Tranny temp gauge

[GreenQuest Lawn]

After replacing the tranny this year I thought it may be a good investment to get a temp gauge. Any suggestions on what I should get? I am sure I will have a tranny shop install it.

I have a 2000 F250SD 5.4l V8

[wyldman]

I personally like the Autometer stuff,but some of it can be pretty pricey.

Try to find something that matches the factory gauges.

Try this place,they have a lot of good Ford stuff,including a large selection of gauges.Customers service and support is top notch too.

Geno's Garage (http://www.genosgarage.com/)

[EZSnow]

While on the subject of gauges... I think I'm gonna hijack this one!

With as much attention we pay to making sure our electrical systems are up to snuff... my truck doesn't have a battery gauge. It's been replaced by a useless 'idiot needle' for trans temp. I plan on adding boost, pyro and trans. temp, but I think it would also be prudent to add a voltmeter. Is having a voltmeter critical enough that I should add it right away? Or should I just add it when I do the rest... next summer sometime. This also begs the question of how to mount them. Triples are cool for the standard diesel three, but adding volts throws in a curve.

Have any of you seen the quad a-pillar mounts? I can't find any pics of them. If the general consensus is that a voltmeter is an immediate necessity, I may do a steering-column pod, then add the triples later.

wadddya think?

BTW- I'm going carbon fiber auto meter (I know, I know- [insert puking smilie]) but my truck has some "carbon-faker" in it from the factory, so it will co-ordinate nicely.

[Dockboy]

EZSnow,

IMO a volt meter is not critical, but would be nice to have. Mine has the volt meter in the dash, but I don't necessarily watch it that much:beatsme

I use SPA Technique (http://www.spatechnique.com/store.asp?CategoryID=21&Category=Instrumentation&SubCategory=Dual%20Gauges&SubSubCategory=Black%20Face%20Black%20Bezel&CustID=511476446) gauges and love them:cool:

I never liked 3 gauge pillars because the top gauge is right in your sight line:nope With the SPA's, you get 2 gauges in one :)

If you wanted a Volt Meter, you could get a Boost/EGT gauge and a Temp/Volt gauge and use the Temp side for the tranny;)

Here is a pic of mine. The tranny and Rear temps are so cold because I just started the truck:p

[Dockboy]

another

[Satz28]

That's a nice set-up! MMMMM. How can I talk, I mean convince my better half that those are a "must have" item for my truck. When you have two toys, decsions like this are tough.

[Satz28]

Darn three minute edit times. :rolleyes:
Whose 2-gauge pod, are they installed? And did you add the red lights?

[Dockboy]

Rob,

It an Auto-meter 2 gauge pod and I painted it to match the interior.

The red things are actually buttons, not lights.;)

The gauges are programmable. You can set warning limits so the lights above and below the gauge description come on when the set limits are reached by using the button. They also hold the peak values and can be recalled by pushing the button:D

[EZSnow]

nice setup, greg- but I'm not a digital kind of man... especially not for gauges. I love the sweeping motion of a tach or speedo, and I'm guessing the sweep of a boost gauge will have a similar effect on me:D
Thanks for the info
-Derek

[Pickering Snow]

Well iam glad to see someone else who doesnt care for the new ford dash like you said 03 they replace the voltmeter with trans temp lets see if i had to choose mmmmmmmmmm no biggy i want my dam volt meter its to late fellows when the batt symbol starts glowing, its important to know were the charging system is when plowing , not one of fords better ideas i like just having the trans temp warning light that was plenty.

Greg would be great if you could send me the info on that pod for SDs i have to gauges i want to add i love that look and fyi to everyone you dont have to use dig anolog will fitt in that same pod setup .

i want a hour meter and a volt meter in my pod

[Dockboy]

Fred,

You can pick up 2 Gauge Full Pillar pods at just about any performance shop;)

But if you want go here to Performance Truck Products (http://www.performancetruckproducts.com/store/agora.cgi?cart_id=7906200.13574*Nr8xe7&ppinc=gauges&product=_Gauges) . The pods are at the bottom of the page. A friend of mine, Nate Dwyer, owns the business so tell him Greg DaPron sent you. He may give you a deal:grinz

[EZSnow]

I mis-communicated. I like the idea of four functions in two pods, but I just prefer an analog needle. It's easier to notice out-of-the-ordinary readings at a glance with a needle. Seen any NASCARs with digital gauges lately? Anyway, I understand what you mean about visibility, too. Makes sense either way. I'm just trying to decide between a column pod now and a triple later or just a quad later. Who sells a nice quad pod... now say it fast- quadpod.. hehe... sorry- it's snowing. I'm a little wired

Fred, you still have an idiot light for your transmission temperature... it just has a needle on it now!!!

