My buddy is a mechanic, and he picked up an '04 SCAB with a bad motor a few months ago. He's putting a rebuilt 5.4 into right now then we are swapping him the title from our Excursion (he's been making payments for while...) The 5.4 is bored .030 over, which I've read conflicting opinions about as far as reliability, heating, etc. I think it'll be ok as long as we don't supercharge it or anything stupid. It'll be primarily my wife's commuter, as she is getting tired of driver her '97 f-150 regular cab, short bed w/ 4.6 and 5 speed, 4x4. Shifting after a long day at work is getting on her, and I'm not liking her driving my '13 PSD to and from work all the time. I'll likely also use the "new" truck for hunting as it has a few dings and scratches here and there. I don't like beating up my Raptor in the woods.
Planning on finding a new bed (already located one the right color 160 miles away- Dark toreador red, 6.5 bed) as the bed has some rust where someone swiped something then must have driven through a few winters with exposed, bare metal. I'll need to reupholster or replace the driver's seat. I has the common wear pattern on the edge and some of the foam is missing. It'll probably need new shocks and plan on adding a Detroit Truetrac as it has an open diff.
Kind of excited to have a new(er) rig to play with. I have too many toys and projects already, so I may get rid of some to make space. My shop will be done next week (hopefully) so I will have my lift! I'll post pics once I get some. He thinks he'll have it ready by the weekend.

 

somebody is excited.

Pics when you can!

 

I'll post pics of the truck later today... Pics of the shop when done. Contractor hasn't started yet. Should only take a couple days.

 

Stopped by my buddy's shop to check in today. He was working on the valve seals and new lifters, lapping the valves,etc. Had just gotten the gasket kit from Mahle. Coming along.
the wife got pics of the truck but hasn't sent them to me yet. Realized the truck has the overhead rail system... I really thought this was a cool feature back in the day. Wondering why it never took off?

 

A few pics

Back seat needs cleaning

 

Nice looking truck

 

Confirmed the new motor is an '06. Pretty much everything but the block and heads are brand new. Not sure if there is anything different between an '04 and '06 design wise, but as I understand it the later production 5.4 had successive upgrades. The latwr the better. Had a 2010 FX4 with the 5.4 which never let me down. Didn't compare to my 6.2 or 6.7 PSD, but reliable and a decent amount of torque.

 

Biggest upgrade that you should absolutely make sure of is that you use a Melling M360 (or M360HV) oil pump. That is the Triton's biggest weakness. OEM phasers and VCT solenoids as well, along with cast iron chain tensioners. And then drop an after-market, reliable and accurate oil pressure gauge.

 

I did confirm the use of a Melling oil pump. I'll definitely put an aftermarket oil pressure gauge somewhere... Where and what gauge to install is the consensus around here? A pillar gauge pods?

 

I asked that same question and didn't get very many responses. I, personally, use AutoMeter gauges. The easiest way to install one is to use a plate adapter at the oil filter. You can't remove the stock sending unit because it will throw a code and cause problems. I don't really care for the pillar pods myself, but they seem the easiest to mount up. I'm looking for a good dash pod unit and will mount it in the tray in the center of the dash. I'll also be installing a trans temp gauge as well.

 

No update from my buddy today. Hope that means he's working diligently on it. Planning on stopping by his shop tomorrow. Might be easier to install an aftermarket oil pressure gauge if he hasn't dropped the motor yet. Thought about headers, but I don't think there is much to be gained on the 5.4 with headers and no blower.

 

I looked at headers as well but like you said, there's not much to gain without forced induction.

I didn't get a chance to call my mechanic today either. Hopefully he was able to get moving on my engine install as well. I too have a 04 getting a remanufactured 5.4 3V installed. Thr passenger side catalytic converter (forward one) is pretty plugged so I think I'll be replacing the cats and doing a cat back exhaust system on it as well.

 

5.4 can sound pretty good with the right exhaust. I'm partial to Magnaflow or Dynomax race magnums.

 

Stopped by the shop earlier. He is almost done assembling the top end. He assured me the truck will be done by end of Saturday.

 

Well, buddy got busy and hasn't made much progress. Stopped in today and only one head is installed. The other is assembled and awaiting install. Now he thinks Monday to drop the motor. Got some pics of the motor...