Heavy Duty Radiator upgrade

[07navi]

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.

So is there truly a HD radiator for the gen 3?

 

[Langer]

@Offwego
Did you get the new radiator installed? Is it actually different?

 

[JExpedition07]

So is there truly a HD radiator for the gen 3?

Yes, on the 5.4 Triton powered 3rd gens if you payed for the Heavy-Duty trailer tow package you got an HD radiator that is different from the standard one.

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


“I did the work over the weekend. The standard-cooling radiator carries a 7L148005AC engineering no. (this is the sticker on the part itself), which corresponds to a 7L1Z-8005-A part no. The super cooling engineering no. is 7L148005BC and the part no. is 7L1Z-8005-B.

There is actually a visible difference once you put both radiators side-by-side. The fins extend farther on one side on the super-cooling part -- flush with the side tank on one side and within 1/4" or so of flush on the other, whereas on the standard-cooling part the fins are flush on one side but only within 1/2" or so of flush on the other. Also, the fins are much thinner, aiding heat transfer (and making them much more fragile, easier to flatten if you brush against them).”

 

[Yupster Dog]

Yes, on the 5.4 Triton powered 3rd gens if you payed for the Heavy-Duty trailer tow package you got an HD radiator that is different from the standard one.

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


“I did the work over the weekend. The standard-cooling radiator carries a 7L148005AC engineering no. (this is the sticker on the part itself), which corresponds to a 7L1Z-8005-A part no. The super cooling engineering no. is 7L148005BC and the part no. is 7L1Z-8005-B.

There is actually a visible difference once you put both radiators side-by-side. The fins extend farther on one side on the super-cooling part -- flush with the side tank on one side and within 1/4" or so of flush on the other, whereas on the standard-cooling part the fins are flush on one side but only within 1/2" or so of flush on the other. Also, the fins are much thinner, aiding heat transfer (and making them much more fragile, easier to flatten if you brush against them).”

You see @07navi HD radiators do exist.

Christmas is coming I suppose you want to jump on Santa now?

 

[07navi]

You see @07navi HD radiators do exist.

Christmas is coming I suppose you want to jump on Santa now?

So why does the manual say it only takes one more pint of water?

 

[Yupster Dog]

So why does the manual say it only takes one more pint of water?

From post 43:
Also, the fins are much thinner, aiding heat transfer (and making them much more fragile, easier to flatten if you brush against them).”

 

[chuck s]

I note the links in my 2008 posts in the linked thread don't work. No surprise after 12 years. The HD radiator was in my 2007 Expedition with HD Tow for sure. We compared part numbers on the stickers at that time.

07Navi': I don't see your posts so don't bother replying if you expect me to see or react.

-- Chuck

 

[07navi]

Chuck; why not, you might learn something.

 

[Bigfishfin]

OK, some real world experience to add to the ragging conversation regarding Ford's mysterious HD radiators for 3.5 Ecoboosts...As noted elsewhere in these forums, I have a almost totally stock 2015 Expy XLT...The only upgrades are a Ford auxiliary trans oil cooler, 7 way tow plug and aftermarket EBC. Because of the stupid virus, wife and I bought a 25' trailer which weights in at about the 6,000 GVW level. Since March 2020, we have made 8 trips, just completing the last portion of the longest of those trips at about 6,000 miles, traveling from the PNW across northern states, down to Texas, west across southern states, up through Arizona and now in northern Nevada...Through the south the temps have been in the 100 degree range. Engine/transmission overheating results are: engine temp never off dead center normal, transmission never above 208 degrees (except for one time after refueling when I forgot to engage tow/haul)!

So, I truly still do not know if Ford makes a HD radiator for the Expy Ecoboost, but I ask the simple question: If the huge amount of testing that goes into a vehicle shows that "one" radiator functions under all service conditions, why would they make a "regular service unit" when there is little actual cost difference?

PS: Does anybody have a suggestion regarding making the tow/haul mode the default mode?...

 

[07navi]

OK, some real world experience to add to the ragging conversation regarding Ford's mysterious HD radiators for 3.5 Ecoboosts...As noted elsewhere in these forums, I have a almost totally stock 2015 Expy XLT...The only upgrades are a Ford auxiliary trans oil cooler, 7 way tow plug and aftermarket EBC. Because of the stupid virus, wife and I bought a 25' trailer which weights in at about the 6,000 GVW level. Since March 2020, we have made 8 trips, just completing the last portion of the longest of those trips at about 6,000 miles, traveling from the PNW across northern states, down to Texas, west across southern states, up through Arizona and now in northern Nevada...Through the south the temps have been in the 100 degree range. Engine/transmission overheating results are: engine temp never off dead center normal, transmission never above 208 degrees (except for one time after refueling when I forgot to engage tow/haul)!

So, I truly still do not know if Ford makes a HD radiator for the Expy Ecoboost, but I ask the simple question: If the huge amount of testing that goes into a vehicle shows that "one" radiator functions under all service conditions, why would they make a "regular service unit" when there is little actual cost difference?

