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Will 4LOW help keep trans temp down

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Old Apr 28, 2023 | 02:34 PM
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Will 4LOW help keep trans temp down

Hauling gravel out of a pit that has a steep hill for 1/2 mile. By the time I get to the top my trans was at 240°F. Using 1st gear. High range.

If I use 4 low will it help or get worse?
 
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Old Apr 28, 2023 | 03:06 PM
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I tried it. Seemed to work. Stayed below 200 this time. Later in the day and warmer out too.
 
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Old Apr 28, 2023 | 03:10 PM
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Curious, what rpms were you at?
 
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Old Apr 28, 2023 | 03:45 PM
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Originally Posted by knottyrope
Curious, what rpms were you at?
5.5 tons of rock plus the weight of the trailer. I was like 22,500 on the scale.

I was at like 3k rpm both times. First gear.

high range it was a lot hotter coming out of the pit.

going down the road I was using 1 gear from a stop and then 2nd after 20mph or so all the way up to 50mph to keep the RPM high and EGT low. This truck has a wicked wheel I believe. . Then I’d hit D after 50 mph. OD off. I was at like 2200 at 55-60 mph EGT was no more then 800°F no matter what tune I used. Stock-140hp. But it is mounted in the down pipe. Mostly was about 650°F on level ground.

I hate the way that if it’s in D when I hit like 40 mph it’ll upshift and the TC locks or unlocks and then it lugs rpm. So I was just shifting manually. Not sure if that’s good or bad for it.
 
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Old Apr 28, 2023 | 06:49 PM
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In that situation low range would help the trans temps.

when I have done some dumb heavy moves around my place I use low range to save the clutch. Definitely an advantage if you have it available
 
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Old Apr 28, 2023 | 09:42 PM
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Well. Now my transmission is leaking somewhere. The joy of owning a 30 year old pickup.
 
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Old Apr 28, 2023 | 10:03 PM
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Front pump seal most likely. You could add a switch for manual TC lock up, the only problem is forgetting you have it on when coming to a stop, and IIRC TC damage can occur if you lock the TC below 1300RPM.
 
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Old May 7, 2023 | 06:22 PM
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Yes low range most certainly will keep transmission temps down. It's a 2.69 reduction gear so that is 2.69 times less torque that has to go through the transmission to do the same job. Also keeps your RPMs up for better air and fluid flow which also keeps temps lower.
 
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Old May 7, 2023 | 06:42 PM
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Adding a switch to keep the TC locked will keep the temp down. TC locked and downshift as needed.

As z31freakify mentioned forgetting and trying to stop with it engaged will get your attention. I did that at least 2x.
 
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