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RE: bigger engine for ford expedition..
does anyone know if you can special order a bigger engine for the ford expedition i.e. bigger than the 5.4L V8 that comes with it ?
i like this vehichle a lot. just wish it had more "pulling" power
You'll have a better luck getting a supercharger kit for it...
What are your planning to tow anyways?
Though the Triton is not a powerhouse, with a 6 spd auto, it should be able to safely drag whatever it's rated to tow, up any hill, if you have patience. 30,000lbs city buses only have 280hp after all.
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RoyJ
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10/31/08 09:14pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Can't get a 3.73 in a 2WD?
They just all have 3.23 or 3.42 axles. Back in '03 you couldn't find a 3.23 ratio on the lot. They were a few 3.42s but mostly 3.73s and 4.10s.
Did you take note whether these new trucks have 4-spd or 6-spd autos?
It could be that the 3.42 is with the 6spd, which may have a lower 1st gear ratio, essentially making the 3.42 feel like a 3.73, or even 4.10 when starting off the line.
I know this is the case with Ford's new 6 spd. A 3.40 rear ratio is roughly equal to a 4.10.
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RoyJ
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10/31/08 08:51pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: F450 - new tire wheel options
As for my gearing, I am running 4.30 and with the tire size difference should be at 4.05, which has worked pretty well so far. I have considered a higher ratio to reduce RPM's at 65mph. Still need to get the speedo adjusted.
No Les Schawb's near by that I am aware of, but maybe somewhere else in Arizona. I'll do a search for them.
Okay, with those gearing I'd be highly against 22.5s as well. Basically, unless your truck is a pure show truck, it's pointless, and harmful, to go with a wheel and tire combo that can exceed 150 lbs. We're talking almost 1000 lbs of rotating weight here, that's a HUGE amount of angular inertia.
You'll be unecessarily taxing your brakes, drivetrain, and suspension. Not to mention make the whole truck tall and awkward handling. And if you're towing heavy, there goes your performance and mileage. IMO 19.5s are the best there is for heavy pickups, especially for those 3500 SRW pickups.
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RoyJ
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10/23/08 06:40pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Can a Car tow a 34'TT
A VW can tow a boxcar given enough time to accelerate, but hang on if you need to stop.
Why? The boxcar is got full air brakes at every single wheel.
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RoyJ
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10/22/08 08:09pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: "Wow" new 1500
Amazing truck indeed.
The only reason it didn't performe so well in the Popular Mechanics test is because they used a crippled version - 20" rims and 3.55 gears. The 545RFE transmission has a relatively tall 1st gear, and BEGS for a short rear end.
I bet the Ram with 17" wheels, 4.10s, would be very quick.
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RoyJ
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10/22/08 05:51pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Can a Car tow a 34'TT
This topic has been argued to death regarding Andy Thompson's setups of many modern cars and car-based CUVs or minivans, towing 30'+, 7000 lbs trailers.
From a purely engineering point of view, it's hard to argue why this wouldn't work. If a car is equipped with a durable transmission, fairly powerful engine (any modern V6 or V8), and heavy duty springs, it should tow just as well, if not better than a 1 ton pickup. All trailers have their own brakes, so the issue of braking is not a convern. Besides, a car like an SRT-8 300C would have much better brakes (Brembo monoblocks) than pickups anyway.
The low weight the car is also an invaild argument. Tow vehilce to trailer weight ratio is fairly insignificant if setup propersly. Super-B semis in Canada grosses up to 103,000lbs. With a 14,000 lbs Freightliner, the trailer out-weights the tractor more than 6:1, it's like towing a 12,000 lbs travel trailer with a 2,000 lbs yaris.
Can we argue that these semis are not doing a proper job towing because their tractors are so light?
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RoyJ
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10/22/08 05:47pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Interesting Comarison Ford PSD 6.0 Vs. 08 Ram 6.7 CTD
Why don't you compare your 2008 Dodge to a 2008 Ford 6.4 liter diesel and then let's hear your story? Sounds like another Dodge guy who is trying to justify why he got a Dodge instead of the best selling truck in the U.S. for how many years running now?. Flame on people.
Dodge Dyno:
Hypertech 6.7 Cummins Dyno
Ford Dyno:
Hypertech 6.4L Powerstroke Dyno
See for yourself which one makes more low end torque.
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RoyJ
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10/22/08 05:36pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Weighed my Dodge 1500
Could to me, is without breaking 'right now' or 'very soon'.
