I towed my Jeep this weekend (only the 3rd time) and on the long slow pull into the campground, my trans temp spiked to about 215*. The outside temp was fairly mild, maybe 65*. Am I going to have problems doing this same thing in the middle of July when it's 90* outside?
If you think I'm going to need more cooling, would an additional cooler be best, or just swap in the 6.0 cooler?
The "long slow pull" says it all. Your speed is most likely below torque converter lock-up speed and you are generating heat like crazy. Does your 2000 model have the cooler in the bottom of the radiator? Probably not and that helps insure heat buildup when the airflow over the cooler is reduced. An additional cooler like the Trur Cool Max or the 6.0 cooler would definitely help. The torque converter lock-up mod would help also. Air flow over the OTA coolers is critical if you do not have the OTW cooler.
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Early 99 F250 PSD (XLE4) XLT, Extended Cab, Short Bed, 4X2, BTS Trans/TC, 3.73 Limited Slip, Transfer Flow 48 Gal. Mid-Ship Tank
Western WA - Member since August 2001
Yeah, my speed was definitely slow, 5 MPH tops. The roads into camp are just narrow, twisty dirt roads ...with oncoming vehicles the norm, so you even get stop & go situations.
I'll look into the Tru Cool and 6.0 coolers. Any tips / tricks to the T/C lockup would be appreciate too.
Search the archives for the torque converter lock up mod. It tells which wire you should tap into and the operating conditions to consider. I have not done it on mine.
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Early 99 F250 PSD (XLE4) XLT, Extended Cab, Short Bed, 4X2, BTS Trans/TC, 3.73 Limited Slip, Transfer Flow 48 Gal. Mid-Ship Tank
Western WA - Member since August 2001
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Yeah, my speed was definitely slow, 5 MPH tops. The roads into camp are just narrow, twisty dirt roads ...with oncoming vehicles the norm, so you even get stop & go situations.
I'll look into the Tru Cool and 6.0 coolers. Any tips / tricks to the T/C lockup would be appreciate too.
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If you lock the torque converter in this kind of driving you'll stall the engine or kill the torque converter, or both.
A better solution is to do this in 4x4 low. That will be A LOT less strain on the torque converter and transmission.
Man, I have had the same issue. I have the cooler in the bottom of the rad, and added 2 true cool units, still had issues. The coolers do not help much if the truck is not moving very fast, and the fan is not engaged.
Go buy an electric fan for the cooler you have, I put mine on a switch, and only run it at low speeds, I will turn it on about 10 min. before the slow speed is expected.
Trans once got to 250... But now same pull leaves trans at 200 max.
Just another view.
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1990 F-350 Dually 4X4 CC Rebuilt Turbo and NEW 7.3L DAS engine, rebuilt rear diff, Reman E4OD Stage 1 injectors Stage 1 pump Baumann recal kit and TDC for E4OD dead trans again...
2004 F-350 4X4 CC 6.0 PSD
2004 Wilderness 320dbhs TT
You can have to many coolers and reduce flow. I suggest the cooler from a 6.0 it is huge, the hotest I have seen with it is 150 degrees, although speeds of 5mph the only thing that will really keep things cool for a long period is a fan.
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Kevin L. Mnt Airy, NC.
2000 Ford F350 4X4 Auto,Crew Cab Lariat, Western Hauler Package, Long bed,
Isspro EV Guages on A-Pillar, Coolant change from Green to Gold to Red,
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Casey just may have the no cost answer on the creaping along and making heat with the tc. I used to have to put the ole chev gasser in low range all the time to keep the temp from cooking the trans fluid. It was happy in low - musta been the lower gear and less strain on the torque converter. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img]
I second the use of a fan on the aux. trans cooler. I installed a simply monstrous trans cooler on a 96 PSD that was suffering from high trans temps. After installing this cooler (with a fan on it rigged to a thermostat switch) I never saw the trans come over 180 again. The most abuse I can think of that the trans took was spreading hay over a freshly seeded soccer field. Ambient temp was at least 95 degrees, truck weighs 8200lbs, towing another 6k worth of trailer and hay, and a shredder, and the trans didnt go past 180, this was at a speed of no more than 2 or 3 mph for over 2hrs.
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99 F350 XLT 4x4, Crew Cab, 6spd, DRW 255k and still going strong. DR Edge 2" leveling kit. 5" exhaust. Prodigy TBC. Hideaway Gooseneck Hitch. Rickson LTS 19.5 aluminum rims with 245 70R19.5 Michelin XDE M/S. Cummins 12V powered, with a few mods, SBC DD clutch
2005 F250 XLT, Supercab, V10, 6spd, 4wd, SWB, 4.10 LS
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Search the archives for the torque converter lock up mod. It tells which wire you should tap into and the operating conditions to consider. I have not done it on mine.
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Although the TC lock up mod is of worthy consideration, and money well spent. It wont/cant do a thing for you at 5mph. Your truck will start kicking like a mule with the TC locked at 5mph. I would look into the Tru Cool Max, and an electric fan that can be manually controlled via a dash mounted switch. No faster way to ruin a tranny than a long dead slow climb or descent. Burns em up in a hurry!
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Just eating rainbows and butterflies
I put a fan cooled cooler on my F450. It comes on when I am putting my trailer in storage. Lots of backing and slow moving. It also comes on when I am towing and has lowered my temps about 15 degreese.
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2001 7.3L F450 4x4 CC Automatic Fontaine Conversion 4:30 Limited slip Reyco Granning Full Air Ride Supension, Transfer Flow Fuel System, 4" MBRP turbo back, gages, pryo pre turbo.
Build Date 03-12-01 in KY. Towing a 34 foot Thor Tahoe toy hauler 5er.
2004 F250 CC SB XLT 6.0 Automatic Gauges Big Walker Truck Muffler towing a 23 foot American Freedom with a buggy inside
Linear Mode
