2015, Upgrade to Heavy Duty Towing

[Bigfishfin]

Howdy!...I wanted an Expy to replace my very old Durango, and did research on late model Expys to see what would fit my needs. A major requirement is that I have a cargo trailer I pull frequently and thus needed a HD tow package. In my investigation, (aided by this forum, thank you all) was information that trailer wiring for a 7 way plug was largely a factory wired item for the standard XLT and the stock hitch receiver was class 4. In addition, I checked high and low and could find NO viable evidence there is in fact a "standard VS HD" radiator option, (checked online and with local dealership parts dept.) To be clear, only one radiator is available, that I could find, and the fin count on my stock unit is 19 per inch, which some postings of Ford pickups, etc., indicate to be HD.

So, the only issues I could find that would prevent me from having the factory equivalent HD tow package on a standard late model XLT was: 3.31 differential gearing, an auxiliary transmission cooler and a trailer brake controller.

Armed with this information, I search for and found a 2015 XLT with low miles. I have now added the 10 gauge battery wire from the plug under the power brake unit to the rear and installed a 7 way plug, added a factory transmission cooler and a trailer brake controller. All this cost about $300.00 and my time of maybe 5 hours (used to twist wrenches). The only difference I see now from this rig having a factory HD tow package (15,200 lb GVW) is the 3.31 gearing as opposed to the 3.73 gearing and I don't consider that an issue because of the minor 0.42 gearing difference as well as the low rpm torque range of the Ecoboost. I also use a weight distributing hitch on my trailer. BTW, tows great!...

Any thoughts? Have photos of transmission cooler install if interested.

 

[07xln]

How heavy is your trailer?

 

[ads245]

The gearing isn't an issue. Ford specs the same towing rating regardless of gear, be it 3.15, 3.31 or 3.73. Granted 3.73s, I'm sure will get your trailer moving more quickly though.

As far as the radiator goes, the one included on trucks without the towing package and the one included with the towing package are different. You can see the options included with the towing package listed here:

https://secure.ford.com/resources/ford/general/pdf/towingguides/15RV&TT_Ford_Expedition_Sep30.pdf

I also checked the part numbers for the radiators and they do differ:
Base Radiator: BL3Z-8005-B
Radiator for Towing Package: BL3Z-8005-C

 

[Bigfishfin]

It is a cargo trailer, rated for up to 7,000 lbs, but not usually that heavy. The radiator #s that ads245 listed are the same, probably a typo? I have been all over Ford parts houses, online and brick, do see some specious part numbers, but until someone can prove to me otherwise, I do not believe there is a "regular duty" radiator offering VS HD...

 

[Bigfishfin]

To elaborate a little more, I (again) went online to a Ford parts site, and here are the results when I selected both regular duty and HD Expy radiators. Amazingly, the catalog shows slightly different part #s, but at purchase, the same part number appears...

 

[JExpedition07]

I believe the HD tow package is a upgraded tranny cooler and an oil cooler, not a diffeeent radiator. You can add the oil and tranny Cooler pretty easily to get the max towing out of any expy whether it originally came with it or not. The dealer would be happy to sell you the OEM coolers. You could also buy them directly from Ford on their parts website.

 

[jeff kushner]

I'm sure I've read that the radiator is different. It may have the same mounts and one may "fit" the other but the head shedding ability differs from what's I've read. Typically in the world of Hot Water to Air heat exchangers, it's all about how many tubes and the density of the fins etc...

That said, it would be interesting to see a pic of the "standard" and the "HD" to see if there is any visual differences but a quick call to a Ford service Mgr should resolve the mystery.

jeff

 

[JExpedition07]

Jeff you may be correct on the 15+ I was forgetting they are probably different radiators. On the 07-14 the HD tow package included an HD transmission cooler, oil cooler, and an seven pin harness, that was it no upgraded radiator. That being said for 15+ that may be a different story.

Edit: I am incorrect the HD radiator is different on all 3rd gens after reading more into the subject. It's basically the same price as a standard radiator just a few bucks more and yes will plug and play to replace a standard one. It is six or seven rows of tubing.

Just found out something cool. The 5.4 has a cylinder deactivation feature for an overheat condition in which it will shut off and alternate cylinders to push air through the engine to cool it, never knew that.

