Auto question. Probably been done but I cannot find it.

[Goodsy]

G'day guys
Simple question. I read a lot about the auto unlocking very early ever with a touch on the
accelerator.
Question is can you put in a simple switch to keep the auto locked?

ATM I have nailed it down to 2 PJ's. 2004 GLX's one auto one manual.
Both have 120000km's on them and drive like new. The auto has a colour coded
ARB winch bar.

I like the auto but we will be towing a 1.6 ton caravan and am wondering if the
auto is up to it.

Any info greatly appreciated

Goodsy

[outbackogre]

Goodsy, I don't think you say whether you're looking at petrol or diesel, though I don't suppose it makes a lot of difference. I tow a 1 tonne CT with an auto diesel NP. I find that the torgue converter will not hold lock up in top gear at 100kph unless conditions are favourable, eg. tail wind. Towing a caravan of that weight I would suggest that you'll only achieve lockup while going downhill. Some people worry about this and pull it back into 4th gear (in manual mode) and tow at 95 kph; others just leave it in auto mode and let the auto do it's thing. The Invecs transmission has a good rep, but some have talked about fitting a larger trans fluid coolers. I don't know if there's a way to force lockup in top gear. Cheers.

[Goodsy]

Thanks for your reply. Both are 3.8's. I love the auto but it seems that on this
forum problems are constantly popping up. But also a few here have had there
manual box rebuilt at around the 200k mark. Not many K's. My TD Hilux has 220k's on it
and the box is as new. This also towed the van around oz for 2 years.
Btw I'm not an old fart. We just decided to travel while we were in limbo. 8)

The auto will get an after market cooler to cover all bases.

As I said I love the auto box. Maybe I'm looking to hard for faults.

What is the manual box out of? Is it the same as the NL's?

[Zed]

Tow in 4th in the auto and there wont be any problem with the torque converter unlocking

[mrbitchi]

The auto already has a pretty good cooler.
The unlock issue seems to be more of a problem with the diesels.
When I tow I use maual mode when in hilly terrrain and only use drive when the going is easy. No problems with TC lockup so far.

[sprintman]

NM/NP require torque converter change to tow heavy loads like you intend to. No big deal really.

http://www.automatictransmission.com.au/release.asp?NewsId=38412

[mrbitchi]

NM/NP require torque converter change to tow heavy loads like you intend to. No big deal really.

http://www.automatictransmission.com...p?NewsId=38412

Since when???

[Ian Johnston]

Sounds like a sales pitch to me I am sure Mitso wouldnt build a vehicle knowing it wasnt going to do its intended job.

[Patagonia]

I have an NL and the manual says to disconnect Over drive when towing, tihs would be using 4th on the NS. This is common in many AT´s despite the brand and is intended to keep oil cooler and give longer life to the trans. I guess it might even use less fuel as you have no torque difference in/out of the TC.

regards

[wisey]

I have towed a 1.6t caravan about 10000km with a DiD auto. I use 4th gear when doing less than 95Km/hr. Have not had any auto problems. The car has done 320000Km. The car has an aux. cooler. Quite happy with a relaxed drive with the 'van in tow.
Cheers

[C&S Evo7]

my mate here in the UK regularly tows a 2.8 ton race trailer with a LWB DiD on round trips of 4-600 miles about 10 times a year, he doesnt even tow in 4wd and has never had a problem with the trans, it has ome suspension and has been around the world (it was used by a TV show as a support vehilce before hehad it) and generally abused, it is showing 120K miles and is regularly serviced. i wiouldnt worry with a 1.6 ton caravan, its well within the towing capacity.