2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Drive Speed at Idle?

[Piston Slapper]

I was wondering what the average drive speed is at idle with a stock transmission? Truck in drive, engine at idle, how fast does your truck pull itself? I have read here before I thought that stock somebody's does 4-5 mph and 8-10 with upgraded trans. Mine does about 10-11 on flat ground. I was wondering possibility of aftermarket Torque Converter by chance had already been installed. I bought truck used with 60,000 miles.



Example: Say your in a parking lot like Wal-mart and your cruise'n the lot for a parking space. I have to apply the brakes when making the turn to change aisles. Speed is alittle too fast.



Slow stop and go traffic. I have to just ride the brake if going less than 10 mph.



My driveway is on the side of a hill. I back out of the drive and back down the hill (the street) leaving for work. I then go back up the hill to leave. I start in about the middle of the hill. Not a real steep hill, but a little more that most would want to do on a skate board to give an example. My truck will pull itself up the hill without mashing the accelarator.



Is this normal? Or did I get lucky? Please say lucky!!

 

[WadePatton]

not lucky just TORQUE

I don't have an auto, but I check out idle power one day.



I pulled out onto the road. Stopped then took off in 2, shifted to 3, shifted to 4, shifted to 5 --all without touching the throttle. I though overdrive would be bit much so I stopped at direct.



Dunno how fast, but it was cool.

 

[MarkF]

With a stick, you have noting to "slip" while idling with the truck in gear. With an auto the TC still "slips" untill it hits lock up in OD. I had the DTT works done with mine this past August. When stock, in gear, idling on flat it would barely move on its own. With the DTT TC it pulls pretty good at idle. I have a fairly steep hill for part of my driveway. Before DTT, the truck would hold position on the hill (no foot on brake or go pedal) with new TC it idles up the hill like it wasn't even there.

I dont know if this test is conclusive enough to determine you TC status, some stock are better than others. But it looks good. Maybe someone will chime in with some pysical descriptions of aftermarket vs stock that you can check through the bottom inspection cover on the bell housing.

(I dont work for DTT just like their stuff)

M

 

[dcasselberry]

Barrington:



You didn't mention the rpm's when your truck is at idle. You might be "lucky" as you say, or the idle setting for the throttle might be high. What does the tach say when your at idle?

 

[Piston Slapper]

Idle RPM

Idle RPM is 800-850.

 

[RADdodge]

Before I had my auto upgraded, I had to goose it a little to get it to move. It could idle all day long in drive and not move. You either have a very strong stock transmission or it’s been modified. I would guess at the latter. After modifying mine, it travels about 7-8 mph at idle as soon as you let off the brake.

 

[Dkevdog]

My 96' Auto with 4:10 rears and DTT 91% on flat ground will idle enough to shift from first to second and I can up to about 18mph - In fact, I have often shifted between D and N in traffic just because I get tired of riding the brake to hold her back!! I can also idle my truck up our inclined driveway without touchin the pedal.



Kev

 

[tgbol]

On level ground in 6th gear at an idle of 850 my speed is 28 mph.

Also in high gear I get 35 mph per 1000 rpm.

 

[Stranger]

So what's wrong with mine?

Idle speed is 750-800 in drive w/out the trailer it idles at 30mph after shifting. W/trailer about 25mph.



I guess there's nothing wrong, cause I like it Oo.

 

[TboneMan]

Like Wade, I also have the DEE, and have played a bit going through the gears in idle.



This past weekend I was towing a utility trailer (maybe 2000# total), up a small grade. I was following a school bus that was having trouble getting up the hill. I was in second gear, idling!



A friend in the passenger seat was quite impressed.

 

[pwr2tow]

I have never heard of a stock transmission that will pull with any kind of a load or uphill at idle, so my educated guess would be that you have an upgraded transmission.



With my upgraded transmission I can pull 21,000 lbs up a really steep hill at 1,000 RPM's. Which before the upgrade took 1800-2000 RPM's sounding like it could barely make it up the hill. Now I just idle up the hill at 1,000 and everyone just stands there in amazement watching me pull that load.



Ron

 

[Chipstien]

Pull off the inspection plate on the bottom of the bellhousing and see if the TC is painted (stock TC is unpainted). Also the stock TC doesn't have a drain plug but most aftermarket TC's do. Have somebody bump the starter while your watching the TC and see if there are any plugs. If you find a plug or it is painted then chances are good that you have an aftermarket TC. Good luck.

 

[Steve M]

Mine idles at 750-800rpm. It will idle right up to 8-10mph on flat ground. I bought it new and the transmission is stock. It's a big improvement over the stock transmission that was in my '95 auto. But it too would idle right up to 10+mph. I had to drag my brakes in heavy traffic to hold it back.

 

[carson6]

mine haul's but @ idle

thank's bill k.

 

[Crazy Horse]

My new 02 2500 idles out of the neighbor hood at 10-11 mph at an idle on flat road. There seems to be a noticable difference between this 47 RE and the one that was in my old 00 dually. They both had 3:54's. The 02 seems to have much firmer shift quality in all the gears and better lockup pressures at 60 mph and above. The RPM's and road speed stay together much better in the 02. Higher line pressure???