wilderness

So I'm trying to figure out the best way to make my current transmission last as long as possible. It shifts and locks better than my last '97 and so far seems to be a well built tranny. The previous owner had it replaced about 15k ago.
So what's your OD rule, on or off? On my last truck I turned mine off religiously when under 55 and obviously pulling a trailer. But my newest addition, I've actually been running it on most of the time unless in heavy traffic or pulling a trailer.
I haven't noticed any unusual slipping or lock /unlock. Only problem I've had was when pulling a trailer around 55 with OD on, the converter stays locked going up hill and won't kick down unless you do the old tap the brake trick.
Let me know how you set your OD and how your transmission has held up over the years.

gorms

A transmission temp gauge in the "hot" line will tell when to kick out of OD. I used to do the same, under 50-55 let off the throttle or hit the o/d off button to unlock/kickdown. EGTs go down but trans temps go up unlocked.

Now I have a manual.

joem

when hauling my friends 15K EX65 hoe I kept OD locked until the RPM got down towards 1300 and it started to vibrate the truck enough to annoy me, then id just let the speed drop below 45 and ran OD unlocked to smooth things out. 3rd locked works well on steep stuff, but is sooo slow I cannot stand it and find myself hammering it back up to 60MPH

infidel

I use the off under 55 method but do tow on the flat with OD locked.
Stock tranny went 180k miles before I upgraded mainly because I had the money, tranny was still good to go.

wilderness

What kind of transmission did you swap the stock one for? I'm planning to do the same, buy one while mine is still good. I've noticed I get frustrated when I start having problems and just want it fixed instead of getting what is best.

jrs_dodge_diesel

I have a temp sensor in the hot line on my truck. If I will be driving 45 for a while, I'll leave O/D off, and if there is hills. This is unloaded, and temperature never seems to be an issue. Usually between 140º-160º on the highway. I've seen up to 210º on a hot stop and go day.

Towing is another story. I'll manipulate the gears to keep the engine RPM's up and EGT's down. Transmission temp while I am towing to me is a secondary consideration but I do try to keep it below 200º as best possible.

infidel

I had a Suncoast Triple-Disk with all the bells and whistles put in.
They said it will hold 700hp, cost about $5k.

kawi600

I got a converter with a 4-disc setup. Dunno if it lasts any longer than the singles. I dont run a lockup switch but my old one died on me and prompted a trans rebuild.
I also wonder how much engine RPM (and trans fluid pressure and flow rate) factor into clutch life. If you lug the motor all the time is this better or worse on it? Before I re-adjusted my TV cable and TPS it spent a lot of time around 1000rpm.
Shifting into OD on a hill before the engine was ready got real old real fast.

joem

mine is in OD by 30MPH, locks at 45. seems pretty good.

blackimpala

I rebuilt mine at 200,000, it was still working fine. After getting inside I found that the clutch plates in the trans were good but the OD clutches were worn down to nothing.

I had always drove with the OD on.

Floyd

Don T

I now have 310000 km on my with a billet single 47 rh. Have gauge on the hot line. never see any hotter than 150 towing 10500 lb fiver on the high way. OD and TC locked above 80 kph or 50mph for you all. The only time I did see high temps was backing up the fiver . So I added a 4x4 direct cable to my front drive. I pull it into 4 low now and have bags a power with out the front drive locking up . I pulled a dump trailer this fall with 4 bins of cull carrots and three in the truck box at 600lb a bin. After 6 trips at 75 miles round trip I destroyed my rear tires . went from 11 32nd tread to bald . The truck pulls real good and now need to find a better tire lol.

kawi600

I really think worn discs has to do with fluid pressure and clamping force. Im guessing the lockup clutches also use fluid pressure (?). Might explain why mine died.
I got a 48RE pump installed this time according to my builder. Also had him raise the fluid pressure a little.
I have an idea on the TV cable to 'manually' control the shifting. Get one of those lockable PTO type cables to put tension on the TV cable somewhere. Would force the trans to run a lower gear when needed. Wont control the lockup and OD need a resistor for that.

cromulius

Roughly 215k on mine and ive always driven with od on. Ive owned since 157k and the transmission was not on the list of parts the previous owner replaced. Original trans at 215k is pretty good in my book. I dont tow much these days though.

kawi600

I think it may have something to do with converter stall and RPM as well. Lugging the motor around town with a low stall converter for example.
Im looking into a higher stall speed but funds are tight as usual.

oldblues

hi ,
325,000 miles on my stock trany!

well not compleatly stock as i installed a valve body kit transgo tfod-diesel

hit your od button to down shift out of od lockup

change fluid and filter every 100,000

use wallmart pluss 4 fluid !

no issuees yet ?