Subject truck has a towing capacity of 7100 lb. Adequate to pull our 5500 lb Vintage trailer around (74 Boles Aero) and there are no plans to trade in the truck.I'm a middle aged guy with two kids under six so long range finacial planning is about college, not new trucks. I figure the truck has 100,000 more good miles in it so what upgrades might improve towing performance without shortening its life?I have the 3.55 gears (4x4) according to Ford the 3.73 would raise the GCWR by 500 lb. What else?

LT tires and stiffer shocks or air bags will help with stability. As many will point out nothing will legally change the ratings of the vehicle, but tires and shocks will be about the cheapest improvements. Going to a smaller rim and tire will effectively change the apparent rearend ratio. ex from 20" to 17" of from 17 to 15.

pitch wrote:LT tires and stiffer shocks or air bags will help with stability. As many will point out nothing will legally change the ratings of the vehicle, but tires and shocks will be about the cheapest improvements. Going to a smaller rim and tire will effectively change the apparent rearend ratio. ex from 20" to 17" of from 17 to 15.I already have 16" LTs. Not trying to tow more, just want ot feel like it's not workign os hard. Over on the F150 forums they talk about electric vans, headers, cold air intakes, and a few other bolt ons. All resutling in better MPG and/or higher HP on the dyno. But are those good mods for towing?

Having towed with a 2001 Expy for years (with 3.73) I can tell you that the weak link is the transmission. I would do nothing more than maybe spring for the 3.73. If you start messing with tuners, headers, etc, you will soon be in the shop for transmission work.As they like to say, "It is what it is." Stay with a trailer around 5K dry, skip all the bolt on band-aids, and save your money for the kid's college.

X2, changing to 3.73 will be the best investment. Don't go the other route, it's not a race car.P.S., I have had 3 Expo's, all with 3.73 tow pkg, and they will handle that weight easily.Good luck.

Rear gear change is the only thing that will make it pull better IMO and that is a very limited improvement. Did Ford offer a 4.10 rear in that vehicle? If so it would get you better towing performance than the 3.73. Since you already have LT tires rear gear is the only things that makes sense.

upgrades to improve towing in a 2001 Expedition?

25 Replies

fla-gypsy
Explorer
Sep 19, 2013
Rear gear change is the only thing that will make it pull better IMO and that is a very limited improvement. Did Ford offer a 4.10 rear in that vehicle? If so it would get you better towing performance than the 3.73. Since you already have LT tires rear gear is the only things that makes sense.
301TBS
Explorer
Sep 19, 2013
X2, changing to 3.73 will be the best investment. Don't go the other route, it's not a race car.
P.S., I have had 3 Expo's, all with 3.73 tow pkg, and they will handle that weight easily.
Good luck.
downtheroad
Explorer
Sep 19, 2013
Having towed with a 2001 Expy for years (with 3.73) I can tell you that the weak link is the transmission. I would do nothing more than maybe spring for the 3.73. If you start messing with tuners, headers, etc, you will soon be in the shop for transmission work.

As they like to say, "It is what it is." Stay with a trailer around 5K dry, skip all the bolt on band-aids, and save your money for the kid's college.
hertfordnc
Explorer
Sep 19, 2013
pitch wrote:
LT tires and stiffer shocks or air bags will help with stability.
As many will point out nothing will legally change the ratings of the vehicle, but tires and shocks will be about the cheapest improvements.
Going to a smaller rim and tire will effectively change the apparent rearend ratio. ex from 20" to 17" of from 17 to 15.

I already have 16" LTs. Not trying to tow more, just want ot feel like it's not workign os hard.

Over on the F150 forums they talk about electric vans, headers, cold air intakes, and a few other bolt ons. All resutling in better MPG and/or higher HP on the dyno.

But are those good mods for towing?
pitch
Explorer II
Sep 19, 2013
LT tires and stiffer shocks or air bags will help with stability.
As many will point out nothing will legally change the ratings of the vehicle, but tires and shocks will be about the cheapest improvements.
Going to a smaller rim and tire will effectively change the apparent rearend ratio. ex from 20" to 17" of from 17 to 15.

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upgrades to improve towing in a 2001 Expedition?

25 Replies

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