Hi Guys,

I'm looking to swap out my 4.2L V6 for either the 4.6 or 5.4 V8. I like the durability and economy of the 4.6 so this is my main goal. Currently my truck is running fine, but by the time I will have it paid off, it will be around 140,000 miles.

So does anyone have a clue where I could get detailed infromation on this swap? Anyone done this before? I will be doing my homework and plan to gather parts for the next 2 years ( I'd like to pay it off before yanking the motor )or so before I tackle it. Thanks in advance!

Leo

 

BTW - I've searched on this subject and haven't found much info. I'm beginnig to wonder if anyone has everdone this swap.

 

For the work, time and money it ain't worth it.
The 4.2 is as "durable" as the V8s.

 

Well, you're right in the sense that its gonna be alot of work. I do feel that as far as durability and performance, the V8s are the way to go. I would just go the easy way and look for a similar truck with the V8, but the trade in value for my truck is not much and I really don't have the money to plunk down to cover the costs. Besides that, I like my truck and would want an identical model with the V8.

Second, I have the tools, skills and a place to do the swap. Also I have time on my side because I can have another vehicle I can use as a daily driver. And since I don't plan on doing the swap for a couple years, I will have time and money to to put toward the research and parts. My initial ideas were to buy a late model (2001 - present) wrecked F150. Hopefully an XLT, so that I could grab some interior part as well! The donor truck would have the engine, wiring harness, all of the required sensors, radiator, exhaust and computer. Oh and I'd need the guage package because of the PATS system.


I assume I can do this swap for about $3000 - $3500. But I was hoping to talk to somebody whose done it before. Heres to being a guinea pig!

 

Leo,

Everything bolts in. It is not a perticularyl difficult swap. Check this thread;
https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...hreadid=128794

The easiest part is the mechanical, pull old drivetrain install new. If you go to a Pats system you will need the entire harness. I like your idea of swapping parts from a doner truck. Pull the dash from the old and install in the new. By far the more difficult is the harness matching.

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier

 

Leo,
I am the one who did the 4.6 to 5.4 swap. It really wasn't a difficult swap. Biggest problem for me was hooking up exhaust. Since I used my old harness from the 4.6 and coil packs I did not have to change the PCM. I am having a chip custom programmed by Troyer Perormance to handle the additional cubic inches, but this was a pretty easy project.

I would do some additional research and post here with questions along the way. I had excellent support from everyone on this site. JMC and others were a tremendous help with information.

Good luck to you.

Steve

 

Thanks for the great advice guys!

I'll be hunting around the bone yards now for a late model wrecked 150. My criteria includes: V8, XLT and automatic. It shouldn't be too hard to find, especially now since we just had a huge snowstorm. Storms of this magnitude this early in the winter = a lot of wrecked vehicles.

I'm thinking that once I get the donor truck I will start a website on this and post my pics of the two trucks. This will give me something to go by when I get lost and will keep anyone whose interested up to date. And when the swap is done, there will be step by step instructions for the next guy.Thanks agian, and I'll keep you posted!

Leo

 

FWIW - I saw on one of the other F150 boards a member was selling a 5.4 with matching 4R70W tranny.

The following is an exert from his post:


As I am going to be one day toying with the idea of swapping my 4.6 for a 5.4 I emailed him. He informed me that he was wanting to get around 3.5k.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Steve

 

Hey this is great, I just bought a complete 2 wd truck from an insurance pool, I am going to take my 4.2 out of my 97 4x4 and put the 4.6 out of the 2 wd in. My question is will the trans in the 2 wd line up to the transfer case in the 4x4 and does the computer need to know if it is a 2wd or 4wd ? any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

make sure you get one with a good seat i swapped my xl 60/40 split back bench for one out of an xlt with the center armrest and split bench with lumbar. direct bolt in and worth the hour it takes. it was like driving a whole new truck.

 

What year is the doner truck?

JMC

 

I'm the one that placed the ad quoted above.

I have an 11,000 mile, 2002, 5.4 takeout. I swapped my entire powertrain for that from a Lightning.

Engine, Trans (with mild shift kit), wiring harnesses, PCM, EVERYTHING you will need to make the conversion. It is in excellent condition. I may even throw in the driveshaft for a Supercab.

E-mail me at madferraristi@msn.com

 

the donor truck is a 98 2wd 4.6 ext cab any info would still be great.