Towing and Torque Conv

[bleebo]

My dad has an '01 F150 and has experienced annoyance with the converter locking and unlocking on the highway when pulling his boat. Is there a chip programming that anyone knows of to turn off the torque converter? I know he can turn off the OD, but he just wants the TQ turned off. Thanks-Jon

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[powerstroke73]

The problem he's having is that the load he's trying to pull is just too heavy for the transmission to pull along in OD. His only other option is to pull in D. You can't run with the torque converter unlocked like what you're wanting. Doing that creates ALOT of heat, which will kill your tranny. Heck I had to pull in 3rd with the TC unlocked for 30 miles to get home a couple weeks ago (strong headwind) and even with a 28,000 GCWR cooler my temps were still at 150* with ambient being about 30-40*. If I didn't have a cooler I would've been pushing 180*. That signigicantly shortens the tranny's life. It isn't recommended that you pull in OD. The only time its ok is if its a light load and the tranny doesn't try to search for a gear. His only option is to regear the truck which would stop the tranny from hunting, but would kill his mileage and cost alot of money, or he can run in D and eat the extra fuel bill only while towing.


But to answer your question, no there isn't a chip or tuner out there that does what you're wanting.

[Hit Man X]

Exactly... just slow down and/or tow in 3rd gear.

Having the converter unlocked in OD while towing will smoke the stock converter and really put a beating on the tranny.

[bleebo]

Thanks for your input. I should have thought about the heat factor. I'll let him know the options. He lives in CA and there might be some emissions restrictions for gearing. Who knows??? Anyway, thanks for the help!