Qs about 2gen tuning

Is sometime willing to talk me through some questions about tuning. I'm new to it but hoping it will help me out. I have a 4.0 2014 and am adding a Scout Yoho popup this summer/fall. Wondering if a tune will help me truck handle the camper better. Thanks in advance

 

@YF_Ryan is the resident expert on scouts in tacos

 

I can for sure answer any and all questions you have in regards to tuning but specifically on the scout I have no first hand experience. I can just offer pointers.

One being that from a driving perspective the pop-up will be better due to simply the aerodynamics of it. I can tow a 5500lbs car+trailer combination alot easier and with better fuel economy than I can a 1800lbs Shasta camper trailer.

In regards to the tune though, biggest benefits in your case is of course more power all around(specifically in terms of Yotawerx) focusing on the down low torque, along with (if you have an automatic) your truck will hold the appropriate gear better and not hunt around as much

Outside of the tune if you have stock suspension still I would recommend upgrading your rear leaf springs and shock or if you insist on staying with the stock leafs(I don't recommend that) then at the least RoadMasters make a world of a difference for handling weight in the ass end. Only claim of theirs i'll debunk is that they don't help with axle wrap much if any. Otherwise I highly recommend them, even if you upgrade your leaf pack

 

Thanks joba27n.

I have upgraded the suspension already to Dobinsons, with a heavier spring rate all around. I also have airbags with Daystar cradles. I'm more worried about the drivetrain issues. We have a self built gfc style camper now and I noticed on our last trip that my transmission temps would climb quite a bit on the great in D, but if I dropped it down to 4 the temps would go down. I also have to learn not to try and do 80 mph with the camper .

 

If things are working properly, you should be able to go 90 with a wedge style camper… I’ve got a Vagabond Drifter and can hang out at 90mph crossing Utah with no issues. 5th gear, torque converter locked, transmission temps stable.

 

What kind of transmission temps are you seeing at that range?

 

I can’t remember offhand the exact temp. I have an UltraGauge with an audible Beep alarm set for when the torque converter gets hotter than 215 and when the pan temps get above 200 and I don’t remember them going off, so below that.

example of how I have one screen set up to monitor:

 

The best thing I've done for performance while hauling the camper + a trailer is a re-gear. I'm also running a V6 4.0 2nd gen. I upgraded to E loads (which you should do if you haven't already) that were 265/75r16 (so 1 inch taller than OEM) and am running 4.56 gears (3.73 stock). Drive/5th gear was completely useless to me in the past, even with my AT Habitat. I ALWAYS ran in 4th unless I was on perfectly flat ground or downhill. Anytime the torque converter started unlocking and locking I'd shift down, sometimes to 3rd when climbing. With the regear, I can use all 5 gears again. I just throw it in drive unless it's a SERIOUS climb. Fully loaded, I couldn't accelerate up to the speed limit on 18 towards the Tiger Summit, but now I've never hit a highway mountain pass I couldn't accelerate well past the speed limit (not that I ever do that anymore, gas mileage is atrocious).

 

I'm at around 170 at 75ish in 4th but if I use D it often wants to climb up close to our hit 200.

 

You are in the same area I am. I was wondering around regearing. I have 33in tires and thought that might be on the threshold for gearing. Any negative effects from the regear without the camper and load?

 

You'll have worse fuel mileage, cause the motor is always spinning faster at any given speed. Even unloaded, I average 12.5 or so with in town driving. 13.5 is about as good as I've seen on a tank, but that was actually WITH the camper, but cruising at 55 when I was heading up to Banff or across northern MT back from Glacier. I can't recall the last time I ran a tank through the truck on the highway without the camper, so I don't have that MPG available.

Now with that said, I'd 100% recommend a regear. Driveability is SOOO much better. I don't feel the truck struggle anymore. I'm not saying it's fast when I'm hauling heavy, but very manageable. And when I'm not pulling the trailer, it does pretty good on the on-ramps.

It isn't cheap, so there's that. But I would do again. I had mine done at Auburn Car Repair and Offroad. Great shop, worth getting a quote from.

 

Thanks! I'll keep it in mind and Auburn is pretty close to me. I think I'll do a couple trips with the camper before making any decisions. I'm mostly worried about running high trans temps and causing damage. My mileage is already crap, 14 is about the best I get anymore.

 

Yeah, the whole truck seems like it is working far less hard, and I have a smaller/lighter tires than you, so you'd get an even bigger improvement, I'm sure. Just listen/feel for that torque converter unlocking and keep an eye on it.

 

On another topic.... we going camping once you get your Scout????

 

Hoping to have it in time for a late summer trip out to the Lost River Range in Idaho. If not, it'll get a whole lot of hunting trips come Sept

 

If you're on FB, the Scout Campers Owners group can be pretty active (I'm one of the admins). I think only like one or two people so far have taken delivery of a pop-up, but lotsa people are interested in them. I'll stick with my hard walls!!