Quick question.....
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New User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 9
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Quick question.....
Ive got a 97 4.6L with 140k miles and i can only guess that ive got a couple of years left in it before it finally dies on me (im going to cry when it does!) so ive been looking around and i like the 04-08 body style of the f150, but i want the 4.2 V6 instead of my V8.....So my question is, would the V6 really give me a big gas milage increase on the 04-08 truck?
-Hustler
P.S. Can anyone tell me the estimated MPG on my 97 4.6 V8 and the MPG on a 04-08 4.2 V6? Thanks guys.
-Hustler
P.S. Can anyone tell me the estimated MPG on my 97 4.6 V8 and the MPG on a 04-08 4.2 V6? Thanks guys.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2006
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I know that the V6 on the 97-03s dont. May want to ask your question on the newer truck forum. Problem with underpowered trucks is that you end up burning more gas.
Instead of selling your loved truck, pick up a second used economy car. That way youll have V8 power when you need it on your current truck and drive the econo box when you need to save on the gas. A used sentra with some miles is real cheap and since you have 2 vehicles, if one goes down for service you can still get to work and take your time fixing the other one...
Thats what Im doing. I looked at my 97 with 150k miles trade in or KBB value and I felt that Id be giving the truck away since their not worth much. Ive taken good care of mine so I hope to drive it for a looong time (without new payments YIPPEE!) Never make the mistake of riding in your buddys new truck, then you will really crave a new one!
Instead of selling your loved truck, pick up a second used economy car. That way youll have V8 power when you need it on your current truck and drive the econo box when you need to save on the gas. A used sentra with some miles is real cheap and since you have 2 vehicles, if one goes down for service you can still get to work and take your time fixing the other one...
Thats what Im doing. I looked at my 97 with 150k miles trade in or KBB value and I felt that Id be giving the truck away since their not worth much. Ive taken good care of mine so I hope to drive it for a looong time (without new payments YIPPEE!) Never make the mistake of riding in your buddys new truck, then you will really crave a new one!
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,931
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From: N. Mississippi
My 97 4.6 has 170k miles on it and i can still get 21 to 22 mpg on the highway. This truck has no doubt been the best vehicle I have ever owned. I replaced the multis-switch, the IAC valve, battery and flywheel. The teeth on the flywheel had a bad spot and was like that when I bought the truck in 2001. The spot just got worse so I had it replaced. I also had the lower ball joints replaced.
Other than normal wear and tear items like tires and brakes, this truck has been great.
My oldest son has a 2000 XL with the 4.2, five speed, and has just over 115K on his and is still running the original Goodrich tires that came on it! His has the infamous crack on the driver's door but other than normal wear and tear items, his truck has performed flawlessly.
He's like me, we will drive our trucks until the wheels fall off!
Other than normal wear and tear items like tires and brakes, this truck has been great.
My oldest son has a 2000 XL with the 4.2, five speed, and has just over 115K on his and is still running the original Goodrich tires that came on it! His has the infamous crack on the driver's door but other than normal wear and tear items, his truck has performed flawlessly.
He's like me, we will drive our trucks until the wheels fall off!
New User
Joined: Oct 2007
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honestly, i'd find another 4.6 when this one dies, and drop it in. don't go for the 4.2, it's underpowered, and the very marginal, if any mileage gain will be negated by when it is pushed harder due to its lack of power. dropping another 4.6 in would be cheaper than the first year's depreciation costs on a new truck.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 40,046
Likes: 1,524
From: Maine, Virginia
You've been given excellent adivice on staying with the 4.6. You'll notice that in the '09 model run the 4.2 has been eliminated from the F-150 line-up. The 4.6 will fetch nearly the same mpg's and ton's more power.
Tim
Tim
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,466
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From: N. Fort Myers,FL
Honestly unless you beat on your truck bad, or it starting to knock; it should run for a long time. I have over 216,000 miles and i dont believe it will die anytime soon. There are also many others out there that have well over 200,000 and even over 300,000 on org. motor/trans, ect.
