F150 Towing Capacity

anyone know the towing capacity of a 99 f150 6cyl????
thanks~:bw:

Originally posted by 86pushrod
anyone know the towing capacity of a 99 f150 6cyl????
thanks~:bw:


I don't know an exact figure but it should be about the same as the F150 with a 4.6...those 4.2's have some balls, they're only about 10hp/10lbft less than the 4.6.

really? :lol:

Here ya go:
http://www.panpacificrv.com/towspec1999.html

thanks buddy!

how in the hell is a dinky ranger gunna have a 600-200 lbs advatage in its capacity with a smaller motor over a half ton truck...
the ranger cant be THAT much lighter.........

Originally posted by 86pushrod
really? :lol:

Yes, Really! :rofl: I've driven a 4.2 F150, they're pretty sweet...and they STILL get better mileage than my Jeep! :rofl:

Originally posted by 86pushrod
how in the hell is a dinky ranger gunna have a 600-200 lbs advatage in its capacity with a smaller motor over a half ton truck...
the ranger cant be THAT much lighter.........

The new Ranger 4.0 is a SOHC motor...not sure what year they started it, but they're supposed to have a lot of power. Also, when you figure in how much smaller the Ranger really is, it weighs quite a bit less.....

Ummmmmm somethin's got to be wrong with those figures...The F150 4x4 with a 5.4 is rated to tow 400lbs LESS than the 4.6? :confused:

Truthfully though, the 4.2 isn't going to tow much different than the 4.6. It would surprise me if they're as different as those ratings say, I've driven both trucks.

i was just checking to make sure it wouldnt hurt itself with my trailer and car onboard.

Why did Ford go with a V6 in the F-series from '97-up anyway? Just for the sake of having a V6 like everybody else? I would've felt better if they had instead designed a new, modern I6 to replace the outdated 300. I like the 300, but I could see that it was starting to show it's age. Did they go to a V6 to give the 6-cylinder F-150 more top end power? I mean, look at what GM did in building the 4200 Vortec.

You can also get some kick ass stuff for the 4.0 Rangers :D

Originally posted by Patriot1776
Why did Ford go with a V6 in the F-series from '97-up anyway? Just for the sake of having a V6 like everybody else? I would've felt better if they had instead designed a new, modern I6 to replace the outdated 300. I like the 300, but I could see that it was starting to show it's age. Did they go to a V6 to give the 6-cylinder F-150 more top end power? I mean, look at what GM did in building the 4200 Vortec.

Have you looked under the hood of a 97+ F150? The nose on those trucks isn't as long as the ones before, the engine sits back farther in relation to the back of the hood. No frickin way could they fit an I6 in there, but even if they could, the 300 was HORRIBLE on gas (don't ask Evil about that though...he'll lie and tell you he gets 25mpg with his...). The 300 I6 typically does worse on gas than a 5.0 truck. Yes, I6 engines typically make better torque than v6's, but judging by the '98 V6 F150 that belongs to a guy I work with, that motor has PLENTY of torque. It's a great engine, and he's got over 170k on his. Runs great. Pretty much all they did was stroke the Mustang 3.8, but they picked a winner. The 97's had intake gasket problems (causing the engine to blow...they got recalled....) but 98+ are solid engines, and there's at least one guy that's running low 15's in his F150 V6 all throttle.

Does the 4.2L V6 retain the OHV valvetrain as the 3.8L Vulcan engine? Or is it SOHC?

Originally posted by Patriot1776
Why did Ford go with a V6 in the F-series from '97-up anyway? Just for the sake of having a V6 like everybody else? I would've felt better if they had instead designed a new, modern I6 to replace the outdated 300. I like the 300, but I could see that it was starting to show it's age. Did they go to a V6 to give the 6-cylinder F-150 more top end power? I mean, look at what GM did in building the 4200 Vortec.


I think the 4.2 is a good idea, but they should Turbo it. It wouldn't really cost them that much more to slap a 5psi turbo on there would it ? Then torque would be up, and it would be a good hauler.

Originally posted by Patriot1776
Does the 4.2L V6 retain the OHV valvetrain as the 3.8L Vulcan engine? Or is it SOHC?


It's pushrod.


Originally posted by Tang
I think the 4.2 is a good idea, but they should Turbo it. It wouldn't really cost them that much more to slap a 5psi turbo on there would it ? Then torque would be up, and it would be a good hauler.

Nah, if they did it would not only blow the 4.6 out of the water, but it would have more power than the 5.4. What's the point in putting V8's in trucks if a turbo 6 with PUSHRODS is going to have more power AND probably do better on gas? It would be a bad business move.

And in a few years the junkyard scroungers would have another source of cheap turbos...

Does the new F-150 still have this engine as the base engine (the 4.2L)?

Originally posted by Patriot1776
Does the new F-150 still have this engine as the base engine (the 4.2L)?


