More pulling power tips....need some
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: OKC, Okla.
More pulling power tips....need some
I have an 01 F-150 SuperCrew 4X4 5.4L...automatic...3.55 gears with 55,000 miles on it.
It is all stock and has been well maintained.
I just bought a boat. Total pulling weight is around 4500-5000lbs..well within the max towing capacity.
The truck tows fine (although I definately can feel the boat back there) and I get about 11-12mpg on the highway.
I just want to know if there is any bolt on tips or any tips in general on how to help improve the towing performance with gains in HP and torque. I am just wanting to maximize the performance of the truck as much as possible and to try to reduce wear and tear.
Please no.."yeah, heres a tip...get an F-250" remarks...
Thanks in advance.
It is all stock and has been well maintained.
I just bought a boat. Total pulling weight is around 4500-5000lbs..well within the max towing capacity.
The truck tows fine (although I definately can feel the boat back there) and I get about 11-12mpg on the highway.
I just want to know if there is any bolt on tips or any tips in general on how to help improve the towing performance with gains in HP and torque. I am just wanting to maximize the performance of the truck as much as possible and to try to reduce wear and tear.
Please no.."yeah, heres a tip...get an F-250" remarks...
Thanks in advance.
Last edited by daytomann; Sep 17, 2004 at 08:46 PM.
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From: Hawaii
I recently bought a new boat and wanted more pulling power out of my 1999 F150 4X4 so I installed a Microtuner which has a performance towing tune that adds more torque and HP. I also added a cold air intake and flowmaster exhaust. After putting on larger tires I had 4.10 gears installed and now it tows my boat with relative ease.
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Joined: Jul 2004
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granatelli max airflow sensor
air intake
exhuast
reprogramer
lower rear end gears
throttle body spacer(mostly for torque and milage gains)
headers
new bigger throttle body
royal purple oil, tranny oil, rear end oil and i think radiator fluid
There is alot of things out now to add power.
air intake
exhuast
reprogramer
lower rear end gears
throttle body spacer(mostly for torque and milage gains)
headers
new bigger throttle body
royal purple oil, tranny oil, rear end oil and i think radiator fluid
There is alot of things out now to add power.
Last edited by southernfordman; Sep 17, 2004 at 09:53 PM.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 154
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From: OKC, Okla.
Thanks for the welcome and thanks for the tips! 
Sounds like pretty straight forward stuff. I've already done alot of these type mods to my wife's 03 Mustang GT and they all seem to have worked good.
Sounds the the truck stuff is pretty closely related.
But anymore would be appreciated.
I may have some more questions.
Since I've got 3:55 gears, sounds like I need some new gears and a programmer/tuner first to set some new F.I. tunes and to reset for the new gears....(and a cold air intake, cuase they are relatively inexpensive).
Then some flows....probably a catback system would be best.
If I decide to keep the truck for a couple of more years I will get the new throttle body and maybe some headers.
Do they make underdrive pulleys fro our trucks? and do they add anymore power or responsiveness?
Sounds like pretty straight forward stuff. I've already done alot of these type mods to my wife's 03 Mustang GT and they all seem to have worked good.
Sounds the the truck stuff is pretty closely related.
But anymore would be appreciated.
I may have some more questions.
Since I've got 3:55 gears, sounds like I need some new gears and a programmer/tuner first to set some new F.I. tunes and to reset for the new gears....(and a cold air intake, cuase they are relatively inexpensive).
Then some flows....probably a catback system would be best.
If I decide to keep the truck for a couple of more years I will get the new throttle body and maybe some headers.
Do they make underdrive pulleys fro our trucks? and do they add anymore power or responsiveness?
Last edited by daytomann; Sep 23, 2004 at 07:30 PM.
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From: Southwestern Pa.
The gears will help (run 3.73's 98 5.4) but are there all the time (gas mileage). Larger wheels/ tires hurt as far as towing goes.
Since we are spending your money, Supercharger?
Also and more importantly "More stopping power tips"
Upgrade to performance pads and rotors next brake change.
No experience with underdrive pulleys. How bout some pics of the new rig (boat attached).
Happy Motoring.
Since we are spending your money, Supercharger?
Also and more importantly "More stopping power tips"
Upgrade to performance pads and rotors next brake change.
No experience with underdrive pulleys. How bout some pics of the new rig (boat attached).
Happy Motoring.
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: OKC, Okla.
Well the supercharger is out for now LOL!
I got the boat at the very end of last summer. I only put 20 hrs on it last year so I only towed it on the highway a few times.
One thing I decided since then is that I am probably not going to change gearing.
Right after I got my boat, my buddy got a new 04 F-150 4x4 Super Crew to tow HIS boat.
His boat is exactly like mine in style, size and weight.
His truck has 3:73 gears and the more powerfull new motor. Its supposed to tow easier than my truck and was supposed to get better gas milage when towing.
Both times we towed our boats I got BETTER milage than him, by .5 to 1 mpg. I think it was my gearing that did the trick. Once we are up to speed, I'm running at consistantly lower RPMs.
I think I'm gonna just put on some bolt ons and try to increase power a little. I might just leave the gearing alone cause it does pretty good with the 3:55. Not as good on the bottom end but it does OK and pays off for the better milage.
So far my "for sure" bolt ons (which I will install next month) are the K&N GEN II CAI, and Flowmasters. I'm still trying to decide on what else to do.
I got the boat at the very end of last summer. I only put 20 hrs on it last year so I only towed it on the highway a few times.
One thing I decided since then is that I am probably not going to change gearing.
Right after I got my boat, my buddy got a new 04 F-150 4x4 Super Crew to tow HIS boat.
His boat is exactly like mine in style, size and weight.
His truck has 3:73 gears and the more powerfull new motor. Its supposed to tow easier than my truck and was supposed to get better gas milage when towing.
Both times we towed our boats I got BETTER milage than him, by .5 to 1 mpg. I think it was my gearing that did the trick. Once we are up to speed, I'm running at consistantly lower RPMs.
I think I'm gonna just put on some bolt ons and try to increase power a little. I might just leave the gearing alone cause it does pretty good with the 3:55. Not as good on the bottom end but it does OK and pays off for the better milage.
So far my "for sure" bolt ons (which I will install next month) are the K&N GEN II CAI, and Flowmasters. I'm still trying to decide on what else to do.
Last edited by daytomann; Apr 26, 2005 at 09:22 PM.
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Junior User
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Airforce One is a good intake as well.
I have been wondering about underdrive pulleys. Are they worth the money for the performance and which brand is the best? Can you feel the difference?
What about headers? What brand gives you the most power?
Robert
I have been wondering about underdrive pulleys. Are they worth the money for the performance and which brand is the best? Can you feel the difference?
What about headers? What brand gives you the most power?
Robert