[Dockboy]

Originally posted by EZSnow
It's easier to notice out-of-the-ordinary readings at a glance with a needle. Seen any NASCARs with digital gauges lately?

No, but REAL race cars(Formula 1), have nothing but digital gauges with warning lights:beatsme :grinz :jk

IMO it's actually easier to see the "out-of-the-ordinary" readings with the SPA's because you can set warning limits to your preference and a warning light starts flashing when that limit is reached that you can't miss!! Just like the shifting and tach lights on a F1 or World Rally car.

I know what you mean though Derek about a sweeping boost gauge:grinz

What it all boils down to is..........That's why there is Chocolate and Vanilla!!:shades

[CPSS]

I use the ISSPro gauges ISSPro (http://aolsearch.aol.com/aol/redir?src=websearch&requestId=7675e2df9ba08333&clickedItemRank=1&userQuery=ISSPro&clickedItemURN=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.issproinc.com%2F) I like the analog look rather than the digital.

[Big Nate's Plowing]

you guys overcomplacate things, hell in the bronco all I had was a 5" autometer monster tach and a oil pressure gauge, it was all I ever needed, just drive with the flow of traffic.....


LOL

[CPSS]

Well, in our F-250's the tranny temp is something important to watch. I've seen temps of over 190 degrees while plowing in real cold weather. Tranny oil breaks down rapidly above 200 degrees. If you reguarly see temps above 170 degrees, the oil should be changed every year.

[JohnnyU]

A little off-topic: Greg, where did you find paint to match your interior? I haven't been able to fnd the blue to match my truck's interior. All I can find is the metallic stuff for the body color. :confused:

[Dockboy]

John,

Believe it or not....... Walmart!!!!!:rolleyes:

They have a large selection of interior spray paint in the automotive section;)

Besides, it was only something like $2.98...Ford wanted $17.95 for a small can!!:rolleyes:

[JohnnyU]

Thanks Greg!!

Wow, that's awesome. If I wasn't so beat, I'd go right now, since they're open 24hours!!! They recently opened up a new SuperCenter, it's very clean, I now like going to Wal-Mart!!

[seville009]

What's an acceptable max temp for transmission fluid before it's considered to be too hot and about to cause damage?

I had a transmission temp gauge installed in my 1999 Ford Expedition this year; normal operating temp seems to be in the 160-170 range. I have the EOD, 5.4l V8 with 3.55 axle.

Even when plowing (usually not long - 15 to 20 minutes), the temp stays in that range.

However, when I'm done plowing and head out on the road, the temp will usually jump up to the 200-220 range. It will sometimes take awhile (10 minutes or so) so come back down, but it will fluctuate in the process (ie: move down to about 190 then back up to 220).

Last week, I started it after it had sat about five hours, drove for about a mile, shut it off to run an errand, came back and started driving (not plowing). The gauge shot right up to about 220 and stayed there for about 10 minutes. That seemed odd, as the engine, etc. was basically still cold.

I do have an auxilliary transmission cooler (from the factory, as it has the towing package).

The transmission was serviced by a transmission shop about 1,400 miles ago; they were the ones that installed the gauge. They put in synthetic fluid and replaced the filter.

Is this temperature swing normal or does it indicate that something is going to go wrong? Shifts and runs fine; no strange noises.

Thanks.

[CPSS]

Somethings wrong. Either your gauge is not accurate, or you installed the thermocouple in the line from the tranny to your cooler. The sender ( thermocouple) is best installed in the unused port on the drivers side of the tranny, or in the pan, submerged in the oil. Normal pan temps should be less than 140 degrees driving and even towing. Heavy plowing shouldn't exceed 200 degrees. If it does, park the truck and leave it running with a high idle to cool down. I suspect your sender is installed on the outlet line of the tranny, which doesnt give the overall temp of the oil. It just shows the temp of the oil leaving the tranny, heading for the cooler. Is your tranny gauge an after market one, or a Ford factory gauge? The new Ford gauges are worthless. By the time the oil gets into the yellow range, the oil is already above 225 degrees.

Oil breaks down rapidly above 225 degrees in the transmission. After 100 miles its ruined at those temps. At 250 degrees its only good for 50 miles, at 275 degrees its burned at 25 miles.

[CPSS]

Sorry I checked my numbers and was a little off, shouldn't rely on what you think you remember!

Oil breaks down rapidly above 250 degrees in the transmission. After 100 miles its ruined at those temps. At 275 degrees its only good for 50 miles, at 300 degrees its burned at 25 miles.

