Towing in the heat
#11
#13
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Yeah, 5-W20. I would at least do a synthetic blend, especially with towing. An extra $10 offers some big protection. I am a big believer in synthetic. My last oil change was about $100.....Amsoil. Maybe I'm a chump, but this truck will be in my life,,,ohhhh,,,forever. I think it helps keep you engine (slightly) cooler too. That said, make sure you keep your coolant fresh.
As for recommended parts, I think the e-fans are usually sold as universal models that fit with mild modification. You just need a little custom fab skill, and some b@lls. Pay attention to the controllers.
Do your research, PM Eric and some of the other E-fan guys on the site and bite the bullit. I'm in the same boat as you. Daily driver and need reliability, but the main reasons it's not done are my 3 kids under 5. Otherwise it is a top priority. In reality, it looks like a pretty straight forward job.
As for recommended parts, I think the e-fans are usually sold as universal models that fit with mild modification. You just need a little custom fab skill, and some b@lls. Pay attention to the controllers.
Do your research, PM Eric and some of the other E-fan guys on the site and bite the bullit. I'm in the same boat as you. Daily driver and need reliability, but the main reasons it's not done are my 3 kids under 5. Otherwise it is a top priority. In reality, it looks like a pretty straight forward job.
#14
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If your willing to spend the money, I installed a Flexalite 18in. The thermo is built into the fan unit so the wiring is super easy. everything is labeled. mounting hardware is included to. I bought my fan at nappa for 245 bucks. Ordered it in the moring, got it in the afternoon. I dont tow much but i wanted it because it relieves the stress on the whole belt system. water pump, alternator, ac, etc. When you get one compare the wieght to the clutch fan. its heavy...
Well then I definitely want this electric fan. I saw a writeup on a ford taurus fan on here, but I don't feel confident enough in my skills to do something like that (daily driver and cannot afford to have down time). Is there a kit or shops that do this sort of thing? What $$ am I looking at here?
#15
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Turn down the heat please
Posts: 11,333
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1 Post
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Yeah, 5-W20. I would at least do a synthetic blend, especially with towing. An extra $10 offers some big protection. I am a big believer in synthetic. My last oil change was about $100.....Amsoil. Maybe I'm a chump, but this truck will be in my life,,,ohhhh,,,forever. I think it helps keep you engine (slightly) cooler too. That said, make sure you keep your coolant fresh.
As for recommended parts, I think the e-fans are usually sold as universal models that fit with mild modification. You just need a little custom fab skill, and some b@lls. Pay attention to the controllers.
Do your research, PM Eric and some of the other E-fan guys on the site and bite the bullit. I'm in the same boat as you. Daily driver and need reliability, but the main reasons it's not done are my 3 kids under 5. Otherwise it is a top priority. In reality, it looks like a pretty straight forward job.
As for recommended parts, I think the e-fans are usually sold as universal models that fit with mild modification. You just need a little custom fab skill, and some b@lls. Pay attention to the controllers.
Do your research, PM Eric and some of the other E-fan guys on the site and bite the bullit. I'm in the same boat as you. Daily driver and need reliability, but the main reasons it's not done are my 3 kids under 5. Otherwise it is a top priority. In reality, it looks like a pretty straight forward job.
An E-fan should help a lot too as everyone who has done it has reported both mileage and power gains.
Mprohr, I think you're paying too much for your Amsoil, even Series 2000 0w-30 doesn't cost that much for one change plus a good filter. I run Amsoil 5w-30 XL with Napa Gold (Wix) filters and I think it cost me around 65 for my last change plus 4 quarts left over.
#16
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i had an issue with my truck getting really hot on trips, it was even worse with the AC on. I did a coolant flush, changed my oil to full synthetic, redid my front and rear diffs with the recommended oil from dodge, and it still overheated on my 2,400 mile trip from upstate ny to el paso tx. i dunno whats wrong but its definatly something that i dont like
#18
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yeah well hopefully sometime this week i can get it fixed. i did notice that i was only towing 2500 lbs and the truck felt very weak, it had no power, no pick up whatsoever. I thought these trucks had power, i couldnt imagine how sh!tty it would have done if i had towed around max weight.
#19
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ya...i just did a test run w/ about 5,000lbs and the truck would get about 3/4 of the way up the temp gauge before the clutch fan would engage!!!!!
I had plenty of power I felt, but the truck should not run that hot. If it keeps doing that I know I am going to have issues with things breaking in the future. Looks like a new T-stat is in order in the coming weeks!
I had plenty of power I felt, but the truck should not run that hot. If it keeps doing that I know I am going to have issues with things breaking in the future. Looks like a new T-stat is in order in the coming weeks!
#20
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yeah well hopefully sometime this week i can get it fixed. i did notice that i was only towing 2500 lbs and the truck felt very weak, it had no power, no pick up whatsoever. I thought these trucks had power, i couldnt imagine how sh!tty it would have done if i had towed around max weight.
because I thought it towed awesome. I wonder if the AWD is stealing power from ya?
BTW Keacher, I just realized you are from my old hometown area. I grew up in Millerton, PA just south of Elmira,Ny but I hung out in Elmira on and off. Quite a small world...
Last edited by lghtngblt02; 08-31-2009 at 11:55 AM.