This V10 is horrible
#91
07-19-2018, 01:12 PM
The tunes for a 6.8 really don't bump the power up much on the engine but it's the trans shift strategy improvements that make the biggest change for a tow rig. Custom tunes match the shift points under load to the engine output much better than the factory tune. I think that the 7.3's factory tune is better matched to the engines output but I think most good tunes for them still make some changes to optimize the matchup better. I wouldn't say that either rig NEEDS a tuner, but both sure do see a decent benefit from one.
Tom, since you mentioned the tuner... The first couple of trips, I was very careful to use the tow tune and run 93 octane gas. I did try the 93 octane performance tune but didn't like the shift points. Last trip out, I filled it up with 87 and forgot to change the tune from 87 perf to 87 tow until the trip back. The 87 perf tune worked better and I will never waste my money on 93 octane gas again because I didn't see any difference in performance nor did I experience any pinging or other signs of detonation.
As far as the diesel vs gas thing, each of us has an intended purpose for our vehicle. All this crowing about which one is better is totally irrelevant and serves no purpose whatsoever. My V10 does what I need it to do and it does it well. YMMV.
#92
07-19-2018, 01:50 PM
Could not agree more. I have no issue towing what I do at the speed limit or greater even with my 3.73's when it was on stock size tires. I have not tried it since upping to a 34.2" tire I know it'll be worse for sure. Put your foot to the floor before the bottom of the mountain/hill and you'll surpass the speed limit and be just fine by the top in my experience.
#93
07-19-2018, 01:51 PM
I agree with most.....but the 5.4 back stabbing. 
I certainly would not pass up a good X 4x4 with that motor. They are cheap, because everyone craps on them, but my 4th X will be a good 4x4 with a 5.4.
The only references to FI are for elevation corrections due to hp and tq losses at those elevations. I live and work at an elevation of 6800 to 8000 ft. That's 3000 ft above the mile high city of Denver .....just for reference.
I certainly would not pass up a good X 4x4 with that motor. They are cheap, because everyone craps on them, but my 4th X will be a good 4x4 with a 5.4.
The only references to FI are for elevation corrections due to hp and tq losses at those elevations. I live and work at an elevation of 6800 to 8000 ft. That's 3000 ft above the mile high city of Denver .....just for reference.
#94
07-19-2018, 01:54 PM
Sorry to rob you of your fun, but I have never suggested that the V-10 needs any kind of forced induction, my engine is still exactly as Ford built it with the exception of the Banks headers. Do I think it sounds like fun, you bet! Adding a turbo or blower to any NA vehicles sounds like a fun toy but I need my tow rig to be super reliable and to me, the addition of FI seems like a step away from that goal.
#95
07-19-2018, 01:57 PM
Could not agree more. I have no issue towing what I do at the speed limit or greater even with my 3.73's when it was on stock size tires. I have not tried it since upping to a 34.2" tire I know it'll be worse for sure. Put your foot to the floor before the bottom of the mountain/hill and you'll surpass the speed limit and be just fine by the top in my experience.
#96
07-19-2018, 01:58 PM
Just to keep it on topic, I"ve decided to go with a gear set and see how it does. A Jeep buddy of mine can set them up, so install won't cost me anything except some pizza and beer, as long as I do the heavy work. 4.88s will be ordered in the next few days. Let's hope I'm not disappointed!
#98
07-19-2018, 03:12 PM
Gears is what most people tend to do.
Just be careful with them, 99% of the time there are no issues.....but be advised:
4LO with 3.73 has an effective gear ratio of 8.20
With 4.88 the effective gear ratio is 13.3!!!
It's exponential as you can see.
This is because the transfer case 4LO multiplies by about 2.72.
That gear ratio is extremely LOW, so be careful if you use 4LO.
Just be careful with them, 99% of the time there are no issues.....but be advised:
4LO with 3.73 has an effective gear ratio of 8.20
With 4.88 the effective gear ratio is 13.3!!!
It's exponential as you can see.
This is because the transfer case 4LO multiplies by about 2.72.
That gear ratio is extremely LOW, so be careful if you use 4LO.
#99
07-19-2018, 03:13 PM
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#100
07-19-2018, 04:58 PM
Going to a higher numerical ratio will increase your rpm at any given speed. For example, if you change from 3.73's to 4.88's, you'll see a substantial increase in rpm. If you go the other way, you'll see a drop in rpm but towing would be nearly impossible.
#101
07-19-2018, 05:12 PM
Comments on a few of the above posts;
Rock, I was kidding about the 5.4, those little engines are really quite reliable and there are tons of them still getting it done every day, just not enough umph for my usage. I use 2LOW range all the time backing the big TT into sites and up my driveway, that super deep reduction makes slow speed control very nice with little effort and Mark recommends this to help avoid overheating the input seal on the trans while reversing under load. I couldn't live at that altitude, i'm scared of heights!
Kia, with your 32.6" tire's I think you will be happy with those new deep gears, maybe not the equal of the old hot rod D-Max but it will be much improved from your recent trip.
Russ, I know you are a skinny guy but have a heavy right foot
, but even at my combined 19K-ish weight I have never gone to WOT while towing, most that I have used is about 75/80% throttle opening and I ain't holding up traffic behind me.
1 EX Camper, I'll buy when we finally get together!, and that hold true for the rest of you guys too!
Rock, I was kidding about the 5.4, those little engines are really quite reliable and there are tons of them still getting it done every day, just not enough umph for my usage. I use 2LOW range all the time backing the big TT into sites and up my driveway, that super deep reduction makes slow speed control very nice with little effort and Mark recommends this to help avoid overheating the input seal on the trans while reversing under load. I couldn't live at that altitude, i'm scared of heights!
