I wish I had gotten the towing pkg. from Ford, but didn't. Do you guys know if it is possible and how much it would cost to drop my truck off at the dealer and tell them to upgrade it with everything included in the towing pkg.?

I doubt it is possible.

If not where can I get the receiver/hitch for my truck? I want one that looks like the factory setup. I don't want anything to really show except the receiver under the liscence plate.


Thanks all!!!!!!!!!

 

JC Whitney sells some for around $100. I have seen many of these and they tow and look fine. They are an easy install and will give you a much safer tow. Good luck, Rich.

 

Since Ford no longer puts the upgraded radiator into the tow package, you didn't lose a lot.

a) The alternator and battery were the same for tow package and non tow in 01 and I'll bet the same in 02.

b) You get heavier shocks with the tow package... unless you are pulling something really heavy, current shocks should be OK until ready to be replaced... then you can get a lot better shock or air shocks

c) You got only a 4 pin wiring harness... but if you are not towing a trailer with electric brakes, it really doesn't matter

d) For d no longer puts a heavy duty radiator into the tow package so you got the same with or without the tow package.

e) You do need to add an aftermarket tranny cooler... heat is the single biggest killer of transmissions... make sure the fluid flows from the radiator into the tranny cooler.

f) You need a receiver hitch... most aftermarket are near identical to the Ford job.

 

I found that the 97 up factory hitch bolted right on to my 01 supercrew. got it with the mounting bolts from the salvage yard, easy install, mounted right up and bolted right on. As far as I know all f150s are prewired for the 7 terminal connector, above the spare on the drivers side there is a connector. You can order a wire set, also atermarket are available. The one from the salvage vehicle will be fine also. I paid $35 for a factory ford hitch.

 

Thanks guys for the help.

Any idea what kind of tranny cooler I should buy? Are they hard to install?

I will check eBay and the local salvage yards for the hitch. Thank you all!

 

I too bought my 2001 Scab without tow pkg. Mo problems doing it myself. Got a nice class IV reciever from my local trailer sales for $100. Don't forget the relays and fuses and the wiring is easy to do also. Just do a word search on this site and you'll get all the info you need! Most tranny coolers are pretty much the same except for size, (size does matter) Get a large one.
Good Luck
J.J.

 

I'll second that get the best tranny cooler you can get towing can overheat a tranny in no time

 

What kind of tranny cooler do you guys recommend? How much would that cost and could I install it myself? Thanks

-Brian