Re: Re: Re: Dodge trucks.

Posted by F14 on September 02, 2001 at 15:49:22 from (216.252.28.76):

In Reply to: Re: Re: Dodge trucks. posted by Jerry B on September 02, 2001 at 11:36:33:

While I agree that allowing a self-shifter to pick it's own shifts under heavy load is hard on them, I think there's a better way to avoid the problem than "manual" shifting.

OD automatics are the worst possible choice, IMHO, for towing or plowing. GM's 700R4 will self destruct in no time under those conditions.

I have an '89 Chevy 1 ton 4WD with a TH400 automatic. I bought the truck with the intention of towing a trailer and backhoe, often with a load in the box as well. The very first thing I did after a thousand miles or so of break in, was install a towing package shift kit in the trans and put on an external cooler. Heat is the automatic's greatest enemy. Smooth, jerk-free shifts are accomplished by long "overlap" between gears, where the transmission is, in effect, in two gears at once. This builds up a LOT of heat, especially under load. A shift kit shortens the overlap, produces a very firm shift, and cuts down on heat. The shift is firm enough to be quite noticeable, and would be objectionable in a car, but when I'm towing or plowing snow, I grin every time she thumps into second.

I've plowed snow every year, and with the mileage that big block gets, I don't drive the truck unless I need to haul a big load or tow something, so the miles that are on it are working miles. With the shift kit and cooler, and regular fluid and filter changes, I've had exactly ZERO problems in 12 years.

I only wish I could say that for GM's *%)*%ing independent front suspension....

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