2024 Transmission getting HOT in 4x4 climbing hills, skidplates?

yep - Yota V8 can’t take 4k rpm. Have you ever looked at a power curve?

I take OD off all the time in town on the first gen to avoid lugging and keep RPMs up. It only has 250k miles on it…

 

I don't doubt the truck can take it, it's the guy behind the wheel who can't. The thought of revved up driving all day long and stopping to shift in and out of 4Lo dozens of times a day navigating mountainous country is not my idea of a pleasurable driving experience.

But is this 10 speed different? Will it smoothly run in 4Lo at 25mph at reasonable rpms, without driving me nuts?

 

No, it’s not different in that way. You want higher rpms in a higher work scenario. Do you lug a tractor when you want it to do more work? Nope, throttle up. It’s odd to me that everyone wants to tow and do heavy work at low rpm’s. Why?

 

ya you are, someones rear end, and not the trucks rear end, lol.

I have had all generations of tundras, you can go faster than 10 in all of them in 4Lo, no problem at all

 

that was funny, HAHA

 

You can easily calculate the RPMs you'll be spinning in any gear, at any speed, in either Hi or Low t-case range, with any sized tire.

Go here and scroll down to the Crawl Speed Formulas. As mentioned, our t-case in 4Lo is 2.64. Our axle ratio is 3.31. Do a search for the trans ratios. The tire size will depend on what you are running.

https://www.motortrend.com/features...=An ideal crawl ratio for,least a 100:1 ratio.

 

Admittedly, I don’t use 4lo often. I also have a Rock Warrior, geared lower I think. Had a 2500 HD before that.
I tell ya what, I’m going to try and ‘fly her apart’ here in about an hour. Will report back.
I’m still with OP though, I’d rather just tool along quietly. That B&C might be on next ridge over. ;-)

 

I don't think the rock warrior is geared any different in the rear (4.30) or in the trans that any other 2/2.5 gen model.

but obvisouly, it's different than the new one with a 3.31 since its got 10 speed behind it. we would have to do all the math for final ratios, but alas, I don't feel like doing that as I don't care enough at the moment, I just use 4Lo when I need to and never have a problem.

That said, I think the new one is a good amount shorter in 1st for starters.

but I loved your comment , it was funny and looking forward to you letting rip and reporting back, thats always fun.

 

Now I feel like I was blind. Thanks, I owe you a beer.

 

Probably on an HD forum somewhere

 

Does it also overheat in 2wd on steep grades at slow speeds on pavement...long steep mountain passes traffic backed up keeping speed slow etc, slow speed on somewhere like the tail of the dragon etc,

It would be unfortunate to have to shift into 4 lo to keep the transmission cool while having to monitor turning to not screw up the transfer case.

 

For crying out loud my man:

1.) Go get in your truck.

2.) Start it up.

3.) Put it in gear.

4.) Drive to a street or road with little to no traffic.

5.) Find a strait section to avoid driveline binding on pavement.

6.) Go through process to place the transfer case in 4Lo.

7.) Press down on accelerator.

8.) Find out for yourself how fast it will go and what RPM’s it will turn.

You can accomplish this in less than 15 minutes is my guess, and you will know from personal first hand observation.

 

OH FOR SURE! You can't do that in any vehicle...

 

Thanks - that is what I needed to see. I did look at it and the process is exactly what I did on my Tacoma - external oil/air cooler in series and it worked wonders. I did not install fans - just used air flow from traveling speed to provide cooling. Kept my tow and normal use temps sub 195 at all times. I will be adding this to my Gen3 Tundra. Very simple to do. Just have to take your time and not hurry.

 

Yea, I think the concept is a pretty good idea, but I didn't really like his execution of it, so I didn't post it. I didn't like some of the janky mounting and how he had metal on metal contacts in certain areas. Electrical tape and foam, no thanks. I would have spent some time to make some better brackets and use washers too, along with making something to better route the hoses. There's a better way, but the idea of the series cooler add is decent.

 

I think long term Gen 2 owners possess really good "dry" senses of humor. lol

You must own a Gen 2? lol
maybe the Volvo station wagon my wife had at the time is responsible for our fraternal twins.

I could not include your whole quote because it is too long but it had really good info. Very interesting comments from an experienced tow-er and 3rd Gen owner. There is no question from reports that it tows well on highway and at speed. But slow it down, with heavy load, on a long hill and .... well interesting.

@SDHNTR
the dealership never called me back on max speed with 4 Lo. They don't know, its not common knowledge, and its not in the manual apparently. So Toyota assumes anyone that gets the blinking lights should slow down I guess. If I get an answer I will post it.
So try 4 Low next time and let us know if it still over heats and maybe more important, if you can live with driving like that.

 

Cant do what? Drive up a long hill on a paved road in traffic in 2wd without overheating the transmission?

 

I haven't done that.

 

That's the plan. I'll be back at the ranch in a couple weeks and will report back with my findings. Going to experiment with 4L and tow/haul. Gonna take my skidplates off too.

 

Welp, 20mph felt like warp speed. 25mph felt like Ludicrous speed. Though I got her up to 30 I never got to the nirvana of Plaid. Then I remembered I have a transmission cooler.

 

I agree on the workmanship stuff. Only one way IMO to do things and that is the right way the first time. I will do more first hand review before gathering parts. Proper brackets and connections are a must. No way you want any contact between parts/ piping/hosing or metal frame.

 

I wouldn’t take off the skid plates, it will skew your results. You want to replicate the conditions as close as you can while only changing one variable at a time.

 

I was thinking about this based on the conversation yesterday. The dealer won't be able to give a max speed for 4 Low because all our conditions vary on our use, and they have no idea how we are using the vehicle. 1) Hauling or towing or both 2) Terrain. 3) Speeds being used. Other factors.

So I guess you use 4 Low until you get the blinking light. (if you can put up with it) 8^0
If enough people complain to Toyota about this type of towing and terrain (long hill/slow speed) maybe they can do a software change, if possible, to the transmission.
As a future update.

 

Pretty sure someone in the 3rd gen forum has already done a write up for a thermostat-controlled aux transmission cooler.

 

so you got a tail on that?

 

We take our rig that's overlanded out up into the mountains going from 4300 to 9700 ft elevation consistently, loaded out with 600 lbs of weight, and been doing that pretty often. We also recently purchased a Taxa Mantis loaded out is around 3k in weight have do the same drive on tow mode. Haven't seen any overheating issues but you got me worried now. We push our rig hard, already have 46k miles after a year and half of ownership.

 

too late. Already took em off. And at this point I dont care what solves the issue as long at it gets solved. Even in just looking at the Talon's garage skidplates, they cant help but hold in heat. They really enclose the trans and T Case thoroughly, with 1/4" thick aluminum. Even if they aren't actually causing the problem, they can't help either. If I do put them back on at all, I will be getting out the hammer drill and going to town on them with a 1/2" drill bit.

 

Anything 20 MPH and under is 4Lo territory. I've been at 20 MPH in both my Tundra and Tacoma in 4Lo with 6 speeds. They are fine with it.

That's what happens in a high load scenario. If you want low RPMs when making it work, get a diesel. Gassers use revs.

What you like/dislike doesn't really play into whether or not the solution is the proper way mechanically. If you are averse to RPMs then you need to not ask a lot of your vehicles. That's the nature of the beast. Work = revs.