I have a 97 Expe with 5.4cdi and 3.77 rear 17" rims. I have heard that the 98 and above had a better exhaust header. Any ideas on an exhaust up-grade? I put Red-line fluid in the tranmission and crank case. The boat and trallier weigh aproximately 10,000#s, I have the gas shock system and have towed it around my home Lake Tahoe (6,000 above sea-level). What else should I do to the transmission prior to taking it to and from sea-level lakes? Do the air intake systems do anything? What about a chip up-grade for the motor or trans? I hope somebody can help with these questions as I am a major GEAR HEAD and I can return the favor. BARONBOB

 

I am not sure about the exhaust manifold difference, but I do know the K&N FIPK wasn't worth the money. Test show a marginal improvement over the regular drop-in K&N, besides the $100+ price difference.

I put a B&M shift improver in my tranny, and the difference is quite noticeable. It now shifts fast and firm, but not harsh. I tow horse trailers and boats with mine, and it does excellent. If you don't have the factory tow package with the upgraded tranny cooler, I would opt for an aftermarket tranny cooler. Mine also has the remote oil filter, but that seems to be more of a luxury feature than a functional one.

The downfall to the shift improver is you cannot adjust the shift points. You need a tranny chip to do so, and they can also change the shift firmness through the solenoid pack. I think JET makes a good tranny controller.

I haven't gotten to the engine chips yet, so I have no info there. I have heard that you need to run premium gas though, which I dislike.

 

BaronBob,

If your towing 10,000 pounds you dont need add on parts, you need an F350. Your Expy is rated to tow around 8000 pounds, similar to my '98 5.4, etc. I have towed a 20' enclosed car trailer quite extensively at around 7500 pounds and it does ok. Not great by any means. 10,000 not only exceeds the rating by 2,000 pound, but makes for a VERY unsafe rig. Please use a larger truck before someone gets hurt.

 

Wow, I must have overlooked that piece of info. Thanks for catching that. Don't exceed the 7500 lb. rating, as your life and the lives of others depends on it.

 

Ok what type of boat do you have?? 10,000lb is one hell of a boat.

 

What we working people call a "YACHT" some people call a "BOAT".
10,000lbs is an impressive number for a "BOAT" Just how large is this "BOAT".
I thought that the USS INTREPID was permanently docked in NYC!!!

 

I recently "chipped" my expy with the Superchips programmer. I just ran the preprogramed settings and have noticed an appreciable difference in throttle response and shift firmness. Too early to tell on mileage improvement, but on my first tank, my mileage went down (not surprising because my foot got heavier to test it out).

To answer your original questions, I don't think the '98 and newer models got a different exhaust manifold, but '99 and newer models did get better heads, hence the jump in HP from '98 to '99. I'd recommend the chip to help your towing performance, but like others have stated please be considerate of your and others safety with that big boat.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by 1999XLT
What we working people call a "YACHT" some people call a "BOAT".
10,000lbs is an impressive number for a "BOAT" Just how large is this "BOAT".
I thought that the USS INTREPID was permanently docked in NYC!!! [/QUOT

Thanks for your response. The boat is a Cruiser inc. 28.5' long and 10' wide. It has a single Mercruiser 7.4 L MPI Brovo III (counter rotating propellers).
I noticed an impressive list of add ons to your rig. could you please provide any feed back on each installation?
Thanks
Baron Bob

 

Hi Bob, Sorry for the delay I could not logon last night. OK Here we go,

1) The plugs, filter, Velocity Tube, exhaust when combined offer quite a bit of improvement in cold air flow and spark therfore increasing horsepower & torque noticably. I would suggest something along the same lines for you. All were fairly simple EXCEPT the plugs. Next time it should be a little easier.

2) The sway bars and bushings DEFINITELY improve the handling. I would suggest them for your application. The total install time was about 30 minutes each. The front was a little more involved.

3)The Rotors were done because I used to do alot of city driving but, I do not anymore. The crossdrilled and slotted rotors offer faster cooling of the rotors and pads thereby increasing stopability.

4) The roof rack with lights was done for stowage with the 3rd row seat in. The lights are there just so I can see in the dark. You could mount them on alll sides of the rack soyou could see in front to the sides and behind as well.

I am going to be installing my new seatback monitors this weekend. they are good to eliminate the "ARE WE THERE YETs".
I would like to install a winch in the future.

Hope this helps you out a little.

 

I see Bob has completely ignored the towing limit, in that case please let me know where you'll be towing so I can steer clear of your rolling death trap.

 

I would recommend you check with your insurance company about their response in the event you have an accident while towing beyond the vehicle's rated limit. You might be surprised to find you're not covered for anything ! Let alone the premature wear and tear on your Expedition and the danger you pose on the highway. The problem is not getting the combined rig rolling, a Jeep could do that. The problem is in stopping and emergency manuevering while mingled in with other unsuspecting motorist. I just get tire of seeing people flying through stoplights hauling rigs that weigh twice as much as the tow vehicle. The Expedition brakes are not rated to stop in a certified distance while towing in excess of the rated towing capacity. Plain and simple, you are dangerous to yourself and others on the highway. Mike

 

Bob.
I have the same setup you do.
First, your tow job is too big. don't do it for your sake and mine if I meet you on the road. Witht the LLS you can't put on a proper hitch to carry at least 10% of your tow weight on the tongue. Your brakes, axles, tranny, and wheels aren't good enough to tow that big a load.
Second, I put K&N intake on, and dynamax headers and the increased noise when pulling just 5000 lbs up long, steep grades was very, very aggravating even with a quiet daynaflow exhaust. I took them off and didn't notice a difference in the high altitudes, and long grades which require first or second gear anyway.

The best rig for towing that 10,000 lb load is a F350 diesel. They are awesome tow rigs, built to last, and are less expensive to operate than your Expy in the long run. Using your Expy the way you intend is classed as public endangerment and if a mishap occurs they will throw you under the jail, then will get sued big time, with no insurance coverage to boot.

Seen it happen.

Hope this helps.