does anybody know what it would take to put a lightning 5.4 into an 01 4x4?
do i have to swap out the tranny and drive shaft, as well as the rear end?

 

You need to search this for tons of answers, but I can tell you if you swap one engine for another, thats pretty much as easy as it needs to be. Small stuff like intercooler etc is needed but really it's pretty straight forward. I'm still waiting for more $$$ and time to do mine. Gotta gather up enough parts first before whacking away at it.

 

You can chase my threads as well as Built54's (shesh been a while, maybe its built5.4) threads

Nut shell form here, built trans (be it 4r70w or 4r100), 9.75 rear axle is more ideal than the 8.8. Driveshaft will be fine, if your worried make a hoop