I don't know if anyone has already asked this question, but here it goes anyway. I followed a link on this site for the new Expedition and I was very curious on some observations in the engine pics. The first question "is that a Ford version of a cold airbox?" and the second question is they say they are using a 6-speed tranny. I spend about $100.00 a week on gas and the extra two speeds would really improve my gas mileage (I drive a lot of highway miles). I can't just trade in when they are offered in the new F150 because I have a wife, but I would be willing to spend a few thousand if it was possible to install in a 05 f150 FX4 5.4. "Does anyone believe it would work?"

https://www.f150online.com/galleries...067-157364.jpg

 

Your questions don't make a ton of sense to someone who doesn't know anything about the new expy but it looks as if they've updated the engine some. That being said, the airbox looks like a nice factory setup that allows ducted air from the fender. Seems like trickle down from the F250 PSD world. Airboxes aren't rocket science, you want upgraded cold air intake, there are some on the market now, go get your self one..

Trans: our trany does suck but not for the reasons you describe (highway gas mileage). We need more forward gears so that 1st doesn't shift at 45mph and 2nd at 80mph.. it would be way cool and would really help pulling power if there was at LEAST one extra gear in that spread, two would be GREAT. You describe a need for better gas mileage given lots of highway miles: if that is your main concern and your not going to do a lot of towing or your ok with a decreased total towing capacity, than drop to a 3.55 gearset (what gearset do you have now) or a 3.27.

 

For the airbox I just always wondered that if the Aftermarket airboxes (which seem to be simple designs) are so much better why would Ford go to so much effort to design and build something that is more restrictive and negatively effects performance.

On the Tranny, when I read the article it mentioned the extra gears being a double overdrive. I remember reading an article about the new Corvette and they implemented a double overdrive to get MPG gains. I just thought that this would be similar.

I do have 3.73 but really do not want to go to 3.55.

 

Ford designs airboxes to last 200K+ miles or better and to take a beating and not come apart, most aftermarket CAI are not as durable and probably don't need to be as often as an enthusiast is under the hood. We dink with it, we don't expect it to necessarily be as durable and we're willing to accept those differences in most cases for a couple more HP. Pick your poison.

Tranny: Our engines dont have enough torque today to stay in overdrive much on uneven ground at highway speeds. Pushing 6000lbs of a brick through the air and up a hill requires a lot of torque. A nice low light vette is a different story, hence my comment about lowering RPM for highway driving. If you live in Abiline maybe you could use a lower overdrive gear, otherwise most of the country wouldn't care.

 

People these days want their trucks to drive like a car. Lets face it, if a some guy wants a truck and his wife gets in the truck to take a test drive with him, most women don't want to hear the engine roar as it would with an aftermarket intake. Ford understands that their trucks have to appeal to multiple types of people. Also, the simple reason is that it is just not cost effective to equip a truck from the factory with a K&N intake. Not to mention that "cold air" intakes suck in all the hot air from the engine compartment and in some ways hurt performance.

 

On some postings regarding the 07s, it has been mentioned that there will be improved economy. An improved air intake system may be part of the plan. A 5 or 6 speed automatic could gain better pulling and acceleration plus better overall fuel economy, all of which the F150s need. I really doubt we see a new tranny for 07, but it could be a motivator to buy a new truck.

 

There is a new 6-speed auto in the 07 Expeditions wit the 5.4. Read it last night in the June addition of 4Wheeler magazine.

 

The link I actually read about the expy was off of the home page on this site.
https://www.f150online.com/fordnews/view.cfm?nnum=212
I only haul sheet-rock, plywood, 2x4's, etc. So I really don't do any trailer or heavy hauling.

 

Anything is possible but you are looking at buying alot of parts to make the swap. I'm thinking the following:

Transmission
Crossmember
Computer
Wiring
Driveshaft (doubt the old one will just mount up)


Good luck to you if you decide to try the swap. But I'm thinking I just might upgrade in 07 if I can get a decent trade in value on my 05.

I made a thread back in February about this.
https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=227252

 

A variant of the 5R series 5 speed automatic is supposed to make it's way to the F150, probably about the same time the small diesel and the 6.2L gas engine shows up.