2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission i need little more power 2 tow

[lorlando]

i have a 2001 sport 3500 4x4 diesel ,and i just took it to new jerseys highest point 1803 ft and most of the ride was between 3% and 6% grade. i tow a 8000 lbs. camper, it was raither hot mid 90s and the temp was constantly raising and half the time i had to floor the pedal!! does any one have any sugestions about this without speanding a fortune. thanks

 

[Diesel Freak]

If you just want a little kick in the pants in the low to mid range get a VanAaken box, and Edge EZ or a Diablo Power Puck. They all plug in easily, and typically add 60 HP around 1900 RPM.

 

[Bob Beauchaine]

Something is not right with your rig. I've run some nasty "hills" in the west hauling the same weight as you - same gear ratio and almost always pass everything towing anything up those hills. Hills such as Cabbage Hill in Or about 3500' 60mph, Bridger Pass in Mt 6000+' 60 mph and Lincoln Pass in Wy 8000+' 60mph all before I put in my 230hp pump with no temp problems. I'm sure the guys driving rigs like yours can help. Good luck.

Bob

 

[MikeR]

I agree with Bob. Something is wrong with our truck. Don't add any power boxes until you find out what's wrong first.



If you had gauges, you could tell us what you were seeing while driving and we could help. That's why gauges are the best first mod to add to a diesel.



Boost leak problem? Fuel pressure problem?



-Mike

 

[Lsfarm]

Diagnosis Questions

Lorlando: First do you have gauges added to your truck yet? A fuel pressure gauge, EGT and boost gauge would be a minimum for your truck.



When you said your temperature kept going up, how far is up? The center of the temp gauge is 190* or so, and going above the center mark when towing 8000# during that heat wave and climbing 3-6% grades would not be unexpected. As long as the needle doesn't hit the top of the center range, you should be ok.



What would be unexpected is if the fan clutch on the fan didn't kick in, [and make a lot of noise] and cool down the temps back to near the center mark.



The ability of the radiator to get rid of heat is the result of the difference between the radiator temp and the air temp, so if the water temp rises some after a full throttle climb up a hill, the fan kicks in, and then the temp drops back to normal, all this is correct and normal.



If you don't have an egt gauge, and are a stick shift, you may have been lugging the engine down to the point that the egt's were way up there [this can happen on a totaly stock truck] this could be part of the problem. You should climb hills at around 2000-2200 rpm minimum or else you will create high EGTs at full throttle.



So: fill in your signature so we know what your truck is equiped with, tell us how you were towing [what gear or range, speed, headwind etc. ] and maybe we can help.



By the way, all the previous advice is good, and I would recommend using an Edge EZ or equivalent box with the boost elbow installed for towing. These basic timing and fuel boxes make the truck run like it should! With the boost elbow installed, the EGT's will be lower than stock with more power.



Give us some more info, and then we may be able to help. To fill in your signature, click the [user cp] button at the top of the page, then the [edit profile] button, and type away!



Greg L The Noise Nazi

 

[SlyBones]

What am I missing? something is wrong with his truck because it cant tow an 8000lb rig up a 6% grade at 60mph, w/o holding it to the floor? What transmission and gear ratio do you have? What gear are you in, what speed, rpm's, etc... .

 

[Koa Man]

I can't tow 8K up 6% grade at 60 either. My truck has the power, but I need to stay at around 45 at barely 1/4 throttle to keep EGTs at 1200* or less. Another handicap I have is that my 5 ft. high flatbed headboard is like a big sail against the wind. That is why I have a HX40/16 on order. Hopefully that will solve my problem. If not, twins???