I'm starting a general all around thread about trucks and summer heat. 

 

I know there is lots of you out there doing searching about overheating, high EGT's and other heat issues like transmission. The biggest thing to remember anything thing that is creating heat is cause by some sort of load. 

 

Engine Cooling System

 

Now how long has it been since you flushed out your cooling system? Don't buy into those coolants that claim 100k to 150k miles before failing. I would say about every 3 years tops should be flushed. Then about 70k to 80k miles in miles. Completely flush the block out with garden hose till there is no solid material or coolant color running out. Make sure to have the truck idling as well this will make sure the heater core is flushed out too. Flushing coolant and then refilling with fresh coolant reset the additive packages within the coolant. There is corrosion and lube package that get depleted. One of the few reasons I've not had any cooling problems or water pump issues. For those worried about thermostats NAPA I've been using for YEARS now and never had a bad thermostat. 

 

Transmissions (Manual / Auto both)

 

I've seen a few coming to me with transmission temps getting above 200*F. Like a friend lives near me has Chevy Duramax shift issues and higher than normal temps. He did a full pan dump and change the internal filter and all this issues went a away. Make sure you changing out your transmission fluid before the summer and installing a good filter. Clean all the coolers on the front of the radiator. 

 

Manuals for us the biggest thing to help in reduction of transmission heat is just placing a heat shield between the transmission and the exhaust pipe. This will reduce the amount of radiant heat from the pipe adding heat to the transmission. You can do this for both auto's or manuals. 

 

EGT's

 

This one could be other issues. Oversized tires, improper final ratio to the ground, excessively big injectors without enough boost to cover the fuel. Excessive weight on the truck and/or being towed. Don't be racing the truck up grade with heavy load take a minute and slow down and grab a gear lower. Climb the gear at a slower speed. Possibly with tuners improper timing for said load could also produce high EGT's. Like Edge product does not give a control for timing and typically stacking timing on top of the ECM stock timing typically this is a bit too high for towing applications. 

 

Tires and Final Ratio

 

I know there is alot of people that like the look of oversize tire and lift kits. Just remember the higher you stand in the wind the more drag comes with that lift. Just remember the drag value is based on a square foot measurement from the ground to the top of the truck and the full width. Now as for tires remember 3.55 gearing for most of the 2nd gens. Now add larger tires to that axle and your pushing that final number down so from 3.55 it will head towards 3.00:1 like 37 inch tire will do. Anything below about 3.40 it adds a lot of heat ot the engine and EGT's attempting to roll those big tire. Correct ratio makes a huge difference.  Optimal ratio is 3.55 to 3.73 final to the ground after tires have been figured in. 

Im more in the same boat as you @Mopar1973Man, in winter around here i stay in 2wd unless theres enough snow on the ground to warrant it. Or the town neglects to plow our road.. Happens more often than you would think.. They also dont use a lot of salt.. And I dont have the kind of trails like you guys have and no need for the deep woods excursions

I use 4x4 low almost every time I deliver a load of cinders. I need the low speed for backing into tight locations and the low forward speed to spread. Saving 4x4 is like saving your head lights on cloudy, rainy/snow days or early dusk/early morning. Use it, it is not fragile at all.

19 hours ago, Silverwolf2691 said:

Im more in the same boat as you @Mopar1973Man, in winter around here i stay in 2wd unless theres enough snow on the ground to warrant it. Or the town neglects to plow our road.. Happens more often than you would think.. They also dont use a lot of salt.. And I dont have the kind of trails like you guys have and no need for the deep woods excursions

 

Out here the only paved roads are the highway. Everything else is a dirt road. Now it been a long while since I had to travel back road to peoples places in the winter time. Remember last year the COVID had everything shut down. Then 5 years before that I was taking care of @MoparMomdialysis runs to Ontario, OR. This winter I might be out in the snow and ice much more. Bad enough I've got to make time to get to Param and buy my 17 inch wheels for Thor. Then I got a buddy in Riggins going to score me a good dealer on Hankook ATm's (265/70 R17) for Thor (2006 Dodge).

 

As for The Beast I ran a lot of highway miles in the winter. I think the best thing to see is out running a lift Ford on 35 inch tires and I'm just cruising at 60 to 65 MPH with my tiny 30 inch (245/ 75 R16) tires. Snow as 9 inches deep un-plowed highway and still made a clean pass and keep on going. Yeah I was in 4WD but still this is way I love the pizza cutter better bite to the highway below. That Ford was fighting because he was floating on top of the snow and no traction. (Hankook ATm's 245/75 R16)