DP Tuner has a 40HP tow chip that will give you more pep and possibly better mileage. Obviously more power means more work for the tranny but the tuner also increases pressures in the tranny to help keep the clutches from slipping so the wear is probably near a wash. Just be sure to get a tranny gauge and keep them temps down and possibly add a cooler. Mine never goes above 195 but I do not tow. You could install a Transgo Tugger in the tranny and that would really help it with towing.

 

Don't forget, this same tranny is in the F450/550's and they haul alot more than you.

 

Install a FTVB from greg evans and you won't have any problems. You will love the way this valve bodu makes your tranny shift!!!

 

Its not the tranny too much I would be concerned about(for longevity) it would be the TC.

 

Do some mods to the trans as it is weak if you pull anything already. As long as you keep your foot out of it, You can wreak a trans really easy with power mods/stock trans and power adders.

 

There is an inherent flaw in this sort of thinking. While the F450 and 550 have higher GVWs, it isn't the transmission that is holding those extra pounds up.

These trucks are powered by the same motor as the lighter trucks and this same motor is delivering the same horsepower and torque as the lighter trucks.

I am unsure of the powerhandling capabilities of the 4R100 but I would think that a stock 7.3 may be getting pretty close to maximum power handling rating of this transmission.

When we start modifying things, we set out on a quest to find the next "weakest link in the chain"....

 

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There is an inherent flaw in this sort of thinking. While the F450 and 550 have higher GVWs, it isn't the transmission that is holding those extra pounds up.

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Sorry Gramps, but no one is insinuating that the tranny holds up the truck. Merely pointing out that those much greater weights that the truck (450/550) is pulling are being "pulled" by the tranny. Kinda akin to a 250/350 constantly going up a 6-7% grade with 14k attached behind it.

 

The motor is still only capable of delivering X ft/lb of torque.... it doesn't matter how heavy the weight is... the transmission is still only being subject to this very finite load and it is decided by the power output of the engine......

The holding up the truck comment is called a "metaphor".. apparently lost, in this case.

 

4R100 strength... first time I heard those two words use together here on the Diesel Stop... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif

 

I agree with renof250. A mild chip along with a transmission pressure riser is going to get you a couple of miles/gallon plus more power when towing.

My neighbor owns a diesel performance shop and he set me up with an Edge EZ and a Superior tranny controller. He said the tranny controller is the best thing you can do for the 4R100 (besides making sure they stay cool). My truck shifts like a completely different truck now. The mild chip is not going to cause other problems elsewhere.

I use my truck mostly to haul 3-6 ton loads of hay over Snoqualmie Pass into the Seattle area. I noticed a huge difference pulling hills and it doesn't feel like I'm going to drop the tranny into the freeway every time it shifts.

 

After rebuilding my first 4R100, I would have to say the converter is the weakest link. I wasn't to impressed with the electronic pressure increase. I do have the diagrams for the trans and hope to figure out how to overide the soinoid so the pressure can be increased on the fly. I would put the power valve and tricumilator springs in. They work as good as any high priced valve body I've come accross. If you do change converters, while the trans is out there is another high pressure valve for the front pump that supplys the converter clutch pak. Well worth doing but it can't be done through the bottom.

 

I think it depends on how you drive as much as anything. I'm running a 75hp program in mine and tow regularly and haven't had a problem. I've only got 63k on it though so your mileage may vary. I think the biggest problem with these tranny's is when people are backing up a heavy load and don't keep an eye on the temps. I don't baby mine at all when towing, but I don't put my foot in it from a dead stop either. I think nothing of pulling a heavy load up a mountain pass with a trailer on and the TC locked up.

Just my .02

Regards,
Dave

 

[ QUOTE ]
The motor is still only capable of delivering X ft/lb of torque.... it doesn't matter how heavy the weight is... the transmission is still only being subject to this very finite load and it is decided by the power output of the engine......

The holding up the truck comment is called a "metaphor".. apparently lost, in this case.

[/ QUOTE ]

What? Agreed the engine is only capable of x torque but the bigger/heavier truck will require more of that torque more of the time, don't you think? So an empty 3/4 ton PU going up a hill is requiring lets say 1/2 of the available torque and the F-550 flat bed or tow truck is using/needing 100% of the available torque? Would you concede that needing/using more torque for more time puts more wear and tear on the tranny? Not bashing you at all (and I do appreciate your generally thoughtful posts) but I sort of think there is an obvious effect with the bigger heavier truck?

