Engine and transmission swaps

BRIAN STRAIGHT

MEMBER
2003 FORD F-150
5.4L
V8
4WD
AUTOMATIC
164,000 MILES

I own three F-150's with the same 5.4 v8 (believe).

I have an 2003 F-150 XLT Lariat 5.4 v8.
I also have (two) 2004 F-150's with 5.4 v8 engines.
One is an XLT with a bad transmission the other is the XLT Lariat with a bad engine.
I want to put the engine from the 2003 lariat into the 2004 F-150 XLT Lariat. Can this be done?
Also, I want to put the transmission from the 2003 XLT Lariat into my 2004 XLT, can this be done?
This way I could have two operational trucks.

1 Reply

STEVE W.

MECHANIC
13,414 POSTS

Ford made a lot of changes between 2003 and 2004. You would need to verify which engine and transmission each truck actually has. For instance the 5.4 in the 2003 should be a late two valve engine while the 2004 could have either a two valve or the "new" Triton three valve. Those use different control systems so are not a bolt in swap. Same is true for the transmissions. The 2003 should have a 4R70W in it while the 2004 is probably the newer 4R75W, again the electronics are different enough that they are not a direct swap.

You should be able to easily swap the good 2004 engine into the 2004 Lariat. However, I would do any possible maintenance on it before you bolt it in.