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 93
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From: Coupeville, WA
Stick with what u got and run it into the ground. That is the only way to make it pay. New payments will save you nothing. My brother has an 04 XLT Crewcab 2wd and gets much same mileage as DDRUMMOND does on the road. Best mileage on my 2000 4x4 has been 18 on the road with a 5.4. Would have gotten the 4.6, except I tow a few times a year. Jim
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2001
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"Stick with what u got and run it into the ground. That is the only way to make it pay. New payments will save you nothing."
Quite right. There is no way a new truck would pay back its own cost in fuel mileage.
Quite right. There is no way a new truck would pay back its own cost in fuel mileage.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 883
Likes: 2
From: La Crosse, Kansas
Same way with a second "econo" car! It will never pay itself off, ever. Stick with the one vehicle, and your truck is barely broken in 4.6Hustler! By the way, imo your user name is kind of an oxymoron lol! Just givin' ya hell!
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 151
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Originally Posted by superdutymj
Same way with a second "econo" car! It will never pay itself off, ever. Stick with the one vehicle, and your truck is barely broken in 4.6Hustler! By the way, imo your user name is kind of an oxymoron lol! Just givin' ya hell!
Why not get a 2nd used older econo box? Cause 1) he gets to keep his truck 2) he gets the gas mileage he needs 3) hell never be stranded when either of the 2 cars goes down. Im suggesting this as a way to have his cake and eat it too. Your proposal is the cheapest but not realistic if his truck has not been maintained - we all need reliable transportation! Your right - you have to factor in a 2nd cars insurance and registration etc. Go for something cheap that does not require payments, get liability only. Hes got time to save for a 2nd car and shop around.
There are many 150k mile trucks that I would not touch with a 10' pole! Hustler how bad is your truck really?
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 883
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From: La Crosse, Kansas
With a second car you've got the initial cost, say at least 5K to get anything halfway reliable (which is far more than a motorcraft reman'd long block w/ 100,000mi warranty). Then you've got to pay taxes on it every year, insure it, put gas in it, and do rountine maintenence, let alone if it breaks down. These eat up all benefits i can foresee of getting a possible 10-12mpg increase in a "econobox". I have all the faith in the world that 4.6's truck will last at least another 100-150k, if no abnormal noises in the motor are heard. If you take care of these modulars, they'll easily get you to 300k with little more than routine maintenence.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 151
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Originally Posted by superdutymj
I have all the faith in the world that 4.6's truck will last at least another 100-150k, if no abnormal noises in the motor are heard. If you take care of these modulars, they'll easily get you to 300k with little more than routine maintenence.
I agree that keeping existing truck on the road is the cheapest.
However, I still maintain that 1-old-truck-that-needs-TLC approach is not practical if he needs it daily. How many of us experienced the "oh crap, I got to get this brake job done, Im running out of sunlight, parts store is closing in less than an hour, my only vehicle is on blocks and Ive got to get to work in the morning". Ive been there and it sucks. Having a second car is great insurance in a pinch!
My suggestion is what millions of rednecks do across this country. They have cars sitting in the yard just for parts! They all cant be wrong!
Ive seen many friends and coworkers get rid of perfectly good reliable cars cause "its getting old" and "not reliable". BS to you and me, but its all about their comfort level and mechanical abilities. No one on my street changes their own oil anymore...
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 794
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If you are scared your trucks going to leave you on the side of the road then get something newer. I have a 97 4x4 4.6 w/ 217k miles on it, I drive it WOT every day & the tranny started slipping @ 170k miles. I replaced it and now its good to go. I will keep this truck forever and when im done w/ school ill be buying an econo box to save gas as a daily driver.
30 mpg pays for itself quickly @ $5.00 a gallon this time next year or $8.00 3 years from now.
30 mpg pays for itself quickly @ $5.00 a gallon this time next year or $8.00 3 years from now.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 883
Likes: 2
From: La Crosse, Kansas
Originally Posted by zman764
If you are scared your trucks going to leave you on the side of the road then get something newer. I have a 97 4x4 4.6 w/ 217k miles on it, I drive it WOT every day & the tranny started slipping @ 170k miles. I replaced it and now its good to go. I will keep this truck forever and when im done w/ school ill be buying an econo box to save gas as a daily driver.
30 mpg pays for itself quickly @ $5.00 a gallon this time next year or $8.00 3 years from now.
30 mpg pays for itself quickly @ $5.00 a gallon this time next year or $8.00 3 years from now.