2001 B2500 W/Auto transmission towing slow

[Tom C]

I have a 2001 B2500 4x4 QC Auto 3. 54 gears . when towing an approx. 7500# (trailer and load) my truck will no exceed 84MPH. on a level surface I will bring the truck up to 75MPH then let OD kick in. Its will not hold 75 but instead slow down to 68 where it will downshift into 3rd then speed back up to start the whole process again. Is any one else having this happen. I traded a '97 B2500 4x4 extra cab 5spd that could pull at 95MPH in OD with no problem for this. Im going to dealer monday to have them look at it. your comments are welcome.

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[John_P]

Tom:

I have a friend that has a 2000 Dodge CTD
set up almost identically to yours.
(Automatic, 3. 54 gears etc. )

He had he EXACT same problem when towing
his 8,000# enclosed racing trailer. The
transmission would "hunt" back and forth
exactly as you describe. I drove it back
in November and it would literally "drive
you nuts!"

Anyway, he had Dodge check out the transmission
for problems and they could find nohing
wrong with it. He has since installed
the complete "Banks Power Kit" along
with a "TransGo" Shift Kit and has no
more problems towing the trailer.

It seems that the 24 Valve trucks with
the stock torque converter allow the
engine and transmission to "rev past it's usable power range" In my friends 2000, the
new shift kit changed his shift points
to help "control" that.

I hope this has helped you some. I don't
know if your truck would respond to these
"mods" but I think a shift kit or new valve body would help you. I have had one in my
12 valve since new. They really help these automatic transmissions.

Good Luck!

----------
John_P

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Red '96 4x4 2500 Auto 3. 54, TST #5, Major Pump Mods(By "Scheid Diesel") 370 Diamond B Injectors, Gov. Spring kit, AFC Spring kit, Banks Exhaust, Prime Loc, Cummins Chrome Kit, Pro-Torque Converter, BD Valve Body, BD Pressure Loc, Isspro Gauges, Sendel 16" Alum Wheels w/ 33" BFGs

 

[Bill Stockard]

Tom C,

When going from a 5 speed to an automatic, the overdrive gear in the automatic is "taller" or a higher gear than the 5 speed. The higher the overdrive gear, the more power it takes to maintain the same speed with the same load.

The automatic, even with the torque converter in lockup, isn't as efficient as a manual transmission.

I went the other way--from an automatic to a manual and love it.

Bill

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Y2K 3500QC, 6 Speed, 4. 10, SLT+, Camper & Tow Pkg. , Westin Chrome Nerf Bars, Mopar Flaps, Reese 20K Hitch, EGT & Boost Gauges, RPM 45 Gallon Aux. Fuel Tank, Highway Products 5th Wheel Toolbox, ECM Controlled PacBrake, Painless Wiring Kit, Mag-Hytec Diff. Cover, Rancho 9000, Air Lift 5000 Air Bags, TOYS: '97 Hitchhiker II 31' 5th Wheel, 2 slideouts, 19,750 GCW, '94 Lance 990 11' 3" Slide-In Camper, Torque-Lift Camper Tiedowns

 

[zzman]

Put a stright pipe on your truck it will give you more power, I have one and it has some ZOOM..... ZOOM..... ZOOM!:EEK:


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97 3500 SLT REDext cab duelly p/u 5sp 3:54 2wd 245/75R16
3" straight exhaust stock torque plate slid full foward star wheel tweeked
105,000 miles still with plenty of ZOOM... ZOOM... ZOOM

RON Z

 

[mbrolin]

Im not sure I would want to tow anything at that speed. Even so the transmission should hold a steady speed. My 99 auto would pull just fine at 75mph in o/d.

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2001 HO 6spd,Quad cab,LWB,4x4,Flame Red,all options except for leather,Westin Brushguard/Push bar,Painless wiring,Radio Shack CB,my own design CB mount,Smittybuilt nerf bars,NW Custom rocker covers,Custom built stainless rocker light bars,DeeZee bedrails,Isspro pyro and boost gauges(more to come)

 

[Tom C]

Michael, I agree that 95 in a little extreme. But I did that speed one time while following a fellow cummins friend. I was not paying attention to our speed until I notice we were passing other vehicles quite rapidly. Thats when I looked down to realize we were at 95. The truck did handle the speed well though. My normal highway speeds are 70 - 85 depending on weather and traffic. Its now much slower.

I did visit the dealer a couple a days ago. They said they reprogramd the power control module. I have tested the 0-60 and 60-80 speeds and the times are the same as before. I don't think there will be much difference with the trailer. Now I'm trying to figure how much i'll have to spend to get this thing to move on the highway with a trailer. currently it will hold only 65 in OD on a level surfuce.

again, I 'm asking all you other auto drivers out there. is this normal????