So you're arguing that if 3 guys, each weighting 200 lbs, got into that Ram, would break it sooner or later.
Even as an engineer I often have to say this: there come a time where we have to use logic over strict specifications.
Who can even prove that the GVWR rating was approperiate in the first place? As far as I can tell, in every manufacturer, the laywers and marketing team have way more to do with GVWR than the engineers.
I'll challenge any engineer at Chrysler prove to me that 3 guys sitting in an otherwise stock Ram, would cause components of the vehicle to fail by fatigue, where as 2 guys won't.
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RoyJ
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10/21/08 12:55am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: 2008 GM 3500 with 6.0 gas automatic?
I have to agree with the above, unless they've done a lot with that motor, I'd say you'd run out of engine long before you'd run out of truck. I don't understand why you'd put a 6.0L in a 3500, it sort of defeats the purpose of a beefier truck, doesn't it? - Dave
Yes, they have done a lot with that motor over the years. It's now got 60 more hp and 2 more gears - makes for a much better hauler.
While I'm a diesel fan myself, I will say that 6.0 will tow anything just fine. Don't forget, there're semis out there hauling 80k with 320 hp. City buses haul half of that, with only 280hp, day in day out, for almost a million miles.
The only advantage a diesel has is longitivity, and better fuel economy, especially under load. But if you're only towing 1000 miles a year, and haul groceries the for the rest 19,000 miles, buying a diesel simply don't make sense.
Hp for hp, a well designed gas engine + transmission combo will tow just as well as a diesel, at sea level atleast. And before anyone even says "torque is what get you up hills", search for old threads on hp vs torque...
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RoyJ
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10/08/08 05:22pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: My first diesel! What kind of MPG's can I expect? DPF?
Yes, tuners are available for the Cummins, and many have done a straigh-pipe and / or EGR delete conversion. Again, the biggest gains are in the city. On average, people are going from 14 mpg to 17 mpg.
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RoyJ
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10/08/08 05:10pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: My first diesel! What kind of MPG's can I expect? DPF?
The MPG comments are on target. 5.9 spanks 6.7 in economy any day of the week. Might have something to do with the extra .8 liter, eh? Geesh....:S
Well, in heavy towing, I bet the mileage of the two are very similar. The natural high EGT under load will burn off the particulates without adding additional fuel.
Where the 6.7 really gets bad is stop and go in the city, with a relatively cold engine. This not only generates the most soot to begin with, but must waste raw fuel just to burn them off.
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RoyJ
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10/07/08 09:14pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: New (to us) HDT Tow Vehicle
I guess my experiences come from 1,000,000mi driving class 8s OTR. My guess is that I have driven more miles in a class 8 than almost anybody here, and believe me, you want that pivot point over the axle, and weight transfer has little to do with why.
Even with the fifth wheel set over the rear axle (split between the two on a tandem) it is possible to get the front axle to hop (like riding waves in a boat) on a class 8.
GEEZ but then again what do I know, I only have experience on my side.
On second thought.........Ignore my posts, forget that I posted in this thread, do what ever you want, I'll do what I want, and don't come crying to me when it all goes wrong, because I'll have no sympathy. :R :R :R :R
You people REALLY have nothing to do if it is time to argue about 5th wheel location. :R :R :R :R
To the O.P........ I still think you have a cool set up. :C
There's a HUGE difference between towing a 65,000 lbs trailer with 50% of its weight on the pin (32,500 lbs), than a 20,000 lbs 5th wheel with 25% of its weight on the pin (5,000).
I've seen many singled bobtailing tractors close to GAWR in the front. With a 15,000 tractor, this means roughly 12,000 lbs in the front and 3,000 in the back, in the worst case. A front heavy Volvo with full tanks will be very close to that ratio.
Simple physics would tell you that's not good. I would definitely agree with the others and put the pin as far back as possible to achieve atleast a 50%/50% distribution with the trailer hitched up.
Just think, in commercial applications you have 23%/77% weight distribution, given a 12k front and 40k rears.
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RoyJ
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07/09/08 12:39am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Honda Civic pulling a Chalet LTW < Results are In >
Some of you people need to get over yourselves (and your lack of knowledge). The engineers know more than you do, period, the end. Yes, they occasionally make mistakes, but far fewer than ANY of you would trying to do the same job. This is NOT name calling, it is the TRUTH.
If some people would stop flaming long enough to open their ears, perhaps they would learn something.
