drive in 5th for awhile then go to 4th then back to fifth.. on the hiway.. In town you vary RPM anyway.

nagata

Haha, I don't know about driving it like I stole it, but I'm being sure to vary my speed and RPM, per the owner's manual. Thanks!

NGM

I always break a motor in hard.. Sets the rings faster and the computer adapts to that driving style.

Rob MFK

That rating does sound really low for any 1/2 ton truck. That being said, if you are asking the opinion of this forum, you are going to get they're honest opinion. These guy's pull no punches,but again, mean no disrespect. Take what applies and use and throw anything else away.

blackbetty

honestly the v6 isnt worth having in the 1/2 ton category as far as fords concerned...look at the 09 line up, 4.6 is the bitch motor, and this coming from a 4.6 guy

nagata

That's alright, I'm not a fan of the appearance changes Ford is making to the 09 F150. Glad I got mine when I did