So my 99 F250 with the 5.4 has 195K miles. I know these motors are known to last a lot longer than that, but I am just in the brainstorming phase of what I want to do with this truck. Before I start I want it to be known that I absolutely love this truck. It has a leveling kit and 35" tires, cat-back exhaust, superchips programmer, and a K&N air filter. Other than that it is stock. I just bought a 20' trailer which I won't be towing more than 10-15 times per year at most, but I would like a lot more power. I am contemplating between buying a new truck with either the v-10 or diesel (let's not get into that battle, I will cross that bridge when I get to it), or keep my truck and put 4.56 gears in it, and think about swapping the motor later on. The first step I will do is the gears just to see how much it helps, but once I go down that path I might as well stay on it and keep the truck and think about a motor swap. Ideally I would want to put in a later 3valve motor with a supercharger, and an upgraded tranny (not sure of the newest one, but the 5r110 is a lot better than my 4r100 from what I hear). So if I get a new truck then I really don't need a whole lot of advice, but If I do keep it, what are some good websites that sell these motors/trannys? would a 3valve 5.4 be a direct swap for my 2valve 5.4?
Another idea that popped in my head is the new 6.2L...now that would be a sweet swap. What do you guys think?

 

how much does the trailer weigh? i'd give a gear change a try. i think thats all you'll need.

 

im in the same shoes as you basically. although im not as close to 200k miles as you, i live in the rust belt, and i plow with my truck. not sure where you live but that would be the deal breaker for me. i think by the time you invest time and the money for a 6.2 you shoulda just bought the new truck..also with the 6.2 you will need the new 6speed trans...im guess 10-12k for that setup. a cummins swap would be an easier and cheaper setup in my eyes. start with the gears see how you like that...otherwise id getta v10. diesels suck in my eyes unless youve got money to pay out all of the time, which i dont. maintenance alone steers me away. hope this helped

edit: even a 3valve swap will include total drivetrain swapping! 5r110, 3valve motor, pcm, gas pedal. tons and tons of work

 

Trailer weighs 3200 empty. Right now I am thinking of doing the gear change and riding it out a while longer until I can decide...or until I am forced to decide. I am sure I will be much more satisfied once i put the 4.56's in it. Maybe i will see what the towing capacity is on the Raptor, since it will have the 6.2 in 2011...

 

I don't know your budget but a supercharged 5.4 4V would be huge improvement. 540hp and 530Tq. and 700hp and 700Tq is do-able. It would cheaper then a whole new truck.

 

Mobeydick, is that a crate motor you are talking about or just rough number of a possible build-up? Either way, where are your sources? I am looking online to find a place to either build up a motor or find a crate motor. If I do a motor swap I would want to go all out with a supercharger. Thanks guys

 

You can get the GT500 Crate motor from FRPP for about $16,000 or from some other places for about $15,000.

Ford Racing Performance Parts [Crate Engines]

 

A 3V engine and 5R110W fit, but you'd need to also retrofit the PCM and all associated wiring to make it all work.

I would stay with the 2V engine and 4R100. Your transmission can be rebuilt to make it bulletproof, or replaced with a modified rebuild from quite a few companies. One I read about warranties the transmission for 500k miles, regardless of what you put in front of it.

As for your engine, a supercharger, new cams, PCM tweaks, The sky (and your wallet) is the limit here.

Yes, I would start with the gearing. 3.73 to 4.10 or 4.30 would be a great start.

 

Redford, I think that is a good idea to stay with the same setup. Get the tranny rebuilt, and build up the motor and maybe supercharge it. It will be the simplest and cheapest. Now I just need to find a good website that has aftermarket parts and rebuild kits for the 5.4...also, I remember hearing about someone on here that rebuilds the 4r100 and makes them pretty much indestructable, anyone know?

 

700R4, 700 Raptor Transmission from PATC, 700R4 4L60E 48RE 4L80E
Or Level 10 Performance Transmission Systems Bulletproof Transmissions,Supercharger