I looked over the new F150 2004 catalog this weekend, and maybe this is something everyone else already knows but me, but they don't offer the V6 in the F150 anymore!!!

Does everyone else know that???

Tom

 

Yep, no more 4.2 V6.

 

They only offer it in the Heritage edition (1997-2003 body style). I think they are phasing out the 3.8L and 4.2L. The 3.8L is being replaced by the 3.5L and it doesn't make economic sense to continue to build the 4.2L engines without also building the 3.8L.

 

Well,

What exactly does that mean? Did they rid the 4.2 because of reliability issues? Or perhaps it just was not a big seller. I seem to see more 4.2's on the road than the Tritan V8's. Does anyone know WHY they got rid of the 4.2? Will the cost for replacement parts go up as a result? This is very disturbing to me.

Tom

 

The 3.8L and the 4.2L were the only engines Ford build at the Essex plant until they began assembling the 5.4L 3 valve there last year.

I think much of the decision would have been based on production cost. The 4.2L costs Ford about twice as much to build as the 4.6L engine. It makes more sense to Ford if they dedicate the Essex plant to producing the new 5.4L engines instead of continuing with the 4.2L after the 3.8L is gone.

Could also have to do with upcomming EPA fuel and emissions standards. The 4.2L doesn't have the towing power of the V-8s and seems to do very poorly in terms of real world fuel mileage. I don't think Ford feels this engine serves a lot of purpose any longer and there's no point in redesigning it.

 

Well if the 4.2 cost twice as much as the 4.6, why are the 4.2 models cheaper?? Hmm, i guess if they could drop the price of the 4.6 truck and still make a profit because it's cheaper to build, then I guess it would make sense to dump the 4.2.

But, if it raises the price of their absolute base base base base base model, because it's got a v8 in it, they may lose some business to Dodge and Chevy, which I believe still produces base models with V6's. But I could be wrong there.

Tom

 

Because they're tricky basdards

 

Well,

Dumping the V6 could end up being a mistake for them. For instance: When I was shoping for a truck I looked at the F150 and the Chevy Silverado. Both equipped exactly the same. Fully loaded, sun roof, 6 CD changer, upgraded seats and upholstry and so forth. Exactly the same price too, just under 30K. The chevy, if I remember correctly, was equipped with the 4.3L (If I remember correctly!) and my F150, with the 4.2. I chose the Ford over the Chevy because I thought it was a nicer vehicle for the money and, basically, would prefer a Ford anyway.

However, If the Ford was not available in the 4.2 and only in the 4.6 for 2500.00 more than the Chevy, well Ford would have lost a sale, because I would have purchased the Chevy instead, due to the fact that I was on a budget and am more concerned with the interior and exterior upgraded options, than I am of the motor. I would trade off a larger motor for upgraded seats/sport package/bigger wheels/sunroof anyday.

Tom

 

If the 4.2 costs sooo much more, why is a v8 costing 5-8k more? That was the difference in buying my truck. The only v-8's they had were 01 and newer, which ran way more expensive than my truck, which is an XLT with bed liner and came with premium sound (6 disc changer, custom deck, and 2 8" subs in as box)

With all that I walked out of Ford for 16,200 with free air brushing, new tires, on top of what was already on, new floor mats. That was still 6500 less than the 4.6 with the XLT trim.

Lame

Garrett aka the tj max specialist

 

TJ Max specialist??

Are you sure that's something you want to advertise??

And I agree with you totally on the 4.2. I think Ford is making a mistake. You have to offer more choices when manufacturing vehicles for sale to the public. The consumer likes choices.

Of course it's cheaper for Ford if they only built (1) motor and put it in all their vehicles. But is this a smart move in the long run when everyone else, especially the japanese manufacturers, are offering 6 or 7 motor options???

Whey don't they just put the 4.6 in everything?? That would be really cheap for them. They can even use them in their Mercury outboard motors !!!!

I think it's a really bad move. A vehicle should have 3 motor choices at least. Especially a vehicle as popular and large selling as the F150.

Bad Ford, Bad. They should fire the guy who recommended this move to the board.

Tom

 

I dunno...I mean..not everyone WANTS a v8. There are, and I will try not to make this sound like a slam, people who dont need/want it. It is too expensive for a lot of people. College teens, single parents, all walks of life cant afford a v8. So, unless they drop the price of a 4.6 a couple grand, then they just walked out of the price rang of a lot of people. Stupid

Garrett aka the POed tj maxxer

PS, yes I will advertise Im a stingy b-turd when it comes to buying stuff.

 

The big unknown is how the price part will play out. I bought the truck I bought for 2 main reasons:
#1 I wanted a Ford
#2 I bought a brand new 2000 model 4.2 5 speed XL for less than a 2 year old V8 with auto.

I do not need a V8. I need a truck. Mine has served me gloriously. No regrets at all.

Had they offered a 4.6 V8 comparably equipped for $16,500 I'd have bought it instead. But, they didn't.

 

Exactly...All I can say is what the hades? I agree with you 100% Brian. Btw, hows your wrist feelin? Back on subject. I wonder how this affects the Mazda guys...if at all. You know, and this is just me rambling on, lets say none of us had bought our trucks yet. And we all went to our local Ford dealer, would you have bought the 4.6 if it were say.....2000 more than what you got it for?

Personally, I wouldnt. Mainly because I could have bought something else, that I had my eye on, and I dont wanna get any flack from you guys, so I wont mention it LoL

Anyone have an opinion on that? WOuld Ford have your business if they didnt have a v6 when you went shopping?


G

 

I'm just glad I got one. Only thing I'm wondering now is are our trucks going to drop in value now that you can't buy a new one.

I think they will.

I also do not require a huge motor. Not everyone does, which is why manufacturers have several engine's to choose from with different models.

Some people don't care if they can smoke their tires till they're bald sitting at a stop light and would prefer to save the extra cash. Then there are some people that drive excessively slow regardless of how fast their car/truck is.

Like the old guy in the Vette driving 10 mph under the speedlimit. We've all seen this guy. What is up with that? He just wanted the car and doesn't care about the speed. If they made that Vette in a 4 banger, he probably would have bought it instead.

Well, only time will tell.

Personally, I think they will, down the road, make some version of the V6 optional on the F150.

Tom

 

Maybe they will use the same 3.5L that is going into the Stangs? Maybe thats a though...could you imagine our trucks, the S-Cab, with a 3.5L 185 HP engine? LoL. I would refuse to buy it personally.

Garrett