Hey all! I have 4x4 99 screw with a 4.6L that has 170k. I am very good about having it maintained and it runs great. Recently, I had all the fluids replaced (rear diff, transmission, transfer case, radiator), ball joints replaced, new tires (toyo at2-love them), new shocks and brakes. So, I have spent some money on this and am not looking to sell anytime soon. I recently got a trailer and this 4.6 struggles pulling it up grades of 6% or more (max 35 mph.) Any idea of what I can do to get more power out of this without hurting the engine's potential longevity? Is it a lost cause and I should just settle with the performance until I can afford a new truck?

Also, I had a exhaust shop look at my exhaust and they said my cat and muffler are performing great.

Thanks in advance!

Pat

 

You've got lots of options, Im no expert or guru at this like some but I can start it all off with some advice. You've got everything from programmers, exhaust, headers, and superchargers. Really what would get you the most is a supercharger but if you don't want to spend that much money you could look at intakes and exhaust and programmers. I myself have a sct livewire ts on my truck alone but will be putting on a intake, headers and exhaust. But then again I'll have fat 33's stuffed under my truck with no lift. You've got all kinds of options but then again you need the cash. One person who could help you out is blue 02wd, not sure if I got the name right :/

 

How big a trailer? What is your axle ratio? Stock suspension and tire size?

 

The trailer is an 18', 6000# camping trailer. I have a H9 axle code (3.55 ls i believe). I replaced the shocks/struts with gabriel max controls. No lifts or airbags or anything like that though. 265/70r/17 tires.

 

going lower gears, and electric fans would be a great place to start

 

6000lb 18' camper????

Gears would be a good bet
E fans like suggested and a tune to help with shifting

 

I could be misinterpreting the placard, ill look into it tomorrow.

 

Gears x10000000000!!

 

Thanks for the responses so far! I'm not pulling the trailer frequently enough to justify new gears. I will look into the electric fan though.

 

Another way to look at this.
Your truck weighs close to 4900 lbs dry, the trailer weighs close to 6000.
Add those two togather for the gross combined weight and your about at the truck's limit for GCVW.
The motor is only 263 cu inches and not a big torque producer.
The motor peaks it's torque at over 3000 rpm so you can't tow at those engine speeds unless you down shift and wind it on hills.
There is not much you can do to get anymore torque.
Cubic inches rule, you just don't have enough of them..
Good luck.

 

4.10 gears will make a big difference, and your gas mileage will not suffer when unloaded. 4.56's would make a REAL big difference, but those would hurt your gas mileage.

 

Anyone want to buy a well maintained 99 F150 4.6? Haha, I kid, I kid. Thanks. Less than 1% of my overall driving will be spent pulling that trailer on steep grades. I'll just get tinted windows and tuck my tail between my legs and do 35 until I upgrade. Have rode in a few ecoboost, I'm impresesed! They don't have the cubic inches put pull like hell.

 

Like it's been said already, gears would be the most cost effective thing to do. Even unloaded and not pulling a trailer you'll be more than impressed.

 

In terms of power you can do bolt ons but the only real power increase would be to boost it.

 

gears as everyone else said! Best performance mod to date on mine!