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FORD F-53 SUPER DUTY CHASSIS
PERFORMANCE & HANDLING UPDATES

The Ford F-53 chassis built from 1990-1997 with the Ford 460 cu in engine and the later chassis built from 1999-2004 with the Triton V-10 engine are popular on many coach applications. They are built strong and solid and have proven very durable. We find thought if the coach is fully loaded or often overloaded, and towing, that it often lacks for power when it comes to climbing hills or just trying to maintain comfortable speeds on the flat and level. One might also notice that it can wander and sway sometimes on uneven road conditions. These kind of problems can cause the RV'er to have unnecessary stress and fatigue from trying to drive very long distances in a day.. These problems and symptoms can often be greatly reduced and eliminated.

Lack of power...Ford F-53 w/460 cu in engine

Take a look at the air intake and the exhaust system. They are both robbing engine breathing and horse power. We recommend installing the Banks Power Pac. In the Banks Power Pac, air intake restrictions are reduced by 70% by installing the Banks Ram Air kit and exhaust restrictions are reduced by 90%. The biggest change is in installing the Banks Torque Tube Manifolds. A major problem on the 460 engine is the stock exhaust manifolds have a tendency to break bolts and often times breaking the cylinder head where the bolt screws into it. This causes exhaust leaks, in turn causing the engine to not run correctly, often results in very expensive repairs, (repacking a exhaust manifold and removing broken bolts can cost upwards to $350-$1,000, if a cylinder head is also broken can cost an additional $1500-$2000 more) beside the inconvenience of a broken down RV that can't be driven. The Banks Torque tube manifolds are constructed of 5/8" thick steel manifold flanges and free flowing tubular stainless steel tubing connecting to Monster exhaust and mufflers all made out of stainless steel.

The result is More Power, cooler running engines, less chance of engine failure from overheated broken exhaust, less stress and better driving performance.

Ford F-53 Super Duty V-10 chassis 1999-2004 while similar to the earlier 460 chassis has a more durable engine and improved transmission, bigger tires and brakes, and a higher GVW rating. It too, lacks in power and wants for better driving. Like the 460 engine the Banks Power Pac^TM will greatly improve power , performance and driving satisfaction. The additional power received from the Banks power is enough to nearly eliminate the tendency for the engine to shift down every time it looks at a slight hill.

Handling Problems

A common complaint with this chassis is front end wander and rut tracking (following the ruts in the road and having a hard time when changing lanes) The problems is the front axle design and a little wear on components allow for some side to side movement between the chassis and axle. This results in lots of steering wheel movement and wander. We invented the "Davis True Trac-Bar" which installs on the front axle and frame (see Davis true trac bar pic) this prevents unwanted movement in the steering and greatly improves driving. Next replacing the original shocks with Blister High Pressure Gas shocks will reduce bounce and movement up and down giving better handling in that department.

On chassis' over 32' length installing a Auxiliary rear sway bar along with the stocks bar will reduce body roll and blow over when being passed by big rigs. Corners much flatter, less roll back and forth when going over bumpy, uneven driveways. If you experience tail way (which causes over steer when being passed or towing a towed) installing the Super Steer Rear Trac Bar will tame the rear end movement the same as the front trac-bar did.

Next, if you want to reduce and eliminate "Bump Steer" in the steering wheel install a "Koni Steering Damper." The Koni Steering Damper, unlike other steering dampers, dampens steering in any position. Other brands are spring loaded and are adjusted for straight line steering, fighting the driver and RV while in a steering corrected position, like when driving in a cross wind or on a crowned road. The Koni Damper also does not fight the power steering pump and steering wheel when making tight turns like other spring loaded units do. And because there are no springs, it does not require any adjustment once installed.

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