Trans setup for towing
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2012
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Trans setup for towing
Hi,
I am planning on purchasing an Excursion for a tow vehicle here shortly and was wondering what the best transmission setup would be? I will be using it to tow my 30ft camper that weighs about 8500 lbs loaded..
My previous tow vehicle was an '88 e-250 with a c6. I added a low stall diesel converter to it, temp gauge and a trans cooler out of a 6.0L with a thermostat block. I always changed the trans fluid every year before camping season. I never had any durability or temp issues.
Unfortunately, I don't know much about the transmissions in the Excursions and was hoping someone here could make recommendations on what to do to ensure durability.
Thanks
I am planning on purchasing an Excursion for a tow vehicle here shortly and was wondering what the best transmission setup would be? I will be using it to tow my 30ft camper that weighs about 8500 lbs loaded..
My previous tow vehicle was an '88 e-250 with a c6. I added a low stall diesel converter to it, temp gauge and a trans cooler out of a 6.0L with a thermostat block. I always changed the trans fluid every year before camping season. I never had any durability or temp issues.
Unfortunately, I don't know much about the transmissions in the Excursions and was hoping someone here could make recommendations on what to do to ensure durability.
Thanks
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 1,115
Likes: 264
From: KY
The enemy of any transmission of HEAT. The 4R100 transmission cooler is tiny. The 6.0 cooler bolts up to the same mounts you just need to adapt the hose size down. I followed this guide.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1em...tpvq-1mrsDjf0B
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1em...tpvq-1mrsDjf0B
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 12,055
Likes: 1,559
From: Media PA
The better 5R110W trans Mark mentions above only comes behind the 6.0 PSD, all of the other engine choices came with the 4R100 with slightly different internals for each engine. The early rigs (just '01 I think) didn't have the trans cooling loop in the radiator and the 7.3 trans coolers are indeed tiny with the V-10s having a slightly larger unit and the 6.0s with the nice big cooler that everyone mentions.
I logged over 40K towing miles (9500lb TH for the first 15K and a 12K TT for the balance) with the stock V-10 cooler (mines an '05 with the radiator cooling loop) and only ever saw 200*+ a few times and it never hit 210* which is still safely below the danger zone. I did upgrade to the 6.0 cooler and now see 20* or more lower temps in all conditions. Having some way to monitor the trans temp is always a good idea when towing, I am old school and use a stand alone gauge on my EX.
I logged over 40K towing miles (9500lb TH for the first 15K and a 12K TT for the balance) with the stock V-10 cooler (mines an '05 with the radiator cooling loop) and only ever saw 200*+ a few times and it never hit 210* which is still safely below the danger zone. I did upgrade to the 6.0 cooler and now see 20* or more lower temps in all conditions. Having some way to monitor the trans temp is always a good idea when towing, I am old school and use a stand alone gauge on my EX.
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,734
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From: SE Florida
That was fixed mid year 2000. All late 2000 and newer trucks had the cooler in the radiator.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,259
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From: Northern California
@Mark Kovalsky any chance you recall the thread size of the cooler line port on the case as well as the radiator cooler fittings ? internet has me believing the case may be 1/4 NPS but seems to me since the word "metric" is stamped on the pan they would be metric ? also do you see an issue of ditching the stock hard line and running a -8 PTFE hose from case to radiator and 6.0 cooler ? I currently have a simple brass 3/8 to 1/2 adapter to make the 6.0 cooler integrate so there is already a -6 to -8 size change, unsure if that pressure drop affects what should be.
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Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,734
Likes: 2,661
From: SE Florida
I never knew the thread sizes, sorry. They most likely are not metric. For some reason Ford didn't change these to metric.
I don't see any problem running a -8 hose in place of the stock line. The drop from a -6 to -8 isn't the best thing to have, but overall it's better than the original stock 3/8" lines from end to end.
I don't see any problem running a -8 hose in place of the stock line. The drop from a -6 to -8 isn't the best thing to have, but overall it's better than the original stock 3/8" lines from end to end.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2012
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Thanks for all the feedback. I will have to check out the stock setup when I get one. Just waiting on the wife's Acadia to sell.
If the stock setup keeps thing below 210* then upgrading the cooler would be lower on my list. If not then it will be one of the first things. I have a thermostat block setup in my current system to divert the trans fluid away from the 6.0 cooler I have installed until it reaches a certain temp. I believe it is 195*. This is to keep from overcooling the trans fluid when the temps are cold in the winter. Seemed to work well. Trans came up to operating temp fine in the winter, but never saw high temps towing in the summer.
Knowing what is going on with the vehicle when towing is important. My plan is that I would swap over the Trans temp, coolant temp and oil pressure gauge from my old TV to this one, I also have an EGT, but not sure if it would be important if I end up with a v10 vs a diesel.
If the stock setup keeps thing below 210* then upgrading the cooler would be lower on my list. If not then it will be one of the first things. I have a thermostat block setup in my current system to divert the trans fluid away from the 6.0 cooler I have installed until it reaches a certain temp. I believe it is 195*. This is to keep from overcooling the trans fluid when the temps are cold in the winter. Seemed to work well. Trans came up to operating temp fine in the winter, but never saw high temps towing in the summer.
Knowing what is going on with the vehicle when towing is important. My plan is that I would swap over the Trans temp, coolant temp and oil pressure gauge from my old TV to this one, I also have an EGT, but not sure if it would be important if I end up with a v10 vs a diesel.
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