OK,

I'm almost all gauged up with the exception of the trans temp sending unit. Seems to be alot of controversy about the best location for the sending unit. Pan... Hot line to the cooler... Cooled return from the cooler....... Test ports seem to be the worst choice.

On my up to now mostly stock '03 DR, the cooler lines seem to be the simplest option. No bother with the pan, and easy to get to, but which one???? This is mostly a daily driver, but does occasionally haul a 6K gooseneck in the Sierra Nevadas. And...... It's soon to get a Quadzilla 0-100 hp chip.

How about it? Those in the know, please weigh in on the pros and cons of each location.

Thanks!
Ross

 

The simplest and according to transmission techs the most accurate reading install is the trans to trans cooler line from www.massdiesel.com.

Simple to install. Should take 10 minutes.

 

The only thing I don't like about that install is that the sensor probe is quite aways from the fluid flow. I played around with that quite a bit on my 95 gasser and found that if I opened up the area in the fittings around the temp probe, and moved it closer to the fluid flow it would react faster. I would say though that even in that configuration, it's better than the pan.

 

Which line are you boys cutting into? My '03 has a short hosed section on the hot line to the cooler, very convenient, but I'm not sure about pressure. Seems like this would be the best place to monitor the highest potential temps as they leave the tranny.

Ross

 

The front line is the hot line.

 

You didn't install yours and you say its easy?
Actually I did mine and it was. Just make sure your connectons are tight.

 

The place I bought my gauges from USED to sell the trans cooler line but quit selling it because of the high % of leaking problems. They recommended I use the test port. This is what I did in my '99 47RE and it worked fine. The problem was, even the short-style probe that came with my dipricol gauge bottomed out in the test port before it was tight... no good. So I ended up using a 1/8NPT to 1/4NPT adapter, 1/4NPT short nipple, and 1/4NPT back to 1/8NPT reducer just so I could have SOME gauge operability until I figured out what to do. Well, turns out I'm 100% satisfied with it the way it is. The gauge reacts fast. I was on a steep gravel switchback road in 4x4 the other day and in under a minute I saw my tranny temps climbing. I have also towed 10K through the mountains in hot weather and the gauge performed as expected. No leaks, cheap and easy install.

 

Where is the test port on the '05 autos located? I have all of my gauges hooked up except my trans one and it's time.

Thanks for any help.

 

FWIW, I called one of the trans performance shops. ATS maybe?

They prefered NOT to have it in the hot line. Their reasoning made sense to me. That line is the hottest trans fluid in the system. And it's heading off to the cooler to be cooled. The fluid in the pan is what the trans is taking in, and that is what they are concerned about.

Short of the pan, they said the test port was a good location as well. I used that, and it's worked well for me.

 

I used to have mine in a test port till I put a different pan on and it reads the same as it did in the test port so I think the port will work fine.

 

I have mine in the test port. I sent an email to ATS. Here is the reply:

My letter:

Hi,
>
> And thank you for your time. Since I don't have the money for an ATS
> tranny (Yet, I just purchased an 05 Dodge) I am installing gauges. A quick
> question: Is the rear facing test port an acceptable place for the tranny
> temp sensor? People on several forums have quoted ATS as saying this port is
> OK. I would prefer to hear it from the source and did not want to bother you
> with a phone call. Thanks in advance!
> Thank you,



*************
the reply.

Tom-
That test port works fairly well. Our first preference is always to have one of the high capacity pans with the tap built-in since that is where the valve body sits, but second choice would be the port you spoke of. Since you have not installed the gauge yet you might check out the pan option:

 

o

I make a much better Chief than a working Indian. My expertise is finding the right people to do what I can not do, too lazy to do or just dont want to do.

I just want to crank 'er up. Push a couple of buttons and go fast without breaking too much at once I am getting close to my 13 second 1/4, maybe couple of weeks .

 

I used the middle test port and it screwed right in just like it should. It reads just the same as my co-worker who put his in the pan.

TRAVIST

 

well, I can't find any test ports on mine. I checked in the member's photos in this thread, but found nothing...but a nice place to mount the gauges Can someone tell me where the test ports are? preferably the "middle one" since TravisT said his co-worker gets the same reading...

secondly, the last two replies above have their gauges mounted in the cubby hole (in-dash mount). what brand is that in-dash mount?

 

My 3 gauge console pod is from Autometer http://hp.autometer.com/products/mou...od_truck.html, I think I paid $28 through 4wheelparts. A number of online sites sell them, I assume they are the same pod.