First off let me say... I've followed some of the advise here and double checked a bunch of stuff. The transmission is over filled enough that the sensor is submerged in fluid constantly even in 5th gear and transfer case in neutral. As for the shift quality after nearly 1,000 miles already is still really tight feeling and not sloppy. As for transmission fluid temps empty running I see no more that 130*F tops at 68 MPH after 40 miles of driving even climbing grades. If the morning temperatures are down around 45*F it takes nearly a full 20 miles to rise off of the 100*F mark of the gauge. At midday with 75-80*F temps outside its barely reaching 130*F with flat travel might bump 140*F if climbing a 7% grade.Remember this is all empty truck and no towing... Now you might question the number of the fluid temps from the gauge I've used 2 different thermometers to verify the temperature reported by the gauge and alway darn close to the same value. No I did not install fast coolers nor did I change anything since installing the transmission on the temp gauge other than adding enough fluid to keep the sensor submerged.

 

 

As you see the first few days after the transmission install MPG was bit low. After working hard and pulling thee RV down south and back which would say the break in period of the transmission occurred. Now with the job I had in New Meadows, ID and running back and forth to McCall climbing a 7% grade doesn't seem to bother the MPG's like in the past.

 

 

Other that that I will say I'm pleased with Weller Trucks transmission rebuild it very tight and precise feel in the stick now compared to before.  As for the transmission fluid I would have to say at this point of the game which is early yet but its a good solution for future fluid for NV4500.

Today was a different run of a day. I had to book to McCall to pick up a lift pump for a local gent to get his truck running again. So I left fairly early this morning the outside temperature was 40*F going out across New Meadows flats. The transmission only barely rose to 120*F on Goose Creek grade then once I was on open road again I kicked up my speed and watch the temperature fade back to below 100*F. Then once I got into town again it rose up to barely 120*F again. Hovered like that for all my travel through town at 25 MPH. Now got what I needed and head back to home for a quick stop to drop off some stuff. The whole way back the temperature would fall back below 100*F again still cold out barely 45*F heading home. Stopped at home drop off the stuff and got moving on to the job in Riggins. Now heading down canyon the temperature started to rise outside to 60*F. Now the transmission temperature inch up off the 100*F to 105*F that's it. I've still been running cruise control at posted speed limits. So the only time I seen it rise again was hitting the city limits of Riggins at 25 MPH it climbed to 120*F. So I worked on my job about 45 minutes or so. Then packed up and got fuel in town and headed home. By this time the wind was picking up and temperature was maxed out at 65*F out side. So the climb back home the transmission temperature barely made 110*F. I traveled a total of 100 miles and never seen much for transmission temperature just a max of 120*F. I will say that so far I'm not even thinking of fast coolers because of how low the temperature are staying for just the truck.

 

Also I took note of my average loads at 65 MPH... Flat ground running at 65 MPH I'm only producing 40-50 HP and 110-150 Ft/Lbs of torque at the flywheel to keep me going at 65 MPH on flat ground very low drag I would say. Yes the MPG fooler was on this morning.

Edited May 22, 20168 yr by Mopar1973Man

  On 5/22/2016 at 9:21 PM, Cowboy said:

When I ran 50wt in the NV4500, I never did any real testing, but I do believe the 50wt ran considerably cooler than the syntorq that's currently in it.

No disrespect Cowboy but I'm not sure what you mean.  How did you come to the conclusion that it was running any cooler?

 

Moparman, for perspective purposes.....  Today it was around 70* outside and driving around the tranny never crested 100*.  Sound similar?

 

If you have tranny temperature issues in 40*-60* weather then I'm sure you'd be very concerned, as I would be for you too.  As I've mentioned before, I'm looking forward to your summer time towing data.....

  On 5/23/2016 at 3:51 AM, KATOOM said:

I'm looking forward to your summer time towing data.....

 

Might get some more towing data very soon.

