Tow Vehicle Mods

[Miles]

What I am interested in are the modifications to your tow vehicle. The ones you consider must have for ease of towing, safety. and creature comforts. We will begin full timing and any suggestions are welcome. right now I am having the 38 gal fuel tank replaced with a 57 gal. I also have added airbags.Anything else???

[Miles]

What I am interested in are the modifications to your tow vehicle. The ones you consider must have for ease of towing, safety. and creature comforts. We will begin full timing and any suggestions are welcome. right now I am having the 38 gal fuel tank replaced with a 57 gal. I also have added airbags.Anything else???

[Hitchhiker]

<UL TYPE=SQUARE><LI>Hitch<LI>Brake Controller<LI>In Bed Trailer Connector<LI>Rolltop Bed Cover<LI>Bed Mat<LI>Mudflaps for duals<LI>Pop-A-Lock tailgate lock[/list]

[NYMoose "Lenny"]

Miles,
I will have to say the most important, especially with a diesel is gauges. I would get a Pyro, Tranny temp, and if you like a Turbo boost. PM me for further.

Hey Richard, how is the new Truck?

[Frankenstien]

Looks like Bothe Previous Posters Got it Covered... And I TOO HEAVELY recomend gauges....

[Deck]

miles,
imho, according to priority...
1. gauges
2. heavy duty tranny upgrade (torque converter, valve body and input shaft if you can afford it.
3. exhaust brake

4. anything else you want if you have any money left

[jefff929]

The best mods I have done are exhaust/intake and trany shift kit

EDIT: Boost, pyro, fuel psi, trany temp (auto) gauges.

[NCHornet1]

You have the 7.3 in your truck with the 4R100 trans. I would do the following in this order.
Gauges = pyro, tranny Boost
Valvebody for the transmission- FTVB from dieselsite.com
New Intake = Ford AIS
New Muffler, the stock one is way to restrictive=Walker BTM
Tranny cooler out of a 6.0 PSD it is 3 times as big as your stock cooler.
You would be amazed at the difference in your truck by just allowing it to breathe a little.

[Half Dimes]

Other than the basic stuff outlined by Hitchiker, our rig is totally stock and does great. We've taken it over the Rockies twice and it performed fine. The key, IMHO, is to be sure to stay under the GVWR, the GCWR, and the axle ratings of the tow vehicle.

I do wish I had a pyrometer, but I hear too many adverse things about installing one preturbo (drilling debris fouling the turbo). But I make sure to allow a cooldown period before shutting off the engine.

[Deck]

dave,
imho, the stories and concerns about drilling pre-turbo are grossly exaggerated. a little soap on the drill bit, the use of a magnet, a little common sense, and it would be very unlikely that you will have to worry about damaging the turbo. there is much more chance you would damage your engine by not having the gauge. cooling down after a hard run certainly is a good idea. but what about when you are towing?? a subtle difference in rpm, or gearing can shoot your temps to dangerous levels. you really need a that gauge, ESPECIALLY if you are driving a later model truck with emission controls

[FiverBob]

One of the best tricks I learned when drilling for the pre-turbo pyro is to drop the turbo connection right below the manifold enough to slip in a small piece of plastic coated with grease on the "up" side. Do your drilling, then remove plastic and cinch back up. Any droppings are caught in that grease on the plastic. I agree EGT's are important.

One other addition I would not do without is the exhaust brake if your truck can handle it. It can be a life saver.

Bob

[Roy W.]

No problem drilling your exhaust manifold for a pre-turbo pyrometer probe!!! A little grease on the drill bit and have the motor running. When you break through into the manifold the exhaust blows all the chips back out the hole. Wear goggles!!

[themisfitking]

Just lifted up the radiator cap and drove a bigger truck under it .