DougCP
Florida
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Joined: 01/28/2007
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About how much should I plan for this cost? Are most new trucks already set-up to add this option? Also, is it better to go to a hitch place, or is the dealer better?
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crickeydog
Marietta, Ga.
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Joined: 01/29/2004
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Some years ago, I purchased a larger tranny cooler and gauges for our previous Ford diesel "Pull Dog" from "Suncoast" located in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida. I drove to Ft. Walton for the installation but they have retail installers located nationwide. FWIW: Personally, I won't let the dealer change my oil; I just don't trust 'em unless it's a warranty issue.
Do yer research online and you'll also find your cost.
Happy camping!!! See ya'll down the road!!!
AIR FORCE RETIRED "EITHER LEAD,FOLLLOW,OR GET OUT OF MY WAY"!
2006 GMC 3500 SLT CC DRW 4X4 D/A LBZ,PREDATOR & FS2500 OIL FILTER
2004 HR PRESIDENTIAL 30 SCD 5'ER.
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SieraSam
Gold Country
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Joined: 10/29/2002
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5 years ago, I had this done after careful shopping around. Any self respecting independent Auto/Truck service place can do this. Stay away from dealers. Even with a warranty issue yu can find repurtable independent service places who after OK from the warranty company will do this type of work and do it better and cheaper than most dealers. I Paid just over $1K but in todays market you can probalbly figure closer to $1.75 K mostly due to the price inclease in materials and labor. Here in California it is difficult to find any service place that will charge you less than $100-/Hour.
Class A, FMCA #F269745
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summutt2002
Over here......no, over there!
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You don't say what kind of truck, but in any case you will find a variety of gauges and tranny coolers out there. You can get adequate of both installed for less than $500 IMHO. I paid $90 for cooler and $200 for gauge, $125 for installation of both by my local do-everything mechanic. You can spend a lot more, but doubt that it is necessary.
Great wife, 3.1 dogs and no money..LIFE IS GOOD
'01 Excursion Ltd 7.3L PSD pulling a '06 Prowler 260RLS, Equal-i-zer, Prodigy
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Lantley
Ellicott City, Maryland
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summutt2002 wrote:You don't say what kind of truck, but in any case you will find a variety of gauges and tranny coolers out there. You can get adequate of both installed for less than $500 IMHO. I paid $90 for cooler and $200 for gauge, $125 for installation of both by my local do-everything mechanic. You can spend a lot more, but doubt that it is necessary.
I agree with Summutt $500.00 for both is reasonable. I would also look into a Scan Gauge II. This is a neat gauge that plugs into your trucks OBDII port located beneath you dash. This gauge gives all kinds of info and no actual installation required. I have a full set of gauges but still may add a Scan Gauge II.
01 PSD X,06 Trailvision 31BHDS Edge Evolution
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danskool
Elma, N.Y.
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Joined: 07/24/2004
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Not knowing what truck you have.
But a peice of cake on both items. All come with simple instructions. Nothing some hours and beer can tackle
Gauges are pretty much under $100.
Tranny coolers you can get under 150 and under.
Many different sources. Easy instructions and a fairly easy DIY tasks. Have to check to see if any will void warren tees though.
Dan
2005 Crossroads Cruiser 27RL
2001 F250 XLT 7.3 PSD
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campercajun
Central Texas Hill Country
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If you have or buy a GM truck, look at the RPO (regular production option) sticker in the glove compartment. If you see code Z82, that truck (or Suburban, Yukon, Tahoe, Trailblazer, Envoy, etc.) has the HD towing option. This will include the 7-wire trailering harness, receiver hitch, underhood and underdash trailer brake controller wiring and plug-in receptacles, and +12v trailer power feed wiring, HD springs and shocks, engine and transmission coolers, and in most cases, the 7-pin trailer connector. Code GT4 means a 3:73 axle ratio. Code GT5 means a 4:10 axle ratio. G80 means that the vehicle is equipped with a locking rear differential.
GM trucks above the 1500 (1/2-ton) series, including the 1500HD models (discontinued on the new body style), that have the Z82 HD towing option, will have a trans temp gauge included. Other forum members familiar with Dodge and Ford should be able to give you similar information for those makes. If plan to tow, and buy a GM truck, try to make sure it has the Z82 option code.
As for adding a trans temp gauge, either your usual mechanic or a hitch store which adds these items all the time, can do the work. You would probably want to get estimates from both.
2003 GMC Sierra Crew HD; 6.0L; Prodigy
2006 Thor Tundra 30RL-DSL; Reese Strait-Line & Dual-cam HP
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Jim & Gayle Bryant
Murphy's Law: "Anything that CAN happen, WILL."
Bryant's Law: "31 years of RVing? Probably already HAS."
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shorthair
vancouver, wa. usa.
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Joined: 03/18/2004
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No matter how much it costs its waaaay cheaper than a new trans will be.
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wittmeba
Roanoke, Va
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Joined: 02/02/2001
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You didnt indicate what truck you have. Here is a Ford site that can help answer more questions. They do discuss other vehicles
http://www.thedieselstop.com/forums/
This is overkill, but will give you some ideas of what to do or what you may need. $327.00 for the complete set - they offer what 'most' want as a 3 set choice - Turbo boost, Trans temp and PYRO/EGT (Exhaust Gas Temperatures).
http://www.dieselmanor.com/gauges/image_CMSgaugekit.htm
I bought my gauges here in pieces - 3 gauges with connectors, instructions, 1 A-Pillar and each gauge came with the right stuff for installation. Most are offered that way. The above kit is far more complete. There are instructions online at DieselManor for the big 3 trucks:
http://www.gosracing.com/ford
A-Pillar about $50.00, gauge about $65.00 with sensor and instructions. If you are doing 1 gauge you might want to evaluate doing others too.
Installed gauges:
http://members.cox.net/bruce.wittmeier/images/APillarInstalled.jpg
You can also find kits fot the trans cooling.
http://www.transmissioncoolers.us/
Hitches, there are lots of mfgs. Here is a list for names. Some links are out of date but you can google for new web sites. I think the general concensus will be that dealers are a little costly for hitches and installations. There are several no-drill brackets and/or use the truck bed bolt holes with new hardware.
http://members.cox.net/bruce.wittmeier/technical/FifthWheelHitches.html
* This post was
edited 09/04/08 07:49pm by wittmeba *
Bruce & Carolyn Wittmeier
Viet Nam Vet 1968-69
I was born in Great Falls, Mt. My parents moved when I was 5.
I found them when I was 10 - they were in California.
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SPRey
Orange County, Kalifornia
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I discovered that adding a tranny temp gauge in my F150 was not going to be easy...until I discovered that certain programmable superchips, ie Edge (link follows) are able to display the tranny temp.
http://www.edgeproducts.com/product.php?pk=90&pvk=277
Something to consider after you install the tranny cooler.
Tim & Sue
Gerry (GSD) & Jammer (Sheltie)
2005 F150 4x4 Lariat 5.4L 3.73 Please buy a Hybrid...I need your gas for my 37 gallon tank!
2000 Nash 19B...comfortably pimped with a real Queen Size Bed
Red Wine anyone?
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