 

  On 5/23/2016 at 3:51 AM, KATOOM said:

Today it was around 70* outside and driving around the tranny never crested 100*.  Sound similar?

 

But what kind of distance did you travel?

  On 5/23/2016 at 3:51 AM, KATOOM said:

No disrespect Cowboy but I'm not sure what you mean.  How did you come to the conclusion that it was running any cooler?

 

Just feeling the case on restroom stops and such.  Hardly scientific in any way.

  On 5/23/2016 at 1:14 PM, Cowboy said:

 

Just feeling the case on restroom stops and such.  Hardly scientific in any way.

But it will validate what you gauge is showing. Without a gauge yeah not very scientific.

  On 5/23/2016 at 5:07 AM, Mopar1973Man said:

 

Might get some more towing data very soon.

 

 

But what kind of distance did you travel?

 

Around 45 miles or so.  A mix of freeway and around town.

 

  On 5/23/2016 at 1:14 PM, Cowboy said:

 

Just feeling the case on restroom stops and such.  Hardly scientific in any way.

 

  On 5/23/2016 at 1:17 PM, Mopar1973Man said:

But it will validate what you gauge is showing. Without a gauge yeah not very scientific.

 

No not really scientific but it still can offer some understanding of comparison if the temperatures are great enough.

From the looks of it, Moparman could be running around 10* cooler than what I currently run but I wont know until the weather warms.  Kinda hard to tell how hot any drivetrain component will maintain when the ambient temperatures are only 10*-20* above freezing.

  On 5/23/2016 at 9:20 PM, KATOOM said:

Kinda hard to tell how hot any drivetrain component will maintain when the ambient temperatures are only 10*-20* above freezing.

 

I'm considering that too. I might figure out a way to cover the bottom of the truck to keep cold air from blowing on the transmission. Now seeing like today towing my BigTex 70TV with the lawn mower and weed eater was enough to bring transmission temperatures to a whole 110*F by 10 miles. Optimally I would say 130-160*F roughly would be a good temperature range optimally. At least the oil is hot enough to push moisture out and thinner causing less drag. I'm wanting to see summer temp really bad now. So far transmission temps are typically so low that the needle bare moves or tops out at 130*F.

 

 

One other thing to consider Michael is that your average fuel economy is higher than most and that means your hp requirements are lower and that will reduce transmission temps. 

 

I'd be really curious to get you on the highway next to someone with a similar truck and see how the temps correlate. They very likely could stay about the same but they could also increase under "normal" driving conditions. Know where you live and the roads/speed that you drive on I know that it's not "normal" conditions for most people. I always love driving thru there as my mileage is better than a normal drive, even at similar speeds. 

Residential speed limit -15 MPH

City / Town Speed Limit - 25 MPH

Highway - 45 to 65 MPH

Interstate - 80 MPH

 

Problem is that both interstates are at least 2.5 (I84) to 5 hour (I90) drive from me. So speeds higher than 65 MPH are not typical for most of Idaho. This is normal for my state and location. As for you down there near the I84 you jump on and off it all the time. I avoid using interstates typically...

 

As for logged top speeds...

 

You should of seen the Mustang rolled on its top last weekend. Not pretty but people attempt to drive fast through here and lose the battle. Number 10 for my area that has rolled it or crashed in a corner this year already.

 

So... Looking at a map north is I90 and south is I84 everything in between is 45-65 MPH speed limits. So all this talk about high speeds isn't going to happen. But... Steep climbing will happen really soon I'm just trying to gear up for firewood season after the rains stop.

 

Edited May 24, 20168 yr by Mopar1973Man

  On 5/23/2016 at 11:30 PM, AH64ID said:

One other thing to consider Michael is that your average fuel economy is higher than most and that means your hp requirements are lower and that will reduce transmission temps. 

 

I'd be really curious to get you on the highway next to someone with a similar truck and see how the temps correlate. They very likely could stay about the same but they could also increase under "normal" driving conditions. Know where you live and the roads/speed that you drive on I know that it's not "normal" conditions for most people. I always love driving thru there as my mileage is better than a normal drive, even at similar speeds. 

