I haven’t posted much on this board but have spent many hours searching, reading, and comparing information. Although most people reply with the typical “do a search” I think I have reached the search overload point……so I’m sorry if any of my questions are repeats.

First what I have and then what I want to do.
I have on ’03 F250 CC short bed 4x4 automatic tranny……….stock everything…70,0000 plus miles
I tow about once a month……..round trip is 200 miles……..averaging about 5,000# Stepping up to a 32’ gooseneck (4,000#) and two rock buggies (under 8,000#)

With this in mind I was hard core gung-hoe upgrading to a diesel……but then you guys and your fancy talk about how great the V10 is started to get under my skin. My main issues where mileage, tow capacity and cost of maintenance. So here I am.

I’ve figured it’s a whole lot cheaper to upgrade what I have than it is to purchase a new truck or even a slightly used one.

Here’s what I want to do and probably in this order

• re-gear to 4.30’s
• add a deep tranny pan and additional tranny cooler and gauge
• would like to add a TransCommand (Banks)
• upgrade air intake (AEM Cold Air Intake)<O</O
• upgrade to headers
• upgrade to dual pipes with crossover<O</O

My questions are these

• if I re-gear from 3.73 to 4.30 will I need to flash the computer?
• I have not heard anything bad about the Banks TransCommand…….is there some thing better?......ATS Diesel Commander sounds diesel specific.
• I like the AEM filter because it’s dry……I’ve heard many people say that the oiled filters (K&N) can mess with or foul the sensors…….open to opinions here.
• as for the exhaust…….to go dual or not?........pro’s and con’s? If I go dual’s…should I go “H” or “X”

I’m not trying to make a race truck nor am I trying to get 15 mpg………I want the most efficient tow rig possible.<O</O

Thanks for your help and comments

 

IMO, you will get the most gain from changing the gears to 4.30s. No need to re-flash the ecm for the gear change. I would however, consider the Troyer custom tune. He can set it up more for torque (towing) than horsepower.
Personally, I think Ford has a decent exhaust setup (except for the y-pipe) from the factory. Unless you just want a meatier sound, I wouldn't spend the money on duals, etc. You may gain a little hp, but not much just by changing to the dual pipes. The Y-pipe mod WILL make a seat-of-the-pants difference in performance.
I recently installed a y-pipe and Troyer tune on my 04 and am quite pleased.

 

If you change from 3.73 to 4.30 gears it will make it into a whole different truck. I gross 24K when I pull the trailer and boat and the only thing I have beside 4.30 gears is a Banks cat back exhaust system. The Banks makes a difference at the higher altitudes and maybe a small difference in fuel mileage.

Denny

 

I know nothing about add on's.You will not get 15MPG doing anything. We tow a 13K 5th wheel, total weight truck amd camper @ 21K+. It does OK execpt on long steep grades.For 200 miles a month towing I would stay with what you have and make the mods you deem necessary.

 

1. No. PCM does not need to be flashed.
2. IMO...I recommend a valve body change for your 4R100 tranny .vs the computer program types. The computer program type’s just increase the fluid pressure (most of the times)...and wear out the tranny. The Valve body is a constant...and keeps the tranny healthy. See link:
http://www.factorytechtransmissions....WPROD&ProdID=7
3. This is a personal preference, but you could also try aFe. They have quality products...and offer a dry reusable filter. http://www.afefilters.com/
4. NOT. No REAL increases unless you were going to add headers and a Supercharger. Plus...true duals need an extra CAT. Just not worth the cost...IMO. The OEM factory setup is pretty efficient already.

#5. Don't forget the brake controller! IMO...one of the best out is the P3 Prodigy. Works great...and functional too. The install is super easy...as long as you have the factory tow package.
#6. Brakes. Might want to think about upgrading your front and rear brakes. I went with the Powerslot rotors (fantastic quality) and HAWK pads (fantastic quality). Really reduced brakes fade due to heat and really stop my RIG quick! Safety FIRST!

