Perfect...thanks. Am I gonna get a good reading there?? What is a good operating temp for the trans, and at what temp is it starting to get too warm??

 

RE : OVERDRIVE:

Mine is a '05 V-10 4wd. Wish I could have found one with 4:10's or lower or could afford to convert - but am stuck with 3.73's. On the Interstates and back-roads to access my property In the high country of northern Airzona, and on the occasional trips to So. Calif., there are very few level spots.

End result, with the approx. 11,000 lb. load that I tow, I rarely get a chance to use OVERDRIVE. Even on the few level stretches, with any kind of head-wind at all, attempts to use OVERDRIVE will result in continued "cycling" between 3rd and OVERDRIVE.

The 3.73's DO make it great for long distance high speed economical cruising IF I didn't buy the EX primarily for towing heavy loads. On the vary rare occasions I am out on the Interstate WITHOUT a trailer, I can leave the OVERDRIVE on, and it dosnt "hunt" at all.

 

The ScanGauge or Aeroforce gauge will use the sensor that Ford already has in the trans (as well as numerous others).

I have the Aeroforce but it is a little salty by the time you get the gauge, pod and paint (~$300). Here's a photo of mine installed. It will display a lot more than simply trans temps. It allows you to read PCM codes and reset them too...very similar to features on the ScanGauge.





As far as towing in OD...my TT goes 9000#'s and I tow a lot in OD but I also have 4.30's. Some pretty good hills too if you monitor your RPMs can be tackled in OD. As Mark indicated...your owners manual says it is allowable...that should be your best source of information.

Good luck,
Joe.

 

Yes, you will get a good reading there.

Normal temperature is about 170-180F. You're completely fine up to 220F. You can go over 220F for no more than 1/2 hour at a time. Don't go over 250F. If it gets to 250F you need to find a safe place to stop and idle or fast idle in park or neutral to cool the trans. NEVER shut the engine off when the trans is too hot.

 

as I noted last year, I found out the hard way the stock temp. oil temp guage is dead accurate. I am not exactly a fan of FoMoco., but it appears they "did it right" with the stock trans. oil cooling on the EX - well, dont know about the diesel EX's, but the V-10 gasser I have never EVER has trans. oil over-heating problems. And that is pulling 10,000+ loads in Aug., here in northern Ariz., and going to So. Calif.

Now, I should qualify that - I do NOT allow the trans. to "hunt" or run the motor wide open - I am content to keep the revs around 2,500, and manually select as necessary so that the trans. dosn't have to 'hunt", and the torque convertor stays locked up.

Of course this means I lose speed on the grades, and have to suffer the horrid indignity of getting passed on those up-grades even by VW mico-busses.

Again - these comments apply ONLY when towing VERY VERY heavy loads. On those rare occasions when I am using my EX WITHOUT a trailer, I dont think ANY of you diesel guys would want to lay any bets that they could keep up with me if I was so inclined NOT to act my age.....!

Ah - the shame of it all.

 

I dont belive i have ever had a overheating problem pulling my trailer, but i would like to monitor the temp......plus i plow snow with my Ex as well and that if your not carful can heat up a tranny. I ordered a gauge yesterday....should have it next week.

 

I've always towed in OD unless I am at that certain speed where the trans "hunts". IOW, it shifts in and out of OD very often. Other than that, if it cannot tow in OD, why am I even with this truck???

 

good question! I agree completely. if you dont understand why vehicles have multi-speed transmissions, you are right - you shouldnt have one.

 

You've made some ridiculous, inaccurate, inflammatory, off the wall, and extremely sarcastic comments before, but that challenge you posed to "ANY" diesel owner is downright stupid.

Stewart

 

Well, I got my new tranny gauge installed yesterday......here it is.




I need to get some paint and paint the black yet, but it still looks good