I just finished towing for the first time with my 92 CTD. It was not what I expected. The laod was a 20 foot steel gooseneck, my tractor and hay mower, altogether about 12000. It started getting hot about 3-4miles into the haul. By getting hot, going over halfway on the gauge in the truck. I turned on the heater and the temp went down and stayed right around halfway of the gauge. I was running no more than 45-50 at the most during the trip. Second, the towing preformance of the truck was a little disapointing, It does not seem to pull the load much better than my F150 5.4 3:73 gas burner. It was more stable due to the dual wheels. The truck runs great and on the way back without th tractor it did not even seem to run a temperature. My overdrive shutoff switch is not working for some reason , but I do not think that was a factor becauseI never got fast enough to really kick it in. I am doing something wrong or maybe expecting too much. I am going to take this to a mechanic and have it checked out. When I pulled the same load with my f150 it never hinted at getting hot even with the AC on full blast, I did always tow with od locked out though. Thanks in advance for any advice/ suggestions

 

I don't pull anything to speak with authority but, if you didn't get into the actual HOT zone of the guage, what makes you feel there's something wrong? My heap runs at the halfway mark normally just getting groceries.

Also, how hot was it outside? Are you running up hill a bit?

Regarding the OD, I do know there's a thermal switch in the trans plumbing that will disallow the OD after a certain trans temp. Are you running a trans temp gauge?

David

 

I run 2/3 of the way up empty on a 80* day. Id kill to get to see only 1/2 hot when towing. I think youre trucks okay.

 

I plan to put in a transtemp gauge in the near future, so I have to rely on the stock gauge . I know very little about these trucks , but am learning. It just seemed uncomfortable to watch that gauge going up . It never got to 3/4 or close to the H. how reliable are these stock gauges anyway? I like to have clear numbers not just L , H for low and high. I plan to install a tach, trans temp at least. Maybe an EGT. but I do not plan on turning this thing up . Was the load I was pulling a lot for this truck? It just did not seem to really walk off with it like it"should have" maybe I was expecting too much? One other question . How many gallons is the fuel tank on this truck, 22? My odometer is broken and I am really interested in what kind of mileage this truck gets. I guess I will have to fill it up, drive a known distance , fill up and calculate. Thanks for your expertise and experience.

 

Fuel tank is 30 gals. The stock gauges are not very good. The only way to really see how hot your running is to get mechanical gauge on there. I'll have to bet that your temps are ok.

 

Being stock, its not just going to run away with a 12000 lb load. It still takes a bit for my truck to get going with our dump trailer loaded, to about 12-13k. Ratings for your truck are 160hp/400lb ft. You may be trying to compare to how newer Dodges pull, with 600lb ft.

I agree about the temp gauge-itd be nice to have numbers. Im not sure how reliable they are, but I am going to add an Autometer to my gauges.
Fuel tank is 30 gallons, most of them atleast are.

 

I have read alot of posts where people talk about 3200 springs and such, when you "turn" these diesels up does it take away from the longevity of the engine? Also what does it do to fuel mileage? I want to get this truck right and keep it up for 10-20 years or so, and I do not want to burn it up or melt the turbo charger. I have read about these really high EGT's and blowing head gaskets. I just want a dependable truck that can handle a heavy load on occasion. I hope I did not make a big mistake getting this truck. What do I need to do to get this truck to do what I want and still be around in 10 years? Thanks

 

A low stall torque converter will make a big difference.

Turning them up a little doesn't hurt them, and mileage stays about the same if you continue to drive the same way.

 

I'd be very suspect of any OE gauges. My temp gauge, has never made it to the 1/4 mark. (then again, I've never seen my amp-gauge move either)
Pulling 12K lbs., I think quality instruments would be a good move. I've spent some time in a 02 5.4 F250. It pulls pretty good, but like most loaded gas engines, I get the feeling they'd rather be in a car. The diesels take some time to get up to speed, but they feel more "at home" pulling a load to me.

 

12K with a stock truck that already weighs in at 6k is a load. OE gauges suck, I would not worry. I see its a 92, is it intercooled or non? the automatic takes away a bit of the power too.
As far as turning up the truck, reliabilty/dependabilty, is all on YOU. Maint. driving habits, ect. an EGT guage and trans temp, n mech engine temp are all nessecary for a hauler/work truck.
turn it up with no fear. Your only helpin it by giving it the fuel it wants.
I suggest a torque convertor for what u seem to be doing with the truck, it'll help put more power to the ground, and your tranny will thank you.
Turning up a diesel isnt so much what a lot of guys make out to be "all smokey, butt haulin glory" but diesels just need a kick in the pants.

 

92 would be intercooled. 91 was the swap year.

 

oh, DUH darn Percaset. OK, well ya got the good cooling, and bad turbo then! at least its automatic, so the 21 only effects u once. ok i shouldnt say bad turbo, just major lag! Dont waste your time or money on a shop. just get a mechanical temp guage. FIRST

 

HAHA! Atleast you have a reason for forgetting stuff, unlike me.

 

According to the factory service manual, the temp will rise under hard load. It is OK to run it with the needle on the other side of the middle half way between the marks. It should never go outside of the "normal area". The normal area is the area connected by the line at the bottom forming and arch. I totally agree that the factory gauges are suspect at best. In fact I would not give two cents for electrical gauges on a good day. That is just my opinion. Wannadiesel is right on time about the torque converter. That would be money well spent. The factory torque converter is a compromise at best. It is loose and generates heat in the fluid that goes into the engine through the heat exchanger underneath the turbo. A good valve body, or shift kit will go a long ways towards a longer transmission life. Get gauges, then see if your concerns are well founded. That truck will do what you ask it to do.

Take a close look at your throttle linkage. If the throttle has some wear, you may not be getting all that is available. The bushings on the throttle shaft are plastic and wear out. This allows your foot to go to the floor but dosen't necessarily allow the throttle lever to travel all the way.

I was very disappointed at the performance of my truck when I first got it two years ago. Now I catch myself bragging loud and often.

 

at 1/2 temp dont even worry about it only start to worry at 3/4
here some things id do if i were you
1 get a pyro guage
2 get rid of that 21 cm housing get at least a 18
3 turn the timing up 1/8
4 turn up that pump at least 1 turn on power screw
5 load up that tractor and that f 150 and enjoy

these trucks weight about 6000lbs +tractor12000lbs thats 18000lbs
ive pulled over 20000 lbs + truck lots with mine