Terms/Definitions/Answers Not Found

[Sregorb]

OK, Ok, so I'm new.

There now that that's out of the way I can get to the questions that I still have not found answers for yet.....



1. Torque Converters locking up at XYZ MPH. Ok, I am able to follow the theory behind the transfer of power and temp due to slipping and the desire to 'lock' so that a higher percentage of power is transferred versus 'lost' to the fluid etc. BUT, how do you tell thru feel, sound, whatever, when your TC is or is not in locked up state?



2. Lockers. Are there any (ARB, Detroit, etc) lockers on the market that, a. fit the 02 Dodge Ram 2500, b. Don't require the complete replacement of axel housing, c. Can be turned on/off easily?



3. Scan tools. Is the ODB2 compatible with our trucks? Do you have to have a certain software package/update to work? Or do you have to go to the dealer and rely on their ($4,300!!!!!) system, nevermind the $78 "diagnostic" fee, to tell you the IAT sensor is dirty?



4. Air Compressors and Resevoirs. What size is 'most common' and what would the recommended be for running air tools, air horns, and tire inflation.



5. Shocking ground? Do you fuse both sides of power or just the positive cable feed when installing power runs from the battery to say a brake controller/Air Compressor/stereo/etc? I've heard both but that seems to go against what I knew about having a grounded system (the truck).



6. Grossly overweight? Can the addition of aftermarket items (Shocks, airbags, more leaves, etc) raise the GVW or is written in stone that if you have a camper on and you get into an accident you will be found liable due to an overweight vehicle and your insurance co. dumps you? No, this is not from experience.....



7. Aux fuel tanks. What's with the terms transfer versus aux? Don't they both a. hold fuel, b. put fuel in main tank when needed, c. look great?



Anyway, sorry for the long one post rather than a bunch of individual, trying to be efficient. If you can answer one or all of the above, please do!



Brian

 

[Todd T]

1. the easiest way to see converter lock up is at highway speeds lightly tap the brakes without letting off the throttle. you will see the rpm's increas a few hundred and then go back down. that was the converter unlocking and then locking back up.



now, the transmission as it shifts also locks and unlocks the converter. you will notice in third you will feel the 3-4 shift and then what feels like another shift. that is the converter locking after the 3-4 shift. usually around 50MPH in a stock truck/transmission.



2. there are ARB's for the front and rear. i dont like the ARB lockers for reasons that they dot always work if they havent been worked much. you can also put lockers in either end. and convert from vacuum actuated to cable actuated front axle controls. also you will see 2WD LOW conversions. these allow you to shift into the low side of your transfer case without locking the front axle in.



7. transfer tanks are generally for carrying fuel and transfering it to other vehicles. some guys use them to refill the main tank and auxilary tanks are used the same way. either refill, switch over to or increase volume of the main.

 

[Champane Flight]

Nada

Nothing can raise your rated GVW. However with after market equipment upgrades you can make your vehicle more stable, stop better, and less likely to fail you in an overweight condition. I usally don't count pounds and if within 500# over or under GVW, I am gone. To me a well maintained truck, balanced and well tied down load are more important. I know the truck can handle it. I do not condone grossly overloading a truck, I do not count pounds that often though. In any accident involving a overload, they usually take sticker weights. If your vehicle is rated for 8800#, you weight empty 6800# and your camper has a dry weight of 2000#, you are legal. Unless of course you have fifteen people in the camper at the time of the accident.



If someone wanted to make a federal case out of it they may be able to. However the investigating officer will usually take the stickers and go. Most GVWs are set on the VERY safe side for liability reasons. If you have ever been overseas and seen some of loads carried by Toyotas and such, you will see what the vehicles are made of. I can just imagine what they would do with a Dodge Cummins!



I just fuse the positive side of any electrical installation. Make sure you use a heavy enough gauge of wire, have a good ground, and use a fuse rated properly.

 

[RottnDogue]

Positive side only... ... Oo. Oo. Oo. Oo. Oo.



Darren

 

[Sregorb]

Great!

Thanks for the replies so far. Let's see that knocks out 1,2,5,6,7. Anyone for 3 or 4? (and of course any additional embellishing on the previous always helps too). .





Brian

 

[JohnMcIntyre]

#4

You should check out the websites for two particular TDR members, who've got this one nailed between them



(1) Dave Fritz and



(2) ToolManTimTaylor