2019 2020 transmission cooler missing

I’ll take that bet....

Seen Ram transmissions fail rather early.

 

That’s a fact. One of my Navy buddies that owns a construction company in Michigan has either some tough luck, or needs a different truck. All three of his last GM 1500’s transmissions have failed just past 100k miles...like clockwork.

Could be an underlying cause like services and what not or towing a bit more than he should for long distances.

Interesting enough, GM also removed the trans coolers from their 1500 lineup.

Hummmmm

 

A lot of vehicle manufacturers do this very thing. I once heard a Porsche/Audi engineer once state:

“We took oil change intervals up to 10k miles for a couple reasons. Less use of oil, looks cheaper to operate over time, and engine replacements will not be at 3-400k miles, but 150-200k miles.”

Think about that when a manufacturer tells you 10k+ miles between oil changes is perfectly fine. Even if sending oil out to Blackstone labs and they say oil is fine...no thanks. Oil is cheap and recycled. I go 5k max.

 

I’m editing some videos for you all from the other night.

What I’m trying to show is not a certain brand superiority or start arguments. What I hope show is a properly cooled transmission, gear selection in TC lockup can really help with temps.

Attempting to edit and upload 1 hour of video has been fun.

 

There is no trick. The TCM does it for you. The only other way to lock your TC is have aftermarket TC controller. Some think by shifting in manual, and the trans actually shifts, TC lockup has been completed. In reality, the trans is heating up quick in a higher gear.

 

Your situation might be different than mine. I always used D/TH mode for 89k miles. With the weight i was pulling and being in CO, I never was able to get into 5th gear. My Tundra sang in 3/4th gears all day long.

 

Ok, editing completed. My first video had all the music deleted due to copyright violation...even though I purchased the music.

**disclaimer.

I was using a iPhone mount around my neck for over an hour. The videos are not great, but I had more important things to do like drive.

end of disclaimer**

This is towing 9k lbs, truck is 7800 lbs, for a GCWR of 16800 lbs. Ambient temperature was 81*, speed varying from 65-75 mph. Elevation 7500’.

Again, this is not intended as a brand bashing post, nor is it for anything else other than showing what good transmission cooler can do and showing you can tow in OD, as long as converter lockup is maintained. My coolest temps were in converter lockup in OD.


Trans temps stabilized out at 140* on the highway. I was in 6th gear, converter lockup. I can maintain 68 mph in 6th gear and not have higher EGTs or coolant temps. I personally try to keep the speed at 70 mph unless the speed limit is 75.

Since my audio was deleted along with my voice, towards the end, you can see me slowing down and making a right hand turn from the highway. Some stop and go, and trans temps went up a bit, but not bad. This video was done in CC, exhaust brake on. The exhaust brake function will increase transmission temps a bit, but I like having the extra braking if needed.




In this video, I have just started on a pretty good stretch of passes and trans temp is around 156*, in 5th gear, converter lockup. On one of the rather large passes, temp didn’t even go up.

CC on, exhaust brake on.



This last one, a bit long, and maybe some offensive language . I was in 2nd and 3rd gears, out of lockup (yes, the Allison can lockup the converter in lower gears due to exhaust braking), and at one point you can see me turn the exhaust brake off.

Temps started to rise quickly. The video showed 162* from 140* in a matter of 6 min. After I parked and let the truck idle down and cool everything off, trans temp went up to 171* and then started to cool off. Technically the trans temp went from 140* to 171* in the 7 min video. This is a rough road and a pretty good climb, so the higher temps are expected.

 

Do you have a scanguage? When going into 5th, does the converter lock?

 

I don't believe you will have any issues. Others in this thread with a SG reported lower trans temps in S4/TH mode. The only thing you are missing out on is grade braking beining in manual shift mode, which isn't the tundra's strong point.

 

I would say it would be. To engage grade braking you need to be in D/TH mode and initiate by depressing the brake pedal and the transmission should downshift.

Funny, I just did this out on my DM. During this video, I was going to show how the exhaust brake and grade braking worked well together to maintain 60 mph. Well, I forgot to take the shifter back out of manual mode and back to drive. My truck just took off down the grade up to 73 mph. Glad I wasn't on Vail Pass (Ike Gauntlet). The exhaust brake worked a little, just not as effective at lower RPM.