Ok guys. My family and I picked up a 5000 lb camper a few weeks ago to replace our 4200 lb camper. And I think this may be the straw that broke the Expedition's back... so now I'm looking for ideas. Bear with me here.

Tow vehicle is a 1997 Expedition with 5.4L and 3.73 axle. Rated for 7400 lbs. 185k on it. Runs great, shifts great. Towed 5000 lbs from Denver to east coast last summer and it did very well. Until it got back to Denver. If you've ever done that drive you'll feel your pedal sinking into the floor and your truck not picking up any speed. The rig is worth about $3200. Did I mention it's in great shape and owes us nothing?

If you've ever towed in altitude you know the woes. The first testimonial on this page hits the nail ON THE HEAD: Squires Turbo Systems - Customer Testimonials

It's so bad that our friends have a Tundra with the big 5.7L and a trailer that is probably a bit over 6,000 lbs and they're in the same boat.

So I'm trying to come up with some reasonable options to increase towing performance without breaking the bank - realizing any engine mods might decrease the life of the engine. Here's what I have thought of:

• Excursion V10 - could get into one of those for probably $4k
• Turbo / Supercharger
• 4:11 gears
• Swap to a 6 spd tranny

Realistically one of the newer Expeditions would probably do pretty well just because of more HP and more gears. But the altitude will still hurt them.

While the Excursion seems reasonable it is a HUGE vehicle and I'm not confident that the modest improvement in power to weight ratio really makes it worth the investment. The diesels are too expensive (considered getting a V10 and putting a Cummins in it in the future) + diesel fuel is $1 more.

4:11 gears would help a little bit but not be the end-all.

6spd tranny seems lunatic to me based on the few things I've read.

So I'm dabbling with a Turbo or Supercharger... problem is that the truck is worth less than either of those systems.... I guess the question is - could I get a turbo or supercharger for the 2v 5.4L and transfer it to a 3v later on (we love the Expedition - just the right size vehicle with the right capabilities). Seems that there would be a lot of plumbing required to do this with a Turbocharger.

Am I crazy here? Have I exhausted the options? Thoughts/recommendations?

Thanks!

 

A tuner, gears, electric fans would all help. I've towed 5K lbs with 3.55 gears at 2K' higher elevation and it didn't really bother me.

 

I tow a 6500lb horse trailer in my F-250, 5.4L, with 3.73's up to around 7000 feet. I just got used to going slower than in the days of my Dodge Cummins. I'm convinced there is no safe "cheap" fix for significant power improvements. The best would likely be to buy a used 4.10 differential from a wreck.

 

Edit-

Need to do some revising since I did some research and your best bet on your platform is going to be a turbo charger.

Most diesels do well at all altitudes but the reason why is the turbo charger. Naturally aspirated engines dont have a chance at elevation like a turbo charged vehicle.

The easiest thing to do is get a diesel truck. That way pulling on mountain passes you have the diesel and the turbo and all the power you need and you have a larger 3/4 ton truck that has the weight and the brakes and suspension needed to be more than safe. I bought an F350 for that very reason. A 1/2ton would do everything I have my F350 do but not nearly as safely.

But anyways depending on how comfortable you are in your exped and since you dont owe anything on it (thats huge!) maybe a turbo setup is more what you are looking for.

 

same here. towing over Vail pass sucks the wind out of my truck.

 

Yeah - all conclusions I've been able to draw point to air - so a turbo is in store. Although the new trailer is light - it does toss the short wheel base Expedition around where we drive (it can get pretty gusty out here).

Plan is to get through this season and go for an Excursion diesel next year (am trying to come to a conclusion on 7.3 vs 6.0 - both have their troubles and their benefits). Too bad we don't fit in the F-150 - the EcoBoost is a screamer, even at 10,000 ft!!!

 

I do know the feeling. Towing 5000 pounds with my old 1995 F-150 (5.0L, 3.55 diff) eastbound over the continental divide on I-90, I topped the pass on the shoulder at 30 MPH, foot to the floor.

Air delivery is the issue. A paxton or whipple style supercharger may be the easiest to engineer, or even a roots style blower. I have seen kits for various 5,4L applications.

The good news, from what I understand, is the injectors can supply fuel for moderate boost levels (like 5 pounds) so you should not have to swap out injectors and the fuel pump.

What ever your choice, I strongly suggest that you include an intercooler in your plan.