PS: michael, how many lbs did you tow with your '99. I pulling about 7 too 7 1/2 k.

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2001. 5 2500 4X4,QC,AUTO,3. 54 LSD,SWB,TRAILER & CAMPER PACKAGE,35# CODY HITCH,20' GOOSENECK LOWEBOY TRAILER

 

[LSMITH]

I have had about 5K on mine and entered traffic at 75 pushing it up to 90 just to see if it would. No problem at all. It will hold any speed I want on level ground and sounds happiest at about 2100 RPM which is over the speed limit in every state. There is something wrong with your truck. Take it back until it is fixed. It should not cost you a dime.

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99 2500 QC 4X4 AUTO SB 24V LARAMIE SLT 3. 5 LSD 285-75-16'S Everything but leather NRA Member

 

[Tom C]

LSMITH, It may not cost money but it does cost time. here are my speed times (emty):

0-60 = 11. 83 Sec.
60-80 = 8. 30 Sec. wo/OD
60-80 = 11. 66 Sec. w/OD

A friend and I went and test drove some Ford super duty trucks. My friend is a die hard ford fan and is looking at getting another one. I thought he was coming around when he sold his first one. we had fun putting the pedal to the metal in the ford-0-matics... .

ford times (auto transmission)
0-60 = 12. 25 Sec.
60-80 = 9. 07 Sec. w/ or wo/OD

ford times (6spd)
0-60 = 11. 52 Sec.
60-80 = 7. 63 wo/OD
60-80 = 9. 88 w/OD

all fords tested had the 3. 73 gears, ext. cab, 4X4. This is the 1st time I tried a ford super duty and did not like any part of it.

 

[ROCK KRIES]

Tom, you must have a problem. I tow my 24' boat which fully loaded is about 7800 lbs. My truck will hold speed and overdrive up to 68 mph(have not towed faster). The only time mine shifts down is on a steep overpasses trying to maintain speed. Cruising at 60 my milage is about 12-13 mpg.

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THE ROCK/2001,4X4,3. 54 GEARS,QC,SB,AT,SPORT,CL,CAMPER PACKAGE,TRAILER PACKAGE,WHITE,MOPAR MOLDED SPLASH GUARDS,STEELHORSE NERF BARS,BEDRUG LINER,CAB HIGH CAP.

 

[mikel]

If you can't get the dealer to fix it then take it to cummins. My truck will pull 8-10K at any speed that I want to pull. It just takes longer to get to that speed with a big trailer. I have seen 85 once with ~8500 lbs just to see if it would. It did and was still pulling but my better judgement got the best of me and I slowed down.

Your truck is supposed to have more power than mine. There is definately something wrong.

Mike

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'99 QC 2500 SLT Driftwood 2wd SB 24v Auto 3. 55 LSD
ISSPRO pyrometer, Walker 21468, 20,000 miles 12-19-00

-- email address removed --

Howdy Agg's!

 

[Ramboy00]

Tom C--
I have a '99 1-ton auto 3. 54 and tow a very large trailer (see sig. ) with a GVWR of 18,000 lbs. On flat highway I had no trouble maintaining 70 mph on cruise control when my truck was totally stock. The hills sure killed me, though, hence the upgrades. My actual towed weight has to be at least twice what you are towing. IMO--not normal.
Phil

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'99 D3500, auto. ,2WD,3. 54 LSD, all options, Banks Power Pack w/K&N filter, '99 40ft. Alfa Gold Triple-slide 5'er

 

[LSMITH]

Not very impressive numbers for the Fords considering that they are lower geared and have smaller tires. I know it will take time Tom, but I am pretty sure you paid for a truck that worked properly, so make them fix it.

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99 2500 QC 4X4 AUTO SB 24V LARAMIE SLT 3. 5 LSD 285-75-16'S Everything but leather NRA Member

 

[Tom W]

Tom, when my 98. 5 24v was stock I pulled a 25ft 5th wheel to Alaska and back and it would go as fast as I dared. I'm sure it was much faster than yours so you must have some kind of problem. I would try to get it fixed before any bombing.
Good luck, Tom W

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Tom W in Austin Tx 98 24v 2500 Quadcab, auto, 3. 54, lsd, Rhino, white/driftwood, Banks Stinger Plus, Manix grill, nerf bars , DTT's TC, valvebody, cooler, Mag-hytec trans & diff, Pac brake.

 

[Tom C]

I have now towed with the truck since I took it to dealer and got the reprogramming job on the power control module. Its will now hold 75MPH on a level surface. seems to be doing much better towing. Thanks all for your comments.