Engine Swap

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Kimber Batzer

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Hi! its Kim again, a WHILE ago I posted a forum talking about a red 1999 expedition xlt 5.4l I have that has no keys and a toasted cylinder head. Well it finally happened! yesterday my new(old) 1998 (red) expedition xlt 5.4l showed up in my front yard!!

A little bit of info on this 98, it hit a tree doing 60mph. The front right shock tower and correlating fender is DESTROYED BUT after flipping the innersa switch, it starts!

SO whats it going to take to swap the motor, transmittion, transfercase, computer, pcm, door tumblers, and ignition switch over to my old expo which has an almost pristine body??????

I do have a few questions as well, what all is programmed to the pcm and has to be swapped over with it?

is there much of a difference between the wiring harnesses? (I've googled this one a lot and it seems there isn't but I can't be to sure)

The 98 has a moon roof that my dad wants to swap to my 99, can I just cut the headliner to make it fit?? (obviously making it pretty as I go)

I'm excited for this project and have been planning it for years and its finally happened, but its gonna be A LOT of work and there is a lot I still need to learn on the inner workings of these vehicles so any help is GREATLY appreciated!!

If anyone wants pictures I will happily take some
 
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Kimber Batzer

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Small update, in 2 weeks I will be picking up a third expo with a tan interior. Its drive train is mostly intac (dead tranny), but its a 4.6l, so the motor will go to my grandparents who have a f150 that has a blown 4.6.

I've decided I'm going to swap the tan leather Interior over from the 98 red parts expo, along with the moonroof etc (I really want the leather interior) but the condition of this tan interior is not to good so hopefully the third expo has better interior components

Tomorrow I plan on taking some pictures of the two expo's, and when I get it, the third expo. The whole idea being to document the whole project from start to finish

I do have a question tho, when did ford ever have golden logos on expeditions? the 98 expo has gold emblems and ford logos! Also there is the ford pinstripe but towards the rear it has aspen written in fancy letters and on the emblems on the front quarter-panels there are aspen leafs! because I really like that name, Imma name the expo Aspen and this will be project Aspen!

Wrapping up the whole project, I plan to(this isn't in order):

1. Transfer the engine, transmission, transfer case, and front diff over from the red parts expo (expo 1).
2. Swap the computer, pcm, gem, and other related items that are programmed to the pcm over from expo 1.
3. Swap over items like the front tow hooks, rear "class 4" tow hitch assembly", rear taillights etc from expo 1.
4. swap over all interior components worth saving from expo 1 and the rest from expo 2 (white parts expo), this also includes the moon roof, drain tubes etc
5. tune the vehicle up, new fluids, new brake pads, rotors, etc etc etc
(Edit) 6. I forgot to add that i need to swap all the door tumblers and ignition switch over!

If there is Any suggestions, Please I'm all ears, I have been reading alot of the forums here lately and there is a lot of information, but at the same time its a lot to grasp, but my goal is to have the project finished within the next 3 months!!!
 
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ams2737

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I don’t think you need to swap over the harnesses since you have the same engine and transmission that’s in the donor vehicle. If you don’t have to do that then that should save you a little time there.
 
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Kimber Batzer

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Thats what I'm thinking! The wiring harness in the donor expo isn't even complete! Some how whoever owned the vehicle before had managed to break things like the wires running to the mass airflow sensor :boxed:

My main issue right now is my location, There isn't a slab of concrete for miles for me to use a cherry picker on!!!!!! I'm thinking I'm going to pour one but I walked outside this morning and there is a nice shelf of clouds to my left that are just dropping snow and headed this way! (hopefully like always) It will probably be melted by the end of the day anyways

I will have a bunch of pictures uploaded soon!!!!
 

ams2737

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I can’t wait to see pics of it. I’m wanting to swap a 5.4 into my expedition in place of the 4.6
 
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Kimber Batzer

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Small update, I finally got some pictures but managed to break my phone before i uploaded them so I will get out and take more once i get a hold of a camera, the project was stopped for a couple days because it snowed and the weather has been horrible! I don't have a garage or shop. I think I'm going to buy some concrete and see if I can't get one of my co-workers to poor a 20x20 slab of concrete for me (his previous job was concrete and he is always offering to help!)


So with the next update I will have plenty of pictures and hopefully some progress!!!!!
 

stamp11127

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I use 2 sheets of plywood laid on the ground when working out in the field.

Should you go the concrete route I would also dig footings in case you want to build a shop in the future.
 
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Kimber Batzer

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That's a great idea! The concrete route is going to be expensive and it is out at my grandparents house, I still haven't even figured out how to get this past them (I was thinking sense there is a hoop with a dirt court maybe i would lay a basketball court down and use it for the swap and then once everything is said and done they get a free basketball court for the kids (they live on 40 acres) The biggest problem is we have had a fairly good amount of moisture lately here in Colorado, the snow always melts but I don't think I could get a form to set right as it is

In other news though my new phone should arrive tomorrow so I will be able to take the pictures.

Our first task is going to be taking out the transmission from my expo and putting it in my aunts (dead tranny) then I think the next goal will be to swap over the interiors, electrical components ie: ecu, pcm, gem, etc. Then the motor and transmission will be pulled out of (parts expo one) and transplanted into my expo, if all goes right I should be getting the interior from parts expo 2, the moon-roof from parts expo one, and the whole drive train, keys, and brains from parts expo one

In the process the transmission in mine will fix my aunts expo and the 4.6l from parts expo 2 will be transplanted into my grampa's black f150 with a blown 4.6

If this whole parts expo thing gets confusing please tell me, I don't know how to separate the different expos in an explainable fashion except for labeling them

I should have an update and lots of pictures for you guys this coming week!!!!
 
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