Heavy Duty Radiator upgrade

[JExpedition07]

The HD radiator has more fins per inch and therefore can dissipate more engine heat, this is why Ford designated it “Super Engine Cooling”. Chuck S.....you posted here in 2008! Isn’t that funny.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/713613-heavy-duty-radiator-differences.html

Engineering Stamps:
2007 5.4L V8 standard pack radiator #7L148005AC
2007 5.4L V8 HD tow pack radiator #7L148005BC

 

[Bigfishfin]

Maybe Ford went to the higher fin count because of the changeover to 3.5 L Ecoboost? I remember checking the actual fin count on my 2015 back when I I did my towing upgrade and the fin count was a whole lot more than 13 per inch. Just rechecked and it would be very difficult to put more fins on my "plain old stock XLT radiator"...But, I could be wrong...

PS: Any body else with an Ecoboost XLT, WO tow package want to check their radiator and report back?...Thanks

 

[Boostedbus]

I’ve got a 17 with HD tow package so out of curiosity I looked up the manual on line for capacity’s..... I’m a little confused now because it shows the HD cooling system holds half a quart less coolant than the standard cooling system? Misprint????

 

[JExpedition07]

Maybe Ford went to the higher fin count because of the changeover to 3.5 L Ecoboost? I remember checking the actual fin count on my 2015 back when I I did my towing upgrade and the fin count was a whole lot more than 13 per inch. Just rechecked and it would be very difficult to put more fins on my "plain old stock XLT radiator"...But, I could be wrong...

PS: Any body else with an Ecoboost XLT, WO tow package want to check their radiator and report back?...Thanks

The cooling needs of the 5.4L V8 and 3.5 TT V6 are quite different, so different radiators are plausible. The 5.4 is deep skirted cast iron which can withstand immense heat and the 3.5 is aluminum which doesn’t fair as well against excessive heat with turbochargers on top.

 

[JExpedition07]

Maybe Ford went to the higher fin count because of the changeover to 3.5 L Ecoboost? I remember checking the actual fin count on my 2015 back when I I did my towing upgrade and the fin count was a whole lot more than 13 per inch. Just rechecked and it would be very difficult to put more fins on my "plain old stock XLT radiator"...But, I could be wrong...

PS: Any body else with an Ecoboost XLT, WO tow package want to check their radiator and report back?...Thanks

To answer your question best I can it seems 2007-2008, 2009-2014, and 2015-2017 all show different “runs” for radiators. They do all share the transmission cooler but the fitment guide on Tasca says these 3 year ranges have 3 different radiator runs with different numbers.

 

[JExpedition07]

Tasca Ford shows two different radiators with standard and super cooling for a 2015 Expedition EcoBoost much like the 2007 document I posted previously. I’m going with the Ford defenders here, I think it’s safe to say there is a difference in cooling between standard and super in all the 07-17 years regardless of engine.

 

[Langer]

@JExpedition07

I would say the plot thickens...

 

[JExpedition07]

@Langer so it does....I think we need a standard 3.5 and an HD tow 3.5 to post some pics. I’d like to see backside by fans (since front is condenser). We’d be looking for fin depth and also a fin count in comparison to a tape to compare the two. I can also supply my HD tow 5.4 if someone will post their standard 5.4 because now I’m curious on mine too...

 

[Langer]

I would say the man with the final, conclusive answer would be @Offwego when he gets the HD Radiator that he ordered. What if the only difference in the HD radiator he ordered, and the standard, is that it comes with the auxiliary transmission cooler already attached? I’m very interested at this point.

 

[Boostedbus]

Why are the capacities different for the two cooling systems if the radiators are the same? Also why does the standard system hold more coolant than HD tow system? (According to the owners manual of a 2017). Something sure seams off with this.

 

[JExpedition07]

Remember the transmission cooler connects to the A/C condenser in front and not to the radiator itself...that is why all trucks have the mount

 

[JExpedition07]

My HD tow pack 2007 5.4L setup: key points from what I’ve heard are fins are flush with rear of radiator and not recessed as well as more fins per inch. 2007 has an electric clutch fan so I have a large shroud and can’t get a good picture without a lot of work....I got the best pic I could. 2010+ trucks have twin electric fans and easier access. Note the liquid to air transmission cooler is on the A/C condenser, the radiator is only visible from inside the engine bay.

 

[outdare]

My 2017 Limited with HD Tow.

 

[07navi]

My rad and cooler;

 

[Bigfishfin]

Thanks. I've searched everything I could find her and everywhere else I could think. Sometimes the F150 site has good info for us Expy owners. Learned how to program the factory brake control module there. I just ordered the HD cooling radiator and will see if it will just be a swap. If anyone is interested I will post the results.

Seams OP might have the "real life" answer to the "does the Expy HD radiator exist" question, since he should have received the unit by now...Any chance for an update?...Thanks!...

 

[17BearExpy]

I looked at all the threads I could on the forum. Started with the factory brake controller and auxiliary transmission cooler installs which were fairly simple (need specific tools for the aux transmission cooler install in order to separate the tranny lines). I purchased the higher cooling capacity radiator but ended up paying a shop to do that install (not an easy swap). I’m still not sure if the radiator upgrade was worth it. When towing in high heat in AZ, the engine still gets warm and I need to take it easy on the big climbs. It was the same with the non-HD radiator but maybe it is better than it would have been. Either way, I tried to do everything I could to set the vehicle up for the max towing.

 

[Langer]

I looked at all the threads I could on the forum. Started with the factory brake controller and auxiliary transmission cooler installs which were fairly simple (need specific tools for the aux transmission cooler install in order to separate the tranny lines). I purchased the higher cooling capacity radiator but ended up paying a shop to do that install (not an easy swap). I’m still not sure if the radiator upgrade was worth it. When towing in high heat in AZ, the engine still gets warm and I need to take it easy on the big climbs. It was the same with the non-HD radiator but maybe it is better than it would have been. Either way, I tried to do everything I could to set the vehicle up for the max towing.

So you can answer the debate? The HD towing radiator exists, and is actually different?

 

[17BearExpy]

So you can answer the debate? The HD towing radiator exists, and is actually different?

Here is a screenshot of the parts I ordered. I first checked a local ford dealership to confirm part numbers and get their quote. Much better price online. As far as being different, it was hard to tell. Looked basically identical to me. Also, I think the last letter on the part number was “C” for a short time, then Ford changed it to “B” from what I recall. I had the dealer look up the part number for an Expedition with the factory installed HD tow package and give me those part numbers.

 

[07navi]

So whether or not the HD rad is actually different for sure remains a mystery.

 

[JExpedition07]

If you have an 07-08 or 09-11 Ford offers the B radiator for super cooling only and it says it replaces the standard A radiator too. The standard radiator comes up as discontinued. This makes sense from a manufacturing standpoint, cheaper to only produce and stock one part that fits both applications as these trucks get older.