I own a 99 F150 4.2L V6 and the other day i was all smiles. I pulled a 400lb trailer and a full size BROKE DOWN CHEVY!!!!! with a 350 in it. I pulled this POS and the trailer about 60 miles with no problem. Just thought I would inform you guys on this day of mine.

 

for some reason every one thinks the 4.2 is junk! but 4 the mos part it is a great little engine!! about the only thing it wont do is get over 100mph, but the again there is the power tuner that will fix that. well congrats on the chevy pull!!!

 

Yep, lots of folks dismiss the 4.2 too quickly, at least IMO.
No secret, it does not have the same torque and HP numbers as a V8. BUT, that does not mean it is not a capable platform.
Despite the mfgr's towing ratings, I think my 2000 with the 5 speed was just as good (maybe better?) for grunt work than my 2005 w/ the auto.

Either way, both have been all the truck I have ever needed.
20 mpg, and a LOT less $$ brand new.

Glad to hear of another happy 4.2 F150 owner.

 

well i dont have it any longer but while i did i liked it! but nooooo! i needed a v-8!!

 

I sure wish my Boat had a couple of these 4.2's instead of the 2.5 GM engines.

My Astrovan with the 4.3 V-6 got 17.2 Mpg all the time. My Ford 4.2 V-6 varies from 14 Mpg up to 20+Mpg. I wonder what the differenc is?

 

The torque curve on these 4.2s is as flat as a board. The v8s are curved. You get almost as much pulling power across the board with the 4.2. Peak hp numbers are a great selling point but they dont tell a lot about real world situations. In practical use the 4.2 is a great engine. I have driven my dads 4.6 and there is honestly not a lot of difference in the feel of these two engines. I think my 4.2 might even be a little faster.

 

Well so far I like my 4.2. I realize it cant be all things.
I hope I dont run into the failed gasket syndrome.