That IS one mother of a grade but would'nt that truck be able to handle it even with those gears/tires considering the weight? He is not so heavy as to be at the end of capacity. Even with that grade I would think the truck had enough extra to keep it in the comfort zone, and at 65mph.
Larger tires can be a liability but they also represent more momentum once a certain speed has been reached therefore cancelling out their larger size if not possibly helping a little.

Big Jimmy

 

One problem towing with larger tires is that they raise (lower numerically) the effective gear ratio, which works against you when trying to pull a hill.

Rusty

 

Let's get back to helping 427AC find a solution to his problem please. I received a "Report Bad Post" notice for this thread from a reader (someone who has not posted in this thread) and I agree that we don't need to be beating up on one another.

With that said,,,,, I think we all can agree that the engine temp problem needs to be addressed first.


Thanks,
Dennis

 

Kinda curious if you have guages and what you were seeing for numbers?? That will help in trying to diagnose your problem. It could be that you have a boost leak, your boost fooler is acting up causing truck to de-fuel, radiator could be clogged, thermostat could be acting funky, fan clutch is bad, torque converter not locking up ( which if it's built it SHOULD be ).

Kinda need some more specifics on what was going on. And yes that is one heck of a steep grade, but you should still not be heating up and it should pull that grade fairly well.


~Nick

 

FWIW same grade pulling 7k TT last year bone stock '02 max 45mph up that big grade. 265 70 16's 4sp auto.

Bill.

 

Exactly! I've pulled that grade several times and with a load and trying to keep the truck in 1 piece, 40-60 seems to be about right. You have to remember that the air gets thinner as you go up and the turbo loses air volume. I gained a couple mph from stock to bombed but keeping egt's under control is the problem. Heck I could do 80 up at least 1 time!

You said you buddys Ford pulled it 65? did he have tall tires and 3.55 gears or stock tires with 4.10's? This would make a hugh differance.

Can you hear your fan clutch kick in?? Sounds like a jet overhead.

Knowitall

 

I AGREE...AFTER 15 YEARS WORKING IN A STORE THAT SERVICES THESE TRUCKS, AND THE DURAMAX'S, THATS QUITE A LOAD, AT A PRETTY GOOD GRADE.
AND JUST FYI, YOUD BETTER GET 2 DUARMAX'S...LOL...YOULL HAVE A HARD TIME PULLING A POP-UP TRAILER MORE THAN 40MPH ON THOSE GRADES

 

The combination of thin air, steep grade, and 8000lb is a tough one. A stock '99 truck should struggle to keep speed, but NOT keep cool under those conditions.

My suggestions:

1) Clean backside exterior of radiator (relocating oil puke bottle will prevent problem recurrence).

2) Verify fan clutch and thermostat functions.

3) Consider a coolant additive like Redline's Water Wetter or Royal Purple's Purple Ice-- both work well in an otherwise healthy system; they won't atone for a bad cooling system, though.

OR

4) Upgrade to a waterless coolant like Evans NPG+. With the NPG+, you could pull that grade all day at 220 without a care in the world (aside perhaps from oil temps).

5) Lock out OD or find a way to lock the Torque Converter to reduce heat load from trans to radiator (as Rusty JC alluded to).


It's not clear from your post if the main complaint is high temps or low power or both. I've addressed the hot temps above.

For lower power, try to first addressing the trans. You may find that a beefed up auto trans will fix BOTH your low power AND hot temp problems!


Then there's always the usual hop-ups for a little more oomph-- injectors, boxes, exhaust, etc.

 

Another vote for cleaning the backside of your radiator. I just got through flushing my coolant and really got a good look at the backside and I couldn't believe how clogged it was. I relocated my puke bottle a couple years ago and I didn't notice at the time (bad lighting I think) how filthy it was.

Also, throw in some more cowbell and you should be good. That's a classic Hohn.

 

Would be interesting to know what kind of EGTs you wer showning. That is what I notice most with living here. You mention you have some mods that seem to me could be VERY influential to the EGTs. I can run the long climbs here with the box turned off and keep it mashed for a long time, but even if I turn the box up 1/2 way, it would certainly melt the turbo into a puddle.

 

Sorry Dennis. Im sure it was probably my second post on this thread that was reported. I just get offended when people dont respect my opinion, or act like Im just another dumb teenager, and i kinda lost my temper. I work my truck, and I respect it because I have to drive it every day; and I dont like breaking things. Just because im a teenager, it should not classify me as being dumb or as driving my truck like I stole it, because I dont.
RickCJ: Sorry for coming across the way I did. I guess it just kinda Irked me when you said that. No hard feelings here.

Eric

 

Just because im a teenager, it should not classify me as being dumb or as driving my truck like I stole it, because I dont.


Agreed- 1000%!

 

Well Put HOHN!!! The troubleshooting list gave me goosebumps!!! I am with RickCJ on this. That is a alot of grade and yeah the load don't sound like alot in comparison to what some of us pull with our trucks, but grade and elevation plus gear ratio and tire size play tremendously into the performance of the engine! I grew up just on top of the mountain from Where RickCJ is located, and i can assure you that he is speaking from a great amount of experience. The grades on RTE22 and 422 are no joke . Absolutely check the radiator, and if you can please post the gage readings(if you have them installed) that will help to determine the root cause of the problem. The more information you can provide as the attitude of the truck, maybe any odors that you may have noticed or unusual sounds will also assist in resolving the problem.
R/
Eric

 

I have never drove the grade that you all are referring to in Denver. However, I have pulled the grade coming east out of Salt Lake on I-80 and that grade is a pretty steep *****! Of course I have 4:10's with the 6spd & 255's, but I pulled that grade 6th gear in CC at 70 with about 8-9K on the bumper. Just some more useless info I suppose.....LOL

 

Where is 427AC?

1st What are your EGT's?

2nd. Replace SuperChips with an EZ.

3rd. Watch EGT's Lower, and Water temps drop

4th. Lock-up the Torque converter. Watch Trans and Water Temps drop.



Merrick