I bought a 2000 model 5.4 with 262,000 miles. I've about decided to replace it. It does use oil and there are a couple of minor problems too.

Any thing that I should know before I start pulling it???

What's the easiest route to removal??

Any other helpful tips would be greatly appreciated too.

 

I haven't pulled the engine from a f150 but I have pulled some from cars. My suggestion is to take pictures of all the connectors, hoses, and electronics you disconnect.

 

I have done 4 removals and replacements on these trucks.
The best and easiest way is to lift the cab.
If you can't lift the cab then you can remove the hood of the truck and totally disassemble the top of the engine down to the heads and then wiggle in out.
People think lifting the cabs on these trucks is hard or a big job, but that's how ford designed them to be worked on! So everything just unplugs and unbolts and up it goes all in one piece!
Here's a pic.

 

I've seen em done with the cab on and hood pretty tight coming out but possible

 

I replaced my motor in my garage with no lift (although it probably woulda been way easier to pull the cab). Take the hood off and label EVERYTHING. Seriously everything. Put masking tape on it and use a sharpie and label every single thing you take off the motor, including screws. Like it was said before take everything off down to the heads and ease it out. Helps a lot if you have an overhead hoist and a leveler

 

Well I don't have equipment to be able to lift the cab so I'll be doing it the hard way. I have a good shop to work in but no over head lifting equipment just a regular engine lift. I'll remove the hood and everything in front of the engine and go from there.

I'll keep in mind the labeling of parts and photos.

 

There is a sub frame that is part of the cab that connects the inner fenders to the rad sopport as one big structure. So besides removing the radiator there's not much else that will help pulling the engine.

 

This thing is lulling me into a long walk...... 262,000 miles on the odometer

It's been running very well, starts right up and almost no issues. I'm starting to think I need to pull all the plugs and do a compression check. The oil pressure (dash guage) is very good. There's no way I can check on it's history so I have no idea if any work has been done on the engine or tranny. Temp has been acting weird and I think it needs a thermostat and the computer says O sensor too. No leaks of any kind anywhere. It was low on oil when I got it so it probably uses oil. I don't have enough miles yet to know for sure.

The engine bay doesn't appear to have been cleaned but it's not overly dirty either. Tranny looks like white paint on the bell housing?? I don't know if that's original or not. Tranny shifts good and as it should, no off color or smell in the oil.