I currently am in the process of fixing my 2002 4.2L V6 F150 and was wondering if there was an engine that can be a good recommended swap? Engine Swapping is something I plan to do to the Truck in the future.

 

My point exactly

 

Well your best bet would be another 2002 4.2 LV6.

What were you looking for? Less gas mileage? Greater expense? All for a little more torque/ horsepower you don't actually need?

I have 5.4, Even with it these trucks are dogs. It'll never be a race car no matter what you put in it. ... Unless it's a custom built performance version of an engine. Or a lightnin, etc.

 

If you don't go back with a V6 you will also have to change the transmission as well.

 

It will never be any car. Most cars are 3000-3500 lbs. I grew up with 0-60 @16 seconds. Cars are now 5-8 seconds. Their cams have overlapping timing that adds acceleration. Those cans in a truck would burn up the valves lugging something. The 6's don't tow a lot. Do you? Is your boat 2 tons, dry? Your 6 in this market could be a plus. But YMMV. I do everything I can to get more economy from my 5.4 4x4 w 3.35(?) rear end, 3.0 equiv w the bigger tires. Others swap in a 3.73 or 4.xx rear end.

Trucks that accelerate have derated towing and the engine cams are a part of that. All show, lots'a go, but not much tow. Every two months my fad pushed his Honda Trail 90 w/1.7 gal tank home from Bremerton Naval Shipyard. as cars honked as they passed. He laughed... all the way to the bank. Paid cash for everything.

A "low" pwr 5.4 and eco rear end is my compromise. And things are almost always a compromise. What's your pleasure/need? It's a real question -

A mentor said, Your car should work for you... not you for your car. What does your truck need to do for you? Save gas? Or burn it doing a needed task? What tasks are in your truck's future? Then maybe we can answer better.

But a dog? Nahhhhh. I get pestered to buy a car, but I want a truck. It's briefly seen 100. It TOO often sees 80+++. The 90's? All accident! Honest! It just does it all tooo easily. It's 50-80 is just fine, thank you... loaded. You need a pretty good car to mince it w me in traffic.

Or maybe he meant - this dog is big, and if it catches you, it can BITE. Yeah, DOG might be right! 🤔 It sure ain't no ******* cat. It's 21 yrs old now, and it is all grown up. If a 4.2 was a V8, I wouldn't mind so much. I just like 4's and 8's better. But a straight 6 in a Ranchero was fine. If money was water, I'd get an old military deuce and a half. They'll do well over 100. But 5 mpg. Terrible parking, on top of some smaller rig, LOL!

​​​​​​​Trucks are not scalpels or Bowie knives, but swiss army knives, of which there are many versions. What do you need or really want yours to do, and what is your rough budget? Mine, fits me. No rhinestones. No flash. (Insert joke about compromising versus compensating.) Dog. I'm beginning to really like it.

 

I apologize for being so late to reply, but ideally this truck will go anywhere and do most things I would need (which in all honesty wouldn't be anymore than pulling two vehicles on a goose neck or a camper). It will be replaced with a different daily driver eventually so I'm just thinking ahead on what I want to do to this project.

 

That says more! My F150 w 4*4, 5.4, 3.35 rear end, has very few campers which are technically, light enough. An F250 is overkill. A7700 is hard to find, but would be ideal.

 

If I am going to be hooking up to a goose neck or a camper it's going to be a F- 250 or other 2500 series truck.

 

I was thinking of a in bed decent camper. Few are light enough for any 150. A 7700 would manage many, not all.

A 250 is better for a gooseneck w2 cars. That would likely exceed your door sticker for trailer weight and merit you a ticket. Your brakes would probably barely be up to the task in the flatlands w rare stop signs and rural 55mph county roads/hwys. You'd maybe want a 3.73 or 4.xx rear.

What is your rear, anyway, considering you have a 4.2, IIRC.