Well the BB swap has been done several times but never in a late model. All the "minor" things have been worked out with the early ones. Biggest problem in the later ones, even with a 351 is getting headers and working around the front suspension. Maybe a Mustang II? Just throwing it out there. Sure you're going to be having a lot of people follow this project, somebody has to be first.
Dave of the Nord
i realize this op is likely going to sell his truck now, considering the deal on the lightning, but just what does this quote from this above statement really mean?
Well the BB swap has been done several times but never in a late model.
theres no late model example on trs????? or do you really think theres no late model bb rangers...???
one thing for sure, theres much more overall potential room with an sla chassis then a ttb.
for instance in late 98-99 there was a nice 98 bigblock ranger built local to me with a crate 454. initially it was real simple and well done. it has evolved since then but thats hot rodding. the builder wanted a ford engine but ford packages were not accommodating for the target cost outs.
a decent cage and mild boxing would be more then adequate for a big block daily driver to be constructed and plenty safe all around. 700 hp tuned to drive would be crazy and expensive to try, but 500 foot pounds and 400 hp would be comparatively cost effective and doable.
i know there were several bb variants the year the sla chassis took over, and at that time a tib bb was something i had not not seen unless radically modified for all out race except for a few examples. the sla was much easier to work with.