Hypothesis on transmission

[gwhalin]

Yeah that doesn't mean it is learning my driving style. Given there is a specific technique to force the transmission to relearn it's strategy, that implies to me that is not personalized to the driver.

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[VegasRanger]

What’s weird about my truck is that one day it drives perfect! The next day, nothing changed, but nothing but transmission issues. Multiple times I’ve gotten really harsh thumps where no joke, I thought someone had rear ended me and I had to look in my mirror. The transmission is the only thing pissing me off about this truck and making me want to trade it in. I’ve had Rams, Silverados, Tacomas, Frontiers, throughout the years (yeah I trade in often) and none of those trucks had the transmission issues this one has had. The closest one was maybe my 2016 Silverado with the 6 speed, but even then it was an occasional thump.

On my Ranger I know it’s the transmission and not the driveshaft that needs lubing as I switched to a one piece 25K miles ago.

 

[Racket]

@Mishimoto the forum won't let me message you directly but I have an inquiry: I see you offer a thermal bypass for the Ford Raptor with the 10R80 transmission. I didn't know how similar these transmissions are to the ones in Mustangs and our Rangers? I think some of us might be interested.

 

[ctechbob]

@Mishimoto the forum won't let me message you directly but I have an inquiry: I see you offer a thermal bypass for the Ford Raptor with the 10R80 transmission. I didn't know how similar these transmissions are to the ones in Mustangs and our Rangers? I think some of us might be interested.

What are you hoping to accomplish with it? The cooling of our transmissions isn't really a problem. There is plenty of capacity in the stock system to keep the temperature stable.

A Raptor that is beating on their gearbox is a very different thing, and could probably use some additional cooling, but I don't see that adding cooling to a Ranger is going to help at stock or slightly above stock power levels.

 

[TJC]

FWIW, My Ranger transmission shifts great during the winter, but is a problem during the summer.

Coincidence? Maybe. Maybe not.

 

[Wang.S]

FWIW, My Ranger transmission shifts great during the winter, but is a problem during the summer.

Coincidence? Maybe. Maybe not.

Thats assbackwards from my experiences.
And I believe thats one thing that keeps these transmission threads alive and kicking. The fact everyone has a different quirk, makes it hard to nail down an overall silver bullet on the transmission.

 

[Racket]

What are you hoping to accomplish with it? The cooling of our transmissions isn't really a problem. There is plenty of capacity in the stock system to keep the temperature stable.

A Raptor that is beating on their gearbox is a very different thing, and could probably use some additional cooling, but I don't see that adding cooling to a Ranger is going to help at stock or slightly above stock power levels.

I've seen bypasses for the 10R80 that allow an owner to route to a completely separate cooler and that's not what I'd want to explore. The stock trans cooler integrates radiator coolant - like the turbo does - and that is good for equalizing temperatures in the truck. What I've read in Mustang forums and a couple F150 ones (larger forums than this) is that while they may be 'abusing' their vehicles the common problem with the 10R80 is burnt clutch packs.

To your point the design on our trucks is pretty good and I seriously doubt any of us will get the power out of ours to destroy transmissions the way those guys do. I don't think a bigger cooler with it's coolant integration would be called for, besides it would have to hang down lower since thicker may not add any benefit.

But a little over-engineering doesn't necessarily hurt. Tow regularly at high altitudes? Operate in constant heat? Rely on the gas pedal and Sport mode? The general concern is trans fluid temps crossing the 220° threshold and there are no dedicated sensors to monitor that. Getting the fluid to a good temp quickly then limiting it is as much a function of the radiator and there are aftermarket units for our trucks too.

Keeping the transmission temps in check is part of Ford's design and here we discuss replacement pans, soft shift programming and dip sticks since too much trans fluid is about as bad as too little.

Ford's solution to problems may be as simple as programming, a mysterious valve body replacement until faced with a transmission overhaul under warranty.

Making sure the fluid gets to the cooler at a lower temp seems like preventative action, especially since coolant temps will be coming up at the same time.

