$1000 for more power?
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Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Vail, AZ
Hi. I have 99 f150 supercab 4.2 5sp 4x2 3.08gears 52,000 miles. Great truck. But needs more power. In Sept. I'll be loading up and driving from NY to AZ. Last time I drove cross country the truck got the job done, but more power would make for easier cruising on the open road and mountain climbing. The long lists of possible upgrades here are useless to me. Can someone please tell me what I should do for under $1000 to get a noticeable improvement? If $1000 is not enough to make a real difference, please tell me and I'll be content with what I have. Thanx.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2004
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From: Indiana
I really don't think you will find much more under 1000 dollars that will give you an extreme amount of power. You could find a used supercharger that would greatly benefit you.
-Check this thread out on superchargers-
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=262698
-Check this thread out on superchargers-
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=262698
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Lufkin
Power suggestions & advice cross-thread
Hi. I have 99 f150 supercab 4.2 5sp 4x2 3.08gears 52,000 miles. Great truck. But needs more power. In Sept. I'll be loading up and driving from NY to AZ. Last time I drove cross country the truck got the job done, but more power would make for easier cruising on the open road and mountain climbing. The long lists of possible upgrades here are useless to me. Can someone please tell me what I should do for under $1000 to get a noticeable improvement? If $1000 is not enough to make a real difference, please tell me and I'll be content with what I have. Thanx.
The list that we gave you is definately NOT useless to you. A diablo chip hands down is one of the best upgrades for WAY under $1000 for you to do. This chip especially makes a difference in the automatic transmission. Buy the chip from www.motorhaven.com . It's pretty much gauranteed to 'make your day' so to speak. It improved Tom's (another 4.2'er) supercab 4.2 by 4 tenths of a second in the quarter mile. That's pretty much unheard of.
Other than that, exhaust upgrades are always a good plus.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Scottsdale Az is home, St
You could do 4.10 gears and t-loc for about 750 dollars installed. Get a custom chip or tuner for 200-350 dollars, that will make your drive more enjoyable. On a side note, where in Az?
Garrett
Garrett
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From: Indiana
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Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Lufkin
You have to have a hammer and a chizzle (sp?). And you have to be a moderator. 
BTW, thanx Brian.
BTW, thanx Brian.
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Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: La Tech University, La
OK, my 2 suggestions, chip and gears. would also, if you an afford it, exhaust and intake, yes those are the 4 typical upgrades, but they REALLY help with your torque curve ALOT, especially those gears will make hill climbing alot easier. If you are going up mountains you need an intake to be able to suck in more air as the air will be thinner...and exhaust to get it back out, if you need torque, which it sounds like you do, dont get a free flowing exhaust, make sure it has some restriction to it for low end backpressure as said the chip is a given
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,155
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From: Centerville, Iowa
As JD said, Chip and gears. 3.73 or 4.10 gears will help IMMENSLY climbing hills. You probably have to downshift to 4th right now just to hold speed up steep hills (Unless you're lazy like me and watch your truck drown to 50mph =P). The gears will give you alot more punch. And the chip, that helps in every way. More power everywhere in your rpm's, better mileage, smoother, everything.
You ought to be able to just go outand find yourself another complete rear axle to throw back there. Find one with Trak-Lok too. Living where you do, why not? No one-wheel-wondering. Any money you have left over...if you can, hit the exhaust a bit. Maybe remove the resonator and muffler? The Cat's give you all the exhaust restriction you need (To promote proper exhasut velocity, maintaining low rpm torque).
Otherwise...as mentioned, 1000 dollars doesn't go very far in the guts territory. Depending on your terrain, the steeper gears may actually BOOST your mileage too. Have fun!
You ought to be able to just go outand find yourself another complete rear axle to throw back there. Find one with Trak-Lok too. Living where you do, why not? No one-wheel-wondering. Any money you have left over...if you can, hit the exhaust a bit. Maybe remove the resonator and muffler? The Cat's give you all the exhaust restriction you need (To promote proper exhasut velocity, maintaining low rpm torque).
Otherwise...as mentioned, 1000 dollars doesn't go very far in the guts territory. Depending on your terrain, the steeper gears may actually BOOST your mileage too. Have fun!