 

[ads245]

It is a cargo trailer, rated for up to 7,000 lbs, but not usually that heavy. The radiator #s that ads245 listed are the same, probably a typo? I have been all over Ford parts houses, online and brick, do see some specious part numbers, but until someone can prove to me otherwise, I do not believe there is a "regular duty" radiator offering VS HD...

My bad. Fixed my typo for the part numbers. One ends in -C and one ends in -B.

If you look in the 2015 Towing Guide, you will see. I added an arrow to point this out.

 

[ads245]

To elaborate a little more, I (again) went online to a Ford parts site, and here are the results when I selected both regular duty and HD Expy radiators. Amazingly, the catalog shows slightly different part #s, but at purchase, the same part number appears...

View attachment 21893

I see where the confusion comes in with the part numbers. You can't use Ford Parts to check. Parts are only listed with the middle number, not the prefix or the suffix which specifies the application. The middle number that Ford shows for parts on their websites specifies the type of part. In this case "8005" specifies a radiator but not the application. They do this to make it more difficult for individuals to order their own parts online (usually for a cheaper amount than at the dealer). Below, you can see from a dealer's parts fiche the difference:



Checking the manual as well, the Towing Package Radiator calls for a different amount of coolant than does the Base Radiator. Like @jeff kushner said, it's about the design, which is why the Towing Radiator surprisingly holds less.

 

[Bigfishfin]

I see where the confusion comes in with the part numbers. You can't use Ford Parts to check. Parts are only listed with the middle number, not the prefix or the suffix which specifies the application. The middle number that Ford shows for parts on their websites specifies the type of part. In this case "8005" specifies a radiator but not the application. They do this to make it more difficult for individuals to order their own parts online (usually for a cheaper amount than at the dealer). Below, you can see from a dealer's parts fiche the difference:

View attachment 21900

Checking the manual as well, the Towing Package Radiator calls for a different amount of coolant than does the Base Radiator. Like @jeff kushner said, it's about the design, which is why the Towing Radiator surprisingly holds less.

View attachment 21901

Sorry, don't intend to be difficult, but I am not convinced. I have seen the same exploded parts diagram, with the slightly different part numbers on a "standard" VS "HD radiator" (with the standard radiator sans transmission cooler). But, there are probably no auto transmissioned vehicles produced (including Expys) that do not have a transmission cooler integrated into the radiator...But, not wanting to "beat a dead horse) if I ever experience engine overheat conditions, I can add a HD radiator for some $300...not a big deal. I will report back if that event happens...In the mean time, here are photos of the factory transmission cooler I added to my '15...Cost $150.00 slipped into the factory bracket (already in place), add a couple of factory pipes and life is good!...

 

[chuck s]

Expedition HD towing package shows above. It used to include 3.73 limited slip axles but my 2017 lacks them. As noted max towing capacity is the same regardless of axle ratios.

The radiators are vital and comparatively easy to install. We measured the OEM vs HD radiators a long time ago and the HD was thicker.

Wiring and trailer braking can be aftermarket there should be a connector under the dash. Teknosha is what I had on my '07.

-- Chuck

 

[Bigfishfin]

Was interesting to "hunt" for the Ford trailer control connection...Ford engineers were really clever to plug it into the back of the rectilinear "box" that fills the spot where the factory trailer control would sit. Put a Teknosha unit in also, attaching it to the bottom the dash, into the dash frame, so I don't have any nasty holes in the dash and it is really secure...

 

[chuck s]

I was concerned the Ford brake controller wouldn't be as nice as the Tekonsha Prodigy I'd run for years but it worked for me right out of the box. Hook up and go. Ended dropping the gain from 6.0 to 5.5 after a while so the trailer wasn't stopping the truck.

The system reported "left trailer brake/turn signal out" and, sure enough, it was.

-- Chuck

 

[JExpedition07]

Sorry, don't intend to be difficult, but I am not convinced. I have seen the same exploded parts diagram, with the slightly different part numbers on a "standard" VS "HD radiator" (with the standard radiator sans transmission cooler). But, there are probably no auto transmissioned vehicles produced (including Expys) that do not have a transmission cooler integrated into the radiator...But, not wanting to "beat a dead horse) if I ever experience engine overheat conditions, I can add a HD radiator for some $300...not a big deal. I will report back if that event happens...In the mean time, here are photos of the factory transmission cooler I added to my '15...Cost $150.00 slipped into the factory bracket (already in place), add a couple of factory pipes and life is good!...

