Went out of town to pick up my new fifth wheel this weekend. The difference in elevation between the two towns is more than 3,800 feet over a distance of less than 700 miles. SO the return trip is mostly uphill. The truck is a 1993 f350 7.3 diesel and the rv is 11,500 lbs. Granted it was quite hot that day, about 100º F and very humid, but the engine temp light came on several times. I was able to slow down and reduce the temp enough to make the light cut off. As soon as the sun started setting and the temp dropped to the mid 80's the truck did much better, so I don't think it needs an incredible amount of help, just a way to stay cooler under those sorts of conditions. I've never done any radiator or intake work so I am looking for input on the appropriate most effective mod to make.

 

Throughly clean the radiator with pressurized water… get out all the accumulated bugs, sand, dirt and other road trash.

I did this every spring on my Peterbilt's and it always improved the cooling performance of the radiator.

Just one suggestion...

 

Automatic trans? If so make sure you flush the trans cooler lines in the rad while you're at it and if the truck doesn't already have one install an auxilary trans oil cooler and temp gauge.