New Ford Guy
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New User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 18
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From: ARIZONA
New Ford Guy
Well I've spent a lot of time reading this forum and thought I'd join. Reading all of this makes it seem like we're all drivin the same truck. One quick question, is it necessary to add air intakes, exhaust systems, and programmers to get the power and results we’re look’ in for. I tow a 10,500 lb Thor toy hauler (dry weight) and it just seems to have trouble getting up hills. I’m in AZ and I pull Chiroco Summit and it seams to lose it half way up. I’m run’ on 35’s, in Tow/Haul mode and the air on as well. I bought the truck two years ago thinking it would pull anything I wanted. Now I’m not so sure. Thoughts???
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New User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 18
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From: ARIZONA
I've got a F350 Deisel 4x4 crew...At 65mph she runs great. Half way up hills the fan kicks in and the the power drops off. Maybe 35-40mph at the top of the hill. Fan shuts off and trucks picks right back up...
Resident smarta$$
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,929
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From: Oaks,PA
An SCT with a nice custom tow tune would do you nicely to get back some of the lost power from the 35's. Stock air box is more than sufficient, a freer flowing exhaust would help lower your EGT's. Do you have any aftermarket gauges? BTW welcome to the BEST Ford truck forum around!
Cross-Country
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 62
Likes: 2
From: Red Bluff, CA
Powering up your F350
I tow a 38 foot 5th wheel with no problems. I just got back from Dumont and made it up the tehachapi pass grade with no problems. I installed the superchips cortex power programmer and I have a banks 5 inch exhaust. I also have the K/N filter system and box installed. The Cortex has three settings and I have mine on one. You can go to two (performance tow) but you are taking your chances with your tranny. I did have the edge powerprogammer installed, but, everytime you need to go in for service you have to un-install it and that was a PITA so I went to the Cortex which has a stock setting that resets all of your codes for service. I heard that the fan kicks on because the turbo's are getting hot and they switch off after you let off of the gas. D.
Resident smarta$$
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,929
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From: Oaks,PA
Don't do the K&N, lets too many fine particulates by it. I know from experience. There are better open element filters than K&N if you HAVE to have an open element filter. Can't comment on the Cortex but anyone here will agree with an SCT with CUSTOM tunes. Custom tunes from Innovative and others will also program the tranny where others don't. They claim they do, but ask some of the guys that ran them before they knew better, and ended up with a toasted tranny. Not trying to dis you, santafedave, just my .02
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New User
Joined: May 2009
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From: ARIZONA
All great imput. Looks like a programer and Exhaust is a place to start. I was heading that way but was hoping I could avoid the expense. Anyway keep up the good work.
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 235
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From: Albany, OR
Unless you want lots more HP I would just do turbo back exhaust thats all these trucks need to pull well. I can tell night and day pulling my dad's 24 ft aluminum boat since i put exhaust on (put 35's on at the same time). Before exhaust upgrade we were taking it to Shasta lake over the Siskiyou's with AC cranked and it cut out some. Doesn't cut out any longer and stays much cooler (dont even have gauges yet and I can tell that).
Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 237
Likes: 6
I think you would be happiest by re-gearing your diffs. I'm not sure that adding a bunch of aftermarket stuff can make up for the simple mechanical advantage that re-gearing would give you.
You state that your truck slows to 40MPH going up the hills, but actually you are doing about 45MPH due to the speedo error from the tire size change. You are running 8.5-9.5% tire diameter difference from stock. Then you are loading the truck up near it's heavier limit and you are experiencing the simple physics of larger tires. Your tranny will thank you too! And I think you would be much happier towing with your truck, or driving it empty, with a regear.
You state that your truck slows to 40MPH going up the hills, but actually you are doing about 45MPH due to the speedo error from the tire size change. You are running 8.5-9.5% tire diameter difference from stock. Then you are loading the truck up near it's heavier limit and you are experiencing the simple physics of larger tires. Your tranny will thank you too! And I think you would be much happier towing with your truck, or driving it empty, with a regear.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 145
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From: Glendale, Az
Fellow Steeler fan here and from Glendale Az, welcome aboard.
I'm shocked you're having problems with that little trailer. Something must be wrong wish I could tell you what it is but I'm sure someone will lead you in the right direction.
I'm shocked you're having problems with that little trailer. Something must be wrong wish I could tell you what it is but I'm sure someone will lead you in the right direction.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 21,113
Likes: 3,939
From: Ohio
Welcome to FTE Ray 
Can you tell us more about your truck and the elevations you are seeing the problem with. Any work performed on the truck that you know of can help.
One example is the BARO Sensor giving a false reading at the altitudes you are driving.
Can you tell us more about your truck and the elevations you are seeing the problem with. Any work performed on the truck that you know of can help. One example is the BARO Sensor giving a false reading at the altitudes you are driving.