View attachment 21907

View attachment 21908

View attachment 21909

How much of a difference was their from the factory standard transmission cooler and the HD one you installed?

 

[Bigfishfin]

How much of a difference was their from the factory standard transmission cooler and the HD one you installed?

The standard factory transmission cooler is integrated into the radiator. The unit I installed is the same as the HD unit included in the factory HD towing package. It receives the fluid out of the radiator trans cooler. Total parts online were about $150, and I chose this option because I did not like the idea of cutting lines and cobbling in an aftermarket unit...Slick installation...

 

[adamsdaddy]

@Bigfishfin i have a 2016 XLT in which I added the 7 pin, Prodigy and ran a wire back to provide power. I'm very interested in the part numbers and steps it took for you to add the extra tyranny cooler. What types of hose clamps, screws to mount it, etc. Pulling a 3,500 lb trailer up steep tight turns resulted in tranny temps spiking up to 238 degrees. It also happened to be 98 degrees mid-summer.

I installed an after market tranny cooler in our 2007 Odyssey and that required figuring out which line coming out of the radiator was the return line. An incredibly messy job.

How did you go about determining how much tranny fluid to add after the install as I've read the Expy has some weird peep hole instead of a tube and gauge?

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

I have a 2015 Expediton Limited 4x4 - purchased new and it includes the HD towing package. The vehicle has never been wrecked or damaged, or in water (other than driving in the rain).

I have never towed with the vehicle or even opened the trailer wiring connector covers.

Since new - the dash will intermittently display a, "Trailer Wiring Fault" warning. It will remain until I turn off the vehicle or click on the "OK" button.

The dealer has told me there is no fault codes, therefore they cannot fix the problem.

Does anyone know what is causing this warning? Thank you.

 

[Bigfishfin]

@Bigfishfin i have a 2016 XLT in which I added the 7 pin, Prodigy and ran a wire back to provide power. I'm very interested in the part numbers and steps it took for you to add the extra tyranny cooler. What types of hose clamps, screws to mount it, etc. Pulling a 3,500 lb trailer up steep tight turns resulted in tranny temps spiking up to 238 degrees. It also happened to be 98 degrees mid-summer.

I installed an after market tranny cooler in our 2007 Odyssey and that required figuring out which line coming out of the radiator was the return line. An incredibly messy job.

How did you go about determining how much tranny fluid to add after the install as I've read the Expy has some weird peep hole instead of a tube and gauge?

Go onto an online Ford parts store and look for the transmission cooler in the "cooling" section, to verify parts for your '16. That being said, for my '15 the part #s are: cooler-7L1Z-7A095-B; tubes: FL-1Z-7C410-A & BL3Z-7B028...As far as "plugging" everything in, the auxiliary cooler just replaces the existing return line, very evident and the cooler snaps into the existing bracket. As to trans fluid, as noted many times elsewhere, there is a dip stick on the side of the transmission, I used a pump to fill up from a quart bottle...I also picked up an extra "pressure line connector # 9L8Z-7Z465) just in case of breakage and you will need the special Lisle tool to "break" the trans fluid line...Good luck...

 

[chuck s]

"Trailer Wiring Fault" indicates a fault in your trailer's wiring. Somehow the truck randomly thinks there's a trailer back there. The 7 pole or 4 connectors full of crud (wild guess) might do it. Not sure where to find contact cleaner with Radio Shack gone but that's worth a try. Fill the connectors with non conducting grease and capped tightly.

There are several options on the towing dashboard menu. Easy (for me) to set something boinking around the dash display menus. I just deleted a trailer named "a" and have no idea how that got in there. Is yours accidentally set to show a trailer? I have two real trailers set in mine but nothing set now 'cuz I'm not towing this week. First time I towed our hybrid camper the display alerted me to a bad left stop/turn bulb but the trailer was hooked up. This menu is helpful for us who tow as it will track miles on our trailers for maintenance purposes like trailer wheel bearings.

Anything in the Forscan settings to disable the trailer stuff?

-- Chuck