F250''s

Winny,
I looked at the 4.2 diesel before buying my new 7.3 diesel but soon dismissed it as toooo... slow. With only 132 kw and 500 nm you will be disappointed especially with a 3 ton BT behind it. The only place it sold reasonably well and is still available new is South Africa - sold well mainly because they dont offer the 7.3 or the newer 6.0 or even the 2008 model 6.4 diesels now available in US.
Regards

My work truck is a 4.2 XL and I will have to disagree with the above post and I'm not to sure what you mean by slow through the gears. Whilst I haven't towed our 21 BT with the lil effie, it does tow my boat (2.5T full) with no effort whatsoever and I have tested (dragged) it against the 4.2 TD cruiser and patrol ute and it left them for dead.. Especially up hill...
I was supposed to have traded it when we bought the 7.3 to tow the BT in 2004, but could not come up with a equal or better replacement so I traded the wife's pajero instead... You can probably guess who thinks she owns the flash effie but I will never part with my lil one...

If i was buying a 4.2 litre, i would prefer an Landcruiser.

The lone Ranger, had an F-350 when people had never even seen a Dual Cab Longbed 4x4 and they used to stop at the curb and stare or point and laugh... Or point and give the thumbs up.... This was before Ford came back to Australia with the PSD.

Now they really wanted to sell us a couple in the beginning so I was one of the first to drive the 4.2. While it will pull a van better than a Landcruiser in my opinion, it does not compare with the performance of the 7.3 PSD in any way... Also, you cannot get the automatic with the 4.2.... Mind you, with a big van, if it was the 4.2 and 5 speed or nothing, I would still take it over the Landcruiser as you have the long wheelbase control over the the bigger van on the highway if something radical happens in front of you and long wheelbase control is very important at high speed. This is a serious safety advantage for vans over 20-21', and from reports the fuel economy is roughly the same.

The only over advantage, is the 4.2 is ALL non electronic..... Manual fuel injection pump, manual pressure fire diesel injectors, mechanical timing and governing, all manual gear shift... NO electronics has to be a an advantage to some peoples thinking..
Like me for instance...

All in all, I would say it is a good tow vehicle if you do not live in the city, and you want to travel with a larger van, and the bed with a canopy is KING of the Lifestyle.. In the city part time? Smaller van 18-19'? Need an automatic?? Need the prestige or showmanship of a modern wagon? Then no... But for the average Bushie sort of person it is certainly in the running as a good safe tow vehicle that anyone can work on if need be.

Regards, Ranger

I have a 4.2 lt F250 (definately not for sale though) . I think it is great, good fuel ecomony, lots of space, and outpull any 6 cyl diesel tojo, With carrying capacity, and tray size, fuel tank size and only a few kilos heavier than the tojo cant go past it. The no electronics is a real big plus and tray size on a single cab is 2.1m x 2.7m, and while i havnt pulled a 3 tonne van, dont think the BT will be a problem.
only down side, no glove box!!!! come on ford how much is a glove box???
Regards
Frank

have had the 4.2 F 250 for five years. great truck good economy. towed a 3.5 tonne yacht newcastle to airlie and back last year. No problems low geared though in first and second which is a hassle in city traffic. very good on the highway though. Have just sold and replacing with the 7.3 and automatic guess i am getting lazy.