Good luck...and enjoy towing! It sure is FUN!

biz

 

Welcome! It seems we have a lot in common. The first questioin I will ask is, what area of the US are you going to be towing in? I'm in Utah and gross a little over 20K with my stock 99 running 4.56s. I'm getting approx 12MPG empty/combined and around 8MPG towing the big trailer with either one or two rigs on it (doesn't seem to make a difference in MPG). I was pulling my jeep with an 18ft lowboy and was getting 9-10MPG on the freeway. The 4.56s are great in the hills and highway,but wish I would have gone 4.88s or 5.13s for the mountains. As far as performance goes, I have the "zoodad"(sp) mod and a large cooler with fan and thats about it. From what I've read, mods are pretty much useless on these things aside from gears. I however, have been thinking about installing some underdrive puleys this fall.

HTH -Marcus

 

I would look at a Tuner like SCT or Diablo. The Banks transcommand is a waste of $$$ IMO because for over $200 you only get a firmer tranny with no adjustment. With a Good tuner you can adjust tranny firmness, shift points, top speed, rev limit, tire size, air/fuel ratio, dtc's, datalog and the list goes on and on. Plus if you get an SCT or Diablo you can go to a dealer and have the truck dyno tuned. The tuning dealer can adjust thousands of parameters to tune the truck.

If you can afford it a Gear change to 4:30s is a good idea. Replace the stock Y-pipe, add a freer flowing exhaust and possibly a new intake.

 

I'm in Las Vegas......i make annual runs to places like Moab, Western Colorado, and the Hammers in Southern Californis........lots of long steep climbs.
i'd consider 4.56's but 4.88's might be too deep for me.........this is also my daily driver.
4.30 or 4.56's ?...........most on the board seem to like the 4.30's for the 12,000# range and stock tire size.
i guess if i wanted to run a tire larger than 33" the 4.56 gears might be better.

 

I did the factory tech trans valve body and it made a big difference. It was easy to do and you can do a trans service and the deep pan at the same time. I changed from 3.73 gears to 4.56 and like the change this made. I went to 4.56 because I have 35" tires. I helped a friend do the banks tran command and I think the valve body change is a better deal for $225. Good luck.

 

Go with the 56s. I use this truck as my daily driver as well (approx 250 miles per week) and don't regret it one bit. If you're in LV, get a good trans cooler.

BTW. check out www.rockymountainextreme.com for UT,CO,NV wheeling runs.

Marcus

 

4.56's and stock tires (245/75/17)? this just seems too low/tall of a gear for me.
at best i might level the truck and run 33's.......but not any time soon.

i'm definately doing the factory tech trans valve body........a deeper trans pan and a secondary cooler w/ fan. i'm thinking of using the B&M pan......adds 3 qts....and isn't $400+ (ATS)........anyone have a better idea about the pan?

thanks for the link.......will check it out.

 

Check out PML transmission pans. $220 for the aluminum pan that holds an extra 3 qts.

 

i'll check'm out

 

No sweat. Great group of guys on there. You going to Moab for Labor day?

BOT
The biggest thing to consider, is desired cruising speed and final drive ratio. What speed do you are you comfortable pulling 14K LBS at? 65-70 seems to be perfect. Don't plan on running in OD at less than 75-80MPH with 4.30s with that kind of weight/elevation though. Your trans will constantly be kicking in and out of OD until you lock it out. The V10 seems to do best between 2800-3000RPM with that kind weight behind it while climbing hills/mountains. I have to run 3K@ 60MPH around Moab ETC and then need to cruise around 75MPH to keep the engine speed above 2500 on the flats. This is with 285s, so the 245s on your rig and 4.56s would be perfect. Like I said, there won't be any difference between 4.30-4.56s in MPG, trust me

I daily drive mine and wouldn't hesitate to run 5.13s and 285s.

JMHO
Marcus

 

ok.....so the 4.56's are sounding better.........65-70 is my average tow speed unless i'm in Cali (55-60)
just trying to find that balance between daily use and towing....but towing is what i bought this truck for!
secondary to making this thing efficient is the pissing contest with all of my offroad club buddy's.........they ALL have oil burners for tow rigs and constantly yank my chain for having a gasser.......now i've just thrown down the gauntlet and said "f you, i'll pull 12,000# and still keep up with you"
it seems the only thing they have over me is range.....at almost twice the mileage i may also consider swaping to a larger fuel tank.......48-50 gal.!!

ATXZJ......i wont be making Moab this year.....but plan on Spring of next year.
this is a link to my clubs web page.. http://www.totalkarnage.net/ this is my play toy...nick named "baby huey"