 

if the gear ratio of the heavyer truck is lower than the lighter truck then will the strain be equil?

 

I've heard the 4R100 is weak. I put 203,000 hard, I mean I abused it miles on my 01 stocker. When I talked to Brian, I told him I would like my new tranny to last that long!! Nothing was bad about the one I took out! I just thought it was time!!

 

Wunderhoot is on the right track. The larger trucks do their work with lower gearing. You don't find 3:73s in an F550 or larger truck. 4:88s are more common. Also, as the tire size gets larger, the gearing gets lower.

 

"Yeah, I know the tranny is a piece of crap. I improved my truck with bigger tires, bumped the HP/Torque way up with a whizbang chip, installed a purple CPS sensor, added the coke bottle on the front left hand bumper, only ran Dr Feelgoods syn fluids and additive in the slush box, 16 oz of panther pi$$ to every fuel fill up, and STILL could'nt break the readend loose, no matter how many times I tried. Danged tranny kept blowing front pump seals and puking fluid every time. Started following other peoples problems with the tranny on the TDS website and no one else is having ANYTHING good to say about the transmission, so I KNOW its a piece of doodoo"

 

[ QUOTE ]

When we start modifying things, we set out on a quest to find the next "weakest link in the chain"....

[/ QUOTE ]

mine happened to be 2nd gear and overdrive that failed as well as a badly scorched TC /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

You've got the idea!!!! Even very weak transmissions can live in a high torque environment for some time..... things start going bad very quickly when we "shock load" load them.

Example.... take a couple of 2x4s, a 12 ounce claw hammer and a 3 inch coated box nail..... place the nail on the stacked 2x4s, place the hammer on the head of the nail and push with all of your might.... Not much happening, right?

Now... let's "shock" the nail.... swing the hammer and we know what will happen.

The same thing happens in our powertrains..... Push hard on something and it will likely live a long and happy life.... shock it and we might as well beat on it with a hammer.


Hoping I explained it clear enough....

 

I have played with a few auto trans in my time and the main drive system looks just like a C6. I know its a rule not to pull hard in overdrive but looking at my 4R100 planitaries on the bench, there is no difference in the size of the gear sets.

 

ABSOTUTLY.

 

Hey Toy, The key phrase in this thread is pulling with the T/C locked up. Thats like driving a stick. I have an overide on mine and I don't pull hard with it unlocked. Makes so much more heat unlocked.

 

Yup . . the ONLY time I have even close to a heat issue is when pulling up a BIG LONG hill with the TC unlocked. My wife made my climb up to skyline drive out in VA or W. VA this summer while pulling the camper. I could only hit 35mph on a good stretch and I was getting a bit nervous as I was right around 200-210 degree's. Luckily the beast made it to the top and had some time to cool off. I can't imagine what it'd be like going out to some of those campgrounds in CO that are up around 9-10,000 feet. Climbing up to the Eisenhower Tunnel is a piece of cake because you can keep your speed up and the TC locked, but some of those twisties into the National Parks would be tough!

Have a good one,
Dave

 

I think you could get by real well with a DP Tuner in a 40 or 50 hp tow setting. BUT, I would HIGHLY recommend an extra tranny cooler. They cost about $100 including installation at most tranny shops. Put it on in tandum with the stock one. The Transgo shift kit and new valve body is also a good idea. Switch to a synthetic tranny fluid and that will drop your temps as well. Cool tranny temps and firm shifts are the key to making your tranny live a long happy life. I can't go this far without also recommending an ATS ported turbo housing as it will also keep your turbo from going toast from surge. It will your egt's down as well.

http://www.itpdiesel.com/store.php?crn=103&rn=349&action=show_detail

 

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I can't go this far without also recommending an ATS ported turbo housing as it will also keep your turbo from going toast from surge. It will your egt's down as well.

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Pappy19....Do you get a kick back from ITP/ATS or what? Almost every post I have read lately you're pimping product... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif

The wicked wheel will fix the surge as well. For IIRC $65.00

To stay on topic, the 4R100 IMHO is a great trans if taken care of with maintenance and driving habits, I have 155,000 miles on mine and many of those miles are with a trailer in tow, and in most cases the truck has been making 80-100hp more than it came with from the factory....I've added a better TC and Sonnax/Springs and feel it shifts and pulls better than ever.

Good Luck, /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/warmsmile.gif

Chris