my question is are the older 4.2L v-6 engines from 1997 to 2004, the same as the ones in the 2006

 

i believe they are,but dont quote me on that,but they quit making them

 

Peak torque went up from 252 ft/lbs to 260 ft/lbs, but otherwise power output is the same.

 

okay what i am wondering if i can use the cold air intakes for the older one and use it on the newer one and other things like light weight pulleys and other performance parts

 

The intake system is different. Pulley's should interchange.

 

i know the intakes are somewhat different but i have found a MAS adapter that will fit mine and i figured i could use that and the rest of the cold air intake from a 1997 to 2003 to make a intake for mine the adapter is shown here Spectre Performance Ford F150 Pickup Mass Air Flow Sensor Adaptor Air Sensor Mount Kit 3 in. Dia Incl. Collar Clamp 3 Adapter Plates

 

The MAF placement on the 2004-2008 F150 is critical. Even some intakes designed for the 2004+ F150 don't get the MAF placement right and it ruins drivability. Additionally, any intake for the older truck will not be a cold air intake on the newer truck since hood seal is different and so are the intake holes in the body. Not drawing in cooler air negates the entire reason for putting in an after-market intake. Frankly you'll be better off selling the old intake on Ebay and buying a proper intake for the 2004+ F150... trying to "engineer" a kludge is going down a path you don't want to take unless you know how to normalize the MAF curves for the older intake ... is gonna end up being more costly especially if it throws the MAF reading off enough to hole a piston.