the way i see it is dont get a bigger motor than you need unless its a want. if you need an everyday driver so you dont have to take out the old mustang or whatever than just get a 4.2. i have a little 5.0 in my pickup for my everyday driver because this truck tends to drink some gas.



but i got to like my little 5.0 because its got all the power that i'll ever need for its use and its getting me 23mpg. plus it sounds good as hell.

you cant go wrong with any ford engine no matter what the use is.

 

Let's not forget that people buy V6 Mustangs also. Not everyone needs, or wants, a V8.

 

Usually V6 mustangs are bought buy girls.

 

my V6 pushes 36's around nicely and has pulled the might 5.4L Out of the mud a few times as Minimoster17. And it was the hole that i went though.

The motors are designed differently an create power differently.

Yes a 5.4 would be better for my needs (offroading) but not neccessary.

Id put a stock 4.2 OBS over a 4.6 OBS? Why get a 4.6? not really worth it IMHO if you want/need a v8 get the 5.4.

 

So if you had the choice to either get a 4.6 or a 4.2, both free, you'd take the 4.2?

 

With all things being equal, and every car was free, I wouldn't pick a Ford truck. So many other cars to think about if cars were free.

 

Yep! I absolutely would.

 

yes i would. Im sorry im not going to go though the PITA COPs for a slightly bigger motor.

 

Most 4.2l's are still rolling with 300k on the odo... they are about as dependable as a 7.3l PSD.

 

I'm sure both of you would feel differently if that really happened. You'd really say no just because of some COP's? Sounds like someone is a little too biased.

 

doesnt the 4.2 have a better torque curve than the 4.6? the 4.2 does a very good job for what its meant for. not to mention that it was rated as the most reliable engine in a truck since 99. the 97 and 98 4.2's were the only ones i've really done some work to. everybody is different. i am definately a v8 fan. but if i had too, i would take a 300 inline 6. i'd take the 4.2 but i like this body style much more. some people like the v8's but cant afford to keep gas in them. so what happens if you own a ranger that cant fit any plywood or drywall in the back? get a f150 with the 4.2 and damn near the same fuel mileage.
4.6 punisher- the 4.6 isnt a real bada$$ engine either. the 4.6 IMO is the cheap mans v8. no offense but thats how i feel about them.

 

.....unless you just want the maximum MPG's.

^^^
That meant to go right after my last post.

I don't think that the 4.6 is a BAMF motor either, but can be modified so much more then the 4.2, and of course has more power and torque. I originally did look at a 06 5.4 SCREW 4x4, and truly wasn't that impressed. I didn't get to do a side by side comparison, but it wasn't the tire roasting SOB engine that I had heard so much about. The longer cab and bed and 4x4 was the cause, but oh well. When I hopped in my current truck, I seriously thought it was a 5.4 when I took a test drive, since it's a short bed, short cab and 2WD. Drove the exact same and was shocked to find out that it was a 4.6.

 

This is a dumb argument. The best engine is the one in YOUR truck always..

 

I have been offered a 4.6. I work for the state when we get ride of the old trucks they put them on a bid system. Before it was placed on the bid block i was asked if i wanted it for 500 half the price of the minimum bid. However since it was a 2wd it really wasnt worth it for me. It has over 200K on the clock and is just now running into problems. IMO the truck was just as much of a dog as my 4.2.

Ive had to do work on that truck and did not enjoy one second of it. COPS were a PITA and never was happy with them.

Now onto this post. I dont find this argument stupid, and i definitely dont think the 4.2 is the best engine. Id much perfer a 5.4L out of a Lightning, or a 351, 300, or a 5.9L Cummins. Theres a few engines id much rather have than the 4.2. Honestly id love to have the 8.1L motor they have in Chevy 2500.

I do believe that the 4.2 is a EXTREMELY reliable engine, and extremely simple which helps on the trails when doing repairs.

Trimble

 

The 4.2l reminds me of a regular lawn tractor engine... it's so simple a dummy could fix it.

Which is not always a bad thing.