Upgrade recommendations?
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Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 45
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From: Idaho
Upgrade recommendations?
I have a '99 F250 (A/T, CC, short bed, 3.73 axle, 4x4) with 63K miles. I use this mostly for towing a 7000 lb travel trailer.
I'm looking suggestions for power & torque upgrades for towing. For several years I hauled a 3,500 lb pop-up, and could set the cruise at 80 on any Interstate. With this new trailer (it is a bit taller than some) I can't hold the speed limit on relatively flat terrain.
Cruising the posts it appears that exhaust mods won't do much. A tuner package like Hypertech claims to get about 8% increase in HP and torque, which doesn't seem like much. The tuner boxes seem easy and relatively inexpensive, though.
What would changing the rear axle ratio do? Is that pretty costly?
My priority is to keep the speed up when towing. Better mileage would be good, but since I drive less than 5000 miles a year that is not such a big deal.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
I'm looking suggestions for power & torque upgrades for towing. For several years I hauled a 3,500 lb pop-up, and could set the cruise at 80 on any Interstate. With this new trailer (it is a bit taller than some) I can't hold the speed limit on relatively flat terrain.
Cruising the posts it appears that exhaust mods won't do much. A tuner package like Hypertech claims to get about 8% increase in HP and torque, which doesn't seem like much. The tuner boxes seem easy and relatively inexpensive, though.
What would changing the rear axle ratio do? Is that pretty costly?
My priority is to keep the speed up when towing. Better mileage would be good, but since I drive less than 5000 miles a year that is not such a big deal.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,844
Likes: 5
From: Albuquerque
Well...you have a '99 V10 2v so that tells some right there. That is the low hp/torque V10. In '00-'04 the V10 2v received the PI heads...and the hp/torque jumped.
If you have the stock tires on your SD...then I recommend a gear change...from 3.73 to 4.30. That is the best bang for the buck. YES...it will cost $1600-$2200, but IMO...worth every penny especially when you are towing the 7k tailer.
Don't waste your money on exhaust, air filters, and tuners. You really need the gears.
Another thing...keep your V10 2v is "TOP" running condition. That means...maintenance according to the Owner's Manual.
Good luck...
biz
If you have the stock tires on your SD...then I recommend a gear change...from 3.73 to 4.30. That is the best bang for the buck. YES...it will cost $1600-$2200, but IMO...worth every penny especially when you are towing the 7k tailer.
Don't waste your money on exhaust, air filters, and tuners. You really need the gears.
Another thing...keep your V10 2v is "TOP" running condition. That means...maintenance according to the Owner's Manual.
Good luck...
biz
Elder User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 699
Likes: 1
If you go to 4.30 gears your going to be running very high rpm at 80mph. gears would make a huge differance but your going to go through a lot more gas.
You could supercharge it for like 6000 without install, but you will have alot more power but will also have to run premeum.
Or you could sell the 99, and get an 05 that has the 3v heads and they have like 60 more hp and 70 more fps, But unless you do somthing drastic like supercharge your 99 you arnt going to get the power you want. Also the Hyperteck programer dosnt do much you get that 8% more power at like 5000 rpm running premeum, And on a gasser i have never seen it make much of a differsnce. On desiles they make a huge differance but not gassers.
You could supercharge it for like 6000 without install, but you will have alot more power but will also have to run premeum.
Or you could sell the 99, and get an 05 that has the 3v heads and they have like 60 more hp and 70 more fps, But unless you do somthing drastic like supercharge your 99 you arnt going to get the power you want. Also the Hyperteck programer dosnt do much you get that 8% more power at like 5000 rpm running premeum, And on a gasser i have never seen it make much of a differsnce. On desiles they make a huge differance but not gassers.
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,852
Likes: 1
From: Living under the bosses d
i AM IN THE SAME BOAT, I HAVE A 99 LIKE YOURS AND HAVE THE SAME ISSUE, I HAVE RELINQUISHED THE FACT THAT I WILL RUN IN 3RD GEAR AND AT 4k RPM'SBUT THE SPEED HOLDS NICE. i STILL GET 7.5 TO 9 MPG'S
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 45
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From: Idaho
Thanks!
Thanks, guys!
Intuitively, the things you guys are saying makes sense - there aren't any cheap and easy fixes. I may check around regarding the cost of changing the gears, but there is a limit to how much I'll pay for my vanity!
It gets me where I want to go - I just have to resign myself to my buddy and his Nissan getting there first.
I've had this truck since it was new (Oct 98), and it has very few miles. I thought I'd keep it for 10 years and then replace it, but I just can't find enough justification to spend the money on a new rig.
Hmmm. Maybe a smaller trailer would be a cheaper way to go.....
Again, thanks for the advice!
Intuitively, the things you guys are saying makes sense - there aren't any cheap and easy fixes. I may check around regarding the cost of changing the gears, but there is a limit to how much I'll pay for my vanity!
It gets me where I want to go - I just have to resign myself to my buddy and his Nissan getting there first.I've had this truck since it was new (Oct 98), and it has very few miles. I thought I'd keep it for 10 years and then replace it, but I just can't find enough justification to spend the money on a new rig.