Kia, with your 32.6" tire's I think you will be happy with those new deep gears, maybe not the equal of the old hot rod D-Max but it will be much improved from your recent trip.
Russ, I know you are a skinny guy but have a heavy right foot
, but even at my combined 19K-ish weight I have never gone to WOT while towing, most that I have used is about 75/80% throttle opening and I ain't holding up traffic behind me.1 EX Camper, I'll buy when we finally get together!, and that hold true for the rest of you guys too!
#102
07-19-2018, 05:31 PM
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#103
07-19-2018, 06:50 PM
I wanted to comment on the uhaul truck. All vans since 99 including chassis cabs have either the 2v 5.4 or the 2v 6.8 v10.
A E350 could have a v8 in it but usually it’s the v10, especially if it’s a dually.. If it’s a E450 then it’s only the v10. That would be the exact engine that’s in our Ex’s. Horsepower and torque numbers have stayed the same. The E350 would have a 40 gallon gas tank and the E450 would have a 55 gallon tank. The E 350 would have 4:10 gears and 245-75-16” tires and the E450 would have 4:56 gears with the same size tire. The 245-75-16 are 30.64” tall, a real weenie tire but that helps your final gear ratio.
I would also agree that checking the cat would be a good idea. There is a YouTube video on how to do it, it takes 5 minutes.
I have 285-70-17 which are 32.7 “ tall and I have 4:30 gears, if I were to do it again I would go with 4:56. I find that my sweet spot for towing is right at 67mph, it just cruises along pulling my 8500lb camper. When I come to a hill it downshifts into third and goes right up, rarely do I need 2nd gear.
A E350 could have a v8 in it but usually it’s the v10, especially if it’s a dually.. If it’s a E450 then it’s only the v10. That would be the exact engine that’s in our Ex’s. Horsepower and torque numbers have stayed the same. The E350 would have a 40 gallon gas tank and the E450 would have a 55 gallon tank. The E 350 would have 4:10 gears and 245-75-16” tires and the E450 would have 4:56 gears with the same size tire. The 245-75-16 are 30.64” tall, a real weenie tire but that helps your final gear ratio.
I would also agree that checking the cat would be a good idea. There is a YouTube video on how to do it, it takes 5 minutes.
I have 285-70-17 which are 32.7 “ tall and I have 4:30 gears, if I were to do it again I would go with 4:56. I find that my sweet spot for towing is right at 67mph, it just cruises along pulling my 8500lb camper. When I come to a hill it downshifts into third and goes right up, rarely do I need 2nd gear.
#104
07-19-2018, 06:53 PM
#105
07-19-2018, 07:15 PM
Gears is what most people tend to do.
Just be careful with them, 99% of the time there are no issues.....but be advised:
4LO with 3.73 has an effective gear ratio of 8.20
With 4.88 the effective gear ratio is 13.3!!!
It's exponential as you can see.
This is because the transfer case 4LO multiplies by about 2.72.
That gear ratio is extremely LOW, so be careful if you use 4LO.
Just be careful with them, 99% of the time there are no issues.....but be advised:
4LO with 3.73 has an effective gear ratio of 8.20
With 4.88 the effective gear ratio is 13.3!!!
It's exponential as you can see.
This is because the transfer case 4LO multiplies by about 2.72.
That gear ratio is extremely LOW, so be careful if you use 4LO.
Comments on a few of the above posts;
Rock, I was kidding about the 5.4, those little engines are really quite reliable and there are tons of them still getting it done every day, just not enough umph for my usage. I use 2LOW range all the time backing the big TT into sites and up my driveway, that super deep reduction makes slow speed control very nice with little effort and Mark recommends this to help avoid overheating the input seal on the trans while reversing under load. I couldn't live at that altitude, i'm scared of heights!
Kia, with your 32.6" tire's I think you will be happy with those new deep gears, maybe not the equal of the old hot rod D-Max but it will be much improved from your recent trip.
Russ, I know you are a skinny guy but have a heavy right foot, but even at my combined 19K-ish weight I have never gone to WOT while towing, most that I have used is about 75/80% throttle opening and I ain't holding up traffic behind me.
1 EX Camper, I'll buy when we finally get together!, and that hold true for the rest of you guys too!
Rock, I was kidding about the 5.4, those little engines are really quite reliable and there are tons of them still getting it done every day, just not enough umph for my usage. I use 2LOW range all the time backing the big TT into sites and up my driveway, that super deep reduction makes slow speed control very nice with little effort and Mark recommends this to help avoid overheating the input seal on the trans while reversing under load. I couldn't live at that altitude, i'm scared of heights!
Kia, with your 32.6" tire's I think you will be happy with those new deep gears, maybe not the equal of the old hot rod D-Max but it will be much improved from your recent trip.
Russ, I know you are a skinny guy but have a heavy right foot
, but even at my combined 19K-ish weight I have never gone to WOT while towing, most that I have used is about 75/80% throttle opening and I ain't holding up traffic behind me.1 EX Camper, I'll buy when we finally get together!, and that hold true for the rest of you guys too!
Haha.... understood on the rpms being higher... what I meant to say was that with 4.56s.. I can use my OD which I dont with 3.73s and make full use of all 4 gears/speeds and it would not downshift as much which in turn would give me lower RPMs ... does that make sense???
I bet... That's ok, my last truck was a Duramax making about 850 lb ft , it would get sideways on onramps at 60 mph if I wasn't careful.