"HD" tow package 2005 Eddie Bauer

[psudmb326]

Ok Guys (and Girls) I need some help.

I have a 2005 EB Expy. Have read tons of posts on here -- it has helped me fix my truck SO many times, so thank you. I've learned everything from fixing the a/c clunk in the rear to knowing how to get out the broken off plugs.

One problem I can't seem to find an answer for is this "HD" tow package. I look online, says the truck can tow 6000 lbs. I need to tow ~7300 lbs. I look on the 2005 Ford Tow guide and it says my truck can tow ~8500 lbs with this mythical heavy duty tow package. I call the dealer and ask them if they can add it to my truck and they tell me to buy a new truck, but given the sweat and tears I've put into mine, I just can't do it, nor can I afford it. I call another dealer and they tell me that my truck has the standard tow package based on my VIN number. I ask what can I do to upgrade it, they tell me to buy a new truck. The third dealer I called told me I had to buy all the parts individually, but they wouldn't tell me what they were.

So can someone help me? What do I need? I know I need a weight distribution hitch, but I thought that would fit into my existing 2" receiver and be essentially an upgrade for the trailer, not necessarily the truck. Am I totally wrong? I also know that I need to modify the wiring to account for the electric brakes (the wire that is capped off on my existing 4 wire harness) Do I need other things?

Thank you in advance. I really, really appreciate it.

Dave

 

[Yupster Dog]

The reason they told you to get a new truck is because you would need to change so much on your truck (transmission, rear end, suspension, brakes) (4WD? even more to change out) The 2" hitch itself is fine its the rest of the truck that makes HD towing. Almost easier to tell you what you don't have to change out or upgrade.
If you do all the upgrades, your truck that you love won't be the same anyway. It will drive different, feel different and get less gas mileage as well.

It would be cheaper to get a used truck with the HD tow package.


But if you are bound and determined,
How mechanically incline are you? Try to find a junked Expy with HD tow package and do yourself. few and far between because others are doing this upgrade as well. And have it match to your specific truck even harder so make sure you do your homework before doing this.

 

[Hamfisted]

If you're going to be towing 7300lbs + any big distances I would recommend at least an F250, not the Expy. Just for the bigger brakes and lower towing gearing of the F250. Your Expy won't last long towing that weight long haul.

 

[Plati]

https://www.expeditionforum.com/threads/upgrading-towing-package.7124/

 

[1955moose]

I'm with the others. Anytime you tow, even at lighter loads, 4,000 pounds or so, your putting a strain on already worn components. You'd need to beef up the transmission cooler, the radiator, add cooling electric fans, shocks/struts, the list goes on. Keep in mind too, you've got the red haired step child 2005 Expedition, the most temperamental year of all the 24 valvers. Don't push a good running vehicle with an undoable strain. Buy a used F250/350 diesel, or big block gas one. Those vehicles are designed for what your trying to do. A good friend towed his 8,000 pound trailer with a 2002 Diesel, and never had an issue. He towed regularly cross Country.

Sent from my N9131 using Tapatalk

 

[psudmb326]

Ok, now hold on a second guys. I already know it has the 3.73 gears. It also already has upgraded shocks because of the 5500 lb load I tow all the time. Sure, I had to put a new tranny in it at 125k, but that's better than a new truck. I'm not worried about electrical, that's my trade and I already replaced all that. I also installed the electric brake controller etc. Brakes, well, I guess I can further Upgrade, but I already did that once, and also replaced all the brakelines with SS ones... God that job was a pain!

From what I see from the above link I certainly need the trans cooler and larger radiator. Those aren't too hard to replace... I just need the part numbers! Seems like the last question is the hitch. Anyone know if the 6000lb hitch is the same as the HD hitch? Seems like there are mixed opinions. Shocking, I know. ;-)

 

[Hamfisted]

The Expy comes with a Class IV hitch from the factory. The Class IV hitch is rated for tow loads of up to 12,000 lbs and tongue weights of up to 1,000 lbs . The hitch on your Expy is not going to be the weak link.

 

[psudmb326]

Ok thank you. It sounds like I just need to figure out the wiring, electric brake controller, trans cooler and maybe a radiator cooler then. Oh, and also buy a weight distribution hitch. Anything else im missing? I looked up some of the prices for this stuff. Sounds like I’m talking about $500 at most. I mind as well try it, especially since the trade in on this thing is only like 2500. What do you guys think?

