The SUV is a 1997 Expedition XLT 4WD w/ 4.6
Questions..

1) What tranny is in there? The 4R70W or 4R100?

2) If it is a 4R70W, is there any difference in the Expy/Mustang/F150 etc 4R70W, or are they all the same?

3) I'm assuming stock gears. What is stock?

4) How much trailer weight is this thing rated to pull?

5) If you've pulled with this or a similar setup, will this pull 5000# uphill without too much of a hiccup?

Thanks guys!!

 

Can't answer all your Q's, but as far as being able to tow #5000 up hill, that all depends on the hill.....

I'm towing a #4500 TT and don't have any issues with the small hills I've encountered so far. Mostly just going up and down I-5 between Seattle and Portland. I keep it in third and just let it cruise at 60 mph. On the hills, I have to press the gas to about 1/2 -3/4 throttle. Usually just enough so it does not downshift into second. After all this, depending on the hill, I'm still going at least 55. Sometimes, I even gain speed, so have to back off some.

Now, if you are talking about the "Rockies" type of 'hills', then expect to be in 2nd and your foot to the floor!

I'll stab at the other Q's.. You probably have the 4r70w. Take a look at the pan. If it's fairly small, then that's what you have. If it's seems HUGE, then you probably have a e4od (later called the 4r100w after '98 I think). Rear end is probably a 8.8" w/3.55 gears in it. If you are really unlucky, you could have 3.31 or 3.08!!

Trailer rating depends on what gears you are running to be sure. There should be codes listed on the drivers side door jamb. Look for the codes under "TR" and "AXLE" and list them here and someone will be able to 'de-code' them for you.

Does your Expy have a hitch installed already? If so, and it's factory, then you at least have the factory "tow package"......

 

Ok.. now with my stang all I had to do was swap out the speedo gear with the proper replacement for a gear swap -- can I do that with the Expy as well, to match the speedometer with the new gear ratio? I'm thinking 4.10s.. I run 4.10s in my stang so with this 5000# beast i should at least have something that big in there.

No hitch.. but I grabbed a factory hitch off eBay for $38. It did have a 4-prong connector.

If it wheezes I'm going with a '99+ Navigator motor. I shouldn't have any issues with it then, and it would be cheaper than the twin turbo 4.6 setup my friend keeps egging me on to do =) BTW if you want pics of the twin turbo F150 4.6 lemme know I'll post the link.

 

'97-'98 you can swap out the VSS gear to correct the speedo. 4.10's will do nicely, but still won't add to your existing GVWR or GCWR.

Since you don't have the factory tow package, you'll have to get some additional hardware besides the frame hitch.

7 pin harness for the trailer wiring.
Brake controller for the trailer brakes.
Some additional relays for the fuse box under the hood.
Tranny cooler.
Optional, but I'd get some LT rated tires. These have much better load carrying cap and stiffer sidewalls for towing.
Weight Distribution hitch setup.
Mirror extensions.

Good luck! I'm sure you'll get pleanty of requests for the pics on that twin turbo setup in the Engine section. A Navigator motor swapped into anything would be very cool too.