Upgrading a 99 to tow

[strad]

It has the factory towing package -- rated for 6800 lbs according to the original window sticker. Next summer or possibly the one after that, I'll be getting a Mastercraft PS190, hopefully on a tandem trailer. I figure that combo will weigh 4000 lbs or so, maybe a little more. In the interest of not blowing things up, I thought about getting a trans cooler (what would you recommend) and I thought about getting a bigger diff cover from Mag Hytec to increase fluid capacity.

What else would you recommend I do, short of building the current trans stronger (which I guess I would do if I was unfortunate enough to break it). Truck is a 4x4 with 116k miles on it currently. Trailer will of course have its own brakes, but I was also possibly interested in better pads/shoes for the truck. I live about 20 minutes from the lake, but occasionally could envision going 500 miles or so one way to get to Lake Powell. Which is why I'm thinking of upgrades.

 

[SunlitComet]

Should already have one. there is the small tank in the right side of radiator. and that branches off to an external on in front of condenser. square in shape and also to the right half side of all the coolers. Mag Hytec is good. Get the thermometer with it.

Brakes: Power slot cryo slotted rotors and Hawk HP Superduty pads. Less then $350.maybe beef up rear shoes and drums too. In the future do a Hydra-boost to top it off.

If you break your tranny redo it but with all the shift kit and options and you may never break it again.

If you don't have an external cooler go all out and get one with it own fan and thermostat control.

---------- Post added at 07:32 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:31 PM ----------

BTW keep it out of overdrive when towing heavy or up hill or down hill.

 

[Donnie Yukonie]

or upgrade it to a 4L80E i keep hearing they are much better than our 60s

 

[Stresst]

Everything Sunlit said all great idea's but imo for a 20 minute drive with 4K you dont need to do ANYTHING!

Now dont get me wrong these trucks can always benefit from better braking and you never want your trans temp to run high but you can easily tow 4000lbs w/o modifications. JMHO

 

[SunlitComet]

Everything Sunlit said all great idea's but imo for a 20 minute drive with 4K you dont need to do ANYTHING!

Now dont get me wrong these trucks can always benefit from better braking and you never want your trans temp to run high but you can easily tow 4000lbs w/o modifications. JMHO

My tranny ideas were for the envisioned 500 mile trip to Lake Powell.

 

[strad]

Oh yes there's definitely a factory cooler in place. I was just wondering if this is one of the instances where "bigger is better" or if factory is good enough.

Thanks for the response btw. I got busy last week and didn't check into the thread until just now lol.

 

[SunlitComet]

If properly maintained and capacities or not exceeded you should be able to max tow in mildly hot climates without back up systems. Hotter or worse then that you would have to replace fluids more often or get some backup systems installed.

 

[strad]

If properly maintained and capacities or not exceeded you should be able to max tow in mildly hot climates without back up systems. Hotter or worse then that you would have to replace fluids more often or get some backup systems installed.

It was 120 on the truck's thermometer yesterday! I'd say that qualifies as "HOT" lol.

I am a maintenance fanatic so I'm certainly not going to be towing anything with marginally maintained equipment. It's gonna be by the book or better.

 

[SunlitComet]

Might I suggest a light upgrade of backup pushers in front of radiator. Or a Water spray unit. Or a wild upgrade of replacing any externals with new perma-cool cooler with dedicated fan and control for oil and tranny.

 

[gpracer1]

Synthetic fluids and a tune, a few extra psi in the tires.
Also maybe some quality octane booster.