Auto transmission Cooling

[Archive]

I posted this question over on the 95-98. 5 second generation board and the only response I got was from DD, so I'll ask the most experience group what they think.

I spend quite a bit of time pulling some intense grades off road in Eastern KY and SW VA. My transmission temp gets to the warm side very quick (I've seen 220 before) The nature of the roads will not let me get much over 15 mph, most are 5 mph roads, so I can't get lockup. I hate using 4L because in dry weather, I can feel the driveline & transfer case bind up when I am turning (switchbacks). When the engine gets hot enough, the fan clutch kicks in and helps to keep the transmission cooler but not cool enough for my liking. And the clutch doesn't stay engaged long anyway. Is there anyway I can keep the transmission temp down without installing something as costly as a horton? (I don't think it will help anyway). And I don't think there is enough room to install an additional cooler in front of or behind the radiator. I've considered adding in one of the 2L vacuum kits, but I am still concerned that the one front wheel that will be engaged and still cause binding in the drive components when I am in sharp turns. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance, Des

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1996 Black 4x4 2500 SLT Laramie CC, Auto, 4. 10, Ranch Hand Double 3" Pipe Front Bumper, Ranch Hand Rear Bumper,
K&N Filter, Boost & Trans Temp Gauges, Trimble 10x GPS, Silencer Ring removed, Muffler fell off on Good Friday!

 

[Archive]

Des,
You must install an additional cooler! It will only take about 1" of space in front of the radiator, don't put it behind as it won't cool properly.

If you really don't have enough room there then there is a fan assisted cooler that can be placed under the bed. I can't remember the name but my 93 has this and the only time the fan comes on is when I'm towing a trailer, usually up a long grade in warm weather. I also have a cooler in front on the radiator as well as the original cooler inside the radiator.

Power Wagon or old school will probably respond and if not,then maybe someone will remember the name of the under bed cooler.

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Stan
93 2WD extended cab, Banks Power Pack, K&N Air Filter, Auto w/4. 10 rear with gear locker, US Gear Exhaust Brake, 3. 5" Exhaust, 5K air bags, Boost/Pyro/Tach Gauges, Green/Silver, 137K

 

[Archive]

Des,
Diesel Transmission Technology(DTT)offers a valve body set up with second gear lockup capabilities. While it wont help you in the
5mph range it will help you with your 410 gear ratio between 12-28 mph range.

 

[Archive]

Des,
if look down the list to some postings a week or so ago you'll see a posting from DBF
(question re: 92 a 518 trans cooling)
he lists parts no. and pricing for the aux under the bed fan powered cooler, it won't be a direct bolt up for the new trucks but it should work just fine, bad news is there's not many of these left in the system, i installed one on my 93 a couple of years ago
and have never seen any temps over 180,
you might also try a new tighter converter.




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93 W 250 Banks turbo, intercooler, straight exhaust, JRE injectors, K&N, moderate pump tuning, B&D converter, TFOD diesel shift kit, 21/2 in skyjacker system, lock rite in rear, (detroit locker waiting instalation) lock rite in front, fourwheel camper, steel horse bucket seats, borgeson steering arm, jacobs headlight brightener, Dual battery conversion, dunlop 255/85/16 rovers,
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[Archive]

Thanks for the info gents. I'll have to see if the an aux cooler will fit up in front of the radiator. The second generation trucks don't have alot of room between the radiator and the hood latch mechanism, but I might be able to squeeze something in. If not I'll have to find one of the underbed coolers. I've been wanting to replace the trans cooler lines with the upgraded connections anyway. Thanks again, Des

 

[Archive]

Des,
Unless you have a locking front diff, one wheel would not be turning in 2 low.

Matt

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90 W250, 5-speed, 3. 54 gears, 16 cm2 housing, tach, pyro, and boost gauges, K&N air filter.

 

[Archive]

I have a large aux. transmission cooler I had left over from the last vehicle. It seems to me that I can take the oem one out and put this larger one on it's place, with not too much trouble.

