You'll be able to tow it, but the V6 will struggle and you more than likely won't like towing with it. You make get slightly worse mileage towing with the V6 compared to just getting a V8.
we use a 97 F150 v6 5spd std cab long box for a parts truck at work, it doesn't haul any trailors but hauls loads of tires/enignes etc etc.......
This truck has had the hell beat out of it in every way, and it just rolled 360,000 miles on the orig engine and trans, has had 1 rear axle rebuild and 1 clutch install, but its never towed a trailor, but has been reliable as hell
if this truck has the 5spd (mazda trans) then i would pass, the mazda trans is a good tranny but doesn't respond well to heat being al. case and metal gears being lubed with tranny fluid
ive towed my xj on a large car hauler behind a SWB v-6 f-150, it worked, but was pretty slow. you could flat tow it no problem, but for a car hauler to b e effecient, i would say a v-8 and longer wheelbase
no i remember when they had a v6 comparison in Motor trend back in 97 or whatever. Not saying that i'd rather have an S-10 4cyl, but i think the results might be the same :sonicjay:
the 4.2L V6 ones in manual tranny form are only 'rated' from 1700-3600 lbs for trailer weight depending on gear ratios and the automatics are rated for around 5K lb oke:
2.2L automatic S-10's are "rated" for 3100 lb
2.2 manuals are 1400 lb, but we all know that has been exceeded :sonicjay:
To answer the question the 97 4.2L V6 has better horsepower(not by much), but far less torque. What you want is the 300 I6 from 96 down. It has more torque than the 302 and will pull like a dream. I owned a 88 f150 2wd and it towed a 18ft boat no problem, a car trailer took a little longer to get up to speed. Lets face it, you wont be drag racing with a trailer on a tow vehicle, but it is nice to get to safe hwy speeds in a short time.
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