I have a 2001 F250 CC 4x4 V-10 auto short bed with the 4.30 gear ratio with limited slip. We are thinking of buying a 26 ft fifth wheel that ways about 6000 lbs onloaded. I was wondering if anyone out there has the same truck as mine with roughly the same type of fifth wheel that could give me some insight on how their truck does and if a trans command is really needed to make it easier to pull....I was told that it is needed to regulate the gearing of my automatic transmission. If anyone can give me any info, it would much appreciated. Thanks...

 

I basically have the same truck except for 3.73 gears. I pull a 24' fifth-wheel (measures 26+ feet) that weighs roughly 7000# loaded. No trouble with the tranny although I do wish it had 4.30 gears like your truck. You should have NO PROBLEMs pulling the trailer with the stock truck.

 

I appreciate the reply. I feel so much better now that I know that my truck should do well pulling a fifth wheel. Thanks...

BLUEBEAST01
2001 F250 CC Short Box 4x4
4.30 limited slip V-10 auto
True Blue with silver clearcoat metal accent

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 11-Feb-02 AT 04:43 PM (EST)]Our Nash 22H Travel trailer is about 5,500 loaded. We barely notice it is back there. I don't think an additional ton or so would make a difference. I am, however, considering a tranny temperature gauge and possibly a Transcommand since the Sierras have some pretty serious grades.

-V10gunner

'00 SD F250 Super Cab XLT, 4X2, 142"WB, 6.8L V10, 4R100, 4.30LS, Camper Package, Dark Toreador Red over Silver, Line-X, Husky mud flaps, Snugtop Xtra Vision Cab-high shell

 

Hey V-10 Gunner what have you heard about the transcommand for the V-10? I was told that it would help significantly but I havn't heard how or what it does to the shifting. Also, I am afraid to put something on the truck since it is new and also if it doensn't need it then I don't want to pay the $300.00 for it. Let me know what you think. I appreciate your time in this matter.

BLUEBEAST01

 

Yeah, I've got a few questions about this too (see my current post in the Transmission forum). From what I hear on this and other forums it seems to work well. I've only seen a few comments from folks saying that it didn't make a difference. You may want to search the forums using "Transcommand" as a search term.

Still searching for answers..........

-V10gunner

'00 SD F250 Super Cab XLT, 4X2, 142"WB, 6.8L V10, 4R100, 4.30LS, Camper Package, Dark Toreador Red over Silver, Line-X, Husky mud flaps, Snugtop Xtra Vision Cab-high shell

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 12-Feb-02 AT 01:02 AM (EST)]I've got a Transcommand on a Banks Powerpack equipped V10 Excursion. We tow a 31' travel trailer and I feel that the trans is better off with the unit installed. What I understand that it does is increase the clutch pressure producing a firmer shift. The difference is quite noticable, especially if you disconnect it after running with it for a while. The stock mode feels like its slipping during a shift. Ford rates these trucks to tow without it, but I like the 'feel' of the shift with it.

I bought mine for 225.00 extra with the kit.

 

3992824- Thanks for the input! I am seriously considering the Banks Stinger (maybe upgrade later to the full Powerpack) and Transcommand. Was the difference with the Powerpack noticeable? Did you have the Ottomind installed as well?

-V10gunner

'00 SD F250 Super Cab XLT, 4X2, 142"WB, 6.8L V10, 4R100, 4.30LS, Camper Package, Dark Toreador Red over Silver, Line-X, Husky mud flaps, Snugtop Xtra Vision Cab-high shell

 

3992824 I was just interested in getting the transcommand only without the kit. Can you do that? Or do you have to get the kit with it to see the differnece in the transmission. I'm kind of strapped so I am just able to spare for the transcommand. Let me know any info that you have. Thanks.....

BLUBEAST01

 

Blubeast01- the Banks Transcommand is sold separately- no need to by the whole exhaust system. Camping World has them for about $240. Everyone says they are a simple install. See the thread on "Reprogramming 4R100 or Transcommand" in the Super duty forum.

-V10gunner

'00 SD F250 Super Cab XLT, 4X2, 142"WB, 6.8L V10, 4R100, 4.30LS, Camper Package, Dark Toreador Red over Silver, Line-X, Husky mud flaps, Snugtop Xtra Vision Cab-high shell

 

Hey V10gunner. I just talk to a technician at FORD and he said that if I put the transcommand in my truck it would void the warranty on my transmission because it is bad for the transmission on the super duties. Reason why is because it makes the shift between 2nd and 3rd much larger therefore putting a strain on the transmission. He already had some instances when someone had brought in a truck and they couldn't warranty the transmission. Does this make any sense to you? I kept asking him why the trascommand was bad and he just said that the transmission can't handle what the tarscommand is trying to make it do. I am a novice when it comes to parts on truck so I am seeking out some calification on this. Let me know what you think. The technician seemd adament about the transcommand.

