Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 07-09-2013, 06:46 PM   #1
New Camper
 
eightrac's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Virginia
Posts: 6
I'm starting this thread to use as a reference for my self and others to get some ideas on how to properly and effectively modify our older/inadequate tow vehicles to enable better towing and less driver fatigue.



I have a '95 F250 4x4 SCLB with the International T444E V8 diesel engine and E4OD automatic transmissionthat I have had to modify significantly to be able to tow the ZT33BH comfortably and safely. I have done the following and I'll be sure to add pictures later;



PSD 6637 air intake modification, deletes poorly manufactured and designed airbox.



3" tubular downpipe, deletes EGT inducing, mileage robbing"crushed" downpipe found on all OBS PSD trucks. Can hear that turbo whistle now!!!



3.5" Cat test pipe, removes sootclogged converter, restored MPG and power.



Muffler delete, allows capacity for additional HP/TQ but makes the truck a bit louder.



EBC greenstuff brakepads and shoes, better stopping power!



TS six position tuner with stock/high idle/50/70/100/140HP settings, more manageable power, better transmission shift patterns and lockup timing.



Tru-cool MAX 40k GVWR Trans cooler with and additional 9 row stacked plate cooler from a 2001 PSD, no more E4OD high temps!!!! I'm logging 185* MAX temps after installation. Was 275+ before.



www.floridatorque.com triple disk torque converter, improved converter lockup and no slipping, ever. Saves transmission from input shaft breakage and high temps during unlockled times. CHEAP!!! $225!!!



Front add-a-leaf and air spring kit, these trucks have a tendancy to sag in the front due to inadaquate spring rate and a heavy engine. These modifications have reduced bouncing associated with the D50 TTB front axle (hinged pile of crap). Also assists in weight distribution as ride height can be altered with air pressure.



Rear 3000LB Air springs, best modification for the heavy tongue weight of the ZT33BH (1000+ lbs). I had to fabricate this completely as the kits were all of small, light duty quality due to space constraints. Mine are mounted inboard of the frame rails and are filled using a schrader valve near the license plate. 50PSI is more than enough pressure to level the heaviest loads.



Polyeurethane bushings in leaf springs, axle hinge points and body mounts. Cure alignment problems, wandering, funny cab movements and bed/cab alignment issues.



3 gauge package, EGT, trans temp and boost pressure. EGT monitoring is crucial as temps over 1250* can damage the engine. Trans temp is equally as crucial as running transmissions at 250+ degrees damages not only the fluid, but the clutch material. Lastly, boost pressure can give you an idea on what kind of fuel economy you are getting. The closer you are to "0" the more MPG you'll get.



Very interested on seeing what you guys have for older TVs!!!!
__________________
1995 F250 SCLB 4x4 7.3L PSD. E4OD, triple disk converter, TS 6-position tuner, 3.55 gears, 3" downpipe, cat test piped, gauges, tru-cool MAX.
2013 ZT33BH, just purchased 26JUN2013.
eightrac is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-09-2013, 09:56 PM   #2
Weekend Camper
 
bdwillie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Florida
Posts: 93
2000 Dodge Ram 2500 gasser, no mods, just take it slow and easy. So far so good
__________________
Bob & Kimi'
Fuzzy Butted Daughter Penny
2012 Cruiser CF27RLX
2000 Ram 2500
https://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/...ps54589c14.jpg
bdwillie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-09-2013, 09:59 PM   #3
Pnr
Family Vacation Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 131
01 Gmc with the 8.1 and the allison transmission. I really like the truck, bought it new, it's a work horse.
Pnr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-09-2013, 10:07 PM   #4
Full Time Camper
 
Ramn4ver's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Richland. Wa.
Posts: 624
My wife's 98 , 3500 Sport 4X4. 5 speed. 12 valve. Mostly stock. 4" exhaust. Slow up hills. A little faster down hills. Perfect on flat roads. Pyro gauge. Interior like new. Out side ugly black. That's why we call her "Ugly Betty". 226,000 miles
Edited by: Ramn4ver
__________________
1998.5 Dodge 3500 4X4 Black Bart. 150k
2013 Rushmore Jefferson
2008 Raptor 299 toy hauler
Ruby & Jade. English Springer Spaniels
Ramn4ver is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-09-2013, 11:43 PM   #5
Site Team
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: WI.
Posts: 9,153
2003 Chevy Duramax. Traded before it got to that point of needing.

