Anyone know when Ford switched the crank in the Lightning from Forged steel to Cast. I know that 99's have a very nice forged steel crank and 01's appear to have a cast crank. Would any other Ford vehicle have the same forged steel crank as the 99 Lightning.

 

My 00 has a steel crank in it and when I tried to order a new crank for the rebuild, they sent a casting. It took a little effort to get the forging and it was waaaay more expensive.

To answer your question, I don't know when or if they changed to a casting, I just know that there standard crank part number is not for the forging and trying to get the number was a pain.
Dale

 

I have never heard of the Lightning coming with a cast crank, but I knew some N/A 5.4’s got them.

 

uh oh...i thought all years had forged cranks already?

 

HI!... I have many buddy's that work at the engine plant here in WINDSOR. They have always told me that ALL 5.4's come with a FORGED STEEL CRANK. It was the 4.6's (2-VALVE) that got the cast cranks. Here's a pic of a FORGED STEEL stock crank out of my "98" 5.4 crate engine.

https://www.f150online.com/galleries...4-794-6970.jpg

 

I spoke with SVT the other day...I want name names although I could. One individual told me the Lightning long block was specific to the Lightning. The next day I call back and another guy told me the reason they can keep these trucks within the price range was due to the long blocks being generic to the 5.4.....

I have never seen any claims of cast cranks.....

However I can tell you I never had any problems with two 99's I own and the 01 has been nothing but a pain in the butt. Hard to say unless you look. Just take Ford's word for it...I used too.