Adding "tow package" to truck without it
06-16-2016, 01:00 AM
#1
Crotchety Old Man
Thread Starter
Adding "tow package" to truck without it
Hey guys.
I am wondering if anyone has added the "tow package" to their trucks that didn't come with from the factory. Specifically the oil/tranny coolers, but also the TBC.
I have a 2014 3.7 SCAB 4x4 with 3.73 gears. My lease is up, and my buyout is cheap. $18400, when I leased the truck at the total price of $31000 minus down payment and lease payments.
I do not really want to drop $40000+ on a new truck just to get the 5.0 and tow package.
I have no intention of towing more than 3500# but I carry a good 600-800#s every day for work, and want to get a small single axle trailer for work (haul a few times a week at most) and currently tow a tent trailer for camping, but maybe upgrade to a single axle hybrid 3500# trailer.
Has anyone added the transmission or oil coolers and factory brake controller? I have the clips on the radiator but no extra coolers. I have not looked under the dash to see if the TBC plug is there, but I had my trailer shop throw a 7 pin harness on my receiver and they plugged it in to the connector above the spare tire.
Or has anyone without the coolers towed 4-5k# on the regular without issue? Or is this not a good idea?
On top of the oil/tranny cooler I have to upgrade to LT tires and get some extra leaf springs because my rear rides lower than the front.
I am wondering if anyone has added the "tow package" to their trucks that didn't come with from the factory. Specifically the oil/tranny coolers, but also the TBC.
I have a 2014 3.7 SCAB 4x4 with 3.73 gears. My lease is up, and my buyout is cheap. $18400, when I leased the truck at the total price of $31000 minus down payment and lease payments.
I do not really want to drop $40000+ on a new truck just to get the 5.0 and tow package.
I have no intention of towing more than 3500# but I carry a good 600-800#s every day for work, and want to get a small single axle trailer for work (haul a few times a week at most) and currently tow a tent trailer for camping, but maybe upgrade to a single axle hybrid 3500# trailer.
Has anyone added the transmission or oil coolers and factory brake controller? I have the clips on the radiator but no extra coolers. I have not looked under the dash to see if the TBC plug is there, but I had my trailer shop throw a 7 pin harness on my receiver and they plugged it in to the connector above the spare tire.
Or has anyone without the coolers towed 4-5k# on the regular without issue? Or is this not a good idea?
On top of the oil/tranny cooler I have to upgrade to LT tires and get some extra leaf springs because my rear rides lower than the front.
06-16-2016, 01:24 AM
#2
Senior Member
This has been covered several times. Search in the towing section since it is about towing.
You have a transmission cooler in the drivers side radiator tank. You can find a truck in the junkyard with about all you will need. The cooler and lines, and a receiver are about all you could want since you have the 7 pin harness. For the brake controller, you'll need to look under the dash and at the harness near the 7 pin to see if it is all there.
If you only tow 3,500lb that is like my boat which has no brakes so you are likely fine without the controller. As far as the cooler, where you live I would not think you'll need one. You may have to ask around about that though. You should have a trans temp gauge. Mind that.
You have a transmission cooler in the drivers side radiator tank. You can find a truck in the junkyard with about all you will need. The cooler and lines, and a receiver are about all you could want since you have the 7 pin harness. For the brake controller, you'll need to look under the dash and at the harness near the 7 pin to see if it is all there.
If you only tow 3,500lb that is like my boat which has no brakes so you are likely fine without the controller. As far as the cooler, where you live I would not think you'll need one. You may have to ask around about that though. You should have a trans temp gauge. Mind that.