 

[Plati]

Sorry, Really do not think ALL Expys come with Class 4 hitch.
Specs for the vehicle in this post say Class III unless HD Tow Package

As far as what I think …
think you should buy one with HD Tow Package but know you wont
Best of Luck !!

 

[psudmb326]

Eh, I probably would, that is, if I could find one. WAY easier said than done. You have any good leads?

 

[Bain64]

I know where to find a great low mileage HD tow 2004 eddie bauer expy right now! Are you near NY or willing to drive? This 2004 has less than 82k miles, and he's ready to bargain

https://www.expeditionforum.com/threads/selling-my-blk-eb-expy.38923/
https://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/cto/d/greenlawn-2004-ford-eddie-bauer/6844630228.html

edit, and to boot you'd end up with the best version of the 2v 5.4 instead of the worst version of the 3v 5.4

 

[psudmb326]

Hmm! That sounds great! How could you tell it still had the rocker panels? I had to replace them on mine. I’ll have to get ahold of this guy. Do you know him?

 

[Bain64]

No i dont know him, he just happened to post very recently and it only has 82k miles which was surprising. Picture 2 and a little piece of 11 on the craiglist ad show rocker panel, at least way more than mine. Drivers door and other angles aren't available though I admit, but i bet if you ask he'd supply additional pictures since he's a forum member too.

 

[Yupster Dog]

Sorry, Really do not think ALL Expys come with Class 4 hitch.
Specs for the vehicle in this post say Class III unless HD Tow Package

As far as what I think …
think you should buy one with HD Tow Package but know you wont
Best of Luck !!

The hitch itself is a class 4, It is the rest of the truck that makes it a class 3 in the specs.

 

[Plati]

The hitch itself is a class 4, It is the rest of the truck that makes it a class 3 in the specs.

Then why does Ford call it a Class III hitch?

 

[Yupster Dog]

It is considered Class 3 and class 4 hitch. The difference is in the weight the truck is specked to tow. which is only 6000lbs unless you have the HD package. Look up a class 3 hitch for sale and you will see immediately that it is far weaker than the hitches on our trucks.

 

[Plati]

It is considered Class 3 and class 4 hitch. The difference is in the weight the truck is specked to tow. which is only 6000lbs unless you have the HD package. Look up a class 3 hitch for sale and you will see immediately that it is far weaker than the hitches on our trucks.

Ok. I was going on certain places where its identified as a Class III hitch. But you cant believe everything you read on the internet. I was thinking the "hitch" is the mechanical connection (not the cooler or brake controller wiring etc). Class IV is beefier and can handle more weight. I see many places its stated that standard is a Class III hitch.

The 2005 Ford Expedition comes with one engine, a 5.4-liter sohc V8 that uses variable valve timing and three valves per cylinder to develop 300 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque. It comes with a four-speed automatic. The new engine replaces both engines used last year.

Four trim levels are available: XLS, XLT, Eddie Bauer, and Limited. Each of these is offered with rear-wheel drive (2WD) or four-wheel drive (4WD).

XLS ($32,720) and XLS 4WD ($35,290) are the value-conscious models. They come well equipped, but offer little in the way of options. Standard features on XLS include four-wheel-disc brakes with ABS, air conditioning, tilt steering column, cruise control, privacy glass, fold-away power mirrors with approach lamps, power locks with remote keyless entry and SecuriLock security system, automatic headlamps, AM/FM/CD stereo, a Class III trailer hitch with a four-pin connector, and 17-inch steel wheels. Seats are three cloth-covered benches: split 60/40 in the first row with six-way power for the driver; split 40/20/40 in the second row to allow the CenterSlide feature; and split 60/40 in the third row.

 

[psudmb326]

Yea so I went out and took a look under the truck at the hitch and it says right on it 6000 lb trailer or 8500 with weight distribution hitch

I’d have to agree that it probably won’t be the hitch that fails... likely the transmission unless I get this trans cooler

 

[Yupster Dog]

Keep in mind too, you've got the red haired step child 2005 Expedition, the most temperamental year of all the 24 valvers. Don't push a good running vehicle with an undoable strain.

Moose said it best out of all of us. It would suck for you to do all these upgrades and then the "redheaded stepchild of engines" goes out.

 

[psudmb326]

Thanks for the advice everyone. To avoid worry I just went out and bought an 05 v10 excursion. I think I’m good now, hah.

I do happen to have a really nice Expedition for sale now if anyone is interested