Just got done towing my 8,000# trailer with my 94 F250 460 E4OD 4.10 4x4 long bed supercab. I have had a tranny temp gauge for awhile but never paid attention to it other than "too hot too cold". There is a factory tow package which includes a factory aux cooler. I have a PermaCool filter mount with a temp sensor.

This weekend I towed for about 900 miles rt from Portland to eastern Oregon and back.

During my trip out, the temps were about low to mid 70s most of the time. Tranny temp on flats was about 180-190, it took about 1 hour to stabilize at this temp, before that it was under 180. During my climb out of Pendleton up the Blue Mountains the temp went to maybe 200 during my 50mph climb for about 13 minutes in 2nd gear(that surprised me that I got to 50) at about 3,800(?)RPM. Interestingly engine water temp actually hovered lower than normal during the climb. Usually it hovers around the high side of O in Normal, this time it was on the low side of O. Once I got to flats again the temp dropped back to 180-190.

The return trip was in mid 80s most of the time and tranny temp was more at 190. The hills were less difficult on the return and temps didn't get much past 200 at any time even during a few short runs in 2nd gear at about 50mph.

Got stuck in traffic and temps did peak at about 210 for a few minutes then cooled down to about 190.

I will repeat this trip in two months when temps should be in the 100s+. I plan to add on a small aux cooler in addition to what came from the factory, if I see temps at 220 for any moderate length of time.

Just my experience for reference. I assume my truck is normal and factory stock.

Jim Henderson

 

Jim,

Thanks for detailed post. I needed the info you posted to confirm that my trans temp is within a "normal" operating range.

 

I'm interested in that PermaCool filter mount with temp sensor. Can you describe it, where it goes, how much it costs, etc? Also, thanks for making the post!