Hi everyone. I currently have a 2000 f150 extended cab flare side 2wd with the 4.6 in it. It Broke down on me this past weekend and it's not looking to good according to my mechanic. This past year I bought a 1999 Eddie Bauer edition 4x4 expedition with the 5.4 in it. I've asked about doing the swap but I was wanting to do more now that I'm pretty sure my transfer case and my tranny are gone in my f150. My dad and I are wanting to convert the truck to four wheel drive. I know that's crazy and everyone is going to say buy a new truck but that's not feasible with college in two months. Is it possible to get a donor truck and use the expedition 5.4 and tranny and concert my truck to 4x4?
I've read about the SAS but I don't want that outrageous amounts of lift on my daily driver. I could live with 6 inch and 35s but that's really my limit and I haven't seen a SAS with this specs. Any feedback would be great and I really appreciate you all taking the time to read my post.
-Ty

 

You don't have a transfer case on your current truck, only a transmission.

If you aren't going to sas, the only real feasible way to convert to 4x4 would be get a donor truck, and swap your body onto it's frame. The front suspension is pretty different between the 4x4 and 4x2's in the 97-03 range, so you'd be doing a whole lot of custom work to move all of the suspension components over.

As for the motor swap, that's a lot more feasible thing to do.

 

It is a major undertaking you won't do in 2 months.
The drive line is all different, you would need the complete control system, dash, lines solenoids, harnesses etc.
With the years involved, it would requires Pats reprogramming and a host of issues to solve.
Better to find out what's wrong with your truck, then decide what to do.
Good luck.

 

is it possible to do a SAS with only about 6 inches of lift?

 

It'd take a lot of planning, but it could be done. You'd just have to make sure everythings planned out to allow clearance for all the bigger components as well as the wheels and tires when you make turns. Generally the smallest I've seen on these trucks is around 8". Still not something that's going to get done in 2 months though without rushing the work some, and cost wise, you'll be in probably more than what selling your truck for scrap and buying a 4x4 would be.

 

I just put a new motor in my '97 F150 4X4 Off Road. I did a a straight across swap so nothing had to be changed, so this doesn't really relate to your question, just giving some info.... I went with a Jasper complete engine. I had it installed by a shop. With a new radiator, water pump, and several other things to insure nothing could go wrong, just under $9000 out the door. I had 218000 on the old engine when it started spitting oil. I have a 4.6 and the new engine runs just like I remember the truck running the day I bought it in Sept. of '96. My truck was in the shop for 5 days.

 

I know this will derail the thread, but you put $9,000 into a 97 F150 with almost a quarter million miles on it? Why didn't you just buy a different truck?

 

$9k is rather steep. But if the rest of the truck has been well maintained, why not. At least he knows what he's working with, because he's the original owner.

On the other hand, if I was even the second owner of the truck, that would be a different story and had questions about the rest of the truck. That $9k plus the truck would be going in for a trade quick.

On the contrary, would I spend $9k on my '07 for an engine and the parts replacements? It would be a tough decision. I kind of like my truck. I guess when it gets to that point I'd have to look at it in multiple questions, like -- How is the body? How does the frame look? Will I need to replace all the suspension related components very soon, etc, etc?

 

x2.

 

I had the front end rebuilt last year, along with new A/C, so that was $2,000.
The tranny has always been maintained as I pull a horse trailer and I have air ride suspension. I also have electrical set up in my bed for my camper. The inside has been customized to suit me and my wife, I have customized the outside as well. We have owned this '97 since Sept. of '96. It had 3 miles on the odometer when we bought it. Think of it this way, Why would someone own a '56 F100 when they could own a new one? I also own a '64 1/2 Mustang. If I were to put that $9000 into a newer truck, with monthly payments, I could afford to purchase a 2010 with 75,000 miles on it that would last me 10 years if I am lucky. Then, I would have to add air ride, lights, electrical for trailer and camper, and I don't know what is wrong with it. My truck has no monthly payments, will last me another 15 to 20 years if I am lucky and I know what I have. Trust me. I did my research. Yes $ 9000 is a little steep, but when you don't have the space to replace a motor, the time, or the tools, you do what you gotta do. But that price was not just "a motor" it included a radiator, hoses, coolant, sparkplug wires, air filter, oil filter, labor to install, etc, etc.... So since I have used the same mechanic for the past 8 years for the things I can't do, I don't think he ripped me off. He has done a lot of things for me that I think he has given me a discounted price, or he even does things for me and doesn't charge me, because it was something quick and easy.