4.2L reliability
Hunter of Moose
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 327
Likes: 0
From: Quebec
2nd motor is a Jasper....your fault!
3rd motor.....well I guess free beats all.
I didn't join the forum to bash, I joined it to read up on others experiences with this truck and to ask technical question. I was curious if everyone else's 4.2 was generally as "crummy" as mine. The guy asked about reliability, do you think it would be more accurate for only the people with positive experiences to comment. It's not bashing, it is simply an honest data point for the guy to consider before getting involved with this truck. I don't have a hidden brand agenda, as this is the only truck I've ever owned. Actually, only my second vehicle, first was a vomit baige 240 DL. That's why I am researching other experiences to see if my truck has standard performance and reliablity or not. If nobody wants to hear the negative, you should rename this thread "tell me good stuff about the 4.2"
Honestly guys, I am at a loss myself. It pisses me off to hear all you guys talk about what a beast this truck is and then drive my POS that I give extra special TLC and drive super easy. I guess mine is just a lemon. It's not abused or neglected though. I am definently OCD on my truck maintenance and repair. I do my oil at 3k, If any part on the truck even looks at me wrong, I will replace within a day or two. I baby the thing to the highest degree. This 3rd motor has been pretty reliable but still very weak. Owning this truck is definentely the number 1 greatest cause of stress and worry in my life. However, right now, being unemployed, it is more cost effective to fix stuff and baby it so that it doesn't blow the upper intakes.
So far, my new truck has been great with only one issue of the infamous plastic bushings on the intake runner control linkages.
I am very mechanically inclined: I grew up through my late teen years building high performance motocross motors (not bolt ons, real internal custom motor and chassis work), I've swapped my 4.2 and several other motors, I worked as a hired hand in college operating and maintaining large tractors, combines and equipment, I've got a mechanical engineering degree from Purdue with a minor in fluid power, I have designed-prototyped-implemented-patented-manufactured and sold an auxilary high flow hydraulic system for use on posi-track RC-60's, spent several years as a production engineer for our families stump grinder company
....and when that blew, you thought a jasper was the way go??
I think you should quit while you're ahead....
Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 231
Likes: 0
If you didn't join to bash why did you use the name Crummy4.2? Then everything you said was negative until your second to last post. I'm not trying to be an@$$hole I was just reading what you wrote and it seemed to me like you were bashing. I hope you have better luck with your newest engine and your second engine must have been the 97/98 and you probably didn't know about the issues with those so it's no fault of your own the place where you bought should have known.
Administrator
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 15,106
Likes: 1,754
From: Hampton, VA
^ I do believe that you have had a *****ty experience with the truck. I would be miffed as well. To generalize and say that it will be underpowered and not blow up or be underpowered and blow up with no middle ground is just absurd. For a large truck with a decent sized V6, my butt dyno said that (with the 5speed) it had plenty of nuts. I do sympathize with your situation though. I really would have considered getting a new truck $5k ago.