I've got a 99 F150 with almost 180,000 on the clock. I'm really a Dodge guy but the truck was originally my uncle's he got it brand new. Not long after he paid it off he had an accident (not auto) and eventually died from his injurys. For some reason my Granfather decided to sell it to me for like 1/3 of KBB value naturally I coudn't pass it up not to mention the sentimental value and I think it looks real cool with the flare sides and the short bed. But with the 180,000 mark coming up pretty soon I know the drive train won't last forever so I'm curious, how much of a headache would a V8 conversion be. 97-03 F150/Expeditions are fairly common in my area so finding one in a junk yard won't be to hard but I already have one money pit project vehicale in my garage and don't really want a second especially not with what is currently my daily driver, but I would like to get a little more umph out of it and make it a bit more "Lightning Like". Does anybody have any experience with this? Ford Mecanichs?

 

Drop a Cummins 4BT in. Same engine as the 5.9 minus two cylinders making it a 3.9. Little tweaking and you can make an easy 200+ hp and 300+ lb-ft. Bolts right up to the 4.2 transmissions too. I've even seen 300 hp and 500 lb-ft. It's a completely mechanically controlled engine so you don't need a computer or any of the electronics associated with them. Little more unique than a V8 swap but can get you must as much power and even better fuel econ.

 

I would probly go with the 4bt swap