Hello all. Basically I am trying to accomplish two things. I would like to upgrade the towing capability of my trucks engine, and I would like to retain some mileage because its pretty much daily driven. But first, a little about the setup..

Its a 2007 F150 FX4 SCrew with a 5.4 liter and if I remember correctly 4.10 gears in the rear. Factory tow package is also installed. I have done some modifications over the years as needed, and the truck handles the load at speed wonderfully, the problem I have is its just slow getting there. Maybe I am expecting too much. The truck has about 115,000 miles on him, and I tow a load of approximately 6500 lbs at least once a month. The load consists of a 20 foot open trailer with a race car on top, and the bed filled with spares, tires and tools.

The current modifications consist of a custom dual flow master exhaust, K&N drop in filter. I think thats about it for "power" although I don't think that is going to amount to anything. For suspension mods I have a leveling kit in the front, add a leaf kit in the rear, as well as Firestone air bags, and Bilstein shocks all around. Brakes are pretty much stock. Centric rotors with ceramic pads.

Basically what I am asking is whether it is cost effective/beneficial to build an engine? Is there a solution already out there that I don't know about? My goals are to stay on 87 octane, and keep similar mileage while increasing the pulling capability that the truck has. I just don't want to be sitting in the gas pedal for what seems like a lifetime to get up to cruising speeds.....

Any ideas?

 

Without spending huge bucks, your best improvement will be a programmer with custom tunes and/or 4.56 gears. Another option is trade the truck in for a F250 with a diesel or a V-10.

 

Unless you put 4.10s your truck should have 3.73s from the factory. Verify on door jamb, under axle code (b6) is 3.73 ls. I would recommend an edge programmer with a tow tune. Should be able to find one used around 250 or so. Pertinent question would be do you have oversize tires? They will negatively affect towing.

 

I have thought about a programmer, but I am afraid that this could adversely effect the high mileage motor. Essentially I feel like it would cause the motor to fail faster. I would LOVE to trade the truck in for a diesel, but I don't really want to take a note out on a truck again. I already own this free and clear....

 

I hear what you are saying but if you run it on the 87 tow tune and not the high octane performance tune it will mainly just help the transmission and shift points. I think it would help your situation and the only way it would hurt is if you drove the truck like a dumbass, which it sounds like wouldn't be the case. Stock size tires?

 

I apologize for not answering that earlier. Yes they are stock size if not smaller diameter on stock rims. Im not a fan of the flashiness and paying 300 bucks for 36 inch tires when the truck goes off the hardball maybe twice a year, and its not normally by choice. Its normally because I have to go get someone who's stuck, or get to the other side.

I have no experience or knowledge with plug in tuners. I use an open source ECU software in the race car when the car is on the dyno, but thats with a laptop, and only on the rollers. I don't feel comfortable making changes in the pits or grid, when I can't see what my changes are doing to the engine. So what your saying is there is an 87 octane tow tune in the plug in tuners eh? It'll pretty much act like an electronic shift kit? I played with automatic transmission shift kits years ago in a few cars. Changing out plates and check valves and whatnot. They really seemed to tighten up the shifts. Ill have to look into it some more. I always thought the plug in tuners basically just added fuel and changed the timing... Any suggestions?

Again thanks for the help....

 

Just walked out to look. The tires are 265/70/18 The overall diameter difference of these tires versus the OE 275/65/18 is +.57 inches according to my math. I think thats pretty negligible and shouldn't affect the towing characteristics, or am I mistaken?

 

Shouldn't matter much if anything. Just wanted to make sure you weren't running heavy load range e 35s wondering why your towing is sub par.