No, you can't get a V6 in the new style. They've still got some of the old style they're stamping '04's, you can get the V6 and a manual transmission in those, but you can't get either a V6 or a stick in the new style truck for '04. They'll probably bring out a V6 and a manual trans for '05, but all the '04's are auto's with either a 4.6 or 5.4.

I'm not sure if they've said what V6 they're going to put in the new ones, but it wouldn't surprise me if they put the Ranger's SOHC 4.0 in it. Ford's going hog wild with OHC engines, so I figure they'll probably put SOHC V6's in both the new F150 and Mustang.

those 04's are so nice!,... i bet half the gm biased members on this site would get one if they wern't so pricey:lol:
buddy just got a new tundra,.. spun a bearing pulling his trailer w/ a 3400lbs cobra on it.... only reason i started this topic.
guy has a 99 up here for sale w/ an auto for 4500,.. think i could get it for 3900...only thing that scares me is the 130,000 k on the clock.
can't find a descent truck up here ...... impossible :fubar:

Originally posted by 86pushrod
those 04's are so nice!,... i bet half the gm biased members on this site would get one if they wern't so pricey:lol:
buddy just got a new tundra,.. spun a bearing pulling his trailer w/ a 3400lbs cobra on it.... only reason i started this topic.
guy has a 99 up here for sale w/ an auto for 4500,.. think i could get it for 3900...only thing that scares me is the 130,000 k on the clock.
can't find a descent truck up here ...... impossible :fubar:

under 4 grand for a 99?!?!?!? BUY IT!!!!!!! My gosh dude, my HEEP cost me 4200 last year, and it's a 99, and HEEPS aren't worth anything close to a fullsize truck....

As for the '04's, I've looked in the window of a few, those things are SWEEEEEEEET! Man, they're so nice I wouldn't buy one because I KNOW I'd beat the crap out of it with work.....

Oh as for the 130k on that truck, I wouldn't worry too much about it, because even if you replace the engine you've still got a pretty good deal if it's in good shape. The guy I work with has 170k+ on his '98 ext. cab 5spd, and he loads that bed full of shingles from time to time. That 4.2 will pull strong, but I don't think I'd want to tow often with it.....

Originally posted by 86pushrod
i was just checking to make sure it wouldnt hurt itself with my trailer and car onboard.

If my pile of crap 3.9 Dodge could pull a Mustang, the 4.2 shouldn't have a problem in the world

Originally posted by DeckSetter
Oh as for the 130k on that truck, I wouldn't worry too much about it, because even if you replace the engine you've still got a pretty good deal if it's in good shape. The guy I work with has 170k+ on his '98 ext. cab 5spd, and he loads that bed full of shingles from time to time. That 4.2 will pull strong, but I don't think I'd want to tow often with it.....

Shingles can get heavy. Around 270lbs per square. We had 6 square in the bed of my dad's '91 F-250, first and only time I ever seen the springs drop a little...lol

Originally posted by Tang
Shingles can get heavy. Around 270lbs per square. We had 6 square in the bed of my dad's '91 F-250, first and only time I ever seen the springs drop a little...lol


Dang right they can get heavy!!! That thing was squattin BAD. They were overflowing out of the truck bed. They were the 30 year dimensionals, too.....the BIG daddys!!

arn't towing capability's also based on the trucks stopping power and size.???

Originally posted by 86pushrod
arn't towing capability's also based on the trucks stopping power and size.???

Should be, I'd think so.

Originally posted by DeckSetter
Oh as for the 130k on that truck, I wouldn't worry too much about it, because even if you replace the engine you've still got a pretty good deal if it's in good shape. The guy I work with has 170k+ on his '98 ext. cab 5spd, and he loads that bed full of shingles from time to time. That 4.2 will pull strong, but I don't think I'd want to tow often with it.....

We have a 3/4ton ford Extended Econoline van with a 4.2ltr... last I checked it was over 200K on the clock, and has had the cats replaced, and thats it.... and it hauls tons of stuff, little worked but still works very well... 130K isn't bad... pretty good buy.

Welcome back Jimmy !

130K is nothing I'd be concerned with. The 5.4 is a different thing when it comes to working, but with all the work I've put one through without issue, I'd think the 4.6 would last well and while I don't like the 4.2L V6, I'm sure it will last too.

There are no V6 models for '04, but I read somewhere, Ford will use the 4.2L V6 next year, once they make the appropriate changes so it fits correctly into the new truck. I'm not sure what didn't fit about the V6, but that's what I was told. I didn't even ask about the available trannies, but the 4spd auto is good by me. I like the truck a whole bunch, but I still prefer the larger models. One thing I see now is, I'd like an F-150 over a Ranger now. Until this model, I didn't see enough reason to buy a 1/2 ton pick up.

jmy - where ya been?!? Welcome back buddy!!

Originally posted by Grape Ape
130K is nothing I'd be concerned with. The 5.4 is a different thing when it comes to working, but with all the work I've put one through without issue, I'd think the 4.6 would last well and while I don't like the 4.2L V6, I'm sure it will last too.

