I have been looking at newer trucks lately. Probably gonna get a 2010-12ish.
but in my search an unexpected candidate recently popped up. A 2004 1500 with a super nice body. I drove it and climbed around underneath, it's a solid truck. And it's a reg cab long bed like I have been looking for.
One problem/ it's v6/stick and way underpowered. It runs good for what it is, but upgrading to an 8 is part of the reason I'm in the market anyways.
How feasible would a swap be to either a 4.7 or hemi? My 1st choice would be 318/360 but unfortunately I know those were out of the picture by 04. And for what it's worth I'd love to keep it a stick. No swap to an auto trans

 

The 4.7 is doable if you get the exact year. There are some years of the 4.7 that have different tone rings on the crank and cams and you need to have the same or the ability to swap them. A hemi would require a different computer and wiring harness. Is it a nv3500 tranny?

 

The JTEC PCM's from 1999-2002 (3-plug PCM) all use a 16-tooth tone ring.
The NGC PCM's from 2003-2008 (4-plug PCM) use a 32-tooth tone ring.
Get the correct manual trans PCM for the 4.7 and harness, maybe upgrade your cooling system (can't remember if it was the same across the board or not). Should be fairly straightforward. Just keep in mind that while a same year jump from a 3.7 to a 4.7 (same engine family) stock for stock will net you a significant 65 tq increase (235 vs 300), it's only a 20 hp jump (215 vs 235). So better towing and off the line yes, but otherwise the stock 4.7 won't be a huge improvement.

 

being as how they couldve had a 360 til '03 what would that involve? more worried about tieing stock gauges in with computer, the ones taht need the computer's help to run

 

Then you don't wanna try to do that with a 5.9/360 as the 2003 was a mutative transition year plus the elex it uses is the older stuff, not to mention the 360 was NEVER put in front of a manual in any 3rd gen or even 2nd gen 1500 (not sure about the HD's those years). It would be easier to swap in a hemi than a 360 lol. Just mod the 4.7. The early 4.7HO was 260hp/330tq with a forged crank and different cams and intake manifold. The intake is easy to find, but the cams are not so you'd have to go custom. The 08+ 4.7's were 310hp/334tq with different heads, intake and cams. There are also forced induction options. You have choices.

 

Well I'll be a monkey's uncle! Volaredon may end up with a 4.7? Calm your fears my friend, they really are freakin reliable with just basic care and you'll have COP, which is really much nicer to deal with. I'm thinking you've never driven one before? Try it before worrying about how much power it has.

 

Not that one but yeah I got stuck with one only because I had no freaking choice. Teeth are clenched as I am NOT HAPPY they don't have 318s in the newer trucks meaning I had no choice unless i wanted to move to a Chevy (Ford AIN'T happening)

 

I've seen people with a half mil on these engines, on the original chains too. I hope to get there myself. I think you'll really learn to like them. Compared to the 5.9, old basic 4.7 have less low end torque but plenty of power at highway speeds. Plenty capable tho... I've towed cars with my Dak and hardly felt them back there (aside from the rear end squatting). If you get an HO, or late model, well you get more power all around.