Tranny hot while towing on dirt mountain roads
#1
Tranny hot while towing on dirt mountain roads
I have a 2001 dodge 2500 automatic. I tow a pop up toy hauler loaded and another quad in the pick up bed. When I am climbing the dirt mountain roads my tranny gets very hot. The gauge on my juice with attitude read 240 the last time i went up and I know that is pushing the limit for damage. Before that trip I had already installed a 25" finned aluminum cooler inside the bumper where it will get a lot of air flow from the fan. I have another one on the way to install before my next trip in a week. Does anybody have any ideas on the heat problem.
The temp stays fine on the highway.
Thanks
The temp stays fine on the highway.
Thanks
#2
Any modifications to your truck? I had heat issues as well, and it was a bad torque converter. After a rebuild, I installed a cooler with a fan.
At low speeds, minimal air is going across the cooling package. The fan clutch relies on the hot air from the radiator to kick in and start moving air. With the slow speeds on the trails, the T/C doesn't lock up and causes lots of heat. I have the same issue. I battle this issue two ways. One, the cooler with a fan. Two, I use 4Lo while on the trails. The lower ratio allows the trans to get up into 3rd and O/D, where the T/C can lock up and produces less heat.
At low speeds, minimal air is going across the cooling package. The fan clutch relies on the hot air from the radiator to kick in and start moving air. With the slow speeds on the trails, the T/C doesn't lock up and causes lots of heat. I have the same issue. I battle this issue two ways. One, the cooler with a fan. Two, I use 4Lo while on the trails. The lower ratio allows the trans to get up into 3rd and O/D, where the T/C can lock up and produces less heat.
#3
Rawilliams.
I replaced the tc a couple years ago. I would hope its not bad already. I have 35"s so I'm sure that doesn't help,since it makes everything work alitte harder. And the juice w/ attitude but I keep it on tow when towing. I will deffenatly try going in 4 lo next time. And see how that works out. Thanks for the help
I replaced the tc a couple years ago. I would hope its not bad already. I have 35"s so I'm sure that doesn't help,since it makes everything work alitte harder. And the juice w/ attitude but I keep it on tow when towing. I will deffenatly try going in 4 lo next time. And see how that works out. Thanks for the help
#4
No problem at all. I also have 35's with 3.55 gear ratio, it doesn't help the heat situation at all. Rolling down the hiway at a lower RPM sure is nice though.
I pull a 38' RV that comes in around 12,000lbs, in similar conditions you describe. The 4Lo trick works very well. Max speed is a lot lower, but one can't go fast anyway. If you pop the hood, disconnect a vacuum line, and plug where it came off, you get 2Lo. There is a write up on here that I need to find on how to automate that process. If I find it, I'll share it here.
I pull a 38' RV that comes in around 12,000lbs, in similar conditions you describe. The 4Lo trick works very well. Max speed is a lot lower, but one can't go fast anyway. If you pop the hood, disconnect a vacuum line, and plug where it came off, you get 2Lo. There is a write up on here that I need to find on how to automate that process. If I find it, I'll share it here.
#8
#9