I am trying to find the best combination of engine, rear-end,and suspension to produce the most pulling power and best fuel mileage. I will be doing hot-shot work so will be pulling a 40ft trailer. Truck will be an F-450 or 550. Am also interested in hearing about CHIPS. Good, Bad and if they really increase fuel mileage. Any honest and professional opinions would be appreciated.


Thanks
Vincent

 

I would go for the 7.3 powerstroke, because it has a lot more low end grunt than a 6.0 liter one, and the V10. I would go with 4.10 gears, and the ZF 6-speed if you know how to drive a stick. If you cannot, make sure you put a tranny cooler on the automatic, and possible a bigger pan. Some mods are the ever so popular "kwik filter", a turbo-back exhaust system, and a chip. The most popular chips are the superchips, and the diablo predator. With multi-level chips, many have seen a gain in milege on the 60HP setting when driven the same as before the installation. STAY AWAY FROM HYPERTECH. Check out the 7.3 PSD section aswell. These engine run forever, and the only problem they have is that the cam position sensor can go bad, but those are very easy to replace. Good luck in choosing.

 

I am looking for the best combination of Engine,Transmission, Rearend and what ever else my be needed for the best towing and fuel Mileage I can get. I will be towing a 40ft trailer and will be carrying oil feild equipment. The total weight will be about 30,000lbs on the average. I am looking to use a F-450 or F-550. I would appreciate any help I can receive.

Thanks
Vincent

 

well, start off with a 460 engine block, with towing that much weight you will need displacement. Use about 9:1 comp pistons, i good cam like comp cams 34-223-4. Use keith black pistons atleast, no speed pro crap, i do not think they hold up as well. High volume oil pump, clevite h-series bearings, and get the crank ground and balenced that is the key to engine longetivity. Use a high volume water pump and an engine oil cooler with that much weight. As for a rear end, 4.11 or 4.56 rear end gears. You will also want a manual tranny, but it is up to you.

 

Unfortunately, the 460 isn't made anymore . Fortunately, we do have the Powerstroke (as long as yours stays running).

Gear ratios choices are limited in the F450/550 trucks. With the diesel, the F450 comes stock with 4.30's and the F550 comes stock with 4.88's. If your total combined truck/trailer weight is going to be around 30,000 lbs or more, definitely get the F550. That also means your gear ratio decision is made for you: 4.88's. You'll need all the gearing you can get with that much weight anyways.

If you want better highway mileage while unloaded, consider adding a Gear Vendors overdrive unit to it. With the Gear Vendors, plus the overdrive ratio in the trans, your effective final drive ratio would be 2.70, which is plenty high for fast freeway cruising when unloaded. Effective ratio with just the trans overdrive is about 3.47, which is still high enough for most freeway speeds.

About the trans, in the F450/550 trucks, the TorqShift 5speed auto is rated higher for towing than the 6 speed manual.

Check out the Ford commercial truck website for all the towing and GVWR/payload specs on the 450/550/650/750 trucks. Go to www.fordvehicles.com and choose the commercial truck section, or go to the fleet Ford website, which can also be reached from the main site.

 

sorry, i thought he was building an older truck. The PSD is the only choice for towing in that case. Personally, i do not think you will want anything over 4.30's. The psd peaks at about 1800 RPM with torque, and with 3.73's that is about 55 60, otherwise you will just be spinning higher, loosing torque and fuel, but thats just my input.