Okay, new to the forum, and wanting some advice.

I have a 2002 Ex, 7.3L with 3.73 gears on a 2 wheel drive. We currently have about 134,000 on it and just got back from a 2,600 mile two week trip through the South Western US. We currently pull a 26 foot, 4,500 lb (dry weight) trailer. I plan on upgrading the trailer to a new one, probably around 35 foot. That will probably put the dry weight at around 7,500 lbs.

My thoughts are: (suggestions, comments, recommendations welcome)

Re-gear to rear end to 4.30.
Air bags on the rear suspension, helper springs.
The local mechanic suggested to go with a 4 inch turbo back exhaust and also a tuner.
Cold air intake.

I love the Ex, and would like to keep it until she either reaches 300,000 or 400,000 miles or the body rots away before the engine goes. Or earlier if I talk my loving wife into a truck and fifth wheel.

Do you guy's think that my plans are about right or have I missed something or added more than I need?

Reason behind these are:
In talking to fellow campers with trucks and much heavier trailers, these guys are getting better mileage than me. Which also leads me to believe that may be working my truck harder than I need to with the taller gears. Then if I go with the larger, longer, heavier trailer, my issues will be more prevalent. I'm not looking to lay a smoke screen or burn rubber. I just want the truck to pick up a few mpg and work less, if possible.

Lastly, I will be doing these on a very limited budget and therefore be spreading them over a period of time. In what order should I do the upgrades?


Thanks for the input and thoughts.

 

I'm doing the same thing right now on a 02' Ex 4x4.

I have done my due diligence and have found Home has the best package(s)for what we want to do.... IMO. Suspension first, for safety and stability, then engine mods.

If it were me and doing it on a limited budget in sequence for towing tomorrow... I'd go with the;

1. rear sway bar
1a. transmission cooler
2. shocks
3. springs
4. steering stabilizers
5. Air bags
6. Tires and wheels

Performance/tow mods would be next ;

1. cold intake
2. exhaust
3. gauges
4. tuner

I don't think you'd need gears after you do the performance mods... but you may have to consider a transmission upgrade.

 

Actually, I have all of the above and then some on my 02 4x4 the most noticeable performance gain came from the 4.30 gears. It is money well spent in my opinion.

 

With a PSD I wouldn`t go over 4.10 on gears. the 4.30`s and a diesel will make it scream in RPM and it will not work as designed and will get less mpg`s. many people are towing heavy with 3.73`s and a diesel with no issues. as far as power, go with exhaust, cold air intake and a mild tuner. with the suspension definitely a rear sway bar, and something with springs either air bags or F250/350 springs. after that it should serve many years of great use.

 

I agree, I didn't catch the 7.3... My bad.

 

Thanks for the reply's.

So the prevailing opinion is NOT to re gear. That seems weird. But then in hind sight, all the threads that I read about going from 3.73 to 4.30 was probably dealing with the V10 engine.

When you guys talk about a sway bar, is that in addition to what the factory put in? I assume that there isn't one in the rear from the factory. I have to admit that I haven't gone back there looking for one specifically. Will I still want one even with the air bags?

 

No. Not unless you're planning on a lift and a lot bigger wheels and tires.

You also have a gasser!

Up there...what he said!

You're forgiven!

Correct.

I'm guessing this is your first diesel, yes?

That's a safe bet.

Stewart

 

I try to keep the rpm between 1600 and 2000 for torque band and MPG's when towing. Again,when you do the performance mods you'll notice the difference so I don't think you'll need gears. In addition if the transmission starts hunting while towing, take it out of OD. Get the 31 row Ford 6.0 transmission cooler.

The 05 Ex's did have a rear bar but not yours... so your adding a "rear" sway bar to go with your factory front sway bar. I got a Hellwig 'cause I couldn't get a 30 mm Ford bar out of a F350. In fact the Hellwig arrived yesterday.

 

Just my opinion here but I think that sometimes the mpg stories are like fishing stories.

Some folks have been able to slightly improve their mpg from the factory setup but all in all I doubt there are many out there doing 10% better or worse than you with similar driving conditions and towing variables.

 

This thread is really helpful, thanks. I've always done a lot more reading than writing here because it's been so helpful. Last year I bought an 01 4x4 Ex with the 7.3 and used it 4 times to tow our 7K TT the 375 miles to our main campground in Delaware from here in Eastern NC. What an upgrade from the '97 quigly gasser I was getting 5-7 mpg in. I've also looked at upgrades as we start to look at going west to mountains and eventually to Texas. I was glad to see exhaust, gauges, etc. all before a tuner, although I have been emailing with the folks at DP Tuner. Now I need to look for a thread on the rear axle sway bar. Already looked at bags. Like the OP, I have to do mine in small increments. Thanks again.

 

Looks you are on track with your mod list.

Go ahead and get air bags for rear. Cheap and easy mod. I would even suggest bags before sway bar, but looks like you have the sway bar covered.

Consider a chip. The PHP 6 position chip really wakes the 7.3 up. As should any good programmer's chip. I think that you will find the stock gearing to be satisfactory if you have a good towing tune.