best gear for lowering trans temp

[DBentley]

The 06 seems to run much hotter than the 96 trans both stock

I run soft sand 4-5 miles with a loaded bed 2500 lbs aired down 12 -16 psi ,4 low, od off and shift in 1d. Would it run cooler in tow haul ?

 

[Triton]

what are you considering hot ? on average the running temps I've seen on a stock trans are between 160F and 190F

With my built transmission, I now see up to 210F sometimes but, that's if I'm towing.

I get better results with OD off rather than using the " tow/haul" It holds the gears longer but, still shifts when I don't want it to.

 

[cerberusiam]

4 low, od off and shift in 1d

Not sure what 1d is but if you mean manual 1st then that is probably your heat problem. TC is not locking up and its what generates the heat. Try running in manual 2nd and see if that helps.

 

[JDerrick]

I have noticed that the trans in my 06' heats up MUCH faster than that of my old 99'. My average temps vary between 170ish and 185. But don't take long to shoot up to 194-200+ deg in light-city stop and go traffic and also when in the off road environment. I regularly shift the truck in 4 low when I am out in the dirt. As long as I can keep the TC locked up I keep the heat down, when it is unlocked the trans heats up VERY fast. I would love to be able to hang another trany cooler on the truck somewhere, just not quite sure of the practicality. Also has anyone had luck with keeping temps down with using a deep or double deep trans pan from mag hightec ? With more oil capacity, is this just more oil to have to worry about keeping cool ? Or is there a noted reduction in heat with the added capacity?

 

[DBentley]

I bring the auto trans selector all the way down to gear 1 thats what i meant by 1d. When i said hot I saw 215ish and almost pooped my pants.

That seems like border line cooking transmission? Its an accutemp clamp on per genos directions and the same gauge and sender from my 96.

So running in gear 1 is not good mabey ill leave in drive and use od off?

Had 2 fords and a 96 2nd gen with same load,same tires,same airdown,same sand conditions and never ran this hot. I miss the old 96 now

 

[cerberusiam]

Only 215? Thought you had a real problem but that doesn't sound bad for driving like you said with no lockup. Try running in second and get the TC locked and see what the temp does.



ATF+4 is a group 3 sythentic and can stand temp spikes to 325 degrees without breaking down. Its not unusual to see 240-250 starting out a heavy load on grade, backing a large trailer, or accelerating on an on ramp loaded. Doesn't seem to hurt them and by all the info I can find and talking to the trans builders as long as you are not pushing the high temps, 290 and above, consistently you should be OK. If you want a little more piece of mind change the fluid more often.



FWIW, I normally see 220 in stop and go driving or accelerating with a load in the summer and have had zero problems in 77k.

 

[CarlsonR]

Maybe I'm mistaken, but I thought i read in the service manual that any time your selector is is in any 4wd position your TC will not go into lockup mode via signal from trans control module.

 

[steved]

As long as the converter is unlocked, ther's not much you can do about excessive heat (short of getting the largest cooler with a dedicated fan you can buy).



steved