More Power
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: Canada
More Power
I have an 01 F150 Supercrew. I started pulling my 5000lbs holiday trailer and have found that it really gets bogged down on the big hills. What are the best mods that will give me the most bang for my buck. The speed shops all say intake kit and cat back exhaust. Will this really make a big enough difference that I will notice or feel. I would love to hear from some members that have went through this.
Thanks
Rob
Thanks
Rob
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Rear gear change. Do you drive the truck every day pulling the trailer? Should you only use the truck a few times a year for towing, it will cost you more to drive it daily converted to a better towing condition.
You can make a stump puller out of it, but it'll drink more gas going down the road.
John
You can make a stump puller out of it, but it'll drink more gas going down the road.
John
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 176
Likes: 1
From: Southeast Texas
Agreed, your biggest bang for the buck is going to be a rear gear change. What's your stock gearing? Which motor? Depending on your configuration, you may be able to make a swap without a big mpg loss.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 228
Likes: 0
From: Central Texas
Originally Posted by y2klarry
I have an 01 F150 Supercrew. I started pulling my 5000lbs holiday trailer and have found that it really gets bogged down on the big hills. What are the best mods that will give me the most bang for my buck. The speed shops all say intake kit and cat back exhaust. Will this really make a big enough difference that I will notice or feel. I would love to hear from some members that have went through this.
Thanks
Rob
Thanks
Rob
If you pull it a bunch maybe you should consider a gear change.. However this will cost mucho mileage when NOT towing!
There is NOT a vehicle that will tow easily and run around economically. You have to make choices with trucks.. Towing power and mileage do not add up to the same truck.
Big Jim
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
Likes: 575
From: Brentwood,CA
well did you shift down to let the engine rev up higher or did you just leave it in drive was the o/d on or off ,is it the 4.6 engine or 5.4.if its the 4.6 then there is no hope it is underpowered for this . i tow 9,000 with my 03 expedition never a problem slows down a very small amount on hills but also has 3.73 l/s
Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 24,724
Likes: 74
From: Blue Hill Township
Get an intake, exhaust, and then a supercharger. You won't have any power issues when running a blower
Trending Topics
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,959
Likes: 9
From: USA
First you need to find out what your axle ratio is, and if you're running stock size tires or larger tires, and also what size the engine is and what transmission it has. Once we get that info, we can better help you.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 228
Likes: 0
From: Central Texas
Originally Posted by fecampbell
Wouldn't a Diablo Predator or Diablo Delta chip be a more viable solution than swapping out a whole rear-end?
Just adjust the computer for performance do your towing and then reset back to OEM for mileage when done.
Just adjust the computer for performance do your towing and then reset back to OEM for mileage when done.
Big JIm
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 228
Likes: 0
From: Central Texas
Originally Posted by mistercmk
more rpm? Do you mean an engine with more power? or, do you mean that he needs to run the engine in its powerband?>\
The manufacror of my chevy H/D puts 4"10's in them straight out. It runs at 2700rpm on the hiway and only gets nearly 12mpg..(not quite) But it is hell for stout with a 10.000lb trailer stuck on its ***.
The answer to towing questions has been more rpm...always.
Big Jim
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: Canada
Sorry I did not include all the particulars. I got a 5.4 auto with the 3.55 rear end. I do not think there was an option to go to the 3.73 in the supercrew however that is what I wanted. I do use the truck daily but only 5- 10 km to work and back. I tow maybe 20 times a year. When I talk about hills I live in the foothills of alberta and venture into the mountains. I thought about downsizing my tires by 10% to make up for my lower rear end ratio. I need tires for winter anyway.
Thanks again
Thanks again
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,959
Likes: 9
From: USA
Going down in the tire size will get you into a lower (numerically higher) effective axle ratio, but watch the tire load rating, as smaller tires often have lower weight carrying ratings. For a more permanent fix, a swap to 4.10 axle gears would be much better than changing the tire size. There won't be much, if any gas mileage loss with the 4.10's except at high crusing speed on the freeway, but your truck has the overdrive gear in the trans which will allow a descent cruising speed and descent mileage with the 4.10's. The towing capacity goes up about 2-3000 lbs between 3.55's and 4.10's in most trucks 
.
.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 24,724
Likes: 74
From: Blue Hill Township
The capacity will not go up, since the brakes and chassis are the same. Tow capacity is not based only on engine power, but on the size of the vehicle, braking system, cooling system, etc... By increasing the axle ratio, the truck will be able to tow the weight much easier.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 176
Likes: 1
From: Southeast Texas
Originally Posted by y2klarry
Sorry I did not include all the particulars. I got a 5.4 auto with the 3.55 rear end. I do not think there was an option to go to the 3.73 in the supercrew however that is what I wanted. I do use the truck daily but only 5- 10 km to work and back. I tow maybe 20 times a year. When I talk about hills I live in the foothills of alberta and venture into the mountains. I thought about downsizing my tires by 10% to make up for my lower rear end ratio. I need tires for winter anyway.
Thanks again
Thanks again
Is your tranny shifting down to 3rd or 2nd in those hills? How much do they slow you down, 65 to 45?