Lightning drive train advice
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From: California
Lightning drive train advice
Hi all,
I have a 1997 F250 4WD light-duty 3/4 ton. This pickup was built from '96 through '98 to replace the aging F250 Heavy Duty prior to the new Super Duty coming out. This truck uses a 7-lug wheel (yes, you read that right, a 7-lug wheel). It is basically an F150 upgraded to 3/4 ton specs and is listed in many catalogs as an "Under 8500GVW" F250. Mine has an early 5.4L Triton motor rated at 235HP and 365 lb-ft of torque. It now has just over 100K miles on it and because it has been driven hard all it's life, including towing my '95 Cobra R to the track several times a year it is painfully lacking in the power and torque department. I am considering dropping in a drive train from a '99 or later Lightning, including the tranny and intercooler setup. Since my truck is based on the F150 I am assuming that the intercooler and the other associated plumbing would present little, if any, difficulty to get into place and hooked up. One thing I need help with is the tranny mating to my transfer case. Does anyone know if the tranny used in the Lightning will bolt up to an F150 4WD transfer case? The other thing I need advice with is locating a good used Lightning drive train. I assume these things must get wrecked occasionally, so does anyone know of a wrecker that specializes in Ford pickups or Lightnings in particular?
Thanks,
Perry
I have a 1997 F250 4WD light-duty 3/4 ton. This pickup was built from '96 through '98 to replace the aging F250 Heavy Duty prior to the new Super Duty coming out. This truck uses a 7-lug wheel (yes, you read that right, a 7-lug wheel). It is basically an F150 upgraded to 3/4 ton specs and is listed in many catalogs as an "Under 8500GVW" F250. Mine has an early 5.4L Triton motor rated at 235HP and 365 lb-ft of torque. It now has just over 100K miles on it and because it has been driven hard all it's life, including towing my '95 Cobra R to the track several times a year it is painfully lacking in the power and torque department. I am considering dropping in a drive train from a '99 or later Lightning, including the tranny and intercooler setup. Since my truck is based on the F150 I am assuming that the intercooler and the other associated plumbing would present little, if any, difficulty to get into place and hooked up. One thing I need help with is the tranny mating to my transfer case. Does anyone know if the tranny used in the Lightning will bolt up to an F150 4WD transfer case? The other thing I need advice with is locating a good used Lightning drive train. I assume these things must get wrecked occasionally, so does anyone know of a wrecker that specializes in Ford pickups or Lightnings in particular?
Thanks,
Perry
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Joined: Apr 2013
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From: New Orleans, LA
Your truck has a 4R100 tranny IIRC, which is the same as a L. So you could reuse yours, the tail shafts on the tranny are different, as yours is 4X4 and Ls are 2WD. You may be able to just swap tail of the tranny if you want to install a L one.
As for the intercooler and all that good stuff, it should bolt right up if the 97-98s have the same frames as the 99-03s. If not, I wouldn't be hard to mock up. There are many people with F250s with 5.4Ls that have done the swap so even if the frames aren't the same it can be done.
Pretty sure the 97-98(Non PI) F150s had different harness so a L harness would be needed and a computer too I think.
I have done three L blower swaps on 99-03s and it's pretty straight forward, I just can comment to much on the 97-98s.
Wayne
As for the intercooler and all that good stuff, it should bolt right up if the 97-98s have the same frames as the 99-03s. If not, I wouldn't be hard to mock up. There are many people with F250s with 5.4Ls that have done the swap so even if the frames aren't the same it can be done.
Pretty sure the 97-98(Non PI) F150s had different harness so a L harness would be needed and a computer too I think.
I have done three L blower swaps on 99-03s and it's pretty straight forward, I just can comment to much on the 97-98s.
Wayne
Last edited by Z7What; May 14, 2014 at 11:00 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2013
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But! I wanted to ask you anyways,how much are you planning on getting rid of the supercharger for?
5 Year Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 6,135
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From: New Orleans, LA
