Hi all,

Looking to buy an F150 that's good on gas (kind of an oxymoron)
so I've been considering a 2WD with 4.2 and 5 speed manual. I have no experience
with this engine but I've heard both good and bad about it.

What does everyone like/dislike about theirs?

The 2 trucks I'm considering right now are an '00 and an '04. Both have
the 4.2/5 speed combo. Anything I should be on the lookout for?

Are the 5 speeds any good?

Thanks

 

The 4.2 is not, on average, going to be dramatically better than a V8 when it comes to gas mileage.
Expect about 16-17 mpg city.
18-21 mpg on the highway.
Keep in mind that v6 or V8, much depends on how you drive it.

The 4.2 seems to be a pretty reliable motor. My 2000 had 170,000 miles on it when I sold it. My current 2005 has 130,000 miles.
I had to have the lower intake manifold gasket replaced on the 2000 at 155,000 miles.
I have not had any problem on the 2005. (aside from bad front brake rotors and a leaking rear axel seal. Both resolved in my driveway)

What do I like about the 4.2?
It tends to be inexpensive to buy, reliable, easy to work on, and inexpensive to maintain.
It provides adequate power for my needs and gets respectable gas mileage.
It is not a torque monster. So if that is what you want or need, look elsewhere. If it is not what you want or need, then you'll be OK.

The 5 speed (M5OD = Mazda 5 speed with OverDrive) is pretty reliable. Change the fluid every 50K miles or so, and it should last a long time.
My 2000 had the 5 speed and I never had a problem with it.

Curious: how many miles and how much $$ for each you are considering?

Thanks.

 

The 2000 I'm looking at has 60K miles and they are asking 5,000. It's a 2WD supercab.
The 2004 belongs to a friend of mine and has 55K miles. It's a 2WD Heritage with a shortbed. He hasn't given me a price yet. He was dumb enough to cosign a loan for his daughters boyfriend who bought it new and stopped making payments about a year ago so my friend "inherited" it.

What would be a good price on both of them in your opinion?

I'm a big fan of the 300-6 but because of their age it's tough to find an older F150 in good condition so I figured I'd check out the 4.2.

Are the 4.2's easier to work on than the 4.6 V8's? I have a 4.6 in my 96 Grand Marquis with 175K on it. It's been really good. I did have to change the lower intake gaskets on that and while I was at it I changed the intake to the updated one with the aluminum crossover due to the poor design of the original.

Thanks

 

Thanks for the reply.

Both sound like good trucks with plenty of life left in them.

Since both are the old body style, and of similar mileage, it'd be a matter of price and overall condition in my mind.

You can get pretty good value estimates by checking Edmunds.com and KellyBlueBook (kbb.com).

Let us know what you decide.

 

Thanks Brian,

I'll probably look at the 2000 this weekend. I think it is considered a "work truck"
package. Do you know what that means? It's actually valued less at Kelley Blue Book if it has this package.

Also, do these have 8.8 rearends in them?

 

My 2000 was the base model XL "work truck".

In general:
Basic interior - cloth seats, vinyl floor mats, manual windows and mirrors.
No fancy trim outside
No fancy wheels

I bought that because that is what I wanted.

My 2005 is the same package, bought at the same dealer, who orders all the XL models with the "heavy duty" package. The one you are looking at may or may not have the HD package.

Get the VIN off the 2000 and that will allow you to get the particulars if the original door sticker is not available.

My guess is it'll have the 3.55 rear end, which is the 8.8, same as is still in use (and what my '05 has)

For your reference, and all the info you'd likely ever need:

SPECS https://www.ford-trucks.com/specs/2000_f150_1.html

OPTIONS https://www.ford-trucks.com/specs/2000_f150_2.html

 

Good links Brian, thanks. I'm the type who likes the no frills work trucks, also.
The '04 my friend has is an XLT with a bunch of options. I'd actually prefer the work style but my friend might sell me his for $7,000 so it might be too good of a price to turn down.

 

The 4.2 and 4.6 dont have a big difference in fuel milage if theres a difference at all...and the 4.6 has more power. For the record my 98 f-150 4.2 v6 4x4 5 speed has 252,054 km's on it and still running strong.

 

I have a 98 4.2/5 speed. I wish I had bought the 4.6/auto instead. Good truck, very fun to drive with the 5 speed, but I dont get better than 15/16 mpg's and with the 3.55 axle, the rpm's get up there on the hwy. Really needs a 6th gear. I have 130,000 miles on it, and not a lick of trouble, so it seems reliable. I could just use the V8/auto to make towing the boat a little easier.