What did you do to your Tow Vehicle today?

[SixtyThreeL8]

Father of 11 with a worn-out '05 3500 series Chevy Express, recently bought a replacement 2016 3500 series Chevy Express with a blown 6.0 LS engine. My son and I just installed a replacement 6.0 LS with 11K miles, but I am trying to make improvements to cooling. My experience with the '05 express tells me I will have cooling issues pulling my 2009 23' JayFeather. I plan on putting in a separate Tranny cooler, but would love to find a drop-in replacement radiator with greater cooling efficiency. Other than re-plumb the tranny cooler (& eliminate the tranny loop in the radiator?), I would prefer to keep the clutch fan (over electric fans) and keep it the same size. Does anyone know a good resource who has experience with cooling systems in LS powered Express vans? adTHANKSvance!

[kblast523]

Originally Posted by SixtyThreeL8

... I would prefer to keep the clutch fan (over electric fans) and keep it the same size. Does anyone know a good resource who has experience with cooling systems in LS powered Express vans? adTHANKSvance!

That fan sucks 15-20 hp off the drive line, Another point, most "newer" transmission cooler have thermostatic controlled flow so the fluid will not get over cooled. What kind of radiator did the 'donor' vehicle have? Not that familiar with GM, but beginning in about 2008 Ford Super Duty's got improved cooling through larger in-radiator heat exchangers to keep the transmission warmer so LV (low viscosity) ATF could be used more efficiently. I put electric cooling fans on a 2007 F150 4.2 v-6 and realized 1.5 mpg improvement. Universally applied to gas or diesel.

[SixtyThreeL8]

Thanks...I did not know that clutch fans robbed that much hp. The "donor" van is all stock. I do not know the plumbing inside the stock radiator. It appears to have two loops...tranny and ?. You said newer tranny coolers have thermostatic controlled flow. Is that old-school thermostat or do they have solenoids & wires & such?

The other part of the build is swapping rear axles. My '05 has a full-floater but the '16 does not and I want to keep the full-floating axle. It's interesting because both are 1 ton vans.

[Bandit12]

Originally Posted by SixtyThreeL8

Father of 11 with a worn-out '05 3500 series Chevy Express, recently bought a replacement 2016 3500 series Chevy Express with a blown 6.0 LS engine. My son and I just installed a replacement 6.0 LS with 11K miles, but I am trying to make improvements to cooling. My experience with the '05 express tells me I will have cooling issues pulling my 2009 23' JayFeather. I plan on putting in a separate Tranny cooler, but would love to find a drop-in replacement radiator with greater cooling efficiency. Other than re-plumb the tranny cooler (& eliminate the tranny loop in the radiator?), I would prefer to keep the clutch fan (over electric fans) and keep it the same size. Does anyone know a good resource who has experience with cooling systems in LS powered Express vans? adTHANKSvance!

Well an old saying in racing applies to the RV world as well. Power cost money son, how much do you wanna make? A custom radiator might be what you're looking for but it's gonna cost ya. That said, you could try checking out these guys. I have no experience with them personally but I hear good things about them. Give them a call, tell them what you're doing and what you want to accomplish and see what they say. https://www.griffinrad.com/

[kblast523]

Originally Posted by SixtyThreeL8

Thanks...I did not know that clutch fans robbed that much hp. The "donor" van is all stock. I do not know the plumbing inside the stock radiator. It appears to have two loops...tranny and ?. You said newer tranny coolers have thermostatic controlled flow. Is that old-school thermostat or do they have solenoids & wires & such?

The other part of the build is swapping rear axles. My '05 has a full-floater but the '16 does not and I want to keep the full-floating axle. It's interesting because both are 1 ton vans.

