Tow tune idea...

[KTMotoRider1]

Have the truck lock the torque converter in the 3rd gear when the truck is in tow haul, the point being to have an even earlier lock up speed and be able to pull hills and loads better. I know its a completely different deal (4 speed vs 5 speed, gearing etc.) but my bros 06 cummins locks up in second at about 30 mph and it works really awesome for pulling hills. any thoughts? can this be done or is it detrimental in some way? seems to me it would work well.

[KTMotoRider1]

It may be different with my truck and tunes but when you put the truck manually in 3rd gear and floor it it locks the TC and pulls really nicely. thats what gives me the impression it would work well.

[08stroker250]

So your brothers Cummins stays in first gear up to 30 mph?

[KTMotoRider1]

No I haven't driven it in a while so i may be a little off but if you put it in tow haul it locks the converter about half way through second plus/minus 30 mph..gears are pretty long in those things

[MD05]

Originally Posted by KTMotoRider1

Have the truck lock the torque converter in the 3rd gear when the truck is in tow haul, the point being to have an even earlier lock up speed and be able to pull hills and loads better. I know its a completely different deal (4 speed vs 5 speed, gearing etc.) but my bros 06 cummins locks up in second at about 30 mph and it works really awesome for pulling hills. any thoughts? can this be done or is it detrimental in some way? seems to me it would work well.

I am working with KEM to improve the shift performance on my rig as well. one of the things we are exploring is a Manual mode and a Auto mode.

[tbsimmons]

I know mine locks pretty early, and stays locked through down shifts and such.

[Strokin6Liters]

For all the technology of the autos, there is nothing like choosing which gear you want to be in

[KTMotoRider1]

My dad had an f450 and it locked up pretty early especially for being stock but I think that's because it had 4.88 gears. I'm just lookin to have a little more lockup time the 35 inch tires, and slightly higher stall converter have lessened my towing performance up slower steep grades. The thing still pulls a heavy trailer like a raped ape but I figure it would be alittle more comfortable with an earlier then 45 lock up in 3rd gear or even 4th as long as it didn't shift to early and bog it down. While in tow haul only have 3-4-5 be locked.

[MD05]

Originally Posted by KTMotoRider1

My dad had an f450 and it locked up pretty early especially for being stock but I think that's because it had 4.88 gears. I'm just lookin to have a little more lockup time the 35 inch tires, and slightly higher stall converter have lessened my towing performance up slower steep grades. The thing still pulls a heavy trailer like a raped ape but I figure it would be alittle more comfortable with an earlier then 45 lock up in 3rd gear or even 4th as long as it didn't shift to early and bog it down. While in tow haul only have 3-4-5 be locked.

The 35inch rubber will mechanically convert you 4.88 to something closer to a 3.90 that is quite a change from a towning capability prospective but then again we have 5/6 gear to choose from. I am not sure why you have a higher stall Torque Converter??? As I understand it the 6.4 peaktorque is around 1800 rpm and the stock TC stall is around 1800 why have a stall above that unless tuning has changed where peak torque hits. I would think a lower stall would produce better results performance wise (hauling/towing).

Locking up lower gears is high on my lest as well as long as lockup doesn't happen too early and can be controller by both power/torque demand and load.My Tow haul program locks up 4&5th both not 3rd. The one way clutch or what ever it is called in 3rd lock in but I do not show the TC locked up on the tuner.

[superstroked1]

The 48re transmission in the dodge will only lock up the converter in second gear if you manually put the selector in 2nd gear. At least, that was the case with my 05...I am pretty sure there was no difference between 05 and 06 Transmissions..I could be wrong though