has anyone ever heard, done or know anything about changing a 4.2L to a V8? I have a 2001 reg cab 4x4 with a 4.2 and an automatic, so sluggish. Just wondering how involved it would be to maybe upgrade to a 4.6. From what ive heard it sounds like ford uses the same 2 auto transmisions for all the engines, so maybe it would be a drop in instalation. Not sure if the motor mounts are the same, i dunno, just want to hear what people have to say about it. thanks

 

It can be done... just make sure you grab the ECU from the other engine... as long as the engine and ecu comes from the same type of tranny it shouldn't be a problem. As far as the motor mounts, they might bolt on to a different hole in the frame. The only other thing that might need to be done would be some exhaust work.

But it will take a couple weeks, and is not an easy weekend project that's for sure.

 

I would only do it ifthe truck is paid for and you plan to keep it. Just know that when you change things like that the resale goes way down.

I would just sell or trade it for a truck with a V-8.



Goog luck,
Bob

 

The 4.2L shares the bell pattern for the tranny with the 300/302/351w, but not the 4.6L/5.4L/6.8L modular pattern.

So if you want those you need a tranny as well.

Adrianspeeder

 

If you're just going to jump to a 4.6... odds are the cost will far outweigh the benefits. When it is all said and done, it would probably be a LOT easier and cheaper to just sell it and start with the right truck

 

I know I should just get a truck witht the V8 in it already, but truth is i have the truck i want and i plan on keeping it for a while. and down the road if the motor kicks out or gets tired just wondering whats involved im making that conversion. thanks for the replies guys.

 

buy a 4.6 3v out of a new GT's theres lots of them on ebay for about 4500 uncludes motor and manual transmission

 

The tranny from a GT is a 4x2 tranny. It will not bolt up to the t-case.

Unfortunately your 4.2 tranny will not bolt up to the V8, was stated it doesn't have the correct bolt pattern. Go find a 5.4 and a 4R70W 4x4 tranny from a bone yard. You will also need the PCM and engine / tranny harnesses. A 1999 + combo will be your best bet. Your 01 has PATS and so do the 99+ 5.4s. You will have to reprogram the PCM to match the instrument cluster in the truck. The exhaust will need to be tweeked to fit the V8.

JMC