O.K. I have a '97 with the 4.6 with about 100,000 miles on it. I want to keep the truck for as long as possible and I really hope it holds up for at least 15 more years. I plan to get all rust removed and get an undercoating and bed-liner to increase longevity.

Although I cannot say I am disappointed with the power of the 4.6, I can say that I wish I had some more. I am planning on putting long tube headers, high flow cats, flowmasters, tuner, and a cold-air intake on the truck. I have also had suggestions for the ignition system, throttle body, etc. Of course money is the issue. What other upgrades would be worth the added power? I'm looking for more power mainly just for show, better acceleration/speed, and occasional towing.

I also plan to do a 2-3" suspension lift and put 33's on it. Maybe 34's depending on how they look. Any suggestions as far as what tire size? I will re-gear after the tires are put on.

Thank you all for your input. Anything you have to say is valued!

 

4wd or 2wd

 

4wd

 

As far as the motor it sounds like your heading in the right direction. Suspension, just turn up the torsions and stuff 33's on 10 inch wide wheels. It looks really good and no need to buy a lift kit so you save money. I have pics of the 33's on 16x10 on my truck in my album if it helps you out.

 

Looks pretty nice. I was looking at **** Cepek's mud country tires. I am hoping that they won't wear too bad due to use on the road. I know some mud tires wear down real quick on the road. I probably will save the money and just put 33's on it with no lift. Is it just me or does every '97 with stock tires look like someone intentionally put small tires on it? Haha. With that little increase in tire size I don't even think I'm too worried about re-gearing. I probably will but it won't be too much of a concern anymore.

About how much more acceleration could I expect if I upgraded to 4.10's? Would there be any noticeable difference?

 

Yeah stock tires just look so tiny, I never regeared my truck and it still runs really good but I got a edge programmer for a little help

 

You also have the 5.4L though. I have considered a swap but turned it down. I decided to work with what I have. I will probably do most upgrades i mentioned above and get a custom tune. Hopefully I'll have power comparable to at least a stock truck with the 5.4L.

 

4.6's still do pretty good, you'll be fine

 

And if not I'll just have to supercharge it. Haha...I wouldn't do that to my truck.

 

1.) Programmer (adds ~10 HP/~15 TQ)
2.) Exhaust (adds ~5-10 hp/ ?? TQ) flowmaster I hear actually make you lose low-end torque
3.) Efans (Frees up ~2-5 hp/7-10 tq)
4.) UDPs (Frees up 6-12 hp/12-15 tq)
5.) CAI (adds 7-10 hp, maybe same for TQ)

 

the bed liner is probably one of the most important things on there. my dad bought my truck new in 98 when i was 8 and put a linex liner in it. that is probably the single best mod that has been done to my truck. it is also probably the most taken for granted mod but i love it.

as for the other stuff, raptor, are those power stats for the v6? i guess it wouldnt matter much, they're probably close enough to accurate.

 

Sorry for the lack of knowledge but I do not know what a UDP or CAI is. Well I probably do but I do not recognize the initials.

 

UDP= Under Drive Pullies
CAI= Cold Air Intake

 

if your pinching pennies, do a search for gotts intake mod. Just something you might be interested in? Spend $15 instead of $300.

 

Thanks. And I'll look at the intake mod.