huot5

I think if you get a 4 X 4 Extra cab ( FX4?) and supercharge it, you're set.

stackz

my parents actually have an Fx4 with the flareside and the extra cab....and the 5.4 which is what got me liking that bodystyle lol. bad thing is it sits WAYYY too high. I basically have to use a ladder to get in that thing haha.

I was thinking the regular 4x4 isnt as high up and might be able to be lowered a bit (since I live at the beach not the mountains :p).

but the more I've thought about it, I'll probably end up just getting an 03-04 lightning and be done with it outright. I'll just drive one of my cars during commuting week lol.

y2k_harley

The extended cab flareside (2000) and the supercrews (2001-2003) are the exact same length.

tpr103

all the 5.4s are the same only thing the n/a has higher compression

huot5

There's a 2000 HD with approx 7400 miles on it on ebay for 19,500. get that then decide on the S/C swap.

03_HD_F150SC

Welcome. Tough decision....wish ya the best.

Harley#356

first, why do you need 4x4? 99% of people don't actually need 4x4, so unless you have a true need for 4wd, you'll probably actually be fine with 2wd, as well has have more power with a 2wd truck & less weight.

second, as said above, the extended cab flareside beds and super crew cab short bed trucks are the identical length. they ride on the same exact frame, so there's no difference in physical size, it just comes down to do you want a bigger cab and smaller bed, or bigger bed and smaller cab, and of course looks.

third, what are you looking for? Just a supercharged truck? Or a HD truck? Plenty of guys have done the top end swap on non HD's and N/A HD's, so if you really want a HD, don't let it not being s/c stop you if you really want flareside, the top end conversions are very reliable and not too hard to do. if you just want a s/c truck regardless of if its a regular f150 or a HD, then probably just s/c a regular truck and save the little extra from buying a HD edition.

You may see a motor going for $3500, but I highly doubt you see the motor and everything needed for the s/c conversion for 3500. The motors are practically IDENTICAL, so there is no point IMO to buy a stock s/ced engine to drop it in your truck. the N/A motor with the s/c top end will hold up to a good amount of power, can reliably hold 10-12 lbs of boost (few even push 14 fine), and the s/c motor can only really reliably hold 15-16 lbs of boost before you're beyond the safe range. Some have gone 17-18, but thats a risk area. And chance are if you plan to push the truck that far, you might as well built it up from the start.

The N/A motor and S/C motor have the identical block, identical heads, identical cams, identical rods (the weakest link), and the only difference is the pistons on the N/A are higher compression than the S/C. So you can't boost the N/A as high as the S/C motor, but at the same boost levels, a N/A motor at 12 lbs will put out slightly more power than a S/C motor at 12 lbs because of the higher compression.

so long story short, its not worth it to put a stock s/c engine in a n/a truck. just do the top end conversion, or go balls ot the wall with a built motor

what all was included, and what was the price? You would be surprised how quickly the nickel & dime stuff add up that you'd have to buy that probably wasn't included in that deal. Guess you're relatively new to modding vehicles, but $3500 for an entire top end s/c swap is a HECK of a deal, especially for an OEM system that works as well as it does, and reliably as it does. Price out some aftermarket s/c kits that won't even put down as strong of numbers, and clutters up the engine bay, requires modifications, etc. for prices higher than what you can do the top end swap for. Its truly a great deal

the HD has the supercab option lol. as said above, if you can swing a supercab flareside bed, then its the identical dimensions to a crew cab HD. all just comes down to exactly what you want

stackz

I've got a 24' fishing boat I take offshore a lot and 2wd doesnt work really well on slick landings at low tide if the trailer wheel falls off the edge of the ramp lol.

thats why I was wanting 4x4 so I wouldnt be stuck at the landing until someone comes by to pull me up if this happens...which it has lol.

anyway, I've been looking into things more and more and the 02 sc harley trucks are looking more and more attractive to me mainly from a creature comfort level lol.

the power moonroof is optional correct?? how hard is it to find?? does it go all the way back?? Seems like the harley trucks came stock with a really decent towing package as well....compared to the lightnings lol.

do the 02 model trucks have the same lightning engine problems with the spark plug threads??

also, they are all crewcabs correct?? only available in black or silver?? with the tailgate down and one of those flipout bed extenders can you fit a full 4x8 sheet of plywood in the bed??

looked at one the other day in a parking lot and realized they actually werent THAT long due to the short length of the bed so I think I might still have room in the driveway for one as well as my boat

oh yeah last question...if you keep your foot out of it, what kind of mileage are you guys seeing around town/highway, etc. I mean obviously if I got one I'd be tearing around in it at first but after that we're still seeing $$$ for gas so I'd be just putting around town when I drove it mostly.

oh yeah, I cant find the specs on the size tank they have??

Harley#356

as far as creature comforts, 02-03's are pretty much identical feature wise. 03's have better heads if they were produced after a certain date, but other than that they're pretty even.

moonroof was an option on 01 and up models, and they're pretty common to find. As for a towing package, its really not any different than the L. The 02-03 has the same heavy duty 4R100 trans as the L, most came with a hitch, and thats about the extent of it. If you plan on towing a lot you definately want to add a FTVB and a trans cooler. Whether its a L or a HD. Also the big limiting factor as said earlier is the tires on the HD's. The low profile 275/45/20's reduce the load rating, and the CRAPPY goodyear brand SUCKS. Stepping to a 295/45/20 and a better brand will bring the payload up. Also 03's have a higher payload from stronger springs, but their rear ends sit an inch higher.

As for "lightning engine problems with the spark plugs". Thats not just a L engine problem. Thats a problem on every single 5.4 L engine ford produced whether lightning, HD, regular f150, econoline, etc. I'm assuming the 4.6 probably had the same issue as well. Ford got cheap and only put 4 threads for the plugs in the aluminum heads. In 03 they switched to 8 threads.

All 01-03 HD's are crewcabs. All 00 HD's are extended cab flareside beds. 00 & 01 were black only, 02 was black or dark shadow gray, and 03 was black or black/silver 2tone. The beds on the supercrews are only 5.5', so I don't think plywood fits inside the bed extender with the tailgate down, but it shouldn't stick past the end very far.

And as earlier, the supercrew HD's are on the identical frame as the flareside/extended cab 00's, so they're the same length overall. Foot shorter bed with a foot longer cab.

As for mileage, can do a search and find hundreds of posts, but on average they typically get 12-14 mpg. On highway staying out of boost completely some guys can get 16-17, but getting on it and city driving it'll quickly drop to 10-11. Usually most average 12-14

Lastly, all HD's 00-03 have a 25 gallon tank.