I am looking for at a new toy. A 98 w/ the 4.2, 5speed 4x4. It looks light and the six makes more HP but less torque than my old 302ci. I have kinda given up on looking for a 4.6 w/ a 5speed, and this looks somewhat appealing. What are some V6 owners opinions and about how much does the said truck weight thanks.

 

Cold, not sure how much the truck weighs, but I use to have a '00 4.2L reg cab short bed 2wd and I have no complaints about the truck. It was fun to drive and I really enjoyed the 5sp. I can't give you any input on if the 4x4 would slow you down at all, but I think you would be happy with it. I had to get rid of it years ago because of $ problems, but i do miss that truck. Good luck with your search.

 

Thanks for the input. Not really looking for outright speed as plans for it would turn it into a weekend warrior fire road blaster. Something the long bed 2wd w/limited slip isnt quite at home with.

 

I got 182K miles on my '99. No leaks, original clutch doesn't even slip. The 4.2 isn't very strong & has little torque at low RPMs. I got in trouble once when I accidentally backed my boat trailer off the ramp. But you shouldn't be worried about torque with the low range 4wd on tap.

Very good truck/motor.

 

anyone know the reason why the 1998 model had the 5-7HP over every other 4.2L, torque is the same, but... whats different about the '98?

 

I own a 2001 4x4 regular cab, step side , with the 4.2 5 speed. I acually Love the dang thang. Good milage, and allthough the rip roaring power of the 5.4 is not there, there is enough to get you down the road with a quickness dude. I've owned nothin but fords in my day, and them boys at ford did their homework on this v6 before they put it in their truck, and dumped the old trusty 300 in-line 6. The early 4.2's had a few bugs, but as-of late FORD has seemed to have pinned them down with this v6 set up.