1997 PSD Daily Driver and Towing mods

[springbrook]

Im not new to diesels but i am new to the powerstroke and new to looking at mods. I have a 1993 F-250, 1994 F-250 and a 2006 F-350 6.0. All of those are farm trucks. I just added a 1997 PSD crew cab, short bed, 4x4, auto.

This is the first truck i have considered doing some work to. Im looking to do upgrades that are comfortable for still being a daily driver but also want to tow 25K+ loads every now and then.

I didnt really want the automatic, but ive spent the past 5 years looking for this truck and couldn't help but buy it even with.

It has 227000 miles, less than 25K on a rebuilt tranny,

My biggest concern is the tranny. What can/should i do to protect it before anything else.

Ive already got a tymar intake in. Next is a new downpipe and exhaust. Ive spent alot of time reading before i posted so id have any idea on some of the suggestions. Lots of ideas but not sure where to start and what to continue with to make everything work well together.

[terryknight]

BTS is the best out there with an unlimited warranty, but since you only have 25K look in to #1 trans temp gauge - heat is emeny number 1, #2 a bigger cooler - heat is enemy number 1, #3 upgrade VB, #4 upgraded TC, #5 regear it

[springbrook]

Ok Cool. Any suggestions as to where to look for these upgrades. Whats it take to regear it?

[terryknight]

what gears doe sit have? unless you have any experience swapping gears it would be best to get a professional to regear. gear sets range from $190-330 installation i would guess runs another $500 ish.

i don't know much about the autos. i would think any of the vendors here could help you out. the trans temp and the cooler you can get on ebay

[351fifty]

BTS hands down, but have heard great things about john woods, but valve body, torque converter, trans cooler, and deeper pan (4r100 stock one) mag tec and what not are good ones, but whats your stock gear ratio? i have 4.10 and as per the owners manual am capable of 20k gvcwr, mite wanna check if you have overloads, add air bags, and a few other things before 25k is behind you

i have a ccsb f250 4x4 like yours btw, just have mods done so far lol

[springbrook]

Ok sounds good, ill try to get some pics of it up. 25K might have been a little high. We have a 24 cattle trailer that can haul 11 cows so with trailer it wouldnt quite push 20K, but as ive got to thinking, i think im going to try to hold this pickup off from hauling anything if i can help it. Ive got three others that we can use. I would really like to keep this one in good shape and a daily driver. I love the OBS trucks. I don't need to spend 40,000 on a newer truck. All the extra ponies are nice in the newer trucks but everything else is just extra i dont need. I know i would have to drop a ton of money to get their power but want to try.

Im considering getting another 7.3 and rebuilding it from the ground up to try and get over 500hp into the future.