After I get the truck back on the road I was thinking of adding a temp guage to the trans.

Looking at getting an Autometer Z series and putting it in a column pod.
http://autometer.com/cat_gaugedetai...gid=3233&sid=12

What temp range would work? 0-250 enough for the getrag?

What temp is to hot for the trans when towing?

 

Even if it does get hot, its not like there is a cooler on it to cool it down if you do stop. Save your coin

 

I have been looking at a pair of Fast Coolers for it.

Maybe it is just coincedence, but my trans started making bearing noise after a trip towing from colorado springs back home to north central ks. Was a long non-stop pull except for fuel on a 100 degree plus day.

 

I think it is a good idea. If it starts to get hot you can slow down or pull over . . . probably better options than having to rebuild her again. FWIW, mopar2ya installed a cooler on his transmission with a pump and heat exchanger -- he put on 1mm miles delivering boats I think it was.

I want to say that 300 degrees is the start of the danger zone for the transmission, but I may be all wet on that.

 

Fast coolers would be a good investment if you tow with it. 0-250* should be fine. 225* is probly the top end you'd see. I know with the tractor trailer 10 speeds, hottest I would ever see is 225*. Hottest I ever seen with my getrag was 180*, hot day, 3 hour drive, empty. Most of the time I'd never see the gauge move, as I don't tow. It would take a long highway drive for the gauge even to budge. I have the same z-series gauge as well. Doesn't the Fast coolers have a 1/8npt port for a gauge? I don't have a cooler, I put my sender in the drain plug hole. Never could keep it from leaking, no matter how tight I got things.

 

yes, they have a port for a guage, as wel as a fill plug on top with magnetic dipstick.

I was also thinking of adding the guage to it before I invested in the coolers just to see if they were even needed. Then if they were it would give a good before/after comparison.

I can always find aother use for the guage.

 

i have a pic of the sending unit in the fastcooler i just got
installed in my 93 w/nv4500 p.m me you e-mail address if you would like to see it

 

I think if you tow heavy a trans temp gauge is a good idea. I wouldn't want to see it over 240. If it gets hot in 5th, drop it into 4th (direct drive) and it will cool off pretty quick. I would not expect the fast coolers to be real effective. If you want a good cooler, you will need to pump the oil through a heat exchanger like Mopar2ya did.

 

I have seen Getrags get blistering hot pulling big 28-32' cattle trailers in the South--Miss.,Louis.,Ala.,Georgia.

I have seen them hot enough to smoke.

This was on new trucks with less than 100,000 miles on them.

Nobody knew to add an extra quart and half of oil; and, Synthetic was either non-existent or unheard of.

If we had gauges, I am sure the needle would have pegged.

If I keep the Getrag, I plan on a recirculating, electric-pumped, cooler with a gauge.

I also have a dipstick/filler tube design floating around in my head.

 

Im just running an el cheapo wal-mart Water temp guage. A thermocouple is a thermocouple doesnt matter what fluid its working with. Have been using mine for 4 years in both ATF and now my Getrag, and its working fine. Just removed the drain plug, and threaded the brass adaptor on, and boom, no leaks, works great.

Like Bill said, the highest ive seen was 190* and that was on a long haul. It actually takes quite a while to get warm.