1st and last Dodge

[nsmilligan]

Added a Dodge 2500HD with V10, has all the right options posi-track, plow prep, HD service pkg, etc. The last storm turned to rain after about 8", HEAVY. The outside temp rose to about 40. My GM, both have 8.5 EZ-Vs,equipped with 454, and about the same options as the Dodge plowed no problem.
The Dodge started running hot when it was worked, and in no time the trans overheat light came on. Put it neutral and revved the engine till it cooled. Finished plowing in low range. Besides the Dodge is 20 percent harder on fuel, and doesn't have the down low power of the GM.
I'm going to try adding an electric fan over the trans cooler on the Dodge as it sits well out of the air stream from the fan.
Anybody got any other suggestions?

Bill

[PINEISLAND1]

A Ford?

[GeoffDiamond]

Second that one

Geoff

[JCurtis]

Seems to me if the GM's worked for you, you already have your answer!!!

Sometimes you can't see the forest for the trees...

Sell the Dodge, Buy GM

[SlimJim Z71]

It would be pretty costly to give up on the truck already. I would see if you can either find a small fan to go on the tranny cooler, and/or get a better cooler. B&M Makes good ones, all the way up to around 25,000 GVW.

Secondly, You may want to get an electric, thermostaticly controlled fan for the front side of the radiator if you don't already have one.

Last ditch effort, maybe go pick up a 180-degree or 160-degree thermostat. I'm pretty sure I have a 160-degree one in my truck, never runs hot, and I still have plenty of heat.

Good luck!

Oh, check out http://www.summitracing.com ... they have trans cooler, and a pretty good selection of fans.

-Tim

[Kent Lawns]

Plow in low range w/ a Dodge, especially a V10.

Newer Dodge transmissions don't have the strongest reputation and 450 ft. lbs. of V-10 Torque on a warmer day is going to cook it.

[TLS]

How did you get heat with a 160 stat? I had one for a few years and it would never heat up enough to keep the wipers from freezing up. Switched to a 180 and all is well.

Might want to try a frame mounted trans cooler with an electric fan. My Dad has one on his 'Burban and its always on, that with original internal radiator and external factory cooler, plus this one! Overkill to the extreme, but he does a lot of heavy towing.

[thelawnguy]

Dodge has a revised fan for your truck with plow package which will draw air at lower temps. Hunch is, you do not have the updated fan clutch.

[DaveO]

NSmilligan,

Have to agree with Bill. Sounds like your clutch fan isn't workin right. I can't get ENOUGH heat out of my Dodge.


Dave

[Mark Oomkes]

Sell it now while you can get your money back ou of it and before you go broke filling it up at least twice a storm. We have had one since '94 in a one ton and can't keep a tranny in it for more than a year. Dodge is going to have to change a lot of things before I will buy another one.

[nsmilligan]

I'll try to find out about the updated clutch fan, also I'm going to mount a 12" electric in front of the tranny cooler, with a switch. I think that will help.

Glad I have the plow pkg with the Trans temp light it would be some easy to cook the transmission.

Bill

[thelawnguy]

Here is info on the fan clutch: http://www.ecpe.vt.edu/~dfritz/technical/TSB97/07_05_97.HTM

[DaveO]

Nsmilligan,

Ever think maybe the GM's tranny's were just as hot, but don't have the "overheat light" to tell ya. Just thinkin out loud...

Dave

[slplow]

my friend has a 94 dodge with the v10 loaded 8.5 diamond 180,000 not 1 tranny prob. The tranny problem are driver neg on the gas motors but the cummings are tuff on thier trannys. On my 96 ram the only problem I had was at 63,000 the fuel pump went on it. Your fan cluch must be gone, it could happen to any ford or gm as well.

[cowboy]

well anything can happen on any truck the point is how many miles till it does that.