First of all, I'll assume that you're NOT an automotive engineer. For if you are, you'd know how LITTLE control we have over the specifiations of our products.
I'm a ME working under Daimler. Let me tell you, a MAJORITY of the design specifications are not finalized by the engineering department. We can go through rigorous testing to prove the safe limit of a component, and marketing or the lawyers can slap on their veto stamp due to customer demand, perception, and other stupid reasons.
While I have never worked on design for towing, I can almost gurantee that most sedans and minivans are under-rated for marketing reasons. Simple law of physics tell you that the power-weight ratio, handling dynamics, and stopping power of a 3300 lbs, 270hp Altima + 5000 lbs trailer is superior to a 300hp F150 + 11000 lbs trailer.
Tow rig to trailer weight ratio is also largely irrelavent with proper design. Proof: commerical rigs tow trailers weighting many times heavier than the rig itself.
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RoyJ
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06/23/08 02:35pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: dodge cummins 6.7 - how do you like yours?
Anyone running a straight pipe setup yet? I heard you'd get a fairly good increase in mileage, due to the lack of burning raw fuel in re-gen to clean the DPF.
I personally hate the idea of DPF - let's save the environment by getting lower mileage, buring raw fuel and therefore pump more CO2 into the air while accomplishing no useful work...
Actually against Federal law to remove.
So are putting HID capsules in halogen reflectors, lifting trucks beyond bumper law approved heights, running radar detectors in certain states, tinting certain windows beyond approved levels, having non-DOT approved lighting on road...
Doesn't stop people from doing it though.
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RoyJ
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04/27/08 01:54pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Fast Cars?
The rumour about "Ghost Rider" is that there're actually more than 1 rider. It's a whole bunch of riders (expert, no doubt) from the club that take turns doing the well planned crazy runs.
I also don't think most Gran Nationals can touch modern liter-class bikes, or the two hyper-bikes (Busa and ZX-14). I mean, we're talking mid 9's at 150 mph with simple mods.
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RoyJ
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04/27/08 01:50pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Todays Trucks (long post)
Regarding to the origional post:
I don't think today's truck's "small engines" and "tall gearing" means that they perform inferior to the old trucks. In fact, a typical pickup today (except F150, sorry Ford guys...) can run circles around old trucks of the same rating.
Just look at the Titan / Tundra / Hemi / 6.0 Chevy, how many old trucks can run low 15's stock? And that's with the 5000+ lbs curb weight of modern 1/2 tons.
Same thing with the heavy duties. How many trucks in the 70's had 650 lb-ft stock, and could tow 15,000+ lbs?
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RoyJ
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04/25/08 07:26pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Fast Cars?
One thing to rememeber about these sport compacts (or rally twins) is that they usually ride pretty harsh. If you're retirement age, you've got to ask yourself if you're willing to put up with the buckboard ride.
I think a car with a little more comfort oriented suspension might be a better choice, such as a Vette with the "touring" suspension.
Unless you want this strictly as a track toy, that super stiff suspension won't handle that much better on the streets.
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RoyJ
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04/25/08 07:10pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Hybrid Vehicles as Tow Vehicles
Anyone do any research though to find out what the payload ability is? With those heavy batteries onboard I would imagine that the GVWR would be reached quicker than a straght gas truck.
My guess is that the 6.0L is needed due to the heavy weight of the batteries :R
Don't know about the trucks, but the Tahoe didn't gain a single pound over the non-hybrid version. Main due to aluminum panels and light weight seats.
I'm no fan of hybrids (batteries cause more harm to environment than good), but I'll give GM credit for making one very efficient machine.
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RoyJ
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04/24/08 04:43pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Blew My Turbo Charger Going To Grand Canyon
I heard one way to install pre-turbo pyro without removing the turbo is to drill and tap while the engine is running. This way, the positive exhaust pressure would force any shavings out of the hole, as you're drilling / tapping.
I'd wear gloves though!
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RoyJ
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04/23/08 07:35pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: dodge cummins 6.7 - how do you like yours?
Anyone running a straight pipe setup yet? I heard you'd get a fairly good increase in mileage, due to the lack of burning raw fuel in re-gen to clean the DPF.
I personally hate the idea of DPF - let's save the environment by getting lower mileage, buring raw fuel and therefore pump more CO2 into the air while accomplishing no useful work...
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RoyJ
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04/23/08 07:32pm |
Tow Vehicles
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