enveng427

Ok, so the owner's manual gives 205 and 210 for the horsepowers. I read a different number every place I go so I'm gonna trust the OEM. Admittedly the 30 pound feet of torque is a fair difference. I'm wondering though, is the transmission actually different? If so, how? I've only seen internet banter about it maybe might be different. Seems like these people made it up.

Carcrazygts2

I've rebuilt them, they use different stall speeds for peak effiecency. You can not possible bolt a transmission from a 4.2 to a 4.6 or vice versa. I suspect the valve bodies being slight setup differently in a OE application.

Jbrew

You must not have the 97 OEM manual. You should know YOUR engine so... -Here, I'll help you out once more,

The 97 V6 is 205 HP
255 @ 3700 RPM TRQ

The 98 V6 is 210 HP
255 @ 3000 RPM TRQ

Ford bumped compression ratios in 98. From 9.26 to 9.3. So, scratch everything you thought was correct and jot this down in your manual.

Ftruck150

I had a 98 4.2, I would never dream of towing a car trailer + car, sorry. It worked hard enough with two 400lb quads and a 700-800lb trailer behind it Towing 4000-5000+ lbs (obviously just a rough estimate of a tandem car trailer + car) seems like it's just asking for trouble

Jbrew

True, I wouldn't pull anything heavy w/4.6L as well. They're closer to car engines IMO. You want a tall rear gear and plenty of torque. Light stuff they're fine, but nothing more than two Aunt Esters or they'll be huffin and a puffin.

OTG02

I've got an 02 2wd single cab longbed 4.2l 3:55 gearing and I had the bed so loaded with even heavy cement bird bath and cement dolphin and base. Took a forklift to put in truck. It big and heavy plus red landscape bricks at least 20 of and a lot of other stuff.

Was moving from Texas back to ohio so bed was full of stuff with just nuff room to close the tonneau. Anyway had it loaded where it was squatting real good. Like I was driving up a hill all the time. Wish I would of went over a scale to weigh it

BUT To the point. All the way from Texas to ohio it did great and was getting close to 22 mpg at 70mph on xway. Didn't give me a bit of trouble and no huff and puff. A bit sluggish goin up a grade. But nothing where I had to turn on flashers. Lol.

All in all I would tow a car and trailer behind mine any day. In fact I did in Texas had a car trailer with a 99 ranger loaded up and pulled it bout 200 miles and no prob. It's no 5.4 I know so I know there was power loss and such but a 4.2 can pull a load. Just wouldn't do it every day LOL.





Here the only pic I have with the fully loaded down bed getting ready to leave Texas and head back home to ohio.

Ftruck150

There's a huge difference between 1000-1500 lbs in the bed and a 5000 pound trailer behind it.

Even with equal weights, say 1500 pounds in the bed, or a 1500 pound trailer, the trailer will always be harder to pull.

Carcrazygts2

[MENTION=74944]OTG02[/MENTION] You also have 3.55's. I wouldnt dare pull a car hauler with a honda civic on with a 4.2 with 3.08's like the OP has. When I had my 97 2wd with a 4.6 and 3:31's I used a car hauler to tow my mustang back from NC. Did great but that was a 4.6. Got around 16mpg doing 70 pulling 6500lbs.

OTG02

Yeah I kinda forgot I read that OP had 3:08. Ok disregard my post. Sorry. Lol. I blame old age on forgetfulness lol. Mine at least.