2003 F150 4x4 SCab Flareside Lariat w/5.4L and auto tranny

I will only spend $1000 for the first "real" mods on my truck. I will eventually put new tires/rims so don't talk about those. I would like to upgrade the mechanical, performance, and/or aesthetic sides first. Of course, larger tires/rims will affect the performance side so maybe some suggestions.

This is what I'm thinking about: programmer, air intake, throttle body spacer, brakes? Perhaps upgrade the sound department as well? New headlights, taillights, and 3rd brake light?

I realize that $1000 won't buy much so what would y'all suggest if you only had $1000 to spend on your first modification(s)?

 

Programmer would be first on my list, never mind the spacer and intake cause they don't do a damn thing except make your engine bay prettier. Run dual exhaust with an X-pipe with no mufflers for a nice sound, spend remainer on a nice Alpine deck (just my preference).

 

Pretty good advice really from XTRFORD. With only $1000 I would say programmer, then true duals leave cats (cat back) no mufflers, is my preference, mainly for looks...wont notice much power gain! Dont waste money on air intake etc, waste of money. My real suggestion...is gears all the way. I would take gears over my programmer any day. Do on a search on here bud...this is a hot topic for many people, go to the search section and type it in...you will find anything/everything on this topic!

 

Gears are a great mod, but what are the costs to change gears compared to a whole axle swap stang 302?

 

whole axle swap, probably $500 just for the rear, plus I don't know how much a front pig goes for...

gear swap is probably a little cheaper in the long run.. you might be able to do it for $1000.

 

XTRFORD...bremen242 is about right compared to prices here in Indy where Im at. $500 or so for 4x2. And Ive looked around and can get 4x4 done for around $1000 and up to $1500 for parts/install, etc...looking at 4.56, ive got 35s, figured its the way to go!

 

Wow, what responses! Thanks y'all for the suggestions. I realize that I'd need to upgrade the gears but should I do it now before the new tires/rims? As for the pipes, I'd be concerned about getting the sound right after the engine mods. They would change the sound and I'd hate to spend the $ and not like what I've got.

 

The exhaust recomendations as mentioned above without any mufflers and true duals will make it sound good, but will probably actually decrease your power because you won't have enough back pressure. Before I put my Gibson Cat-Back on with a muffler, I drove around with the old muffler cut off and it was really loud, but also alot less powerfull. If you are looking for power out of a stock engine, than I would go with a cat back of mufflered dual setup.