The temp control is inside the transmission at the return. In Fords and RAM trucks the solenoids are controlled by temp sensors. Sure that GM uses similar system. If donor truck has transmission temp (in dash) you can be sure of temperature control. My 2018 Nissan Titan utilizes a HUGE side to side eight row cooler plus radiator cooler on the upstream side. The electronic controlled fan clutch engages when cold to knock any varmits out of the engine bay, only have experienced 'fan' engagement pulling a big grade near Riudoso, NM a year ago. The active shutters keep the fan from engaging most of the time. Your rear axle should be fine.

[Cincinnati Kid]

It's getting kinda dirty, so I'm leaving it out in the rain today, to soften up the dirt a little before I wash it. Baby steps.

[Flyrotor]

New tires for the truck.

Brakes inspection reveals over 50% of the brake pads are still present, the brake pads have never been changed, I bought the truck brand new with 11 miles, today it has just shy of 180,000 miles. Just a testament of the value of the exhaust brake and manual transmission. I would estimate 30k miles pulling a trailer thus far.

[Colorado]

Reinstalled the fifth wheel rails and Andersen hitch. Pulled out the camper so I could work on it.

[Dgibbster]

Connected and tested operation of my 7-way to 4-way tow wire harness with additionional 12v accessory power plug for jeep battery charge, and everything works great. Ready for first trip with this jeep in tow.

[ttavasc]

Installed a pair of 1/2" G80 Alloy couplers as I'm tired of fighting with the safety chains and Ford's ridiculous attachment points. Only took about 5-10 minutes to press them in with a "portable" bench vise. It'll be nice to just hook the chains again without all the twisting and turning and positioning them at just the right angle.....

[LuckyDuck]

Took it to my mechanic for an oil change, air and fuel filters and rear brakes. Also replaced a leaking hydraulic brake booster and checked all hoses, belts etc. All ready for our trip to the Grand Canyon and Utah later. It wasn’t particularly cheap, but I’ll happily put money into keeping the ol’ 7.3L in tiptop shape. I figure i make part of it back in DEF savings .

[TxLoser]

Just a fuel filter change. I enjoy it because I feel like I made a few bucks since dealer charges almost $200 and I can do it in 20 mins.

[AKRUEBBE]

Originally Posted by TxLoser

Just a fuel filter change. I enjoy it because I feel like I made a few bucks since dealer charges almost $200 and I can do it in 20 mins.

Does it take two fuel filters?

[TxLoser]

Just one. Super easy.

[AKRUEBBE]

Originally Posted by TxLoser

Just one. Super easy.

Cost me just shy of $300 to have my fuel filters changed by the dealer. RAM has two filters, one being a water separator. I wouldn't begin to try and tackle them myself. Requires special tools also.

[TxLoser]

Originally Posted by AKRUEBBE

Cost me just shy of $300 to have my fuel filters changed by the dealer. RAM has two filters, one being a water separator. I wouldn't begin to try and tackle them myself. Requires special tools also.

It almost makes up for GM’s terrible choice of def fill location and def tank location on my 2019. Almost. $35 for the filter and 20 mins.

[Jose&Kristen]

Added helper air bags to level the truck.
The ride with our 28BHS is noticeably different than our first TT, which was a lot lighter. The first thing out of my daughter’s boyfriend’s mouth was “you’re gonna need airbags now.” I’m a tech guy... he’s a truck guy ... So that night, I ordered a Air Lift 1000 HD Air Spring Kit. We installed it last night in about 90 minutes (including story-telling).

[Lmbrjk]

I did the same Airbags to my 2020 BigHorn. They help but the lines at the bags come loose with time. I used light pressure with pliers and that helps. Thinking about Blue Loctite if it happens again.

[Rolexmd tridenttech]

Washed her. 2012 f250 fx4 6.2. Mods: Borla cat back system, K&N full cold air intake system, 3.5 lift, 35’s on 20’s

[DB1]

Washed, wet spray wax, then a final speed shine along with some tirelube…..
2016 F250,6.2l, full k&n intake, mbrp cat back 4” pulls a 312Bhok.