Quote:
Originally Posted by 86Scotty
I haven't read the above links yet, but I've got an 02 5.4 with the 4r100 trans if I remember right. I looked it up awhile back.
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I'm curious how you found out which transmission you have? I have a '97 E-250 2WD with the 5.4 and recently acquired a Scangauge (love that thing!). I made a long tow and wanted transmission temp readings on the trip (and it was nice to learn the typical RPM's too since I have no tach - although of course now that I know them it's not essential to see them all the time).
One thing I was wondering about (and folks here may know) is what sort of transmission cooler would have been included with the stock towing package that came on the SMB. Just the usual one (that I'm guessing) the vans all came with? Something upgraded from that? Or should I consider adding one (or a larger one). On my car it was a no-brainer (I added one), but not sure on the SMB.
When I was towing I found that highway temps when not in overdrive stayed pretty reasonable. 150º to 160º or so, with a high of 183º while coming over Homestake Pass. Ambient temps were not very high when I was in the mountains, however - maybe in the 70's and of course lower on the passes (was in June).
Just to see, I put it in overdrive for a short while while towing (flattish ground) and it went up into the 170's (might have gone higher after a while; I don't know as I took it back out of overdrive). Even though I've read all about overdrive, and I understand intellectually how it's "worse" than non-overdrive, it sure drives the point home to see how much cooler the trans temp runs when not in overdrive (even when not towing), even though the engine is "roaring" more.
I just *love* the Scangauge. I bought it for the transmission temperature specifically, but the other data is also fantastic. I wondered about the engine/water temperature since the needle just seemed to always sit in the same place (when running), but.... it really IS consistent. Still nice to have a real number though! I would never have known about it if not for reading about it here on the SMB forum.