Ultimate Tow Rig Setup
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Ultimate Tow Rig Setup
I’m sure this has been asked a few times but I’ll ask again. What would your ultimate tow vehicle build look like? I have a 05 F350 SD, DRW, King Ranch 4x4 that will be used almost exclusively to tow a 40’ 5th wheel toy hauler. Below is what I’ve done in the last 200 miles or so. My goal is to build a reliable tow vehicle that will keep fluid and EG temps in check and last a long time. Is there anything I’m missing?
• Heads
• Head gaskets
• ARP Head studs
• EGR Delete
• Injectors
• Glow plugs
• Blue spring kit
• Coolant hoses and degas tank
• Oil cooler
• External Coolant filter kit
• 5” MBRP turbo back exhaust with cat delete pipe
• SCT tuner
• Edge CTS monitor
• 45 gal in-bed Aux fuel tank
Things I still want/need to do:
• Mag-hytech tranny pan & diff covers
• Cold air intake
• External oil filter bypass kit
• Hellwig rear sway bar
• Heads
• Head gaskets
• ARP Head studs
• EGR Delete
• Injectors
• Glow plugs
• Blue spring kit
• Coolant hoses and degas tank
• Oil cooler
• External Coolant filter kit
• 5” MBRP turbo back exhaust with cat delete pipe
• SCT tuner
• Edge CTS monitor
• 45 gal in-bed Aux fuel tank
Things I still want/need to do:
• Mag-hytech tranny pan & diff covers
• Cold air intake
• External oil filter bypass kit
• Hellwig rear sway bar
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At this point I know exactly what has and hasn't been done and who did it. That's more than I can say for a lot of newer trucks. Besides I like modding my vehicles so there will always something for me the replace, upgrade or change
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
Likes: 742
From: Isanti, MN
You can forego the Mag Hytec products, they're a waste of money. They don't help keep your transmission cool, and the added fluid capacity isn't going to do much of anything for you. A finned aluminum differential cover would increase rear differential cooling, but you can get the factory aluminum one they put on the '08-present trucks for around $150.
https://parts.autonationfordwhitebea...t=Rear%20cover
https://parts.autonationfordwhitebea...t=Rear%20cover
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,171
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Just guessing at your fifth wheel at 20K lbs loaded and 4K - 5K pin weight, I would add air bags, way upgraded shocks to your sway bar. I'd think about changing the diff's to a 4.3 gear ratio.
Brian
Brian
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At any rate thx for all the input guys I really appreciate it. I think exhaust brakes is a really good idea. There're some pretty steep grades getting out of and into the Phoenix valley area. I'm definitely adding that upgrade to the list. Thx Redford.
Token Redneck
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,339
Likes: 350
From: Breckenridge, TX
CAi is a waste of money in a 6.0L. I'd pull the y-pipe and have new bellows installed since it sounds like it's going to be towing full time. If you want to go for better tire life and handling, a set of 19.5" rims.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,314
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Ha ha I hear what you're saying! However, it's reliable now and a lot of the work was done not because things went bad (except for the heads) but, as preventative maintenance.
At this point I know exactly what has and hasn't been done and who did it. That's more than I can say for a lot of newer trucks. Besides I like modding my vehicles so there will always something for me the replace, upgrade or change
At this point I know exactly what has and hasn't been done and who did it. That's more than I can say for a lot of newer trucks. Besides I like modding my vehicles so there will always something for me the replace, upgrade or change
Ah, ok then...
did you ever say was it a crew cab or sbed or Long bed????
makes a difference in your towing capacity and rear axle weight rating
updated sway bars front and rear
Rancho adjustable shocks for those times you are loaded or unloaded !
here's the regular cab specs:
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
Likes: 742
From: Isanti, MN
I don't see what you're trying to fix. The trans was designed to operate at 170-180, and that's where you are. Why would you want it to run cooler?
Assuming that you do want to run cooler for whatever reason, a larger trans pan will only drain your wallet. It will NOT cool the trans. That's what a trans cooler does, not a pan. And what benefit is there to running 7 extra quarts? Other than increasing the oil company's profits.
I think you're trying to fix something that is working perfectly fine, and you're going in the wrong direction, too.
Assuming that you do want to run cooler for whatever reason, a larger trans pan will only drain your wallet. It will NOT cool the trans. That's what a trans cooler does, not a pan. And what benefit is there to running 7 extra quarts? Other than increasing the oil company's profits.
I think you're trying to fix something that is working perfectly fine, and you're going in the wrong direction, too.
And my personal favorite:
There's no such thing as a 4R110. There was a 4R100 and then a 5R110.
Most of you have read about my opinions on deep pans. For those who haven't, read on.
A deep pan is excellent for making the bottom of your truck look cool. That's all it does for you. It does NOT make the trans cooler, but it will make it take longer to get hot. Once it does get hot it will take longer to cool. I can't understand how that helps.
There is very little heat loss through the pan. You need fluid to move around the pan surface to transfer heat. I've measured the flow inside the pan, there is a pretty steady surface that "sticks" to the pan, and that blocks heat transfer.
Another thing to consider is where the pan is located. Ever get under a truck that's been running hard while the engine is still running? How about standing next to a running, hot truck? Do you feel nice cool air coming from underneath? I feel HOT air. I've measured the air temperature around the trans pan. It's often in the 230-250F range. How well will the pan cool the trans fluid when the air around it is hotter than the ATF? I seem to remember from my heat transfer classes that you can't cool something with something else that is hotter. That means that the expensive aluminum pan is not going to transfer much heat, but what little is does transfer will be from outside into the ATF!!!!
A big pan looks nice. If that's what you want it for, then go for it. If you expect it to cool the trans, or make the trans last longer, a better trans cooler would be MUCH more effective.
Most of you have read about my opinions on deep pans. For those who haven't, read on.
A deep pan is excellent for making the bottom of your truck look cool. That's all it does for you. It does NOT make the trans cooler, but it will make it take longer to get hot. Once it does get hot it will take longer to cool. I can't understand how that helps.
There is very little heat loss through the pan. You need fluid to move around the pan surface to transfer heat. I've measured the flow inside the pan, there is a pretty steady surface that "sticks" to the pan, and that blocks heat transfer.
Another thing to consider is where the pan is located. Ever get under a truck that's been running hard while the engine is still running? How about standing next to a running, hot truck? Do you feel nice cool air coming from underneath? I feel HOT air. I've measured the air temperature around the trans pan. It's often in the 230-250F range. How well will the pan cool the trans fluid when the air around it is hotter than the ATF? I seem to remember from my heat transfer classes that you can't cool something with something else that is hotter. That means that the expensive aluminum pan is not going to transfer much heat, but what little is does transfer will be from outside into the ATF!!!!
A big pan looks nice. If that's what you want it for, then go for it. If you expect it to cool the trans, or make the trans last longer, a better trans cooler would be MUCH more effective.