Looking for more power! F150?

[kck6894]

ok. So I'm a bit of a Ford fan


BUT!!!

Sell your truck. Buy something else. The 4.2's in those trucks were HORRIBLE engines!!

They didn't live well in stock form and if it does go out you're going to just scrap the truck.

So save yourself some time, money and headaches and sell it..............even if that means you're going to buy a Chevy 

[Skillet]

Resist the temptation to mod this truck.  It is what it is - a form of inexpensive, reliable transportation.  Anything you do to it beyond a religious maintenance schedule is going to reduce its reliability and economy.  If there's nothing wrong with it at all as is, don't go spending money making trouble for yourself with this rig.
 

[Crunchy]

You will be throwing money away trying to get more performance out of that V6.  Spend your money wisely, get a good tune up, go through everything, and put some really good tread on that thing since its only 2 wheel drive.

[Mudman]

Sell.  Sorry Smossy but it is waste of money to mod it.  You will spend $ and get little to no HP and create problems.  Stock is best for that truck.  Get your Chev or Ram.

[Blacktail Sniper]

You mentioned possibly putting a locker in the rear.  Can't offer any helpful comments about engine upgrades, but do you know what the ratio of the current rear is?

Depending on your budget, maybe consider dropping down to a lower ratio to better take advantage of what power you do have?  If the ratio is a fairly high one for hiway driving and max mileage, a lower ratio will make it feel more snappy at lower speeds like you experience driving in the woods.

The trade off is if you go too low, it won't be fun to drive at highway speeds as the motor will be running at higher RPM's, and mileage will go down. 

Usually can meet in the middle with a ratio that helps out at the lower speeds, and your tranny's overdrive helps out on the top end.

[jackelope]

I've owned numerous 4x4's over my life time and for good reasons.  That said, my 02 Ford 4x4 SuperCrew is to date the Worse 4x4 I've ever owned.

Ford's better "idea" was to make them so you have to take them back to a dealer for, what used to be simple maintenance you could do in your back yard.

But that is true of all of them now.

My best 4x4's were  a 73 and 75(thats 1973)Chev 3/4 ton 4x4.   My rig at present that I use in the hills, 92 Jeep.

I don't think you'll get much "power" increase out of a 4.2 unless you have a "mechanic" to rebuild it and find a place that sell 110 octane gas. 

Curious to know what maintenance on a 2002 F150 you can't do yourself due to Ford's engineering?

[Happy Gilmore]

My 1998 shortbed 4.2L V-6 regular cab was an excellent machine off road. Engine sits well behind the front axle and weight distribution with a canopy made it a really good machine off road. I just had 235's on it so, no mud holes but, it would climb all the sharp rocky and slicked up roads in the hills around e-burg and cle elum like crazy.

That being said, want more power you are 10X better off getting an older F-150 with a 302 or a 351 and slap headers and a four barrel carb on it. You won't find much in the way of performance for a 4.2L. Spending money on a few HP here and there is a waste. If you're on gravel and back roads, what do you need more power for anyways? putting around with a silent little V-6 not making a bunch of noise isn't a bad thing.

[dog]

I have a 2000 F150 with the 4.2 and it has been a really good truck. I have only changed the brakes, tires and alternator. That’s it, not bad for a 17 year old truck. It’s not a hot rod but is does everything I need it to do including pulling a 20’ boat easily while getting almost 20mpg hwy. If you want a hot rod buy one, but if you want a good truck to do what trucks are made for buy Ford.

[JDHasty]

Resist the temptation to mod this truck.  It is what it is - a form of inexpensive, reliable transportation.  Anything you do to it beyond a religious maintenance schedule is going to reduce its reliability and economy.  If there's nothing wrong with it at all as is, don't go spending money making trouble for yourself with this rig.
 

You may be able to find a limited slip rear axle assy out of an FX4 and put new clutches in it and brakes on it and other than that I wouldn't mess with it. 

[follow maggie]

That rig is meant for taking a guy to work with his tools and going to the dump.  Thee isn't any real power to get out of it. If you're set on having more power, you're money & hassle ahead getting a new truck

[Smossy]

I'll just sell it lol. I had a feeling it was going to lean towards that anyhow. I got it cheap enough to where I think I could pebbly even turn a profit. Thanks everyone.

[Smossy]

Any recommendations on what truck to go after? Not really looking into anything new or expensive. Maybe 10k tops for now.

[Mudman]

1998-2008 cummins if ya find one.  Manual better.  Or maybe a Ranger or Tacoma?  2000+ Chev ext cab 4x4 4.8l or 5.3l?  HEMI RAM?

[syoungs]

I'd look for a Chevy 1500 with the 5.3 engine, and 4x4. Seems like I see good deals on them, and they are solid trucks (this coming from a Ford nut)

I'd be careful with a diesel, they can get expensive, really fast.

[Timberstalker]

Mudman hit it. Tacoma or a Cummins.