98-03 F150 472 C-6 Swap - Mounts, Pan, , Headers, Plus ????

Wondering if some of the group will weigh in with some experience on transplanting a 460 into a 97-03 F150. The starting point is a 98 F150 6cyl regular cab shortbox, I have a bunch of stuff sitting around and it seems like a fun street project, I have the swap mounts, headers x2(shorty/long tube) , 472" DOVE headed motor with a C-6 converter, oil pans x2 (mid and dual). Beyond the basics, wiring, exhaust, driveshaft, diff, what are some of the problems of this engine swap I will encounter, and any recommendations you may have to offer. This will not be a caged deal, maybe street slicks on stock type suspension, solid cam etc. pull my boat to the lake, and maybe race at the track on a friday night to let her eat. Thanks

More specifically what front springs will work, best option for a driveshaft to have altered, crossmembers that may fit or is it best to alter the existing? Should the spindles be upgraded?

FalconEh wrote:More specifically what front springs will work, best option for a driveshaft to have altered, crossmembers that may fit or is it best to alter the existing? Should the spindles be upgraded?

No idea on springs.  Driveshaft and X member will likely have to be custom.  I've seen that body swapped onto a 79 frame in a mud drag deal, and it looked good.

I was thinking the 5.4L springs would work although I would likely have to shed 150lbs off the front to put the weights in alignment (battery relocation / alum heads). Makes sense the crossmember will be custom, the driveshaft will too, but I would like to know what yolk/ends everyone is using to re-sleeve. My last car I used 74 Torino yolk/ends as the diameter was considerably larger than my car. Not really looking for a frame/body swap for this project if it was going to be more radical it would be considered.

Thanks for the input schmitty !
This is Not a caged deal , but likely a bar and some bracing, there must be some help here...

Bump for some input, yeah I know 2WD

I would think the front springs will be fine but not sure...as for mounts why not a engine plate that way you could mock it up with some used truck headers you find at a deal and all you would have to build is trans mounting and drive shaft.

gmsmkr wrote:I would think the front springs will be fine but not sure...as for mounts why not a engine plate that way you could mock it up with some used truck headers you find at a deal and all you would have to build is trans mounting and drive shaft.

Thanks M,
I do have some swap mounts, I will have to see if they work...if not the plate is a good avenue, I do have 2-sets of coated headers, long tube and shorty's, need to dump more than battery weight off the front as I probably will only want to use the iron heads for cost savings on this project. Driveshaft tubing size (.080x??"), diff, and spindles are still question marks, the trans will be a basic fresh BBF C-6 with no more than 3500 stall, even with 3500 stall I may need a front hitch to get traction when I launch my boat, which will add more weight to the front again putting the springs into question.

Looking at the 98's wheel wells tonight, I took out a tape and did some measuring... the rear wheel well opening is 37" , it has a 31" tire and tons of clearance, without any modification it will fit a 12" wide tire (with the right offset rim), from the inside of the 10" tire that is on it there is 9" to the frame on the inside, and 2 3/4" between the leaf and the frame...this seems crazy to me it is like it is factory tubbed, eliminate the leaf spring, narrow the diff and add a 4-link and voila 16"x33" tires, no back half, what it lacks in the look department it makes up for in clearance.

Make it, get out the fab tools and go to work...

There was a guy that used to frequent this forum and the other one a few years ago. Not sure if he still lurks around or not. But he put a BBF in that year truck. I think he used a front plate and tweaked the front cross member. Not sure if it was on here or the other site but he did post some pics.

I've always thought a short bed, regular cab version of this truck would be slick with a BBF in it to roam the streets...

the Coug wrote:Make it, get out the fab tools and go to work...

Yes it is time.

jbozzelle wrote:There was a guy that used to frequent this forum and the other one a few years ago.  Not sure if he still lurks around or not.  But he put a BBF in that year truck.  I think he used a front plate and tweaked the front cross member.  Not sure if it was on here or the other site but he did post some pics.

I've always thought a short bed, regular cab version of this truck would be slick with a BBF in it to roam the streets...

Thanks, and I will have another look for the build.

jbozzelle wrote:There was a guy that used to frequent this forum and the other one a few years ago.  Not sure if he still lurks around or not.  But he put a BBF in that year truck.  I think he used a front plate and tweaked the front cross member.  Not sure if it was on here or the other site but he did post some pics.

I've always thought a short bed, regular cab version of this truck would be slick with a BBF in it to roam the streets...

Was you referring to 96Mustang460cid (Michael),  He was putting one with a turbo mount under the truck but his was a 4 door truck he still around I see post once in awhile.

Yep. That's him. He had a build thread either here or the other site I seem to recall. Either way he did post some pics of his engine mocked up in the truck. Not sure it was in a post he started or not.

http://www.460ford.com/forum/showthread.php?t=136706

Thanks John ,
A very interesting and informative build... funny I did some base engine measurements last night and it looked to me like the rad would be too tight, that build link backed that up. The main disappointment /delay now is I have to replace the trans and get it running with the V6 to acquire the out of State inspection prior to tearing down the truck for the swap, but I would rather have a few miles on it and get a better idea of what else needs attention before the swap anyway.