Tonight I'm planning on starting my first motor swap, I have someone bidding on a few motors for me, just going to cut costs and use a stock replacement from a wrecked truck (est. $1500~ for a decent motor). Any tips from others who have pulled a motor from these trucks before?

 

You have an 03, which doesn't have EGR. Make sure you if you don't get an 03 engine to block off or plug the EGR or it will run like ****.

 

How about the computers? How can they be changed from year to year?
From what I've heard only an 03 motor will work but I talked to a guy who bolted up an 08 into an 03 and said it was a direct bolt in including the computer!

 

custom tune from sct can allow for you to run any motor almost. But I don't know if they tune 03's because they are so old.

You might have to do an 03 swap.

 

your best bet is to find a 03-05, i think starting in 06 they have the mds system which will cause problems with your computer.

 

Anything 06-08 and you will have to remove/replace the MDS components (solenoids, collapsible lifters, etc.). You can put standard roller lifters/cam from an older engine in, just have to make sure the ports where the solenoids are don't leak or interfere with operation.

 

alright thanks guys!
What tips do you all have as far as the actual process of removal and install? Any special methods for keeping track of parts, bolts and such?

 

take pictures as you do it, and if you disconnect a wire... tape both ends with a number--or what sensor it is. This way when connecting wires you wont have any troubles- you'll beable to look at the old motor see where the "1" sensor is and match it up with the wire "1"

also drain fluids, oil, coolent, tranny (if your doing it) powersteering fluid (pump and lines).
bolts you could also get tuberware containters and write on them what bolts they are, like "drive shaft bolts" "Torque converter bolts" etc etc etc...
also remove the air box and battery to give you maxium room to work and coolent overflow it you find it in your way at all.

 

Bag and label EVERYTHING. Take pictures. Lotsa pictures. Get a factory service manual (parts manual would come in handy as well).

 

Alright sounds good! And one last question, what should I do for maintenance to the new motor before I put it in? I'm thinking spark plugs, oil change, anything else I should do while it's easier to work on?