PS: Does anybody have a suggestion regarding making the tow/haul mode the default mode?...

What does the virus have to do with the trailer?

 

[Bigfishfin]

Motivation for buying the trailer...

 

[JasonH]

What does the virus have to do with the trailer?

Trailer sales are up substantially because RVing is one of the few outdoor leisure activities one can do safely.

 

[JasonH]

PS: Does anybody have a suggestion regarding making the tow/haul mode the default mode?...

The shifts can be adjusted using a tune. You probably wouldn't want tow haul on all the time, as it is very agressive with engine braking. Five star and other tuners offer modified shift programs.

 

[07navi]

Trailer sales are up substantially because RVing is one of the few outdoor leisure activities one can do safely.

I guess that's why my snowmobile dealer is still there..........luckily since I ordered one in the spring.

 

[Bigfishfin]

I have a 2017 Expy and like many others was told it had the HD towing package which it does not. I added the trans cooler and factory brake control but since I tow in the mountains have had several instances where the temp still gets too hot. Ford will only tell me that I have the standard cooling radiator CL3Z-8005 A. Has anyone swap the standard out for the HD CL3Z-8005-B? And was id a direct swap or were other parts needed?

Check out my new post on this string. My recent towing experience does not jive with yours...You are of course using tow/haul? Maybe something else is causing your overheat issue?

 

[Belias21]

OK, some real world experience to add to the ragging conversation regarding Ford's mysterious HD radiators for 3.5 Ecoboosts...As noted elsewhere in these forums, I have a almost totally stock 2015 Expy XLT...The only upgrades are a Ford auxiliary trans oil cooler, 7 way tow plug and aftermarket EBC. Because of the stupid virus, wife and I bought a 25' trailer which weights in at about the 6,000 GVW level. Since March 2020, we have made 8 trips, just completing the last portion of the longest of those trips at about 6,000 miles, traveling from the PNW across northern states, down to Texas, west across southern states, up through Arizona and now in northern Nevada...Through the south the temps have been in the 100 degree range. Engine/transmission overheating results are: engine temp never off dead center normal, transmission never above 208 degrees (except for one time after refueling when I forgot to engage tow/haul)!

So, I truly still do not know if Ford makes a HD radiator for the Expy Ecoboost, but I ask the simple question: If the huge amount of testing that goes into a vehicle shows that "one" radiator functions under all service conditions, why would they make a "regular service unit" when there is little actual cost difference?

PS: Does anybody have a suggestion regarding making the tow/haul mode the default mode?...

Been doing a bit of digging here and I want to add the trans oil cooler to my 2017 EL XLT. I found the three part numbers from one of your older posts and have those in my shopping cart. My question is... is there a tutorial on this somewhere? Any special tools needed? I understand this to be a pretty easy install. I'm definitely handy, but don't do a whole lot of auto work. I could have sworn I saw a post a while back where someone did a step-by-step but I can't seem to find it again. Anything you can provide would be helpful!

 

[Bigfishfin]

The entire front fascia of the truck unbolts in about 45 minutes, allowing full access for the auxiliary trans cooler area. You will also need the Lisle cooler line disconnect tool. You will find the trailer power lead capped off and buried in the wire loom under the brake master cylinder/booster. Search the forum, the answers are there...Take it slow, not a big or complicated job...Good luck...

 

[Belias21]

The entire front fascia of the truck unbolts in about 45 minutes, allowing full access for the auxiliary trans cooler area. You will also need the Lisle cooler line disconnect tool. You will find the trailer power lead capped off and buried in the wire loom under the brake master cylinder/booster. Search the forum, the answers are there...Take it slow, not a big or complicated job...Good luck...

Thanks!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[chuck s]

I rarely use Tow/Haul on my '17 and it didn't exist on my '07. 6000 pound trailer at most. I do use it in what passes for mountains here on the east coast but only if I remember which is usually on downgrades where the added engine/transmission braking is very handy towing -- and not towing. Coming down the steep grade at Grand Father Mountain in western North Carolina Tow/Haul kept the truck's speeds in check.

-- Chuck

 

[Bigfishfin]

I rarely use Tow/Haul on my '17 and it didn't exist on my '07. 6000 pound trailer at most. I do use it in what passes for mountains here on the east coast but only if I remember which is usually on downgrades where the added engine/transmission braking is very handy towing -- and not towing. Coming down the steep grade at Grand Father Mountain in western North Carolina Tow/Haul kept the truck's speeds in check.

-- Chuck

Are you checking your trans temps?...The one time I watched my trans temps raise to a concerning point is when I neglected to engage Tow/Haul after refueling...Otherwise absolutely no temps over 208 degrees on 100 degree days, over long steep grades...

PS: My trailer is also at the 6,000 pound level, which is pretty well maxed out for tongue weight IMHO...