Radiator for Towing
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Radiator for Towing
Newbie here....
I got a 7000lbs 5th wheel last summer to drag around with my '95 F150s/c sb 4x4 and need a bit of help.
While dragging it over a steep grade on a hot day the temp went up to the high end of normal (and stayed there) so I want to change out the rad this year but I'm having a bit of trouble identifying the existed rad. The filler neck doesn't allow for easy count of the core.
The rad core is about an 1" thick and has a sticker on it "F2TW-GA" (if that means anything)
Other info:
351cid
auto
I'm guessing 3.55 gears
there is a factory tranny cooler in front of the rad.
Any help would be appreciated. Any additional tips for towing and keeping the truck healthy and trouble free also welcomed.
HD
I got a 7000lbs 5th wheel last summer to drag around with my '95 F150s/c sb 4x4 and need a bit of help.
While dragging it over a steep grade on a hot day the temp went up to the high end of normal (and stayed there) so I want to change out the rad this year but I'm having a bit of trouble identifying the existed rad. The filler neck doesn't allow for easy count of the core.
The rad core is about an 1" thick and has a sticker on it "F2TW-GA" (if that means anything)
Other info:
351cid
auto
I'm guessing 3.55 gears
there is a factory tranny cooler in front of the rad.
Any help would be appreciated. Any additional tips for towing and keeping the truck healthy and trouble free also welcomed.
HD
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From: Home Base Nebraska
I'm not sure if they make a bigger radiator for the F150. But from experience with the 351W and 3.55 gears are not a good combination for pulling. I had the same combination in my last F350 work truck and I always had trouble with the temp when pulling. I think a change of gears to 4.10 will be your biggest help.
Denny
Denny
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
HD, Take it to a rad. shop and have the truck system power flushed. Refill with fresh 50/50 mix.
It is perfectly normal to run on the upper side of normal when towing on a long grade. IMHO
John
It is perfectly normal to run on the upper side of normal when towing on a long grade. IMHO
John
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The rad in it may have a tiny leak as well so thats another reason for a possible replacement. Figgured if it was a 2 core I'd go up to 3 or ........
A flush might help it as well as a high flow thermostat maybe. Maybe some of that "water wetter" stuff?
I don't really have problem with the gearing (plus that's an expense in a 4x4). It pulls good and even stays in o.d. on level at speed (with 31x10.5 tires). I actually find the rpm might be a tad high on the highways with higher limits (110kmh or about 70mph). Especially empty. On that long steep pull it held about 40+mph (loaded) without me pushing it. The 351 seems to have decent grunt.
thx
HD
A flush might help it as well as a high flow thermostat maybe. Maybe some of that "water wetter" stuff?
I don't really have problem with the gearing (plus that's an expense in a 4x4). It pulls good and even stays in o.d. on level at speed (with 31x10.5 tires). I actually find the rpm might be a tad high on the highways with higher limits (110kmh or about 70mph). Especially empty. On that long steep pull it held about 40+mph (loaded) without me pushing it. The 351 seems to have decent grunt.
thx
HD