 

GREAT point.....!

 

And MoparMan.....it seems you're regularly running from the law in May.

Edited May 24, 20168 yr by KATOOM

  On 5/24/2016 at 12:48 AM, KATOOM said:

 

GREAT point.....!

 

And MoparMan.....it seems you're regularly running from the law in May.

 

Like I got warned once already by a local deputy... I've not had a speeding ticket in over 20 years now. Last speeding ticket was for doing 63 MPH in 55 MPH zone with the 1973 Dodge Charger. After working with the county sheriff for both Idaho and Adams Counties and then with Riggins EMS and Salmon River Fire Dept. I've seen my far share of deaths and ugly crashes so I'm not breaking any speed records here. Most of these top MPH are passing vehicles the 83 MPH was passing a double trailer semi truck. Like during my warning the deputy was reading me the list of things he could get me for but I countered with "I didn't want a accident so I picked up the pace during my pass to make it safely." So after seeing all my ID's and checking me over I was released with a warning to set a better example for others on the highway.

 

As for high speed testing not many people are long haul on the interstates for miles and miles. Most hop on get close to somewhere and hop off. Even my use of the I84 is typically less than 60 miles or less. Basically jumping from Ontario, OR to Caldwell, Nampa or Boise and jumping off. Then when I'm done hop back on return to Ontario, OR. US95 is a much nicer highway and better speed and road conditions. Idaho 55 can be rather dangerous depending on when your on the highway. Friday or Sunday could be rather busy with all the fallout from Boise to McCall..

 

Now the real test for me is going to haul the BigTex trailer into the back country from 1,800 feet elevation to close to 7,000 feet elevation on a road with speed limits of 15-25 MPH. Grades are much steeper than all the paved highway grades most of them are in the 12-16% bracket for the steepest runs. That will put on more stress climbing slow and steep on a forestry dirt road winding around in the mountains. There is no wind to cool it down at that point...

 

 

Edited May 24, 20168 yr by Mopar1973Man

Yeah it's quite a ways for you to get to "normal" driving but even at the same speeds the area you live is just easy driving. 

 

The slow speed towing will be a great test. 

I've got another shot at towing the RV. With current weather of 70*F and some gusty cross wind running 60-65 MPH I only seen 150*F after 100 mile run.

What gear are you most commonly using while towing and seeing those temperatures?

  On 5/25/2016 at 1:16 AM, KATOOM said:

What gear are you most commonly using while towing and seeing those temperatures?

 

5th gear mostly for all speeds above 50 MPH. Below that I'd used 4th gear.

What kind of RPM are turning at 50mph in 5th? Mine only sees about 1500 in 6th at that speed. I know I am heavier that you when towing which makes a good difference. I usually dont use 6th until 60+ mph.. 60 mph in 6th is usually where I see my temps climb pretty high. 

What kind of RPM are turning at 50mph in 5th? Mine only sees about 1500 in 6th at that speed. I know I am heavier that you when towing which makes a good difference. I usually dont use 6th until 60+ mph.. 60 mph in 6th is usually where I see my temps climb pretty high. 

I'm curious about your rpm at 50mph as well. I only see about 1450 in 5th at 50mph...I barely feel safe using 5th at 50mph lol 

Edited May 25, 20168 yr by leathermaneod

Right at 53 MPH I'm doing exactly 2,000 RPM in 4th gear which puts me right on top of my torque curve again. Hence why my 50 MPH limit in 5th.

It seems I wind mine up a good bit tighter while towing than you. The weight difference is probably our biggest differences. I usually run mine to 24-2500 rpm before shifting. I dont think mine would like me shifting that low with 15k on it. Not sure how the HO vs SO makes a difference either. 

I've got enough power to pull the RV as low as 1,200 as a absolute bottom below that the engine stuggles way too much.