BTS trans installed
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 241
Likes: 32
I'm at about 5K miles on her, and towing a 9K dry trailer every other weekend. I'm towing in 3rd at 2500, 62-64mph, and she is just awesome. Loaded down, I'm guessing I'm at 10.5K. Pulled a very tall grade twice this last month and she rocks. Shifts fast and firm, but never jarring, even on that grade. Hasn't hit over 180'-ish so far, that I've seen. Generally right around 160-170'. Still loving her; more every time I tow.
Got Data?
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 4,262
Likes: 1,397
From: Lake Stevens, WA
...He specifically told me to take it out, get up to some speed, then downshift it a gear and let off the throttle. He said, "You can use my trans to help brake the truck, but you need to go see for yourself. Once you do that and the truck slows, let it get slower and drop it into 1st. You'll see the nose of the truck dip down. It'll help coming down a grade or hill when you're towing...
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 241
Likes: 32
There is definitely more resistance in downhill sections, Jeff. It's nowhere near an exhaust brake, though. I don't have to ride the brakes, but I will reach down and finger the trailer brake controller lever. It was a decent grade, @ 15-20 minutes at 4-6%. With the stock trans, I would have absolutely had to use the service brakes and trailer brakes to keep her reasonable.
Got Data?
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 4,262
Likes: 1,397
From: Lake Stevens, WA
That is an improvement. It is nice to just tap the trailer brakes with the controller if that's all it takes. Good to hear. You've got all the mods you need at this point it seems, based on your signature, for a great tow rig.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 241
Likes: 32
I don't know, Bonanza. I didn't replace one or put one in, but if it has one OEM, then it's probably still got it somewhere. I didn't see one when I put the cooler in, however.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,712
Likes: 107
From: BoCoMo
TransTemp gauges were not OEM
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,041
Likes: 72
From: Springfield
I can and have seen around 170 with mine but that’s going through the OBD2 port which I was told will read about 10° hotter than a gauge at the pressure port. Ive got the smaller 6.0 cooler and the lines are routed through the main radiator like factory.
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Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 241
Likes: 32
I'm planning several trips with the family out of CA this year. Our first trip will be either to AR by way of central TX, or up through ID and down to TX. We haven't made up our minds yet, but the first trip is set for 2 weeks in April. She's getting us prepped to leave for good, but we need to explore a bit before we commit to an area. I'm going to keep a written log of what we did and how she performed loaded down (the truck, not the wife).
I'd be lying if I said I was comfortable with a 4-5K mile trip and a 225k mile truck, but I've saved for, swapped out and bled installing most of the stuff I figure could be the major breakdown points. I've got good kids and a good wife, but their confidence in my mechanical abilities coupled with their ignorance of how many millions of things could go wrong give me heartburn just typing this. When I express any hesitation to her, she says, "It'll be fine. You just spent $6K on a transmission. What else could go wrong?". I smile and mumble under my breath, "...a lot...".
I'd be lying if I said I was comfortable with a 4-5K mile trip and a 225k mile truck, but I've saved for, swapped out and bled installing most of the stuff I figure could be the major breakdown points. I've got good kids and a good wife, but their confidence in my mechanical abilities coupled with their ignorance of how many millions of things could go wrong give me heartburn just typing this. When I express any hesitation to her, she says, "It'll be fine. You just spent $6K on a transmission. What else could go wrong?". I smile and mumble under my breath, "...a lot...".
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 9,399
Likes: 188
From: Norco,CA
I know what your saying with the miles. But all the reading I do on here kind of makes me forget about it. I say it is a diesel, what could go wrong. We would of went a cross the US this year if the Covid thing didn't hit. Hopefully this year might be different. I have the smaller Ford 6.0 cooler and hardly ever see it above 140 degree's is why I asked. Did BTS install, I don't remember. But then again he would of told you if he install one.
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 13,123
Likes: 4,725
From: Henderson, NV
Running a little cooler doesn't hurt anything. It's just not as efficient as it could be.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,590
Likes: 382
From: Texas
I'm planning several trips with the family out of CA this year. Our first trip will be either to AR by way of central TX, or up through ID and down to TX. We haven't made up our minds yet, but the first trip is set for 2 weeks in April. She's getting us prepped to leave for good, but we need to explore a bit before we commit to an area. I'm going to keep a written log of what we did and how she performed loaded down (the truck, not the wife).
I'd be lying if I said I was comfortable with a 4-5K mile trip and a 225k mile truck, but I've saved for, swapped out and bled installing most of the stuff I figure could be the major breakdown points. I've got good kids and a good wife, but their confidence in my mechanical abilities coupled with their ignorance of how many millions of things could go wrong give me heartburn just typing this. When I express any hesitation to her, she says, "It'll be fine. You just spent $6K on a transmission. What else could go wrong?". I smile and mumble under my breath, "...a lot...".
I'd be lying if I said I was comfortable with a 4-5K mile trip and a 225k mile truck, but I've saved for, swapped out and bled installing most of the stuff I figure could be the major breakdown points. I've got good kids and a good wife, but their confidence in my mechanical abilities coupled with their ignorance of how many millions of things could go wrong give me heartburn just typing this. When I express any hesitation to her, she says, "It'll be fine. You just spent $6K on a transmission. What else could go wrong?". I smile and mumble under my breath, "...a lot...".
My wife is very similar to yours.. If I say "the truck needs such and such" before a long trip, she doesn't even blink. She knows I am doing the best for my family and has all the confidence in me to fix it/male it better. She is a gem and never gives me a hard time about truck stuff, or anything really....and this is coupled with her and my experience of being on the side of the road more than once with major mechanical problems. I appreciate you sharing....she is a gem for sure. Count those blessings. And yeah, she's probably right. You'll be fine, and even if something does break, you have the ability to handle it and a good community here to back you up. Holler if you need.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 12,782
Likes: 2,142
From: N.GA Mountains
Makes me wonder about the place that allegedly deletes the bypass.
