97 f150 4.2 dogs down

taz4x4150 · 10-06-2008, 04:43 PM

I have a 97 f150 4x4 4.2 v6.auto, in normal driving this thing has great low power and excellant high end for passing and 70 mph highway cruising, but it sucks for medium power as in taking off at stoplights, especially if the a/c is on. nothing I cant live with, just annoying

BroncoJoe19 · 10-06-2008, 08:00 PM

If you want to give up some of the top end and gas milage you can re-gear it for low end power and accelleration.
If you think that it is not running as well as it once was, then think abou twhen it last had a tune-up, and take it to Autozone or some other chain parts store that will pull Diagnostic Trouble Codes for free.
Then let us know what you got.

taz4x4150 · 10-06-2008, 09:54 PM

the truck has 87000 miles on it and I put about 50000 of those miles on it. it has always ran like that as long as I have had it. took it to Auto Zone-no codes,engine or transmission. recently did full tune up, plus k&n air box but no dramatic change. Ford garage says "its a 6 cylinder truck, not a race car"
but for $89.95 plus tax they can put on a diagnostic tester NOT!

BroncoJoe19 · 10-06-2008, 10:26 PM

Sorry, but I have to agree with Ford on this one.

I have a '90 bronco with a 5.0 in it. She's a beast, I've pulled down small trees, and yanked out bushes in 4x4 low at an idle, but she'll never win a race on the highway, or certainly NOT off the line.