2000 XLT needs an engine. Anyone have any advice?

[Winger]

Hi folks-

My otherwise excellent condition XLT needs a 5.4L transplant. Anyone have any heart-warming tales of triumph over adversity? Or horror stories of what not to do?

I don't have the resources to do it myself. I did find an outfit in Maine that will come and get it and put in a reman w/40K warranty with new exhaust manifolds for $3300. (I'm in CT.)

Can't bear the thought of junking it at only 133k with almost zero rust,near new tires, brakes, shocks, alt etc. But we are having a hard time justifying the additional expense for a 12MPG vehicle, no matter how much I love it.

Opinions and war stories welcome. Thanks for your time!

 

[Jay87LX]

I am in Mass and am always on CL looking for Expies, did you have in on CL?
As far as what to do.... As much as you love the truck,$3300 is way too much to much to put in it, they aren't worth that . I am a dealer (family car lot) and I see them every week at the auction for $1000-2000 depending on mileage.
I guess I would ask how is the rust on the rockers and the rest of the truck and that would dictate what I would do with it. I may be interested in buying it

 

[KWT2000]

what would you pay for a replacement rig?

an expy in good condition with that kind of miles goes for $4900-6000 in my area...

obviously you wouldnt sell it for auction prices

 

[Jay87LX]

A first gen expy goes for between 5-6K?
WOW< I could ship a bunch out there this week-lol

 

[KWT2000]

key is the mileage and time of year january is a different story

 

[Expyguru]

If you love I say build it. I know I will never get a quarter of what i have put in mine but its a lot cheaper than a new truck. I have around 15000 in mine and it is better than brand new and will stripe any new truck off the lot. Gas mileage does suck around 10 or 11 but not bad with over 500 ponies

 

[FordandPolaris]

It depends on the value of the truck to you... I know if my truck were rust free with all the new parts I have on it, 3300 for a brand new motor is not too shabby, especially if I don't have to install it. Even in its current rust bucket condition, I will never get rid of it. Probably build it into a weekend mudder when the motor finally goes.

Some people look at vehicles as a vessel to go from A to B, and if that is the case for you, I would probably let it go. But with that few miles on the body, I think it would be worth it if you like the truck. Not to mention, you can do some fairly cheap mods and get more along the lines of 20 mpg highway and 14-15 in town. What happened to the last motor?

 

[Expyguru]

Also your rig is to sharp to scrap. Sand blast the rust and coat it with a good rust inhibitor call it good for a rew more years. The price you have is not that bad either just labor on a R+R motor will run 700 to 800 in my area.

 

[Winger]

Hi Guys-

Sorry to post and run. Had a kid out of town who needed a hand. All good.

Anyway, thanks very much for the thoughts. So far it sounds like 4 fixits, and 1 don't. (Should have done this as a poll!)

What really strikes me is the emotional attachment we all get to our vehicles. Not easy to make a hard headed decision when you're not thinking with your head. In this case I'm looking at a situation that won't seem unfamiliar I bet: I love the truck, my wife is a bit puzzled as to why. Gotta figure domestic tranquility into the equation, too.

What to do, what to do...

I've made a decision:


I'm going to decide by Wednesday.

 

[Yudaman]

Time for another beer?

 

[1997SCEBFEX]

I had mine taken down to parade rest after it puked a plug back in '11; came w/ a 3yr/36K warranty. You get what you pay for, so my advice would be don't skimp when it comes to the small things.

PanHandler.

 

[daoud el-massri]

I live here in Manchester Ct if u need a hand installing a new motor give me a call I also need to install a new motor in my expedition mine is a 2000 . Almost a year almost a year ago I installed a a5.4 in mine is. I got a done expedition that had 31,000 miles on it it was a 2001 5.4 w/r 100 with tramission had everything . I installed every thing in my 2000 expedition then I installed a eaton supercharger and blew the motor do not listen to ford dealer mechanics they have no clew about supecharges they said it would be fine as long as I did not go over 6lb of boost . They where wrong now it is going to cost me 3000 dollars for a new crate motor that is built to handle the supercharger . The new motor is woranted for a year unlimited mileage . So if you need a hand let me now email me at daoud1958@gmail .com