By The way, Turbo 350 in my Chevy, just rebuilt for first time, honest to god, 331,600 miles.

by another GM of similiar year.

cowboy

[yardsmith]

I recently put a Hypertech chip in my 87 Silverado, & it "required" a 160 thermostat. Have no problems with heat, except when my temp. selector cable broke on cooler setting. I had to unbolt the glove box (30 sec.) & manually turn it to hot setting & leave it there. No heater problems; when I had a 195 thermostat in it I would usually have to turn it from hot to med. to keep from getting heat stroke!

[slplow]

Cowboy, the turbo 350 and 400 were graet tranny's but they do not make them any more. they ended in 87 when they stopped making the 3 speed. The ford c6 was great too but thier gone as well as the 727 for dodge. Some things change for the worse

[John DiMartino]

Thats the thing I dont get-the Dodge auto is the 727 with an OD unit behind it,thats why the selector has D21 and the OD is on the dash or shifter,its electronic.The 727 had a great track record,and the the same tranny with an OD unit gets a bad rap because the tranny cooler lines and the no flow in Park are what kill this tranny,its a solid unit-I know some people have had problems with them time after time,which is unfortunate,but i like them and trust them for plowing.

[Edited by John DiMartino on 01-04-2001 at 05:17 PM]

[Kent Lawns]

727 w/ OD up 'til 92.

That V-10 Trans with the plentary drives doesn't even resemble a 727.

[John DiMartino]

I have my Dean's transmision book right here,almost all the parts are the same,are you talking about the OD unit's planetarys?

[Kent Lawns]

Well, maybe my dealer is all wet, then.

[AB Lawn Care]

After running sevral chrysler products I will never buy one agian!Garbage!

May the Ford be with you!

[slplow]

AB, stop pushing the snow with the minivans, Ford minivans don't work either!!!LOL

[G & S LANDSCAPING SERVICE]

I also will not purchace a Dodge again,currently have a 1996 and have had nothing but prolbems with it ,leaking weatherstrips to engine prolbems with 41,000 miles,I will go back to GM trucks.

[slplow]

G&S I would go with a ford if you were unhappy witht he Dodge before you by another GM truck. My list of problems with my 97 is too long to mention, with only 40K miles.

[Greenkeepers]

Is the truck still under warranty? If so take it back and let the dealership know about it just in case you have trouble in the future so you can have it documented. How was the tranny fluid level? Has it been changed lately? You can get a larger tranny cooler with a fan on it from summit or jegs for a resonable price. I also agree with the post above your gm might be as hot but doesnt have the indicator to let you know. Just make sure you keep your tranny fluid changed because heat is what kills automatic transmissions and heat breaks down the fluid. just my .02 good luck

mark

[nsmilligan]

Just got back on the computer, plowed 24 of the last 36 hours. Put a 10" electric fan on the Dodge's tranny cooler. Still wouldn't push the EZ-V in the heavy stuff in high range. Borrowed a non contact thermometer from the UAP dealer where I bought the fan. Lower the trans cooler temp, in low range by 20 degrees. In high range the trans over heat light didn't come on, but the computer shut down the O/D (light came on). Anyways got through a 14" storm. 45 MPH winds NO break-downs. Still not comfortable with the Dodge, but maybe it's like a lot of things I just have to get use to it's own personality.

Bill

[cowboy]

that is called "Dodge Owner Intuition" I suffered from it until I got my Chevy a year and a 1/2 ago, then I relized what have a truck is all about freedom, I have taken many fishing trips, trips to my aunts ranch, etc since getting my Chevy. When I owned my dodge I was afraid to take it to college in back, and would never go anywhere on the weekends because I didn't want it to break down.

there is nothing worse than feeling trapped by your truck.

[DaveO]

Nsmilligan,

What were the tranny temps you measured with the IR gun?? Did you measure at the cooler?

Dave

[thelawnguy]

Pushing 14 inches of snow with a V in high range is asking for trouble in any truck.

[nsmilligan]

With the fan on and plowing in low range they were 185 at the cooler, with out the fan on they were 200-205. That was pointing the gun at the top of the cooler. Also with out the fan on the truck temp gauge ran around 200, and would drop back to were it normally runs on the highway with the fan on. Should have taken more readings, but when the lots are full I find it hard to anything but plow!

Bill