 

[Wang.S]

My question is whats causing the burnt clutch packs?
Designed material?
Designed soft shifts?
Overtemp of the assembly and therefore the oil?
Combination of all?

Adding extra cooling may only solve the overtemp condition if it exists, and do nothing about the other two, but still end up with the same result.

So many questions.

 

[Racket]

My question is whats causing the burnt clutch packs?
Designed material?
Designed soft shifts?
Overtemp of the assembly and therefore the oil?
Combination of all?

Adding extra cooling may only solve the overtemp condition if it exists, and do nothing about the other two, but still end up with the same result.

So many questions.

Personally I think slipped bushings in the previous model (to 2023) CDF drum in the 10R80 are the primary cause of failure.

After that the valve body may play a role since Ford doesn't just swap out the unit they must update programming. It leads me to believe aftermarket transmission builders who specifically hone in on changing pressure(s) in their solution(s) are on to something as well. The lack of flow may be contributing to burning the clutch packs.

I don't think shift points are as big an issue but might contribute?

Being able to accurately control trans fluid levels is going to be a big deal and Ford doesn't make that convenient. That's why a remote dipstick is going to be crucial.

 

[Wytchdctr]

FWIW, My Ranger transmission shifts great during the winter, but is a problem during the summer.

Coincidence? Maybe. Maybe not.

It's sitting around 100 actual temp most days here and mine has acted better in the heat. Just because it want to be a turd and be different.

 

[Wytchdctr]

What’s weird about my truck is that one day it drives perfect! The next day, nothing changed, but nothing but transmission issues. Multiple times I’ve gotten really harsh thumps where no joke, I thought someone had rear ended me and I had to look in my mirror. The transmission is the only thing pissing me off about this truck and making me want to trade it in. I’ve had Rams, Silverados, Tacomas, Frontiers, throughout the years (yeah I trade in often) and none of those trucks had the transmission issues this one has had. The closest one was maybe my 2016 Silverado with the 6 speed, but even then it was an occasional thump.

On my Ranger I know it’s the transmission and not the driveshaft that needs lubing as I switched to a one piece 25K miles ago.

Same. On the perfect days and bad days. Today is a bad day. If this thing had the broncos stick shift.. I think I'd never let it go.

 

[Racket]

Whether a larger capacity trans fluid pan is a real benefit or not I don't know. If you warm up the truck in the cold winter I think it's a good thing as the coolant temps influence the turbo and the transmission's. Maybe less so in the summer but something to be said about equalizing temps and getting pressure up to a certain level.

We may comain about how FordPass remote start impacts MPGs but it might lengthen the mechanical life too

 

[Jason B]

Someone posted charts of engine and trans temps while towing a trailer thru mountainous region. Temps were pretty solid at around 220. No large spikes when climbing. This tells me that Rangers have adequate trans cooling.

 

[Msfitoy]

My trans temp seems to be within 5+- degrees of what ever the engine temp is...

 

[Racket]

Someone posted charts of engine and trans temps while towing a trailer thru mountainous region. Temps were pretty solid at around 220. No large spikes when climbing. This tells me that Rangers have adequate trans cooling.

There are no dedicated sensors in the transmission and 220 is pretty high. IIRC the readings are based on coolant. At least the factory coolant system integrated with the trans cooler is good, but keeping those peaks down would extend the life of the tranny. Conventional coolants boil at around 235°.

The only tweak might be alternative coolants. A while back I was researching Evans NPG as a candidate. In fairness I don't think the coolant in ours adds H2O?



There would be modifications required to run this stuff like a more efficient radiator, purging the entire system of water before switching and altering or eliminating the thermostat. It might affect power and the radiator fan may run more unless there is some way to change it's operation. The upshot is low system pressure and less electrolysis between dissimilar metals.

https://greengarageblog.org/17-waterless-coolant-pros-and-cons

Edit to add: alternative coolants seem overly complex. Specific ones like Evans require significant re-engineering that probably exceeds benefits although I suppose there are approaches that could enhance our Ecoboost in coming up to temp, performing under boost and limiting head temps.

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