Here's the deal, I have a stock 03 L but will eventually (next spring) be running a 4lb pulley, chip, & intake. I'd love to get a FTVB for that firm positive shift and tranny longevity, however I do a lot of towing and some of it is with my old lady's horse in tow. Towing is up and down the Blue Ridge Mtns, so the tranny does a good bit of shifting. If I get a FTVB and every time it shfts it nearly puts the horse on the floor of the trailer, the ol lady is really going to bust my chops And I really don't want the horse to hate riding such that he gets hard to load, cause that is a real bitch to deal with. So, considering that, would you guys say that the FTVB would be something that I should consider? And would the FTVB cause any harm by shifting too hard when under load of towing-- I don't guess it's any harder than drag racing it?

It's been a while since I rode in anything with a shift kit and the last was a corvette which barked the tires at 1/4 throttle! Never rode in a truck pulling something that had something other than the sloppy factory shift. I know my fathers Dodge Ram turbo diesel shifts much more firmly when pulling a 10,000+ lb load. At those weights you're not doing much jerking of the item in tow, but at more like 4,000 lbs it could be a problem I think. I'd like to hear from others who have experience towing with an FTVB. Thanks for any imput.

 

The FTVB and stock shift program shouldn't bother Ol' Paint. I tow and I just flip the chip off, back to stock program with torque reduction and it's smooth. The only time you should see hard shifts is at, or close to, WOT. Not something you'll be doing while towing the horse trailer.

 

I don't know how hard it hits with stock torque (it should be close to the same), but you're upgrading anyway. I know that with mine on the stock tranny settings, it hits hard enough to bother a horse. I grew up pulling horses all over the country and it doesn't take much to sour them from a trailer. The hit from a FTVB will bother it. Too bad, because it is a kick arsh mod and you'd love it! My .02

On second thought, I would do it anyway. The horse may not sour, and even if he does, play dumb as to what caused it when you're sleeping on the couch


BD

 

So you're saying even under approx 1/2 throttle you think it will shift too harsh? I presume that towing something will amplify the effect at a given percent of throttle? IOW, towing something at 1/2 throttle may actually make the truck shift like it is at or near WOT?

 

Once you get your power mods, 1/2 throttle or higher will net you rubber (you aren't going to believe the difference) on your shifts with the VB (no trailer). The trailer will increase the load as you said, which will intesify the shifts at any throttle (increased load will bump pressure up). With any other cargo besides horses, no problem. You know though how sensitive those animals can be. Yours may not be, who knows. Ours were roping horses who are high performance and finicky just like our trucks.

Good luck in whatever you decide. Hope I helped on the decision.

BD

 

Now that's a shift kit! Yeah baby! Would make a great advertisement for Gregg.

Red

 

Yea, I'm laughing thinking about seeing that horse just shaking his head as he tries to get up thinking "that got dam Gregg Evans and that killer VB"

BD

 

Easy solve.

get a 2CR and get moving van straps


Strap the horse down, up, sideways, or whatever your fancy with about 5 of them.

then the horse won't be at all!

 

That's a darn interesting question. I'm game, shoot me an address and I'll arrange for you to get one to try. If you like it, you can pay for it, if you don't, send it back, no harm no foul.,

G

 

Hey...you can't beat that deal. You would crazy not to take them up on that. You guys at Factory Tech rock.

 

I also wonder about what I can get away with in terms of mods as i also tow with my Lightning. I pull about 5,000 lbs of travel trailer and dirt bikes over mountain passes in Western Washington.
I would like to do some engine mods as I have with all other vehicles i have owned but am concerned about the effect of high boost 10 min. pulls up the passes.

 

It's not on LFP's website but I saw on the Harley site they offer a modified valve body that will work better for those who do some towing.

 

Gregg, That's very generous of you. I will probably take you up on that offer. I will shoot you an email by Mon evening at the latest to let you know for sure. Thanks!