Synthetic tranny oil such as Amsoil or Mobil 1, can withstand higher temps longer without breaking down, however I don't think the added cost is worth it. I would rather do a complete flush and change ( NOT a drop the pan and refil change), every year with MERCON fluid ( dont use MERCON V ).

[CPSS]

Finally got a picture of the gauges.

[SunServicesLLC]

I just found out I plow the lot of the plastics company that makes those apillar pods(They are just a few buildings down from us). Im hoping they will throw one my way once I do finally get the gauges.

[EZSnow]

edshipp- how 'bout working a little group buy for us here? You could probably negotiate a price that is crazy cheap from retail, but more than they get wholesale. I'd be in for a super duty 4-hole... or 3-hole and a steering-column unit if they don't have the 4-holers. I'd bet I wouldn't be the only willing participant.

[Crimedog]

I would be in on one!!! I would take a 3 pod pillar set up. This could be a smokin deal!

[CPSS]

I finally found the chart:

Transmission Fluid Life expectancy:

175°F 100,000 miles
195°F 50,000 miles
212°F 25,000 miles
235°F 12,000 miles
255°F 6,250 miles
275°F 3,000 miles
295°F 1,500 miles
315°F 750 miles
335°F 325 miles
355°F 160 miles
375°F 80 miles
390°F 40 miles
415°F Less than 30 minutes

[Crimedog]

Now, when you say "life", does that mean that the fluid stops lubricating, or undergoes a chemical change? Could you explain a little more, I have always been curious as to what the definition of "life" is.

[CPSS]

I means it's "burnt" and stops lubricating as it should. It will look brown, rather than red, and have a smell like a burned cluch. Needs to be replaced ASAP before tranny damage occurs.

[Rob]

Hi guys,
I have been thinking abuot adding some gauges to my truck. Have been thinking about adding a 3 pod A-Pillar with Oil Pressure, AMMeter or Voltmeter, and a Tranny temp gauge. But I have a few questions...(of course)

1) Most info on tranny temp gauges I see are attached to diesel models. Is that simply because they have more torque so it makes more sense to have them / need them, and does the gas model (I have 5.4L) not really need it.

2) Assuming that it is a good idea to have one on my 5.4L, what is best location to to place the sender ? In the line to the cooler ? In the pan ? I have read that many of the pans have an inspection / pressure test port that could be used for the sender. Is that right or do I need to drill a hole ?

3) Lastly, what do you think of those gauge choices ? Something else you would suggest ?


Thanks for all the help !!!!

[CPSS]

A tranny temp gauge is a good idea on any truck that sees heavy towing, or snowplowing. The best place is in the pan, or a port that measures the temp of most of the oil. The problem with the line to the cooler, is that the temp will be higher than the overall fluid temp, in the return line, it will be lower than the average fluid temp. I know on the Ford 4R100 tranny, there is a port with a plug on the drivers side that works well. I know of other guys that have drilled a hole and tapped it in the pan. Of course you have to remove the pan to do this.

[4evergreenlawns]

To get back to the original question about a Voltmeter I never did see any warning light when my 03 F-450 flat out died two hours into a snow event. Was raising the plow after shifting the load and truck just died as if I turned off the key. Both batteries DEAD.

A few weeks of research and a trip to the Ford store gave me a great leason about the single and dual alt application and how FMC came up with THREE that is right 3 different ALTs for the 6.0L PSD but still only puts a 110AMP ALT in the single alt applications even though they make a 125 and 135 ALT fo the dual alt aplication.

Volts are alot less important to me than AMPs. You can have Volts all day long and not run the electric equipment you have. Just look at any electrical equipment they always listed the APM draw not volts.

With the help of SC and Big Nate I tracked down a High output bolt on replacement for the factory OEM alt. Now I am getting 80-90AMP at idle and 170-200 rated at MAX output. Cost me $400.00 and 15 mins to do the change.

As for the guage I have a harder time finding a AMP meter for over 60AMPs. Most AMP meter are +/- 60 AMPs. I found a +/- 150AMPs that required a shunt. Have it installed in a single A pillar. Also have it hooked up to the OUTPUT side of the ALT not the battery. I want to see the ALT fields close and put out more AMPs as needed not monitor what AMPs I have stored in the Battery. Cost $240.00

So far it has worked out great. Not one charging issue and I can finally see my dash light while plowing. I can see the draw the plow and dump have, I can see when the ALT kicks in and is charging.

Moral to this post, YES, a gauge of some type for the chiaring system volt/amp IS important. Not sure why Ford took a short cut on this my Chevy 2500HD has FIVE guages and the all work sweet. Still not enough to make me buy another Chevy.