Hmmm. Maybe a smaller trailer would be a cheaper way to go.....
Again, thanks for the advice!
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
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The swap from 3.73:1, like stated above, is the BEST and MOST Bang for the buck upgrade you can do.....
Do not fear the higher MPG.... just adjust the tire diameter to make cruise RPM at 70~75 MPH around 2100~2250RPM and you will still get respectable MPH figures....
With any given tire diameter the jump from 3.73 or 4.10 or 4.30 is about 150 rpm between each set.... 4.30s from 3.73:1 will only jump you around 300 rpm and most of the time only cost you 1 MPG if all else stays the same
Seat of the pants, or on a dyno a gear swap on a 2v V10 is proved to be well worth the $700(2WD) to $1600(4x4) cost of the swap
Do not fear the higher MPG.... just adjust the tire diameter to make cruise RPM at 70~75 MPH around 2100~2250RPM and you will still get respectable MPH figures....
With any given tire diameter the jump from 3.73 or 4.10 or 4.30 is about 150 rpm between each set.... 4.30s from 3.73:1 will only jump you around 300 rpm and most of the time only cost you 1 MPG if all else stays the same
Seat of the pants, or on a dyno a gear swap on a 2v V10 is proved to be well worth the $700(2WD) to $1600(4x4) cost of the swap
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Joe Kucinski
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 77
Likes: 1
From: SLC, UT
Originally Posted by Fredvon4
The swap from 3.73:1, like stated above, is the BEST and MOST Bang for the buck upgrade you can do.....
Do not fear the higher MPG.... just adjust the tire diameter to make cruise RPM at 70~75 MPH around 2100~2250RPM and you will still get respectable MPH figures....
With any given tire diameter the jump from 3.73 or 4.10 or 4.30 is about 150 rpm between each set.... 4.30s from 3.73:1 will only jump you around 300 rpm and most of the time only cost you 1 MPG if all else stays the same
Seat of the pants, or on a dyno a gear swap on a 2v V10 is proved to be well worth the $700(2WD) to $1600(4x4) cost of the swap
Do not fear the higher MPG.... just adjust the tire diameter to make cruise RPM at 70~75 MPH around 2100~2250RPM and you will still get respectable MPH figures....
With any given tire diameter the jump from 3.73 or 4.10 or 4.30 is about 150 rpm between each set.... 4.30s from 3.73:1 will only jump you around 300 rpm and most of the time only cost you 1 MPG if all else stays the same
Seat of the pants, or on a dyno a gear swap on a 2v V10 is proved to be well worth the $700(2WD) to $1600(4x4) cost of the swap
Dont get too down on your 99V10 though. I own one as well and pull a very large gooseneck for a total GVW of over 21K! Most of my towing is done at a mile above sea level or higher. Yes, the 99s were down on power compared to 01-08s but a gearswap will make a huge difference. I run 4.56s with 285/16s and still see a combined 8-9MPG loaded up, doing 65-70MPH on the flats and screaming 4K RPM climbing 8000ft passes. I wouldn't hesitate one bit to install 4.88s or 5.13s knowing the improvement that I saw while losing under 1mpg combined city/highway empty (11city/14highway).
Once the engine goes, I'm swapping in a PI engine ASY.
Marcus
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 171
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Don't be discouraged by the '99 V10. There is absolutely nothing wrong with it.
My '99 V10 just pulled my 1500# trailer with my 3880# race car up to LACR, Palmdale through the hills and got 12.5 MPG, a 110 mile pull each way. This truck is all stock, with the exception of the K&N filter.
My '99 V10 just pulled my 1500# trailer with my 3880# race car up to LACR, Palmdale through the hills and got 12.5 MPG, a 110 mile pull each way. This truck is all stock, with the exception of the K&N filter.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 138
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I pull 11k Toyhauler with mine, It suffers a little by not being able to run in OD. Up most grades 6%+ I run 2nd gear at 4200rpm going 55mph.
They (99 YM) have the same torque as 00-04 models they just don't get it done as easily with lower HP (20 less, the E series was 275).
They (99 YM) have the same torque as 00-04 models they just don't get it done as easily with lower HP (20 less, the E series was 275).
Last edited by desrcr; Sep 9, 2007 at 10:06 PM.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,268
Likes: 8
From: central Louisiana
GEARS GEARS GEARS GEARS GEARS GEARS!
best bang man.........a Super Charger is out, unless you find a used one!
i have the BANKS headers, free flowing exhaust, and a FM muffler..........i did notice a difference, but i also found a great deal on a never installed set of headers. off the bat go for the gears, and then go from there!
best bang man.........a Super Charger is out, unless you find a used one!
i have the BANKS headers, free flowing exhaust, and a FM muffler..........i did notice a difference, but i also found a great deal on a never installed set of headers. off the bat go for the gears, and then go from there!
Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 3,955
Likes: 47
From: Mesa
Originally Posted by chissler
sad to say but alot of those 99's were dogs. the 6k+ you spend hopping it up would be better spent on a 3v model.