There are no V6 models for '04, but I read somewhere, Ford will use the 4.2L V6 next year, once they make the appropriate changes so it fits correctly into the new truck. I'm not sure what didn't fit about the V6, but that's what I was told. I didn't even ask about the available trannies, but the 4spd auto is good by me. I like the truck a whole bunch, but I still prefer the larger models. One thing I see now is, I'd like an F-150 over a Ranger now. Until this model, I didn't see enough reason to buy a 1/2 ton pick up.


I don't think I could get along with a small truck, I'd have to have at least a 1/2 ton. I'd get along a lot better with at least a 3/4 though. I need to haul lumber from time to time, and you just can't do that in a small pickup. I don't think the bed's wide enough to haul any drywall, and if OSB even fits it would have to be on top of the wheelwells and tailgate. Either way, you put 4 sheets of either one in there and it would SQUAT. With a fullsize, it'll lay right down in between the wheelwells and it's a lot easier on the suspension / engine.

With the price difference between a Ranger and an F-150, you could do the best thing for hauling and invest in a trailer. ;) The new F-150 is a superior pick up though, if it could handle the work I need it for.

Squat with only 4 sheets of drywall? Nahhhhhhhhhhhh..... I hauled 60 sheets of drywall, 13 rolls of R-19 insulation, various lumber, 5 buckets of "mud" for my brother some time back... Think that would make a 1/2 ton squat? :lol: Trailers are worth using.

Originally posted by Grape Ape
With the price difference between a Ranger and an F-150, you could do the best thing for hauling and invest in a trailer. ;) The new F-150 is a superior pick up though, if it could handle the work I need it for.

Squat with only 4 sheets of drywall? Nahhhhhhhhhhhh..... I hauled 60 sheets of drywall, 13 rolls of R-19 insulation, various lumber, 5 buckets of "mud" for my brother some time back... Think that would make a 1/2 ton squat? :lol: Trailers are worth using.

4 sheets would make a SMALL truck (ranger / s-10) squat. I thought that was what I said, but anyway that's what I meant...

You can haul quite a bit in a half ton. Have you heard of the F150 7700? It's a 7700lb GVWR truck. It's litterally more of a heavy duty truck than the F250's they built in the newer body style in 97/98. It's even a 7 lug.

I agree, a trailer is a GREAT idea. I'm going to try to buy one next year (after I put a hitch on my Heep...) because I can't fit anything decent size in my Jeep. I was about ready to try to trade off my Jeep, but then I realized that any truck I could get wouldn't have enough sheltered storage area for my tools / compressor / guitar / whatever. PLUS, they're waaaaay more expensive. I can get a 5000lb hitch (what my Heep is rated to tow) for about $100 and a trailer for a few hundred more (should be able to find one for under 1000 without too much trouble). I'll have the best of both worlds.

I took 1/2 ton at "face value" really. I saw you might mean either way, but the Ranger and S-10 are basically 1/2 ton trucks too. I guess some people call them 1/4 ton though.

7700? Until this new model, I thought Ford offered a max. 7900 GVWR on the F-150. The standard duty F-250 like I drive(not offered after 1999) is rated at 8900 and is also a 7 lug axle. I haven't seen a 7 lug F-150. Didn't know they made any like that. I have seen 6 lug versions though.

Six lug? I'll have to pay more attention. I do know they made an F-250 LD (light duty) in the same body style as the 97-2003 F-150. I "believe" they were 7 lug. I think they were only built 97-2000 or 2001 or something. I know they dropped them by 2002, as most anyone wanting an F-250 went with the super duty.

I was told '99 was the last year for the standard duty F-250. That's what I drive. I planned to upgrade to a SD myself, but then needed the larger truck. They might've dropped it for several reasons, but I'm glad they did. The SD looks better, it's stronger, it's larger, tows more... It's just alot more truck. Besides, they sell so many F-150's, it's prolly easier for them to use the SD body for the 250-550 and not have to use any 150 bodies for the 250. I like the 99 I drive plenty, but I borrow an F-350 from time to time and the 250 is just not comparable for towing.

Grape, you need a new F-350 dually with the 6.0 and that new automatic they have. Slap on a bigger down pipe, 4" exhaust and a power programmer. Then you should be hauling about whatever you want to, without the truck even knowing its there :)

http://catused.cat.com/images/vendor/150150/equipment/31092/31092-1-L.jpg
Won't tow that plus a load of dirt or "battered" trees though! :crying: :btg: That's what the L9000 is for now.
but at $2800 an. insurance, I won't br getting the pickup I really want... Basically, the new F-250 Harley...

Originally posted by Tang
Grape, you need a new F-350 dually with the 6.0 and that new automatic they have. Slap on a bigger down pipe, 4" exhaust and a power programmer. Then you should be hauling about whatever you want to, without the truck even knowing its there :)

The girlfriend's brother has one of them. Seems to be a pretty cool truck. He pretty much ran his F-250 till the engine puked. He still keeps it around, but he doesn't drive it much anymore.

,,,