Performance Air Intake For Ford F-150 (1997-2003) with 4.2L V6 Engine Black Red

Restore Throttle Response and Low-End Grunt on Your Essex V6 F-150

Who It’s For: Designed specifically for 1997-2003 Ford F-150 owners running the 4.2L Essex V6 engine who need more efficiency out of their work truck or daily driver.

The Problem: The factory airbox on the Essex V6 was engineered for silence, not flow. Between the restrictive plastic resonators and the narrow intake snorkel, the engine has to work harder just to breathe. This leads to sluggish off-the-line performance and increased heat soak, especially when you’re hauling a load or climbing a grade.

The Solution: We engineered this intake system to bypass the factory bottlenecks, replacing the baffled plastic tubing with a high-flow mandrel-bent pipe and a low-restriction cotton-media filter. By smoothing out the intake path, we allow the Essex V6 to pull in a higher volume of oxygen, correcting the factory design flaws and improving overall volumetric efficiency.

Why This is the Ultimate Upgrade

• Enhanced Torque Curve: By reducing intake vacuum restriction, your V6 achieves peak torque earlier in the RPM range, making towing and merging much more manageable.
• Thermal Management: The open-element design and high-velocity piping help mitigate the heat soak issues common with the stock enclosed plastic boxes during long summer hauls.
• Maintenance-Free Performance: Features a washable, reusable oiled-cotton filter. Stop buying disposable paper filters every 15,000 miles and simply clean and re-oil this unit for the life of the truck.

Technical Specifications

Compatibility & OEM Reference

Fits the Following Vehicles:

• 1997 Ford F-150 (XL, XLT, Base) 4.2L V6
• 1998 Ford F-150 (XL, XLT, Base) 4.2L V6
• 1999 Ford F-150 (XL, XLT, Base, Austera) 4.2L V6
• 2000 Ford F-150 (XL, XLT, Base, Austera) 4.2L V6
• 2001 Ford F-150 (XL, XLT, Base, Austera) 4.2L V6
• 2002 Ford F-150 (XL, XLT, Base, Austera) 4.2L V6
• 2003 Ford F-150 (XL, XLT, Base, Austera) 4.2L V6
• Compatible with Standard Cab, Extended Cab, and Crew Cab configurations

Interchange Part Numbers:

4.2L, 256 cu. in. OHV, F150-9703-V6-BR, Essex-V6-Cold-Air

The Performance Promise

Buy with confidence. As specialists in 10th-generation F-Series trucks, we know exactly what it takes to keep these engines running strong. Every kit includes the hardware needed for a true bolt-on experience. Pro Tip: Always disconnect your battery for 30 minutes post-install to allow the long-term fuel trims to reset for the new airflow volume.