martinofhouston

Good point and thanks for the compliments! It started out looking like it was destined for the contruction trades, pretty plain jane XL. The dealer threw in the stock chrome wheels as incentive to buy(hooked me). I was thinkin' all black 24's and 2.5 lift on the frnt and just driving it! Just wish it was a little faster at the stop lights...I get dusted by Toyota Corollas...

Offduty

Martin you have a very nice truck! I just recently replaced an engine in one of my trucks, not a cheap job. Most of the bolt ons should be the same such as the AC compressor and alternator. But you will have to change quit a few major components, Most V6's used a smaller tranny and rear end. I went with a used setup from a donor truck as most had recommended but even going that way you are going to want to give the engine an overhaul, Change things like crank and cam bearings, valves and guides. Not knowing the condition they are in it makes sense to go thru the engine that way you don't have to worry about any problems after you drop it in your truck. Needless to say it is a very large job. Said and done with new engine tranny and rearend I dropped about $6000. So my suggestion since you owe on the truck is to use the money to pay down on it or customize it your way.

nagata

martin, I agree that you've got a great looking F-150. I can understand where you're coming from: I purchased a stripped down (but it has A/C!) 08 XL w/ 4.2 & 5-speed tranny in June of last year. I bought it because I wanted a truck again, it was available for a great deal, and I loved the way it looked and how much potential it had. Took it for a test drive, was satisfied with its power, so I bought it.

Now, that's not to say I didn't want a V8...If I could've had any F-150, I would've gotten a loaded, regular cab, short bed FX4 in black or red w/ the 5.4L. However, I didn't want to pay the amount that I would've had to pay; additionally, I wouldn't have been able to get a 5-speed, and I really have no need for a V8, so I was happy to get what I got.

Now, I too never leave a vehicle alone, so I immediately added a hitch, tonneau cover, and bedliner, all things that I had planned to add to whatever truck I got. Then, for the first 5 months of ownership, I planned out modifications/upgrades and used all the extra money I was saving each month (over what I had budgeted for a monthly truck payment) to pay down the principal, and now for the last 3 months, I've been slowly upgrading the truck with CD player, Flowmaster, and FX4 rims/tires (had crappy stock XL rims, looks like you have much nicer ones). Now, to finish off the looks, I found a paintable grill surround and upper bumper and they are being painted to match this week, and to regain/increase the torque (lost some with the tire size increase), I'm having a set of 4.10 gears and a Detroit True Trac differential installed next week. With the tires, I should effectively have a 3.83 rear end ratio (compared to stock) after the swap.

On the topic of gearing, you probably have a high rear end gear ratio (mine is a horrible 3.31 gear). I'll let you know how big of an improvement the 4.10 gears are once they're installed, perhaps going the same route could satisfy your desire. The gears themselves are relatively cheap ($180 for the ring and pinion, $100 for the installation kit), while the diff is pricey ($450 for the True Trac, but it's an awesome unit), and installation varies (a local guy who's been doing rear ends for decades is doing my install for $300).

Perhaps a V8 is the only way you'll be happy, but there are always alternative options Perhaps my route and how it works for me can help you decide.

Here's a pic of mine; power to rockin XLs that refuse to simply be work trucks!

Lenn

I think that your truck looks awesome. I would want a V6 5sp if I could get one in 4WD. I like nagata's as well. Props to you guys for rocking the V6 and cleaning them up.

bimmerboy08

hey martin i don't normally post here (I'm a lurker) but I had to chime in. Don't change your v6. I have a v6 too and I love it. Here is a pic of her towing my boat:



I purchased it when gas was almost $5 a gallon. I needed a vehicle to get me to work and tow my boat. When i found out that I could tow the boat with this engine, I picked this truck. My reasons were it is "greener" than the v8, the flareside looked cool, and it was certified pre owned. Gas is low for now but when it goes back up I will be still happy with my decision. Anyway, who needs to go fast in a truck? Also, i'm not sure if you know this but apparently the 2004-2008 f-150 with a v6 is the most reliable truck America has ever produced:

According to Consumer Reports's used car reliability history data, the 2004-2008 F-150 with the 4.2 L V6 engine is the most reliable American pickup truck ever produced in history. It scored a rating of excellent for five straight consecutive years within one body generation, something that domestics had never earned in the past. -wikipedia

You have a great looking truck. As my name suggests, I am not a truck guy, so I will tell you this: for less than the cost of swapping in a v8, you can probably get a pretty fast used car. And with such a reliable truck you have time to wrench on the car without having to ride a bike to work.

Just my .02

Lenn

Well put.

the real ess

I had a '99 4.2L 5 spd. so I feel your pain. But I just sold it after 182K miles. I never had to do any real maintenance on it except for the alternator. I even had the original battery until '08! Still has the original clutch. So it's a fine combo.

That said, if you're going to step up, get the 5.4L. The 4.6 is a weak sister too. In the model year I had, the 4.6 was only good for 10 or 12 more HP. Like mentioned before, you should probably find a donor vehicle, preferably low-mileage. Get the engine, ECM, all wires, ignition, etc. Get the tranny & driveshaft. If you don't go to the dragstrip, your rearend should suffice, but you'll want the locker differential. You can probably buy the whole rearend from a wreck cheaper than buying a locker & having it installed. When it comes to towing, the locker is all it's cracked up to be & more.

Or you could just sit back & enjoy the good gas mileage from the 4.2. Is there a blower available for the V6? I'll research that & post back on here. That would be pretty cool. You'd certainly have the only one in town.

BTW, 4:11 gearing would help a lot too.

nagata

Thanks for the compliments!


Excellent post, and you've got a great looking STX!

the real ess

http://www.supersixmotorsports.com/

Here's an adaptor for mounting the Cobra supercharger on your engine. They also have performance heads/manifold/cam swap kits sans blower. Probably cheaper than an engine swap & you'd still have the stock motor for resale value.

djbruce26

The 4.6 only offers slightly more HP/TQ over the 6 but makes a noticeable drop in mileage too. I'm not sure about the 4.2L fan... but you may consider looking at an electric fan setup (unless you already have one).

Also, no, don't buy the K&N for $300. In terms of $/HP it is not nearly as effective as other mods. The two best things you can do to increase your acceleration and speed is to get a tuner and get new gears. As was posted above... unless you are looking to switch to limited slip the gears can be had relatively cheap (try local junkyards. You might be able to buy a whole limited slip 3.73 axle for not too much money). The tuner will run about the same money as the intake you are looking at but adds tons more driveability changes in addition to the same increase in power and it does it without dropping mileage like you would get on the 4.6 or the 5.4.

Honestly speaking here I've been in the 6 cylinder and I drive a 5.4 everyday and truth be told it's just not worth the cost. The price in a used engine will easily be $1000-$2000, perhaps more... Take that same 2G, put 1G into tun/gears, then the other into dropping your loan some.