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"Roadrunner"-96 4X4 club cab-12v-auto-3. 54 gears-Amsoil bypass filter - all Amsoil fluids-trans filter-britebox-shelfit-DeeZee boards-Rhino liner-Rancho 5 speed shocks-Hellwig rear antisway & overload springs-Warn 12000 lb. winch-dual redtop optimas-combo gauge and trans. temp gauge in pillar mount-255/85R16 Kelly MSR tires-custom pinstriping- Walker muffler-Cummins mudflaps-Tuff Country control arms-2" coil spacers

 

[Archive]

Lt is right abount the front diff. So long as an aftermarket limited slip or locker has not been installed, disabling your vacuum servo will cause no torque to either front wheel even though the front driveshaft is turning. The differential carrier, axle side gears and carrier pinion gears will rotate but have no load on them-which is the same situation you have in two wheel drive normally. In fact, theoretically, you will get better lubrication (because the ring gear is spashing oil everywhere), and less rotation (less wear) of the side and pinion gears relative to the carrier and each other (because the carrier is now rotating) although a little more drag on the engine (less fuel mileage).

"Carrier" and "differential case" are two names for the same thing.

As you know, the heat is coming from the torque converer "slipping", you might check out a low slip model (lower stall speed)
and this would help make the auto trans more efficient and run cooler in the non-lockup mode at the same time. You then solve the problem by not generation so much heat in the first place instead of trying to get rid of it after it is generated.

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'93 W350 Club Cab, 5 sp. , Factory Options: LE, 4. 10, LS, 7600 lb. rear springs, tachometer, front stabilizer bar. Mods: Banks stinger plus, Linex bedliner, 25,000 lb gooseneck, 10,000 lb receiver, Tekonsha brake controller,
PW injectors.

 

[Archive]

Lt is right abount the front diff. So long as an aftermarket limited slip or locker has not been installed, disabling your vacuum servo will cause no torque to either front wheel even though the front driveshaft is turning. The differential carrier, axle side gears and carrier pinion gears will rotate but have no load on them-which is the same situation you have in two wheel drive normally. In fact, theoretically, you will get better lubrication (because the ring gear is spashing oil everywhere), and less rotation (less wear) of the side and pinion gears relative to the carrier and each other (because the carrier is now rotating) although a little more drag on the engine (less fuel mileage).

"Carrier" and "differential case" are two names for the same thing.

As you know, the heat is coming from the torque converer "slipping", you might check out a low slip model (lower stall speed)
and this would help make the auto trans more efficient and run cooler in the non-lockup mode at the same time. You then solve the problem by not generation so much heat in the first place instead of trying to get rid of it after it is generated.

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'93 W350 Club Cab, 5 sp. , Factory Options: LE, 4. 10, LS, 7600 lb. rear springs, tachometer, front stabilizer bar. Mods: Banks stinger plus, Linex bedliner, 25,000 lb gooseneck, 10,000 lb receiver, Tekonsha brake controller,
PW injectors.

 

[Archive]

Des,
Valley Fuel Injection from Abbotsford BC, 1-888-841-8884 or 1-800-887-5030 (Rick) sell an under the box cooler with a fan installed. Controlled by a thermostat, I added a switch, turn the fan on anytime. They also sell deep pan transmission covers, hold 2 - 3 litres more fluid. You might also try AMSOIL in the transmission. My '93 D250 won't stand 10 lb boost for more than 2 - 3 minutes without the transmission heating up, engine is fine, but transmission notices the load. All of the above have certainly helped.
As for operation in 4L with the front drive disabled, be careful. Saw an article in a RV magazine about this, in 4L with the front wheels not getting any power, all the torque is absorbed by the rear axles and you could break one, ie, don't use too much power.


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Ian.

'93 D250 ext. cab. Upgraded injectors, 3. 5" exhaust, K & N filter, Xmsn oil cooler and fan, 4 gauge mount, mirror tubes reversed, RACOR fuel filter, larger transmission oil pan.

 

[Archive]

Regarding the under-the-bed transmission cooler package (specifically for '92's with an A518, but adaptable??), p/n 82400994 graciously provided by GeneH, there are now seven left in Dodge stock, where there were ten left last week.

Somebody's been listening and ordering!

 

[Archive]

I run a 518 in my '89 with a transmission kit and a Gear Vendors OD controller. Using Amsoil transmission fluid, my temp NEVER goes over 140 degrees, no matter what I'm pulling, even in Flrida "mountains" (those hills near Orlando!).