Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Lock/Unlock Torque Converter

[ike]

I have a 2002 3/4 ton 4X4 automatic, 355 gears. I pull a goose neck horse trailer (6,000 Lbs). At what hwy speed is it safe to put the truck back in over drive? This truck is all stock, my fuel milage pulling loaded is 10 to 11 MPG hwy. Is this typical??



IKE

 

[Moose Truck]

At 6,000 pounds it should be fine to tow on the flat in OD, however if the TC Unlocks alot then, drop her back into OD Off. You may want to do a "Mystery Switch" or a BD Towlock. Hope this helps.

 

[jandtjil]

Moose00 is right on the money.
6000, thats empty right? I would ask what size tires you are running, and how fast you normally pull.
10-11 MPG is probably very average, I for one never hand calculate mine. Where you live determines how average that figure is.
Most parts of Colorado, thats great mileage. Florida, not so great mileage. JJ

 

[TWilkening]

My rig has 3. 55s and I tow in overdrive quite a bit. As Moose already said, you can keep it in OD as long as the truck with stay in it. If if downshifts alot, you might want to lock it out. Me personally, I don't use OD when towing till I get up around 55-60. With my EZ on level 1, I have slipped the converter uphill at 50 mph in OD. On a stock rig, the truck will downshift before you have any danger of slippage. Sorry I can't help you much on mileage. I've only checked it a couple times since I've owned the truck. With a 3 horse gooseneck, I've gotten close to 15, but is was pretty much all flat. If you're in alot of hills, your mileage sounds pretty good.

 

[ike]

Thanks for replies. The horse and trailer weighs around 6000 lbs. I am running 285 16 tires on stock rims ( which I seem to ware out every 25 to 30,000 miles). I live in Missouri in the Ozarks so interstates are some what flat, with heathy grades, secondary roads are very hilly. I alway tow with over drive off under 50 MPH, I cruse interstate loaded at about 65 to 70 MPH. Will this stock transmission take a Juice with attitude up grade, if I only use the first setting? I am more interested in the monitoring aspects of the system that the power boost. What is a good brand of tire. I am running coursers, I have had the best luck with them but am not happy with relacing them at least once a year. Does wheel width (to narrow) effect tire ware?

 

[jandtjil]

As mentioned above, and I can relate the same, an Edge on level 1 has been enough to slip my trans. As long as your are shifting out of OD religiously, the trans should fair okay. Situations where it is right on the limit and you allow the RPMs to creep down, yet still keep your foot applied at 55 MPH or so, will be the slow death sentence to your trans. If I am lucky I will get another season of towing before it is time to rebuild/bomb, but I have no doubt the Edge EZ (and my right foot) helped to decrease the stock ATs life expectancy in our truck.
Michelins and Toyos are the extent of my experience on these trucks, I love the toughness of the Toyo's, but am drawn to the Michelin's quietness, ride, and mileage.

JJ

 

[TWilkening]

I can understand your mileage living in the Ozarks. I'vebeen in that neck of the woods quite a bit the last few months, and it gets downright hilly.
I can't say for sure on your Edge. I suppose any added power will eventually kill the transmission, but IMHO it's not adaquate on a stock truck, at least in the long run towing. Like I said earlier, I've the the converter on Level 1 with my EZ, but my rpms were too low.
As far as tires, I prefer Michelin. I'm sure other tires are just as good, they're just what I prefer. I used the LTX M/S on my truck. While I wouldn't go looking for the deepest mudhole I could find, They've done good for me. I've had to pull a van a mile up a clay road fresh after a rain as well as many times out in muddy fields. Not once have I thought I wouldn't make it out.

Hope this helps some.

TW