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V 10 needs help
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New User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 9
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From: Spencer, IN
V 10 needs help
Thanks for reading this. Please help!
I have a 2002 F350 crewcab dually, 4x4, automatic trans, no idea what rearend, V 10 engine. I've had it since it was new and everything except airbags is factory. I pull a fifthwheel camper that weighs 15,100 pounds and we are struggling in the mountains. It'll run fine everywhere else, even with the load. The problem I am having is it seems to down shift two gears instead of one and darn near hits 6000 rpms. With the length of some mountain roads, this will surely blow the engine. I've had it back to the dealership three times and to a local tranny shop once. They all say the same thing, it's very strong, don't fix it until it breaks.
The truck has 75,000 miles on it and is long out of warranty. I was wondering about purchasing a tuner and changing the shift points. I am a novice so this may not even be possible for me to do alone.
Has any of you had to deal with this problem and if so, how did you solve it? Did any of you buy a tuner and if so, which one? I have read so many different tuner company claims that they are starting to run together. Any and all help is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
I have a 2002 F350 crewcab dually, 4x4, automatic trans, no idea what rearend, V 10 engine. I've had it since it was new and everything except airbags is factory. I pull a fifthwheel camper that weighs 15,100 pounds and we are struggling in the mountains. It'll run fine everywhere else, even with the load. The problem I am having is it seems to down shift two gears instead of one and darn near hits 6000 rpms. With the length of some mountain roads, this will surely blow the engine. I've had it back to the dealership three times and to a local tranny shop once. They all say the same thing, it's very strong, don't fix it until it breaks.
The truck has 75,000 miles on it and is long out of warranty. I was wondering about purchasing a tuner and changing the shift points. I am a novice so this may not even be possible for me to do alone.
Has any of you had to deal with this problem and if so, how did you solve it? Did any of you buy a tuner and if so, which one? I have read so many different tuner company claims that they are starting to run together. Any and all help is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,924
Likes: 6
From: Richmond BC
yea the mod motors in the SD trucks like their revs..dont let that scare ya..
but it sounds like you might wanna look into regearing if you want a good jump in power..
if your just looking for some extra then a SCT from 5star is the way to go...
but it sounds like you might wanna look into regearing if you want a good jump in power..
if your just looking for some extra then a SCT from 5star is the way to go...
Modular motor junkie
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 6,190
Likes: 8
From: Texas
The rev limiter should be about 5300, and you can run that with your foot to the floor all day with out hurting anything.
Its normal for it to go from OD down to second ( two downshifts) any time you floor it in the low 70s or slower.
Its normal for it to go from OD down to second ( two downshifts) any time you floor it in the low 70s or slower.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,566
Likes: 18
From: The Great White North!
As stated above, rev, rev, and rev.
The tuner from 5 star won't hurt at all, and will help improve the shift points for the money, and if you really have some to spare the gears will probably net you better results but are more costly.
The tuner from 5 star won't hurt at all, and will help improve the shift points for the money, and if you really have some to spare the gears will probably net you better results but are more costly.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 400
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From: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
I have a 2000 at 55k with the 4.30 gears and have pulled my 16k fiver up long mountain grades. I was able to maintain 50 mph without revving over 5000. Everything is stock but I always downshift before a long grade. I suspect you would get all you need with the 4.3 gearing or even go to the 4.56(I think) without a significant drop in mileage.
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Frmr Ford Trans Engr
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From: SE Florida
Changing the rear axle for a higher numeric ratio will eliminate some of the downshifts. You will run a higher RPM all the time.
New User
Joined: Oct 2010
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I may be in the minority here, but I wouldn't be too enthusiastic about pulling that kind of load in the mountains in overdrive. I lived in the mountains and pulled a loaded 4 horse stock trailer, always with OD off. And it does rev, no problems though.
Does anyone else pull heavy with OD on? Not to hijack the thread.........
Does anyone else pull heavy with OD on? Not to hijack the thread.........
More Turbo
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 669
Likes: 7
From: Tennessee
Pulling that much load in the mountains it is going to slow down. I would expect it to struggle a little in the mountains. At some point, you are going to be horse power limited. I would just keep the transmission cool. I would not think a 4x4 dually is going to have 3.73 gears. He probably has at least 410 gears or maybe even 430 gears.
Perry
Perry
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New User
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Spencer, IN
Okay, here's what I've done. I contacted Mike at Five Star Tuning and bought the replacement Y pipe and the SCT x3 tuner. I got one tune for economy and two tunes for towing. I had the Y pipe installed about a week ago and I hooked up the tuner today. I loaded one of the two tunes and went for a drive. I noticed a huge difference in shift points and throttle response. I returned home and hooked on to my camper, 15,100 pounds of dead weight. I had to drive about forty miles to test it on serious hills but I already noticed the improvement. On the hills that normally kick my butt it was actually able to gain speed going up hill. I don't have any way of measuring horse power or torque but I can feel it. I can't wait to test it in the mountains. We will do that on March 26th when we head south to the Smokies.
Thanks Five Star for making this modification so easy. I am a believer.
Thanks to all the members that gave me suggestions.
Thanks Five Star for making this modification so easy. I am a believer.
Thanks to all the members that gave me suggestions.