 

This argument always seems to come up. Ford will always tell you every time you make a modification to your truck it will void a warranty. Maybe somebody more versed on the M&M act can speak to this??............

Kinda one reason why I was hoping for a Ford reprogramming rather than an aftermarket item.

-V10gunner

'00 SD F250 Super Cab XLT, 4X2, 142"WB, 6.8L V10, 4R100, 4.30LS, Camper Package, Dark Toreador Red over Silver, Line-X, Husky mud flaps, Snugtop Xtra Vision Cab-high shell

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 12-Feb-02 AT 09:49 PM (EST)]>This argument always seems to come up. Ford will always
>tell you every time you make a modification to your truck it
>will void a warranty. Maybe somebody more versed on the M&M
>act can speak to this??............

[link:www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/15/ch50.html#PC50|Link to your question]

It is in lawyer talk but maybe together we can all decode it.

(c) Prohibition on conditions for written or implied warranty; waiver by Commission

No warrantor of a consumer product may condition his written or implied warranty of such product on the consumer's using, in connection with such product, any article or service (other than article or service provided without charge under the terms of the warranty) which is identified by brand, trade, or corporate name; except that the prohibition of this subsection may be waived by the Commission if -

(1)

the warrantor satisfies the Commission that the warranted product will function properly only if the article or service so identified is used in connection with the warranted product, and

(2)

the Commission finds that such a waiver is in the public interest.

 

The Banks products are well engineered, high quality products designed to improve performance safely and efficiently, IMHO. A truck transmission should shift firmly, especially when towing or hauling a load. I'm not an expert on automatic transmissions, but it makes sense to me that less slipping of the clutches during a shift prevents heat buildup, and everything I've read says HEAT is the worst enemy of an auto trans. I would want a better explanation of the opinion that the Transcommand is bad for the transmission. Also, I don't think that the unit changes the 2-3 shift point. Just the clutch pressure during the shift. To reduce any chance of warranty denial on any potential problem, I would physically remove the unit before I would take the vehicle in for service.

V10gunner, I didn't spring for the Ottomind, mainly because the code wasn't available when I purchased the system. (FXU4) The cost, around 350-400 bucks, is pretty steep for the power increase provided. (8hp, 13 or 14 lbft). Although for regular gas, the increase is respectable.

 

Tranny worry 101:

Ford forgot to put a temp gage so if you want to use your trucks for towing you must put one on for $60 or buy extended warrenty for $1500 your choice.

The fine folks at FoMoCo designed the 4R100 to handle a specific amount of input torque and produce a smooth linier amount of increased output torque. And mated to the factory engine as designed FoMoCo promises to repair or replace for 36/36 if the powertrain fails.

Now you want the "right" to increase the engine power, change the torque converter behavior and shift points to cause harsher shifts, put on taller tires (effectivly changing the gear ratio and torque required to move 6500 lb truck) then get a little pissy if the "company" suggests that your warrenty might be void....Huuummm

Do not read into what I am saying... I just do not see where Ford is making a mistake here. The cost to diagnose, remove and repair/replace an 4R100 is upwards to $8000.00....

Guess what, they are not stupid people.

More owners do NOT modify the F Superduty than DO. They (Ford) are able to determine the ratio of failures between bone stock, contractor driven, and hot rod modified trucks... all through the miricle of computer databases. The bean counters told the warrenty department that highly modified vehicles have a higher than average powertraine failure rate. If you were the "MAN" what would you do?

BTW I also think that folks who modify truck and break it then hide the fact that it was modified to fraud the company out of a warranty repair are guilty of theft.

Next time you get frustrated about the $35,000 sticker... wounder how much consumer fraud is passed back to ALL of us.

I tend to modify all my vehicles. I do not buy extended warrentys, once the vehicle has one or two years on it and I have gotten the company to fix all the little (or Big) problems then I feel comfortable modifing it to suit my desires and I accept the risks relating to 500 HP 875 FtLbs TQ 4In lift with 34x16x16x12 and dragging 9500lb air dam TT over the passes @75-80MPH all the while sucking 5.5-6.7MPG of 92 octane go juice and a dose of billy Idol at 101DB

And if you are still with me on this note then you can save your self a lot of bucks and grief by adding a switch to the Torque converter circuit to give you a "manual" locked TQ. As I stated earlier a temp guage is criticle, and a cheap ($40) cooler and remote filter will make the 4R100 out live the big V10 or PSD motors.