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Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2008
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New to Forum
Hello All-
I am new to this forum, I have been reading the posts for awhile now and thought I would join. I just recently bought a 1987 Ford F350 Crew cab with a 6.9. It has a Banks sidewinder, Gearvender overdrive, C6 transmission, and many other options. The old guy that had it, put basically every option he could to enhance the pickup. Here is the question for all you experts, Can I safely tow my fifth wheel (27 ft, about 8,000 pounds) in overdrive without damaging the transmission? Also, what kind of mileage should I expect with the setup I have, both towing and empty. I have 285/75/16 tires, not sure what the gearing is, but seems very low, 55mph at about 2500 without the overdrive. Thanks in advance for all the input.
David
I am new to this forum, I have been reading the posts for awhile now and thought I would join. I just recently bought a 1987 Ford F350 Crew cab with a 6.9. It has a Banks sidewinder, Gearvender overdrive, C6 transmission, and many other options. The old guy that had it, put basically every option he could to enhance the pickup. Here is the question for all you experts, Can I safely tow my fifth wheel (27 ft, about 8,000 pounds) in overdrive without damaging the transmission? Also, what kind of mileage should I expect with the setup I have, both towing and empty. I have 285/75/16 tires, not sure what the gearing is, but seems very low, 55mph at about 2500 without the overdrive. Thanks in advance for all the input.
David
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2008
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Sorry about the confusion, I am wondering if it is safe to tow with the Gearvender engaged. I did one trip and it seems to shift smooth when needed and had no problems. I don't have a transmission temp gauge and wondering if I do tow with the Gearvender engaged if I should invest to see what the tranny is doing.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
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From: Nutter Fort, WV
Steelheader87,
Welcome to FTE and the IDI forum.
The Gear Vendors can handle towing in OD.
I would install a tranny temp gauge, and a larger tranny cooler.
The C 6 does not lock to torque converter.
2500 RPM would work out to 59 MPH if the converter was locked with 4.10 gears.
Welcome to FTE and the IDI forum.
The Gear Vendors can handle towing in OD.
I would install a tranny temp gauge, and a larger tranny cooler.
The C 6 does not lock to torque converter.
2500 RPM would work out to 59 MPH if the converter was locked with 4.10 gears.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 225
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First of all, thanks for the response and information. I do have a larger tranny cooler and a pyro. It never went above 950 on the pyro and seemed to do fine. I think I will get the tranny temp gauge though just in case. Look forward to future discussions. Thanks again.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,627
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From: West Valley Utah
I'd say you have 4:10 gears also. Just watch the temps and you should have no trouble. You can run in OD under heavy throttle all day long as long as you keep the temp in check.
I have only pulled on hill so far that I had to drop out of OD pulling a 28' fifth wheel. Most hills I drop down to between 60-65 mph and it'll hang right there. My 6.9 pulled better and got better fuel mileage than the Cummins I have now. 3:55 gears would be better in my experience. I've run both 3:55 and 4:10 ratio's.
I have only pulled on hill so far that I had to drop out of OD pulling a 28' fifth wheel. Most hills I drop down to between 60-65 mph and it'll hang right there. My 6.9 pulled better and got better fuel mileage than the Cummins I have now. 3:55 gears would be better in my experience. I've run both 3:55 and 4:10 ratio's.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Nutter Fort, WV
950 on the pyrometer......where is the thermocouple located?
1200 max pre turbo
900 max post turbo
1200 max pre turbo
900 max post turbo
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 29,941
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From: Drummonds, TN USA
Originally Posted by NASCAR Announcer
"OH LOOK AT THAT!!!"
(Past post on where to install the pyro-probe)
On 6.9 diesels most turbo setups are aftermarket kits installed by owners, at least the eighties trucks were. The PYRO kits too followed the trends at the time, and may be from many different sources.
*"MONGO not real smart, but MONGO can carry heavy stuff..."
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,627
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From: West Valley Utah
The ATS and Banks exhaust was 3" and had a bung welded by the turbo for the pyrometer probe. In the late 80's and early 90's you bought the turbo, added exhaust, added pyro and boost gauges for a total of about $1875 discounted price. No discount ran from $2,100-$2,400. Installation was extra.
The 285/75/16 tires are most likely throwing the speedometer off a bit (show slower) accurate mpg calculation will be tough. I'd say 12-14 empty, 9-10 loaded. You should have no trouble pulling with the C-6 in 3rd and OD.
TransGo makes a good shift kit for the C-6. Make sure to specify for a diesel though as there are a couple of internal differences between the gas and diesel C-6 trannys.
The 285/75/16 tires are most likely throwing the speedometer off a bit (show slower) accurate mpg calculation will be tough. I'd say 12-14 empty, 9-10 loaded. You should have no trouble pulling with the C-6 in 3rd and OD.
TransGo makes a good shift kit for the C-6. Make sure to specify for a diesel though as there are a couple of internal differences between the gas and diesel C-6 trannys.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 225
Likes: 0
Hello all-
In response to most replies, I did buy the truck in Oregon and it is 4wd. I just got it painted and looks sharp. I am biased of course. I think I got a good buy, paid $3850. It has airbags, cluster of gauges, Gearvender, 80 gallon tank with pump in the bed that directly feeds to the front tank, CB, 10 disc changer under the back seat, AC, etc. What do you guys think? Good buy? Just curious. Haven't found the thermocoupler yet though. Will look today and respond. Thanks again for the info.
In response to most replies, I did buy the truck in Oregon and it is 4wd. I just got it painted and looks sharp. I am biased of course. I think I got a good buy, paid $3850. It has airbags, cluster of gauges, Gearvender, 80 gallon tank with pump in the bed that directly feeds to the front tank, CB, 10 disc changer under the back seat, AC, etc. What do you guys think? Good buy? Just curious. Haven't found the thermocoupler yet though. Will look today and respond. Thanks again for the info.