My truck is a 2000 Ford F350 Lariat DRW Long Box 4x4 with 7.3L Turbo Diesel and Automatic transmission (~130,000 miles). I installed the Ford/Donaldson Severe Duty AIS a few weeks back, I have an Edge Evolution CTS for tunes and gauge display with aux. EGT probe and BanksMonster 4" SS Exhaust (Turbo Back) System.

The truck is used almost exclusively for towing our Dutchmen North Shore 330XRV Toy Hauler 5th Wheel Trailer (GVWR 14,400lbs). I trying to decide what my next upgrades should be.

Keeping in mind primary role is towing I like input from you guys on what I should be looking at next? Shift kit? Differential Locker? Fuel Crossover? I'm not sure I understand these or if they are applicable to my situation just heard a lot about them on the forums.

Thanks

 

Transmission cooler and temp probe and guage.

 

I think there are a couple of ways to address your question. First of all, as Scott has already suggested, you want to protect your tranny so a cooler from a 6 liter is in order and it really does it good job of keeping tranny temperatures in line, although there are other coolers that also work well. the cooler swap is a simply one.

Then up comes the issue of what you are trying to accomplish. We tow with a 2002 DRW and have the 4" exhaust and the Edge just for the read-outs. Then it is kind or a what are you wanting to do. There are tons of things you can add, but I think whether you need them to tow becomes debatable. We have left our truck stock other than what is noted as the power is adequate to tow our fiver and we are not trying to blow the doors off anything on the road.

For me, towing is an issue of keeping them cool and reliable as even if I can fix them on the road, I don't want to. You might consider just using your rig for a time and seeing where you feel it comes up short as that is such an individual issue for each one of us and what suits us, may not suit you and vice versa.

I am researching whether to go with a turbo upgrade to keep EGTs down on the grades, but so far that has not been a major issue. Towing for us has never been getting there ten minutes faster so more power is not a worth much of an investment for us.

Just my thoughts and others will have a different emphasis,

Steve

 

Transmission Cooler - I think but I'm not sure my truck may already have upgraded cooler. Line from transmission goes to radiator (bottom) then line from radiator looks like it goes to another "cooler" in front of the radiator then back to
transmission.

Temp Probe and Gauge - The Edge Evolution monitors Engine Oil Temp, Transmission Oil Temp and I have temp probe installed in manifold for Exhaust Gas Temps which the Edge also monitors.

Thanks, Roger

 

Thanks Steve, your on the right track it's towing reliability I want to optimize, not interested in power except as it relates to ability to tow in a variety of conditions, hills, flats, high temperatures etc

Roger

 

if you got the stock trany cooler it will be about a third the height of the radiator.The 6 litre one is much taller.

 

(I hope this link works)

Here's a good write up on 6.0 cooler I've been saving for a while.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/qrekh0it2y...lerWriteup.pdf

 

Thanks I was looking for this.

Roger

 

Consider a suspension upgrade. The StableLoad by Torklift International is an inexpensive DIY install. It's designed for towing and will greatly improve your handling while dramatically reducing side-to-side sway and body roll. Makes for a much more comfortable ride.

Happy Camping,

- Torklift Jen

 

Thanks Jen but with the dually wheels and air bags I'm not really getting any side to side sway or body roll.

Roger

 

Installed 6.0 cooler a couple of years ago. Would not tow without it. Sounds like you are describing the stock cooler setup on your truck. Stock cooler is about 1/3 the size of the 6.0. Sounds like you added the trans sesnor for your Edge Programmer to the transmission port? What are your trans temps when towing? Towing 12k in 100 degree day pulling a grade the highest I have seen is 155 degrees...

 

Yep, it`s definitely the stock tranny cooler I have. The only sensor I added to the Edge was the EGT temp probe, Tranny temp comes from the truck computer. We took a trip to Quebec last year, towing 12k with 89degF , tranny temps were 185 and 205degF.

BTW went to local Stealership to price the 6.0 Cooler - $700.00 for the 31 row so I`m still shopping but this is definitely my next mod.

Thanks, Roger

 

Salvage yard maybe??

 

Got a new one off eBay for just under $200.

Steve

 

^^ What he said.