275's and EZ GREAT Towing Combo... BUT.........

[SLightfoot]

Yes, the 275's and the EZ a fantastic towing combination.



BUT... . be CAREFUL on the GO pedal. So much torque is being transferrred to the transmission, the 5 speed, in my case that when operating at sub-mid RPM (1700-1800 RPM) in 3rd and 4th particularly, you can HEAR the transmission vibrating.



That engine can dish out a lot of torque.



My trailer is 8800 lbs, and I had to be careful about how much power I applied in 3rd and 4th through that RPM range. Once I was through it, the vibration noise stopped. It's loud too. 5th doesn't do it at all for some reason.



Maybe some of you with high torque have experienced the same noise.



But, one thing for sure, with this combination, the truck HAULS that trailer BIG TIME!!!! Lemme tell ya, it MOVES!



I was passing trailers, cars, powerstrokes, you name it UP the hills. Some of the empty loaded CARS couldn't catch me going UP some of the steeper hills, and I'm hauling a TRAILER!!!! It was just awesome.



Just be careful how hard you get into the power though.



Shawn

 

[Bob Wagner]

I will 2nd that

I feel with the 275's and VA and auto transmission mods I have the ultimate towing set up for my 10K 5er.



I only thing that would be nice to add would be the Piers Super Turbo&copy









http://www.piersdiesel.com/Products.htm

 

[nps]

See you have the 5 speed. Don't know if you are at risk because of the 5th gear nut issue, but the vibrations you describe may increase the risk.

 

[DAWG-1]

I had the same vibration feeling you described with my TST modified '95 Dodge Cummins. Right before I sold it I could slip the clutch in 4th and 5th at wot.

 

[TowPro]

From what i have read here, you are hearing the actual gears that are not in use vibrating on the main shaft.



there are a lot of guys out there running this combo, and I have not heard any 5 speeds comming apart because of it. (not including the 5th gear nut problem, which could happen just as soon with a stock motor)

 

[John Berger]

That's good info to know. I've felt the vibration in that RPM range as well with just the EZ. I will be towing this weekend and will pay attention to that.

 

[SLightfoot]

Ahhhh....that makes sense....

From what i have read here, you are hearing the actual gears that are not in use vibrating on the main shaft.

Ahhhh. . maybe that's what it is. It sure does sound like that.

I don't know enough about transmissions to know that the gears not being used can vibrate on the main shaft.



It's at least good to know it's the gears that I'm NOT using that are making the noise



Sure was neat to look at the faces of those people in compact cars on the steep hills through the mountains as they watch a truck and a 30' Fiver come roaring past them!



Shawn

 

[DarrellB]

I have a TST powermax 2 powered 99 with a 5spd and 53,000 miles and have had no problem, it even has their high flow injectors in it and is pushing close to 800 ft. lbs of torque. If the clutch is a problem they have a 800 ft. lbs. clutch that uses the same pedal presure as the stock, had to put one in after a couple of truck pulls but the transmission is doing great.



If the gears are chatttering and makeing too much noise just put a strait pipe on it, takes care of all those little noises and does a great job of getting rid of tire houl.

 

[MidwestMotorman]

reminder...

Those NV4500s will come apart if you do not check the fluid. The D-C mechanics say the number one killer of five speeds is burnt fluid from towing. Check and change the fluid often, and your trans will last a lot longer. The 99 NV4500s (4500HD) are heavier in the syncho dept and some other areas too.

 

[Fred Swanson]

Plus, don't lug the motor below 1700 with that load. That is also a transmission killer, auto or manual.

 

[JohnB]

Shawn--what type of fuel mileage are your seeing towing with this combo? I have just an EZ and my mileage stayed about the same as stock. I was thinking of adding 275's hoping to increase milage.

 

[SLightfoot]

Answers...

Shawn--what type of fuel mileage are your seeing towing with this combo? I have just an EZ and my mileage stayed about the same as stock. I was thinking of adding 275's hoping to increase milage.

Well, just did the calculation last night. I am IMPRESSED!!!!

Here are the conditions:



Towing for 60% of the trip was VERY hilly terrain at 50-60MPH.

40% of trip was still hilly, but less so and 65-75MPH.

(Slower speeds ie 50-60MPH are because of speed limits in another province)



I was NOT taking it easy. I was going out of my way to pass every soul I could on every hill I came across. I was driving 'er hard!

Fuel economy = 14. 8 MPG (Imperial Gallons) or 12. 44 US MPG.



Right now, this is about 2. 5MPG better than it was stock and brand new, and about 1MPG better than just the injectors alone.

I have to do another check since the very hilly terrain at 50-60MPH was not what I was doing previous baselines on.

Once I take the next trip on similar terrain as before, I will post.



Shawn

 

[Bill H]

I've noticed my shifter boot vibrating on acceleration. Just touching it and it 's quiet.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Don't lug it, REV it up!

Shawn, I think Fred brings up a good point. . . don't give it much throttle clear down at 1700rpm. Anytime you are accelerating or pulling a grade I wouldn't go under 2000rpm at all. If you are towing I'd avoid anything under 1800rpm even cruising. On my 2wd I can really feel the harmonics from the engine in the transmission below 1700rpm and never give it more than 25% or so throttle at that RPM. When I get on it, my rule of thumb is no WOT under 2000rpm, and I often rap it out to 3000-3400 before shifting if I'm really going like a banshee. It'll hurt your engine far less at 3000rpm than your transmission at 1700



Vaughn

 

[SLightfoot]

That's the problem with the 5 spd

Vaughn, good point, and that's what I had got into the habit of doing after a few miles with this combination. (at least I learn quick )



That HUGE gap between 3rd and 4th just about FORCES you to run to redline in order to pick up 4th at 2000 RPM.

That's when I thought the 6 spd would have been nice. Close up those gaps in the gears.



Shawn

 

[TowPro]

This is a different problem, this sounds like the nut under the shifter pattern is loose. Mine started doing this around 40K miles, just real carefull like remove the shift pattern piece from the shifter, then tighten the nut under it.

Originally posted by Bill H

I've noticed my shifter boot vibrating on acceleration. Just touching it and it 's quiet.

 

[Bill H]

Thanks TowPro..... I'll check it.