Hello

My wife drive a 2004 SO Cal. 4x4 with 3.73 gears, auto, quad cab short bed. The truck has 35 Toyo MTs. By your standards, my wifes truck is a dog. Couple of years back I installed a Bank Six Shooter on the truck. The reason I installed a Banks system is that it seem straight forward install and it would be simple to uses while my wife drives the truck to work. I did not install gauges because that is something my wife would not even care to took at. Besides, the Banks system claimed that is monitors the temp for you. To this day my wife loves the Banks system since if she needs more power she just turns a ***. The truck has been doing just fine to date since we only use it to pull a 5K lbs trailer. Now I thinking of purchasing a 12K lbs 5th Wheel. Should I just continue using the Banks or should I sell it and/or add another power module? Since diesel is over $5 in California I not just want good tow ability but also great milage when she is not towing.

Thank you
Andrew

 

Is your wife just not fond of the gauges on the A-Pillar? It's always nice to have some kind of gauges to keep an eye on temps, wether they are analog gauges or electric.

If she's happy with the Banks setup and it isn't giving you any trouble, run it. But there are better options out there for towing/power, and more bang for the buck.

 

Towing 12k is a whole lot different than towing 5k. You want gauges to monitor EGT and the trans temp minimum. With the SO, an additional 100-150 ft/lbs is adequate to tow comfortably, but you won't win any races.

 

So if it was your truck what would you do? Please provide name of product? If I have to put gauges in I will. My wife actually uses the pillar to help her climb in the truck. You are correct, pulling a 5K lbs trailer is not really noticeable with the banks. In fact, last weekend we went to Big Bear Lake and the engine/tranny did better without the tow mode on climbing the hill. The banks maybe fine but I just want to know if I'm pulling 12K lbs 5th wheel what is my best options for a dog like my 2004 SoCal SO 230 HP, 3.73 gears with over-sized tires? How much would the upgrades cost? What gauges do I buy? Where do I find the pillar for the gauges? How many gauges?

Thanks

 

My mods are in my signature. My truck is the 235 hp SO. I pull an 11k toyhauler and have no issues towing using the Smarty on 3. I did have the Quadzilla fueling box first and used to tow with it on the 65hp setting and it performed well, but I also have 4:10 gears.

I would leave the Banks on for now and add a gauge package. You will really want to know when to back off when pulling heavy through the mountains. You will want at least EGT and Trans temp for an automatic. Also a boost gauge. Others also have a fuel pressure gauge but I'm not sure you'll need one. I got my Isspro gauges, trans line and A pillar pod from Dieselmanor.com. I don't know what they charge these days.

 

I also have step bars and use the wheel to get in my truck.

 

Go with a BD X-Monitor. They take up very little space and leave the handle. I love mine, and even if she doesn't look at it, you can recall the max readings when you are in the truck. The Banks should be OK for power, and the adjustability is easy.

 

I am seeing extremely low EGTs with the Smarty Junior. Maybe that is a better setup. Get an analog gauge set.

 

Thanks for all you feedback. I will take the advise and purchase gauges. Would a Smarty Jr work with Banks?

Andrew

 

I have been down your road. I have the exact same truck... I started off with Banks six-gun w/SL and it was fine for the longest time. You're not going to be happy with the heavier trailer.

First, the gauges are mandatory... you really want to watch your temps so you don't hurt anything towing that heavy, even if you just stay with Banks and its safeties. I recommend Smarty Jr. (you can even leave the Banks on there for a little stacking... but don't turn it up over 3 or 4). The Smarty will bring your SO up to HO power and then add 40-70-100 hp over that. You'll really like it! Plus DTC clearing and adjust speedo for tire size.

 

The smarty Jr will stack with the banks just fine.

 

Oh, one other thing of note... and yes it costs...

you should consider at some point soon at least a upgraded torque converter and modified valve body for your tranny. It will help save the tranny some grief towing that weight with the power.

 

I have the Speed loader for the Banks but never installed it. Believe it or not I was going to install the SL this weekend after having it 2 years. Now that I realize that I do need gauges, should I hold off on the SL install? Don't I have to install the gauge censor in the same location as the SL? I will also take your advise on the Smarty Jr.

I'm not looking to be the fastest truck on the block. I don't like the idea of upgrading my tranny. Therefore, should I sell the Banks? Finally, are you telling me that a Smarty Jr will put my 235 hp truck up to HO and an additional 70-100 hp more without the Banks?

Thanks again.

 

Don't sell the Banks... you don't really need the speedloader at this point anyway, so don't worry about installing it. Do get the gauges.

And yes, your understanding is correct... the smarty jr will put you up to HO level then give you more.

If you do not want to upgrade the tranny, just leave the Smarty in the middle setting and don't turn Banks up anything past level 3 and watch your gauges and you will be fine. You will love the smarty so much that you will end up upgrading the tranny so you can use the higher level. I can almost guarantee it.

 

The Banks isn't a bad unit-- for what you are doing, it will complement the Smarty Jr... it is more a hassle to take the Banks off at this point than it is worth. Besides, it still leaves you with a little "on the fly" capability. For people seeking higher HP, Banks holds them back. For what you want, it is just fine; I say leave it alone... don't worry about the speedloader because the 20hp it adds is not worth the trouble and the smarty will much more than make up for it... you'll come to say that the Smarty was the best thing you ever bought for the truck.