a better tow rig

[SnakeCharmer]

So Im wondering what I can do to make my Sport Trac a better tow vehicle. I do have the factory tow package which oddly enough doesnt include a good hitch, I think just the trans cooler and trailer light connection. I have of course added a nice reciever hitch. I mainly pull my bass boat which is only probaly a little over 1500lbs loaded with gear. My main complaint is that I cant tow in OD. I could do it when I had my old smaller boat but I have tried with the new one but it just constantly wants to downshift. Are there any transmission or computer mods that will allow to tow in OD? I know alot of newer trucks have a tow/haul mode that keeps the trans from downshifting so easily so I figured maybe that is possible. Any other small mods that will give me a little more grunt wouldnt be bad either.

 

[410Fortune]

gears, consider 4.10 gears or even more depending on your tire size.
The factory trans cooler is good, but a larger one may be better.

I tow in OD and my boat is #3800, at highway speeds (65+) on flat/small hills.

Towing:
good shocks
poly sway bar bushings
carbon metallic brake pads/brake shoes
trans cooler
trans temp gage
synthetic gear lube in rear diff

With that bass boat I would think your Sport Trac does just fine, #1500 is nothing for that truck. if it is hunting for gears then I would start by checking to see what gears your ST came with, most likely its 3.73 but could be 3.55 or even 3.23. 4.10 gears would make a big difference with stock or even 30-31" tires. Gearing will get you back into the SOHC 4.0L's powerband, keeping you at a little bit higher RPM in OD, more power to pull hills, passing, less need to drop into 3 from OD

 

[SnakeCharmer]

gears, consider 4.10 gears or even more depending on your tire size.
The factory trans cooler is good, but a larger one may be better.

I tow in OD and my boat is #3800, at highway speeds (65+) on flat/small hills.

Towing:
good shocks
poly sway bar bushings
carbon metallic brake pads/brake shoes
trans cooler
trans temp gage
synthetic gear lube in rear diff

With that bass boat I would think your Sport Trac does just fine, #1500 is nothing for that truck. if it is hunting for gears then I would start by checking to see what gears your ST came with, most likely its 3.73 but could be 3.55 or even 3.23. 4.10 gears would make a big difference with stock or even 30-31" tires. Gearing will get you back into the SOHC 4.0L's powerband, keeping you at a little bit higher RPM in OD, more power to pull hills, passing, less need to drop into 3 from OD

I assume there is a number in the door or glove compartment or something that will tell me what gear I have. Seems like I knew this at one time but now I cant remember. So what numbers am I looking for to know for sure? My truck is a 2wd and the tires are new but stock size so nothing weird there. I am honestly miffed as to why my boat seems to put so much load on it, unless it weighs more than I think but I know it isnt anywhere near the capacity of the truck. I had the same isse towing the little pop-up camper I used to have that was onlu around 1200#.

 

[410Fortune]

I bet you find your 2wd trac has 3.23 or 3.55 gears, this would explain the "load" you are feeling on the truck, its just not inthe power band where the SOHC 4.0L is happy (making power)

Yes you can check the door sticker, rear axle code, or the metal tag on the rear diff itself.

Try a search on this forum for where to look and what to look for, this is talked about daily here...

 

[SnakeCharmer]

I bet you find your 2wd trac has 3.23 or 3.55 gears, this would explain the "load" you are feeling on the truck, its just not inthe power band where the SOHC 4.0L is happy (making power)

Yes you can check the door sticker, rear axle code, or the metal tag on the rear diff itself.

Try a search on this forum for where to look and what to look for, this is talked about daily here...

Well I found the axle code on the door sticker and did a search. It is a code 42, which if the info I found is correct indicates that its a 4:10 non limited slip. I know my truck had the factory tow package but in 01 I thought it was just the trans cooler and flat trailer light plug. It also had the bumper hitch but I assume that is just a standard deal. So is the 4:10 rear part of the 01 tow package?

I also just looked up the specs on my boat and it looks like I was off some. It lists package weight as about 1600#. I assume thats empty weight so figure that with 21 gallons of fuel, bigger than standard motor, all my gear, its probably closer to 2000#. But still shouldnt be anywhere near taxing the capacity of my truck.