The van has the 5.4 engine, a 3.55LS, and has a Ford tow receiver and wiring at the back. Also, according to a VIN search, it has a weight rating of 6,001-7000 pounds. Can I safely assume that I have the tow package? Is there a code I'd find somewhere if it does indeed have that package?

 

Which wiring, four or seven pin? The 3.55 rear will affect your towing capacity, it's a little higher gear than most want. I would love LS but I wouldn't trade 3.73 to 3.55 to get it. I might give up 3.73 gas mileage for 4.10 to tow better though. I don't know of a tow package code but you should have an auxillary trans cooler in front of the radiator and relays/fuses for towing under the hood if you have the package. E350s have this stuff even without the package. On them it looks like the only additions you get with the package are hitch and seven pin connector. Make sure you check the rating of your receiver hitch before you start towing. On expeditions the base hitch is class III and towing package is class IV.

 

It has the round Ford connector with the flap over it. I guess that's the seven. It's not one of the flat four pin connectors if that's what you mean.

I don't plan to tow anything more than a lawn mower trailer on occasion, but I like having the package for the sake of the extra cooling.

I just took a two day trip to the mountains and back, and I definitely would want at least a 3.73 if I were to tow. The van came out of OD on even moderate interstate grades (3-4%). I'd prefer the 3.73 even for regular driving if I still lived in the mountains.

 

There are seven pin Round converters to 4 pin, 5 pin, whatever you have. Wal Mart sells them all at the prices I have found anywhere. Easiiest way to go.

 

If you have factory hitch and round connector you should have the towing package. I'm very surprised you have the 3.55 rear with it though.

 

That's why I'm a bit confused. Unfortunately, I don't yet have the owner's manual, which I suspect would answer a lot of my questions.

On the other hand, my old 1990 E-150 has the towing package and a 3.55 with a 351.

 

On an E150 Clubwagon, the 3.55 _is_ the tow package gear. The E250/350 tow gear is the 3.73. One important thing to remember about that difference is the E150 has a much shorter tire than the E250/350. The OD difference in the tire gives an effectively shorter gear ratio.

Its rare to see an E150 Clubwagon with a 3.55 that _does not_ have a tow package.

Odly enough, my E150 Clubwagon has a 5 liter and a 3.31 gear ratio _and_ a tow package. Go figure.

Steve
'95 Clubwagon XLT

 

Thanks Steve, that makes more sense now. Just found out earlier tonight while researching for my dad that tow package on most F150s is 3.55 gears too.

 

I finally got an owners manual packet from the dealer today. As Clubwagon stated, the 3.55 is the axle on the E-150. In fact, the towing guide in the manual didn't list any other axle for the E-150. It actually looked like there wasn't another ratio available for 2003