Be honest, is the F150 4.2 durable...Dependable?
It will be a manual Trans. with 4.2 Ltr.

Now, I'll be honest
I have a 01' Lightning 5.4, and would never own another one...

 

So far mine had fared well in many different situations. It seems to be fairly durable and dependable. It may not have the best fuel economy or power, but its a stout little engine. Would I buy one again? Depends on the situation or the deal. But I probably woulnd't get one again, or a Ford Truck again for that matter. I would like to have some nissian v8 power in a truck next.


What don't you like about the lightning?

 

Well now you asked.

1.Gas Mileage 12mpg. That's not even in the boost.... Boost? 7mpg Maybe
2.93 Plus octane
3. 10lb boost and its, ping, ping, ping, ..ping. Even, on the stock boost 8lb it's the same. It's now stock.
4.Spark plugs, suck to change.
5. Dumb questions.
6. Ford automatically assumes you run the ---- out of it.
and have no intentions of help you, information wise.
7.Parts are expensive. Must maintain factory or equivalent
8. The whole truck sucks to work on. Dealer makes dumb excuses not to work on it. And the one that finally did had to get a specialist to even figure out where the heater core was leaking....huh...I told them it was leak, but I guess the thought sine I taken it to them to fix I didn't know what I was talking about. Nope Extended warranty fixed that one...

Had to fix list
1. Intercooler hose
2.Boost gauge, stock gauge sucks.
3.Spark plugs
4.Coil pack.
5.Heater Core
6. Ford has no clue about them.

What I like list

1. People who don't know what a Lightning is till it's too late.
2.At least I have a low to mid 8 sec. truck in the 1/8 mile.

My dad's runs 8.70's and I'm faster than him.

Bad out weights the good. It trade in time as soon as it comes back from the shop. With a new Heater Core.


AND BY THE WAY

Thanks for the response

 

If I were in the same position I was in when I bought mine (20, AD in the military, etc.) I probably would....although I realize how little 300 dollars a month is. I probably would have went to a bigger engine. Somethin about a turbo diesel is so cool.

Garrett

 

Country,
here my $.02....

I have a 2000 model with 165,000 miles. Only real repair I have ever had was intake manifold gasket replaced at approx 155,000 miles.
Other than that, an $18 brake sensor and a $100 radiator flush.

My 2000 is probably the most reliable, lowest cost /mile vehicle I have ever owned. I have LOVED owning and driving that truck.

ABout 4 months ago I bought a new 2005 F150 with the 4.2.
So, it would be reasonable to assume I am comfortable enought with the 4.2 setup to buy another one.

My 2000 is a 5 speed.
The 2005 is an automatic.

Both get very respectable gas milesage. 2000: about 15-16 city. about 18-19 hiway.
2005 gets about 16-17 city, 19-20 hiway.

The 2000 seems to have a little more low end "grunt", maybe due to 5 speed/gearing and being able to manage the gear as I see fit.
The 2005 seems to want to cruise at 80-90 mph. It is just happier on the interstate that around town.
Both have the 3.55 rear end.

If I was going to be doing a lot of towing and hauling, I'd prefer the 2000 w/ 5 speed. Otherwise, the 2005 is fine.
Neither is going to offer anywhere NEAR the grunt you are used to with the Lightning. But, either will serve you well if you need a reliable, comparatively inexpensive truck.

If you think you want a V8, get a V8. If you know yourself well and think you would be happy with a V6, then I would go give one a test drive.

Let us know what you decide.

 

8 sec's?

That's pretty freakin fast! Even for a Lightning!

 

I have a 99 F-150 4.2 5 speed with 160,000 miles on it. It has never broken down or needed any repairs. With a mix of city and highway I get about 19-20 mpg. It doesn’t have much excess power but it will get you around and pulls a trailer ok.

 

That is avg. and no rpm bump, before launch. ....you did understand it was 1/8 mile right?

lol...I'll make you the happy new owner of it...lol

 

I love my 2004 Heritage Supercab 4.2 auto 2wd with the 3.55 rear. I wish now that I had gotten the v-8 (4.6) but, the 4.2 is a good motor. I have outfitted my truck with a class three hitch, brake controller and fords rear bargeman plug setup but, I only plan on towing a small popup. I have had it almost a year and I have put 17000 miles on her. Hauled everything from 1.5 yards of mulch (too much) to trash wood etc. I recommend getting the bed line -xed. Awesome truck... I miss my 1995 F150 with the 5.0 and 4x4 but, the 4.2 feels stronger than my worn out 5.0 v8.

 

I have a 2003 4.2. I really like it! I tow a small trailer for work (1000LBS) with tools and such. I live in so. cal. and I'm constantly going up and down mountains from the desert to the coast and it has never given me any trouble. I have 32000 miles on it. I could use more HP every once in a while, but not enough to warrant a v8. My buddy has a v10 and he can pass everything except a gas station. I almost went that way, I'm glad I didn't. I would buy another 4.2, but I doubt they'll be around when I'm ready to buy another truck.

 

I doubt a gas station will be around if these prices keep going up!

 

My dad's got a '99 F150 XLT supercab with the 4.2L and 5-speed, and the only thing weird is that we had a plug wire go south by 35k miles. Otherwise, it gets 19-ish mpg doing mixed driving, but it doesn't get hotroded, and though it obviously doesn't pull like a V8, it does okay. It beat a 4-banger Grand Am once.

 

Ah I was about to say...no wonder your gas sucks!

 

165,000 on mine and the gasket thing reared it's ugly head.

Hoping I can get away with the gasket replacement.

Would I buy another 4.2? From what I've read here on this forum, the 20 mpg I get on it on the highway isn't that far off from the 5.4. When I'm pulling my boat the 4.2 really sucks the stuff.

No, I wouldn't. If you're going to tow something heavy, go with the 5.4. granted, the 4.2 didn't really object to towing it just was very thirsty. If it's just a back and forth to work and light hauling truck then the 4.2 may be the way to go.

 

I agree with every one here. My Heritage 2004 Screw 4.2L with 3.55LS tows my 3200 boat just fine. You can do 80 on the freeway if you want, but unless you really wind out the gears in the auto tranny with her floored she's a bit slow on an entrance ramp with an incline. Don't get me wrong, she'll pull the boat up any hill that's paved, you just might have to use more throttle than your used to.

That said and assuming you want to tow more than a ton once a week, unless you get a sweet deal on a truck with this motor get a V8.

There sure is alot of room under the hood though with the 4.2L