I've been lurking around the site for a while now and have gotten quite a bit of information on other issues but I and haven't found anything on on the order of what I would like to do to make the heritage F-150s tow significantly better, so here is my situation, I do not have the cash to drop on a new 3/4 ton diesel hauler (or used one for that matter) but I do have enough cash/credit to upgrade my 2000 F-150 so towing my trailer is easier.

The trailer is a 26ft Trail lite (3900 lbs dry clamed) the truck is really geared to high to tow this comfortably and the trailer is getting smaller as my kids get older, the truck upgrade would not only help in towing this one, but also enables me to tow something more accommodating to three growing kids.

What I have:
2000 F-150 4wd Extended cab, original owner, bought in November 1999
5.4L w/160K and a bad case of piston slap (more of a knock).
Towing package
Off road Package
K&N intake kit
2" lift
BF Goodrich T/A 285/70R-17
3:55 gears

What I'm thinking
new long block
JBA Shorty headers
Programming yet to be determined (I can use all the suggestions I can get)
4:10 gears (yes....front and rear)

any other suggestions? comments? critics?

I'm no slouch when it comes to mechanics, I'm having the engine "installed" and the gearing change done by a friend who is also a master mechanic due mostly to the warranty on the new engine and personal experince with Gears, I could really make them sing.....

Thanks
Jim

 

Efans and Longtubes will give you some extra torque
4.10s will help get you moving, but may hurt your highway MPG's
of course if you are doing a long block swap, you might look into doing 4v heads, and get alot more power out of it.

You might also look into helper bags if your truck sags alot under the weight.

 

With all the $$$ that you are spending, I would just get a new truck

 

That's what I was thinking. Tally up a guesstimate of what its going to cost you to that then look into the cost of a new to you rig. You still may come out better with a newer truck.

 

If you plan to keep using those tires, go straight to 4.56 gears. Honestly, I'd do that before any engine swapping as I suspect that would be enough until something else blows. As others have said, you have a 9.5 year old truck that won't last forever. Minimize the expenses and set aside that engine money for a newer truck.

 

do not waste your $$ on shorty headers


go straight for the gear swap first and then see what the truck is doing and if needed down the road build up your current motor and swap to PI if you don't have a PI motor now, ported and polished heads, long tubes, custom towing cams, 24# injectors, ported Tb eblow, 75mm TB and you'll think you have a new truck

 

You're going to drop $5K on a truck that is worth $5K. Why not sell the truck, take that money and the $5K cash you were gonna spend on performance parts and go buy a nice V-10 F-250 with similar miles for $10K?

 

Another vote for a new truck... good deals right now.

 

Another one for the gears first. Not 4:10's, 4:56's and you will think you have a new truck.

 

I'm for getting rid of it and picking up a used Superduty with a V-10.

 

I don't want the payment and the truck is in perfect condition for a '00. any other suggestions? I'm in for the Efan, LTs, 4:10, LB engine, and program. there's a local guy that will program but is it worth it? should I just buy a programmer? any other towing hints or tips?

 

New truck..

 

We aren't saying new truck, just new truck to you. Do you think there aren't any good V10 F250's in your area?

Gearing will be the biggest improvement by far. Just start with that (4.56, not 4.10) and see how it does. Headers and engine tuner won't help much under 4000rpm. Efans will, but not that much. Piston slap is not hurting the engine, so save that money. I think you'll be amazed at how much gearing will help. That's 28% more torque to the wheels at any engine speed!

 

You can change all you want but you still can't change that little sticker on the truck that says what your weight ratings are... If anything bad happens while towing severely overloaded, you will be held at fault no matter what.