Recovering Dodgeoholic

[Bart_3500]

I owned a 98 Cummins powered Dodge for 6-7 years. It was okay except I put a TON of money into it in order to get it to pull. It did "okay" until June when I bought a 39 foot toy hauler. That proved that it couldn't cut it. I had about $15-20K invested in upgrades. While driving down a country road I saw a nice (beyond nice) 02 F-350 crew cab with a 7.3 psd under the hood. It'd be perfect if it was a 6 speed manual but oh well.
Anyway, the point of this thread is to ask, without breaking the bank AGAIN, what should I do to this stock rig to pull around 20+K # 5th wheel? I know I need gauge(s). To me the Pyrometer is the only thing that is a "have to have". The dash has a trans temp gauge, but is it worth a spit? It seems to stay just about center all the time under all load conditions. My autometer would move around depending on load and terrain. I don't know if the boost gauge is worth the money other than being able to watch something move.
I took the water injection off and plan on installing it on the PSD. I also took off the aftermarket fuel pump (FASS) and will install it on the PSD.
The trans is my main concern. I hear from everyone that the trans is the weak point. The trans shop I've been dealing with for years says that the stock converter is a three disk unit normally. The problem is that the case will ballon under pressure. A friend of mine said he went through two 7.3s in his commerial service truck (grossly overloaded) without a trans problem. Who do I believe?????????????????????????????
I've also heard that I need a chip (here we go again). I "think" the STC is the one to get from what I read about guys selling their Juice attitudes to get the STC. Also a 4" exhaust and air filter (intake) is necessary for it to breathe.
On a side note, I pulled the empty 5th wheel about 15 miles each way. It didn't like overdrive at speeds of around 50-55 mph, third wasn't a problem. I didn't get it any faster because of the speed limit. It did pull like a 20 Clyde's Dales up to that speed.
My rig will mainly be a tow rig for the new 5th wheel with a '66 Bronco off roader inside or an eleven foot camper with Bronco on steel car trailer out behind. It only has 57K miles now with very limited towing in the past.
Please give me your experienced educations about your 7.3s.
Thanks, I feel better being back to Ford
First on Race Day
For our Redneck Drivers
For Off Road Driving. (I like that one):drive:

[Raul@Stealth Automotive]

Welcome to the Org. i may be wrong but i dont believe the 4R100 came with a triple disk TQ.... i would spend the bulk of your mod money on a really beefed up tranny esp if your gonna tow so much.... prob in the range of 4k....now for your 7.3L i would recomend the Edge Evo if you want a programmer or a Dp tuner if you want a chip... the Edge Evo 2 would come with a set of digital gauges so you kill 2 birds with 1 stone... oh and our stock tranny gauge blows... mine will always still on normal where my autometer will literately bee anywhere from 120-220 with the stocker not moving at all....

-Raul

[pipelayerjdh]

Welcome to the ORG.!

If you add power, plan on having tranny problems. You can do a few mods to make it stronger. I also like chips, with custom tunes.

[PSDfan99]

ya stock TC is a single disc as far as I know. I think the tranny will slip and smoke and refuse to move any further before it case will explode.

oh and Welcome!

[Marty]

Dayum you got 4.30's in that F350 - sweet!

I'd put a valvebody on that Tranny RIGHT now... since it's got 50k on it. They're picky - some last just fine while others die behind stock trucks. IE: Lilredpowerstroke aka TJ ran injectors, turbo, tuning, and 40+ inch tires in truck pulls, tug a wars, etc... and it FINALLY gave way.

If you want the best tranny - start saving for BTS - 4grand out the door.
Make sure you have a good brake controller, you'll probably want to upgrade the brakes as well. Look for Powerslots with our vendors.
You can also use the EBPV has an engine brake - but there are better after market ones out there... give you basically a "jake brake" for decelerating.

For your tuning - go with DP Tuner. You can get his tunes on your SCT or you can buy a flip chip and have shift on the fly capabilities.

Factory TC is single disk - the ford replacement now though is triple disk.

You might also invest in a larger intercooler. 6.0 I/C for cheap - will net you approx 100 degree's decrease while towing or an expensive Spearco for over a grand.

Add some airbags in the rear too for ride quality and leveling.

Down the road you might look at something like "big oil" because people that tow say it's the best mod they've done. Look to spend between 1-2 grand on that.

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Last edited by Marty : 09-25-2007 at 06:14 PM.

[Raul@Stealth Automotive]

oh and i forgot to mention a big secondary tranny cooler...pref with a built in fan

[jturkey69]

well not that Im trying to be a jerk, but why get rid of the cummins? I thought it was better for pulling, and after you just spent a ton of money on it, have you done anything to the dodge to help performance? I love our excursion, and love the ride of the superduty versus dodge, but if you want the trailer towing monster, I would juice up the dodge, since you are going to be putting a ton of money int the ford to pull that big of a trailer....just so as not to cause more confusion, anything over the 800 i had to spend for our turbo that just went south is a ton of money for us.

as you said without breaking the bank AGAIN...what exactly has been done to the dodge engine wise?....AGAIN, dont get me wrong, we love our truck, we also have 5 kids, and one on the way, so when you said you dont want to break the bank, Id suggest sticking it out with the dodge, unless you have to have the ride of the superduty, or the look, but then if thats the case, then look for a manual. I dont know half of what most of the guys on this forums know, but I do know the 7.3 powerstrokes can peg an egt guage quicker then anyother rig(personal experience only) there is a webpage...guzzles or soemthing, I remember reading it twice, and he had alot of tips and tricks. I would just be hesitant to spend a bunch of money (after you just spent how much?) cause of the good looks, ride, and reliability of the 7.3 superduty's...I mean after that much into the cummins, you cant be far off from where you want to be?????