I don't think there are that many people who would be willing to pay more to get a manual tranny that lowers the MPG and lowers the tow rating.

 

A manual certainly lowered the tow rating in the "old days", but the manual always raised the MPG.

 

How about back to the original topic??? I want to see how this turns out, not the last couple of pages of manual vs automatic. Thanks.....

Jim

 

It may lower the EPA gas mileage numbers, but real world mileage can be a whole different story. Look at all the folks with the EB that are getting widely varying mileage. Aren't we seeing anywhere from about 15 to 25 on the highway?

 

I looked it up on FordParts.com - there are only two types of radiators available -

BL3Z8005B - 3.5 L Standard Cooling
BL3Z8005C - 3.5 L Super Cooling System

And according to the ordering guide, all tow packages include the larger radiator - however, in our informal survery here, Max-Tow trucks seem to go over hills pulling insane loads with no problems whatsoever, while regular tow trucks overheat pulling just 3/4 of the load in the same conditions.

This makes me wonder if they forgot to put the larger radiators in the regular-tow trucks.

 

That is a good point. It be interesting to find out what the differences are, and which one the trucks in question had.

 

Interesting. In my 2003 SCREW they forgot to put larger radiators in the tow packages and a class action lawsuit occured. They gave me the option of the proper radiator, $500 to a new truck (yeah right), and something else. I obviously chose to get the proper radiator. I wonder if the same thing has happened here

 

The easiest way to find out is have someone with a Max tow truck post the dimensions of his radiator so those of us without the max tow can compare.

 

Alright guys, time to pull out the rulers and compare!

 

i think a tape measure would be easier but to each his own

 

I found the following in the 2012 Ford Dealer Source Book. There are actually 3 radiators used in the F150's. They are all the same width and heigth but have different core thickness, number of tubes, and/or number of fins per inch. I'll call the three sizes "small", "medium" and "large". But Ford calls the Small, "Standard", when used in the 3.7 or 5.0. Then they call the Medium "Super Cooling" when used with those same engines. Here's the confusing part. Ford calls the same Medium "Standard" when used in the 3.5 or 6.2. Then they call the largest "Super Cooling" when used in the 3.5 or 6.2.
So the Small is only in the lower 2 engines and is always called Standard. The Medium is Super Cooling when used in the lower 2 engines but called Standard when used in the upper 2 engines. Large is always called Super Cooling and only used in the upper engines. Below are the physical differences:

Small thickness - 0.94
Small rows of tubes - 41
Small fins per inch - 15.2

Medium thickness - 1.26
Medium rows of tubes - 41
Medium fins per inch - 16.5

Large thickness - 1.26
Large rows of tubes - 51
Large fins per inch - 16.5

If the same specs are true for 2011, then all F150's with tow packages (regular or max) should have the Large radiator called Super Cooling when used in the EcoBoost. The only other one available for the Eco is the medium which would have 41 instead of 51 tubes and should not be in a truck with any tow Package (according to that Source Book).

Gentlemen, count your tubes!

 

The sticker on top of my radiator says "BL34-8005-EB" - this number is not a valid part on the Ford Parts site, although it sure looks like a Ford PN.

Here's an easy way to find out what Ford *thinks* they put in your truck -
1. Find your VIN#
2. Go to www.fordparts.com
3. Enter your VIN# in the VIN# field and hit search
4. Click on the Category "Cooling" then the subcategory "Radiators"

Mine returned the "Super Cooling" radiator. I tried entering a Regular-Tow truck and got the same answer, so I think we're back to comparing radiator counts.

I was just thinking - if you ordered an XL or XLT (or your dealer did) and it didn't originally have the towing package, it wouldn't have the super-radiator even if they added the trailer hitch and TBC later, could that be any explanation?

 

For the past many months all I have been doing is reading posts. Well it is time for pay back. I purchase my echobost two months ago and have been
blown away with fuel economy. I wont go there because this is an over heat post. I just pulled my 33 foot fith wheel that weighs 11,400 pounds down
I-10 90 degress here in Louisiana and had no problems. Infact it pulled better than my old 2006 F250gas! No strain and pain, I do not know what the grade of the old Mississippi bridge at Baton Rouge is but, it pulled it with no effort. My pull was my first and it was approx. 150 miles with no heating problems. So far I am tickeled pink.

 

A 11.4k 5er with a F-150? I'd hate to be that truck's rear axle............

 

If you are happy with that, just imagine how happy you would be pulling with a truck rated to tow that load!

And to think, I didn't feel safe pulling my 8k (empty) fifth wheel with an F150.