Heavy Duty Radiator Swap

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

bchampion

Active Member
Joined
Aug 8, 2006
Posts
28
Reaction score
4
Location
Lafayette, LA
Anyone know if it's a straight forward swap from the standard 2018 Radiator to the Heavy Duty 2018 Radiator?
 

Yupster Dog

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Dec 7, 2018
Posts
1,329
Reaction score
867
Location
Virginia
Should be just a strait forward swap.
When you have the HD radiator beside the regular radiator can you snap some pics and note the differences between the two?
Some people on here don't believe that there is a HD radiator for the 3.5 ecoboost.
Even though there is separate Ford part #'s.
 

ETC13

Full Access Members
Joined
Feb 20, 2019
Posts
173
Reaction score
64
Location
TN
It is a specific called out item when going with the HD tow package. Why does anyone not think such exist?

Sent from my Pixel 4a (5G) using Tapatalk
 
Joined
Apr 1, 2020
Posts
5
Reaction score
1
Location
Maryland
Following.. would like to add additional tow capability. 3.31 gears is the only other reason not to tow the 9k, but I'm sure this truck would handle 7500 pounds no problem with a radiator upgrade. With a 10 speed transmission why would the rear axle matter that much? You can lock out the top gears.. The top three gears are overdrive anyway!
 

aggiegrad05

Full Access Members
Joined
Nov 6, 2017
Posts
1,765
Reaction score
1,309
Location
North Texas
Should be just a strait forward swap.
When you have the HD radiator beside the regular radiator can you snap some pics and note the differences between the two?
Some people on here don't believe that there is a HD radiator for the 3.5 ecoboost.
Even though there is separate Ford part #'s.

I think there is some question whether or not the HD Tow Pack gets you a transmission cooler or not, not whether it includes an upgraded radiator. I’ve seen debate about the tranny cooler on here, but I don’t remember seeing anyone claim the radiator is the same in both configurations. I it’s 100% possible I missed it, however.

Previous gens had a separate tranny cooler with the Hd Tow Pack but the 4th gens don’t list that as an upgrade...hence the confusion.
 

Deadman

Full Access Members
Joined
Mar 17, 2019
Posts
2,461
Reaction score
1,577
Location
Wisconsin
Following.. would like to add additional tow capability. 3.31 gears is the only other reason not to tow the 9k, but I'm sure this truck would handle 7500 pounds no problem with a radiator upgrade. With a 10 speed transmission why would the rear axle matter that much? You can lock out the top gears.. The top three gears are overdrive anyway!

Mechanical advantage is the term, Google it. It's like telling you to extend your arms out as far as you can and see if you can lift 200lbs, then bring your arms by your side and lift that same 200Lbs.
 

Fozzy

Full Access Members
Joined
Sep 5, 2019
Posts
1,200
Reaction score
1,159
Location
Riverton
I think there is some question whether or not the HD Tow Pack gets you a transmission cooler or not, not whether it includes an upgraded radiator. I’ve seen debate about the tranny cooler on here, but I don’t remember seeing anyone claim the radiator is the same in both configurations. I it’s 100% possible I missed it, however.

Previous gens had a separate tranny cooler with the Hd Tow Pack but the 4th gens don’t list that as an upgrade...hence the confusion.

The transmission uses the radiator coolant to cool and heat the oil. Only the Raptor gets an external oil cooler(as of 2020). Increasing the radiator efficiency also increases the transmissions cooling ability. So when they say the HD tow gets a heavy duty radiator it is helping transmission temps as well.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Bigfishfin

Full Access Members
Joined
Sep 9, 2017
Posts
169
Reaction score
78
Location
Wenatchee, WA
Lots of conversation regarding this subject on the 3rd gen forum...There is a dubious part # for a HD Ecoboost radiator, but NOBODY has provided actual measurement/fin count, ect. to prove it exists...But, there are many actual towing experiences (including me) that show the "EXPY Ecoboost) is a "towing beast". For personal example. I have towed my 7,000 pound trailer for 16 trips since early 2020, the longest at 6,000+ miles, with absolutely no problem with overheating, even in Texas/Arizona summer heat. Just keep the tow/haul activated and go! PS: As noted, make sure you have the auxiliary trans cooler and an WD and anti-sway hitch!...
 

ETC13

Full Access Members
Joined
Feb 20, 2019
Posts
173
Reaction score
64
Location
TN
Lots of conversation regarding this subject on the 3rd gen forum...There is a dubious part # for a HD Ecoboost radiator, but NOBODY has provided actual measurement/fin count, ect. to prove it exists...But, there are many actual towing experiences (including me) that show the "EXPY Ecoboost) is a "towing beast". For personal example. I have towed my 7,000 pound trailer for 16 trips since early 2020, the longest at 6,000+ miles, with absolutely no problem with overheating, even in Texas/Arizona summer heat. Just keep the tow/haul activated and go! PS: As noted, make sure you have the auxiliary trans cooler and an WD and anti-sway hitch!...
The 4th gen has no aux trans cooler...

Sent from my Pixel 4a (5G) using Tapatalk
 

Bigfishfin

Full Access Members
Joined
Sep 9, 2017
Posts
169
Reaction score
78
Location
Wenatchee, WA
The 4th gen has no aux trans cooler...

Sent from my Pixel 4a (5G) using Tapatalk
Since I have a 3rd gen, I just made the assumption that the 4th was the same setup...My XLT, non HD trailer package did not have the auxiliary trans cooler, which I added, do the higher trims also not have the cooler (which they did in 2015)?...Thanks for the updated info!...
 

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
53,542
Posts
501,821
Members
47,068
Latest member
hsquared360
Top