Lloyd is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-10-2013, 09:05 AM   #6
Family Vacation Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Edmonton, Ab
Posts: 128
Send a message via AIM to denlor
95 K2500 Suburban 4x4, 7.4L
K&N intake
GF chip
new shocks
Firestone air bag suspension
looks and runs better than new
looking at a Dodge/Cummins
pulling 33FK and no extra horses
__________________
Goodnold
denlor is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-10-2013, 10:39 AM   #7
Full Time Camper
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Mn
Posts: 548
2008 F250 CC V10 4x4. Great so far,

__________________
Lee & Jane and Black Lab Zoey
2008 Ford F250 CC Lariat 6.8L
2011 Crossroads Cruiser 31RK
Faribault MN
LeBo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-10-2013, 01:21 PM   #8
Full Time Camper
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,508
'03 GMC 2500HD D/A. Factory stock, original shocks, original disc brake pads, in fact everything still original except for fluids, filters, batteries, tires, wiper blades and serpentine belt. Added 45 gal TF tank and heavier utility body.
__________________
Larry Day

Texas Baptist Men-Retiree Builders member since '01
13 Silverado 3500HD D/A, 2wd CCSB srw, custom RKI bed
11 Cruiser CF32MK
https://www.picturetrail.com/dayle1
Dayle1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-09-2014, 08:30 PM   #9
New Camper
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Alaska
Posts: 2
1999 ford f150 5.4l auto
jenandbill is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-10-2014, 05:59 PM   #10
Seasonal Camper
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Ohio
Posts: 388
2004 Ram 2500 with Hemi. Pulls our 33 foot 5th wheel (7900lbs dry and 10,000lbs loaded) like a champ. No mods. currently has 95,000 miles. 3rd set of tires (I don't take chances on thinning tread), All maintenance done by the book and on schedule. Still has original battery (stays in garage in winter which has helped prolong the battery life). I keep thinking I should replace it but it always checks fine. Replaced serpentine belt at about 70,000 miles (don't remember exactly but it is in my "log book"). It does suck the gas going up mountains.
Lonnie
__________________
07 Cruiser 29BT

04 2500 Hemi Ram Quad Cab
Chuck N. Wined is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-10-2014, 08:23 PM   #11
Full Time Camper
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,012
1996 GMC Sierra 1500 w/165k. Put out to pasture when we went to 5th wheels. One owner.
__________________
Clif and Millie
Ozzie (half a dog tall & 2 dogs long)
Mabank, TX
2009 Ford Lariat F350 SRW CC Diesel
2013 Cruiser CF305SK Patriot Edition
avvidclif is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-11-2014, 11:51 AM   #12
Seasonal Camper
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: ontario
Posts: 304
2002 CC Duramax, Allison Trans. 417,000 isn KM and still going. It's had nearly every body panel replaced at least once but the motor and trans keep going. Turning it over to as a work truck for my guys was the biggest mistake of my life. My 08 Dramax got lemond by GM and I've never managed to get back into a diesel since.
__________________
2014.5 Sunset Trail ST290QB
2011 F350 KR 6.7 CC SRW
Coopers_dad is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-11-2014, 04:21 PM   #13
Full Time Camper
 
socoguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: , RI
Posts: 1,164
1991 Ford ranger only towed a pop-up. Not exactly a tow vehicle but it was a 4.0 v6 with 217000 miles. Gave it to my son in 2003 took him about 9 months to kill it. Sad, it was pristine when he got it.
Darn kids!
__________________
Al Laura (Lily & Breeze Portie Girls)
2011 F250 6.7 PS Tuxedo Black 4x4
11 305SKP- TPMS- RideRite air bags
Reese 16K Slider Wet Bolts
socoguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-12-2014, 08:12 PM   #14
Full Time Camper
 
mike06081969's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 581
08 F-250 PSD CC 4x4. Only mods are Firestone Ride-Rite bags with on board compressor. Otherwise, it is stock and pulls great. I didn't like pulling my heavier Blue Ridge fiver with it at all without the bags, it made the steering too light and didn't feel safe at highway speed.
__________________
Mike in Tennessee
2007 Cruiser 30QB
2008 Ford F250 Lariat 4x4 6.4 Powerstroke
Valley 16K slider
Ride-Rite air bags
mike06081969 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-15-2014, 04:30 AM   #15
Weekend Camper
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: OhioU.S.A.
Posts: 24
2003 f-250 6.0l

After replacing head studs, EGR delete, turbo, alternater,ect.,ect.,ect.,ect --- its still a pretty crappy truck. However it does tow nicely. Would love to buy a Cummings someday!
__________________
Racechaser
racechaser is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-17-2014, 06:54 PM   #16
New Camper
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Ohio
Posts: 4
2003 Ford Excursion Eddie Bauer 6.8L V-10. 138,000 miles. Will see its first full season of towing for me this summer. No special mods, just following manufacturer's recs.
__________________
RNontherun
2015 Zinger 32QB
2016 GMC Sierra Crew Cab 3500 HD 6.0L Gasser
rnontherun is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-17-2014, 07:52 PM   #17
Full Time Camper
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Mn
Posts: 548
My brother inlaw has the same puller you have and loves it. He pulls a 30' TT.
I have the 2008 F250 V10 and works well for me.
__________________
Lee & Jane and Black Lab Zoey
2008 Ford F250 CC Lariat 6.8L
2011 Crossroads Cruiser 31RK
Faribault MN
LeBo is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Crossroads RV or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 03:13 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
×