TC Lock-Up Switch Question
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From: Maine
TC Lock-Up Switch Question
For those that have done the torque converter lock up switch, how often and when do you use this great modification? I find myself switching my tc on many times while cruising around town simply cause the computer just holds off too long sometimes to engage it especially when going around 30-40 mph up a grade. Towing is when the ability to control this really shines. The torque generated by these monsters needs to be applied to this tranny judiciously though as to not granade it. Heat can quickly build.
I also get a much lower rpm manually locking tc in 3rd and od on those occasions when the pcm, for some reason, doesn`t see the need to give me more efficient power transfer. I am careful not to lug the engine though. I love being able to control this and was just wondering others` experiences with it.
Havn`t contributed for awhile so I thought i`d chime in to keep the posting monitors happy.
I also get a much lower rpm manually locking tc in 3rd and od on those occasions when the pcm, for some reason, doesn`t see the need to give me more efficient power transfer. I am careful not to lug the engine though. I love being able to control this and was just wondering others` experiences with it.
Havn`t contributed for awhile so I thought i`d chime in to keep the posting monitors happy.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: 21791
i use mine all the time. it is always on, i like to tractor mine around at 1200rpm or so. i also like to do smokeouts, pull it down into second gear, and then lock the TC up around 1000 and rolll on the throttle 
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From: Maine
Strokin it, your rig looks sweet with the new lift. Need some honkin meats now.
just my 2cents your 33s look kinda like 13 inch in those wheelwells don`t take offense. Got dialup in my new old house so it blows tryin to download your pics.
Comcast coming soon. Nice Rig!
just my 2cents your 33s look kinda like 13 inch in those wheelwells don`t take offense. Got dialup in my new old house so it blows tryin to download your pics.
Comcast coming soon. Nice Rig!
Last edited by cnd999; Jun 7, 2006 at 10:02 AM.
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From: Houston, TX
Radio Shack for about $5....
mine is DIY... quite easy
took me a couple tries to find the right wire.... but when I found it I new it.
the TC lock switch just grounds out a wire that runs from the PCM to the Tranny. Its purple w/ an orange tracer.
the PCM uses voltage to control the TC (12v unlocked; 0v locked with varing degrees of slippage in between)
find the wire, hook the switch, ground the b^tch out and then she'll lock right up.
WB
mine is DIY... quite easy
took me a couple tries to find the right wire.... but when I found it I new it.
the TC lock switch just grounds out a wire that runs from the PCM to the Tranny. Its purple w/ an orange tracer.
the PCM uses voltage to control the TC (12v unlocked; 0v locked with varing degrees of slippage in between)
find the wire, hook the switch, ground the b^tch out and then she'll lock right up.
WB
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I agree with Strokin, rolling the throttle and blacking out an intersection is pure joy.
If I don't forget it's there (when not towing) I use it often. One of the best mods I've done.
If I don't forget it's there (when not towing) I use it often. One of the best mods I've done.
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Ok I'm confused which is not nothing new. When I drive around town I keep the truck in OD, and when towing up hill or going down hill I pull her out of OD. Is going from OD to out of OD locking in the TC?
If not how would this mod help me while towing? or driving around town.
If not how would this mod help me while towing? or driving around town.
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Originally Posted by Rich in CO
Ok I'm confused which is not nothing new. When I drive around town I keep the truck in OD, and when towing up hill or going down hill I pull her out of OD. Is going from OD to out of OD locking in the TC?
If not how would this mod help me while towing? or driving around town.
If not how would this mod help me while towing? or driving around town.
I don't yet have a TC lock switch. Maybe I'll do it this weekend. But I have Jody Tipton's trans tuning with my chip. In OD, it the TC will stay locked down to 38 even if I am using the brakes; if I lock out OD, the TC will stay locked down to 28. While not a controllable as a switch, it makes a HUGE improvement over the stock (stooopid) TC lockup settings.
Post Fiend
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From: 21791
i also like to use it to help slow me down. going to and from Vo-tech every day there is a 8 or 9% grade that you start out around 50 and then have to stop at a light at the bottom and then go back up the other side. i like to have it in D, and when it goes to 1750 or so, pull it down into 2nd and rev up to 2600 or so and coast down to the light in style. i try to have the TC locked as much as possible. keeps temps down, less slippage and wear on my noodle-slushboox..
edit, thanks for the comments. i have set the go mods aside and im saving up for 18" motometal wheels like JTharvey, and 35" Toyo Open Country MT's or even 37's if i don't get too many tickets between now and when these wear out. i also would regear to 4.30's if i had the 35's or 4.56's if i got the 37's. but before that i am going to upgrade my front rotors and pads.
edit, thanks for the comments. i have set the go mods aside and im saving up for 18" motometal wheels like JTharvey, and 35" Toyo Open Country MT's or even 37's if i don't get too many tickets between now and when these wear out. i also would regear to 4.30's if i had the 35's or 4.56's if i got the 37's. but before that i am going to upgrade my front rotors and pads.
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From: Maine
Originally Posted by Rich in CO
Ok I'm confused which is not nothing new. When I drive around town I keep the truck in OD, and when towing up hill or going down hill I pull her out of OD. Is going from OD to out of OD locking in the TC?
If not how would this mod help me while towing? or driving around town.
If not how would this mod help me while towing? or driving around town.
Sometimes while towing I found my rpms would be too high for the given terrain or grade and I got to realizing that when the converter finally locked in I didn`t need all that reving. You will find the torque your engine has! Now that I have control over the tc I am learning when to use it and when I don`t need to switch manually. I just think of this as a clutch that needs to be disengaged when speeds drop below 28 or so. I must confess though I have forgotten the switch was on a couple times and it is just like slowing down too much in a manual tranny with the clutch out, it aint graceful!
Post Fiend
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From: 21791
yes i did embarass myself in front of a chick last weekend. pulling up to a stop sign, i didnt take notice of the green light on in the pillar, and i did not unlock it. instead i stopped and the truck kept chug-a-lugging and stalled in the middle of the intersection. thank god there were no cars coming... 
however i do find myself using it at really low speeds, such as trying to slow down trailers (the rare times i pull a trailer with no brake controller) i have no trailer brakes. i use the shifter lever alot more to help slow me down. sometimes i leave it locked in 1st gear, and as long as my engine is over 900 rpm i leave it in and then flick it off as the rev's churn down to idle. i like tractoring it around at slow speeds in 1st or second gear.
however i do find myself using it at really low speeds, such as trying to slow down trailers (the rare times i pull a trailer with no brake controller) i have no trailer brakes. i use the shifter lever alot more to help slow me down. sometimes i leave it locked in 1st gear, and as long as my engine is over 900 rpm i leave it in and then flick it off as the rev's churn down to idle. i like tractoring it around at slow speeds in 1st or second gear.
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Originally Posted by arninetyes
I don't yet have a TC lock switch. Maybe I'll do it this weekend. But I have Jody Tipton's trans tuning with my chip. In OD, it the TC will stay locked down to 38 even if I am using the brakes; if I lock out OD, the TC will stay locked down to 28. While not a controllable as a switch, it makes a HUGE improvement over the stock (stooopid) TC lockup settings.