Towing with a high stall convertor?

[Grifter]

Would it be too hard on the tranny to tow a small trailer (less than 1000lbs loaded) with a big convertor? Of course, the necessary supporting items are there too, I already have the deep tans pan, trans temp gauge, still need the extra trans cooler though. I havent installed the TC yet, because I dont know how well it will take to having a trailer behind it. I dont want to lose all utility of the car.

Thoughts?

[FordNut]

I've pulled trailers for hundreds of miles, no problems.

[RF Overlord]

Grifter, as long as your fluid temps don't go too high, you should be able to tow that trailer with your car, within reason. For instance, if you're also transporting 4 morbidly obese people and their luggage through the mountains of Vermont in July, you may have issues.

I would highly recommend the auxiliary cooler be installed first. Also change the fluid a lot more often (like every 10,000 miles).

[Grifter]

Thats what I wanted to hear. I need an additional tranny cooler right now, but yes, another one will be installed before the TC.

How hot is too hot? (measured after the TC, before the first cooler)

[Marauderjack]

Thats what I wanted to hear. I need an additional tranny cooler right now, but yes, another one will be installed before the TC.

How hot is too hot? (measured after the TC, before the first cooler)

Here is a chart that has been posted before....:rolleyes:

[SC Cheesehead]

I've pulled trailers for hundreds of miles, no problems.

Brian,

What weights are you towing? There have been various threads back and forth on this topic. MM owner's manual says 1,500 lbs. max, others say they have (or can) pull up to 4,000 lbs.

I agree on getting a trans cooler, just worried about the rest of the drive train and the rear suspension.

SCCH

[FordNut]

So far I haven't been over 1500 or so.

[RF Overlord]

How hot is too hot? According to 4R70W designer Jerry Wroblewski, the ideal temp is 160°-180° and every 20° over 170° cuts the life of the fluid in half.

[Grifter]

is that at its hottest point out of the convertor, or constant temp in the pan? Thats the problem I have with that semi usefull chart, it doesnt tell you WHERE that temp was read. Does the fluid lose half its life immediately when subjected to a very short period of above 170* temps or does it have to maintain that temp for an extended period of time to deteriorate?

[sailsmen]

I would be concerned about the A/C throwing heat on the OEM Trans cooler which throws heat on the Radiator.

If u are towing a trailer when it's 95* outside, bumber to bumper under 25mph traffic, car loaded down you may generate a high heat condition. If you do just trurn the a/c off.

If you get an add'l trans cooler get one that does not block air to the radiator or throw heat on the radiator.

Radiators are cheap compared to engines.

I removed the OEM trans cooler and installed a small rad cooler behind the grill. No trans probl and eliminated high heat in most conditions. A few times a year I have turned the A/C off for a few minutes until traffic cleared.

[magindat]

OK, so you have the pan and you're gonna get the cooler. Why not just drain the pan and refill every oil change? You get 4 quarts out of the pan drain. This means you theoretically cycle your tranny fluid every 12K. Even if the life is cut in half by the higher temps, who cares? What are we talkin here, 20 bucks?

[magindat]

One would have to assume that 20 degrees higher cutting life in half has to be sustained and not periodic. If it were periodic, a trans-cooler would be useless, cuz the fluid would be trashed as soon as it got hot, no matter if it was cooled.

Cut the life in half. Who cares? You got a plug. Why'd ya get it? To change the fluid more often!

[Grifter]

exactly. The added capacity was a bonus as well.

[RF Overlord]

One would have to assume that 20 degrees higher cutting life in half has to be sustained and not periodic.Agreed.



78910