'03 Lightning motor in '97 Expo 4X4

[signdoctor]

I have a 1997 Expedition 5.4L 4X4. I bought for it a motor from a 2003 F-150 Lightning complete with engine wire harness, computer, intercooler, pump, MAS and coolant tanks. The engine is totally complete with all brackets. I have ordered a 4r100 trans for a 4X4 because a trans shop told me I would need it because of the speed sensors. Because of that I am counting on putting the new wire harness in too. My question is; will my 4X4 still work if I switch to this harness? I have been told that my fuel pump should work, but I have heard a lot of opinions on weather or not to use my harness or the new one. I was told that the ecm needs the speed sensors on the 4r100 to work right, that's why I bought one. I have read a few posts on others that have done the same but I can't get a clear answer on what to do with the electric side of things on a first generation expedition. Any thoughts, leads or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[rburch]

Not positive but the harness you have know should work. There a a few people on the site that have just put the charger on there 5.4.

 

[timberwoof]

How much of a difference are the two harnesses. Is there a way to integrate the 4x4 wire leads into the lightning harness and still have everything work right?

 

[signdoctor]

The only reason I that I think I HAVE to change the harness is because of the transmission connections. A trans shop told me that I would have to have it changed out due to the fact that there are speed sensor inputs and outputs on the 4r100. My truck has the stock E4OD in it now. He said the computer would not work right without it. I will do a point by point comparison on the two harnesses this weekend and let you know.

 

[tallsville]

pm toms89 he put a sc on his

 

[toms89]

I have a 1997 Expedition 5.4L 4X4. I bought for it a motor from a 2003 F-150 Lightning complete with engine wire harness, computer, intercooler, pump, MAS and coolant tanks. The engine is totally complete with all brackets. I have ordered a 4r100 trans for a 4X4 because a trans shop told me I would need it because of the speed sensors. Because of that I am counting on putting the new wire harness in too. My question is; will my 4X4 still work if I switch to this harness? I have been told that my fuel pump should work, but I have heard a lot of opinions on weather or not to use my harness or the new one. I was told that the ecm needs the speed sensors on the 4r100 to work right, that's why I bought one. I have read a few posts on others that have done the same but I can't get a clear answer on what to do with the electric side of things on a first generation expedition. Any thoughts, leads or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

The engine wiring harness itself has no provisions for the tranny. The lightning processor and engine wiring harness has provisions for 2 IAT sensors and the location of the IACS is different. Most everything else as far as the engine wiring harness goes is pretty much the same.

I used my stock ECU reprogrammed for the lightning setup. I thought this was the easiest solution in my case but my 2000 expy came with the 4r100.

I would be concerned with the lightning ecu's ability to handle the 4wd since there are no 4wd lightnings. Don't really know myself if it has the capability or wiring inputs and provisions for the transfer case.

I think the easiest solution is adapt the lightning motor to your tranny and ECU. You would have to change the flex plate unless you change the torque converter. I have seen others do the lightning motor, tranny and ECU swap but believe?! they were all 2wd.

 

[signdoctor]

So then there is nothing wrong with just running one IAT sensor? I really would like to run the 4r100 as it is much stronger than my e4od, my e4od has 300,000 miles on it and I already bought a 4r100. What do you think about getting ECM and harness to accommodate the 4r100 from a newer expy? How did you reprogram your stock ECM? I can turn a wrench real good but I have never got into programming computers and I live in the sticks where performance shops are very far away. I also called my local Ford dealerships and they did not think they could make the new engine work with my e4od. So far, thanks for all of your help! After months of planning I should have just joined this forum from the start.

 

[toms89]

So then there is nothing wrong with just running one IAT sensor? I really would like to run the 4r100 as it is much stronger than my e4od, my e4od has 300,000 miles on it and I already bought a 4r100. What do you think about getting ECM and harness to accommodate the 4r100 from a newer expy? How did you reprogram your stock ECM? I can turn a wrench real good but I have never got into programming computers and I live in the sticks where performance shops are very far away. I also called my local Ford dealerships and they did not think they could make the new engine work with my e4od. So far, thanks for all of your help! After months of planning I should have just joined this forum from the start.

It will work with just one IAT sensor. You lose the one near the air cleaner as the one in the intake is more important as far as the inlet air temps go (post blower). You can get a SCT custom programmer to re-flash the ecu. There are several tuners that can give you an email tune. If you cannot make the drive to get a dyno tune it can be dialed in via datalogging but may take a bit longer.

You can get a lot of good info on lightning motors and tuners here:

http://www.lightningrodder.com/

A later 4wd expy ECU and harness to accomodate the 4r100 sounds like the best plan to me but have not done the research. Not even sure if the lightning ECU will not work....just don't recall seeing it done with 4wd expy and have doubts.

There are several here that have done the swap and all with different combos. Here are a few. May try and pm some as they are here infrequently. Also do search on site as if it has been posted it should come up.

http://www.expeditionforum.com/group.php?groupid=8

Check out my build thread (below)..it may answer some of your questions. If you have any other questions I will be glad to help out if I can. Hopefully some of the others will stop in and add their 2 cents..lol.