targaboat
sulphur springs, tx, usa
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Joined: 09/20/2004
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You just keep the rpm up regardless of the gear. Rpm goes too low you down shift another gear. You do not keep it in 2 if the rpm gets too slow. Otherwise you could safely run all day in 2.
Fly Boy
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Mr_MrsSchlepprock250
Archdale NC
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Joined: 04/01/2010
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Here's the difference in a stock 7.3 trans cooler and a 6.0trans cooler,definately the best mod I've done to my truck.
Phil&April
'99F-250Superduty4x4/CrewCab/7.3
'04Tahoe4x4/5.3
Sierra/Forest River 30'TT
We used to have Johnny Cash and Bob Hope,now we have no cash and no hope.
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wildbyon
Tulsa, OK
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Joined: 06/09/2006
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I think the 6.0 cooler you got is the best choice for cooling, but don't forget that you may have to work on the other end of the equation....what is generating all that heat is torque converter slippage. I installed a ThruCool and it helped but did not solve the problem. Steep, slow climbs are extremely tough and hard to keep the tc locked up. I've since installed a Precision Industries triple disc tc and it locks up much better, although I can still see the temp's climb in those situations. I'm considering a manual tc lock up switch. The best advice is that if you tow in the mountains and don't have a tranny temperature gauge get one!
'01 Ford F350-7.3l PS Diesel, Lariet, Crew Cab, 4x4, Dully,
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2old4a-tent
texas
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Joined: 07/27/2009
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I installed a temp gauge after the first time this happened. I was watching my temps this last time and it got to just around 200. I didn't realize what the hot zone was for a transmission. There is a red zone on the gauge but it is way up near 250 or so. I was just ignorant of what is hot. Good thing is I only drove another 2 miles on relatively low grade incline once the temp hit 200. I refilled, and noticed no burnt smell on the fluid when I checked the level, and no notice of slippage on the 150 mile trip back home. I'm still going to completely flush the system when I install the cooler.
I appreciate all the input from you guys.
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TURBODOG1000
INDY
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Joined: 03/15/2007
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200 degrees is not too hot. Check out this chart. http://www.tciauto.com/Products/TechInfo/trans_life_expectancy.asp
I pull a heavy TT for my truck, I am within all weights for my heavy payload F150. That being said, using my ScanGauge, unloaded my tranny temp is 140, pulling the TT it reads 170 to 200. The hottest temp I have ever seen was 260 for about 5 minutes at the top of the last long pull from the east gate into Yellowstone, I have seen 240 many times pulling over the smoky mtns, but it cools off fast when going down the other side. I have the factory towing package trans cooler, I have put a 6" electric fan on the front cooler, I have not noticed a large differance in temp with the fan running or not, but I think it has to be helping some.
I know that the transmission is the weak link in my drive train so I have been changing the trans fluid every year, approx 15,000 miles.
2005 F150 XLT Supercab LB Heavy Payload 5.4, 4.10
2007 Jayco Jayflight 31BHDS
Back-up camera on the TT with infrared & microphone
Prodigy
ScanGauge II
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2 canoes, 1 kayak, and a dog (Tootsie)
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2old4a-tent
texas
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Good to see that chart! I know I didn't get over 200 degrees. Thanks
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HappyTrails2U2
Yazoo City, MS & Atlanta, GA
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Joined: 11/11/2009
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In my opinion the best thing to do is to not change out the transmission cooler that you already have on the truck but rather just add an auxiliary transmission cooler to it in front of your radiator. I put a Hayden 8 pass cooler on mine. Bought it at O'Reilly Auto Parts Store for approx. $45 bucks. Temperature stays about the same no matter where I'm towing.
2010 Rockwood Signature Ultra Lite 8315BSS
2003 Chevy Silverado Extended Cab 4.8
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Brian in MO
NE MO
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Joined: 05/14/2010
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I have been told that any time you are under 45mph the tranny is not in "lock". In other words it is slipping internally (it is designed this way which is way they shift smoothly) this builds alot of heat in a hurry. I know sometimes you just can't pull a big hill or steep grade at 45mph, but it does help if you can keep your speed and rpms up. By the way this is why I no longer have a auto and now have a 6-speed, no slipping and I control the gear I'm in.
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MitchF150
NW
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Joined: 07/13/2002
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Lee185 wrote:I've got the same problem with my 07 F-150
I pulled over for an hour & let it cool off.
Did you keep the engine running? If you put it in neutral and let it idle, it should have cooled back down in less then 10 minutes?
I've had mine up around 210* when I pull in front of my house after a long haul.. (it gets hotter in that mile and a half from the freeway, then it does going 100 miles on the road!)
Anyway, I let it idle while I take of the WD bars off before putting it in it's parking spot on the side of the house.. By the time I'm ready to park it, the temp is back down to around 180* where it was on the freeway...
Even not moving, my fan pulls a good amount of air thru the grill and past the trans cooler...
Mitch
1997 F150 XLT, 4x4, SuperCab, ShortBox, 5.4, 3.55 gears, Prodigy, EAZ-Lift WD hitch, Autometer Water/Trans temp gauges, 228,000 miles (GVWR #6250 GCWR #12500)
2003 Prowler Lynx 722F (GVWR #5000)
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Lee185
Paradise Ca,
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Joined: 06/23/2010
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MitchF150 wrote: Did you keep the engine running? If you put it in neutral and let it idle, it should have cooled back down in less then 10 minutes?
Mitch
No it was in park. I'll try it in Neutral if it ever happens again.
Thanks for the tip. Lee
07 F-150 XLT Screw 4 X 4 5.4L 3:73
Gryphon Programmer
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06 Pioneer 27FQS TT
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