[krat]

On the last trip to the beach the soft top developed a new behaviour.

Original advice from this forum was low ratio, gear box in "D" for Dunes and go for it. All has gone great until driving along a flat beach at around 30k per hr, and the revs go up and down as the gears change over soft and hard sand sections.

In some sections the change was every two to three seconds. Not good for the motor or transmission.

My question, Is this normal for the 4 speed auto and what should I do to limit the changes. Lock it in 2 or use the POWER button.

Advice appreciated.

Kev.

[Fatzook]

Power button does sweet FA. It just increases the shift point by 200rpm.

As for the constant shifting in soft sand..... I installed a G16B and auto into a sierra a few years back. It does the same thing in the soft shit.

1> Fit a GOOD trans oil cooler.
2> Play around with different gears and speeds. Try high and low range to see what works best for you. Your gearing and tyres size may make the problem worse than for others, or vice versa.

[krat]

Thanks for that Fatzook.
If this problem persists, and I'm sure it will, given the driving conditions.
Can you please give me a short rundown on whats involved in fitting a cooler.

Thanks,
Kev.

[Fatzook]

Kev.

As you have a factory fitted auto, you already have a cooler of sorts. It runs through the radiator core. If you have a look at the bottom of your radiator, you will see 2 small lines. These are coming/going to the auto.

Because the auto cooler runs through the radiator, when the going gets tough, the increased water temp makes it very hard for the auto fluid to disipate heat.

To fit an aftermarket cooler, simply mount it out front of your radiator, and replace the 2 hoses that go from your radiator, back to the auto. The bigger; air-cooled core of the trans cooler will be far more effective. Be aware that the auto will take a little longer to warm up, so shifting may be a little sluggish for the first few mins. An auto trans temp guage can be useful.

[christover1]

I used a stacked plate type cooler,
off a commodore or similar, from the wreckers
Better stone resistance.
So far its cooling great, even towing a trailer.
Not been tried in sand yet, but I have fitted a booster fan to it as well now,
with the hopes of desert dune trips.

[krat]

Thanks for the advice guys.

This sounds like any easy fix. I will get it done prior to the summer fishing outings.

Kev.

[stockman]

Take it out of drive, and lock it into a gear and see how that goes.

[Fatzook]

stockman wrote:

Take it out of drive, and lock it into a gear and see how that goes.

They can still kick down.

[krat]

Just a quick update on this issue.
The auto is still changing up and down but I am sure it is not a temperature issue.
After doing the Beachport run with other AUSZOOKERS and then doing a run on Longbeach at Robe the problem is still there, however, I now have some further info.
The continuous up and down changing is in low ratio at about the 30km speed and the change is between 3rd and 4th and vice versa. I'm thinking that the 4 speed auto just doesn't like this speed in low range. There is no issue in the softer sand or dunes when the motor is working harder in 2nd or 3rd, it's when it hits the firmer sand and changes up into 4th that the problem starts.
I gave it a run in High Range and had no issues at the same speeds so it appears that my Vit 4 speed auto just doesn't like low range 4th at about 30 + km.
Just interested if others have the same issues.

Thanks,
Kev.

[Fatzook]

4th is an Overdrive gear, so if the auto is under load, it will want to kick down to 3rd.

Just leave O/D off in the soft shit.

[krat]

Sorry for the NOOB question, but how do I leave the overdrive off.
I have tried locking it in 2nd but it revs its head off at 30km+.

Kev.

[Fatzook]

You should have a little switch on the side of your T-bar.

[christover1]

Mine locks out the OD in low. (from factory)
It is locked out by a signal from the 4wdL warning light.
Maybe it is a fault in the wiring.

OD off is a button on back of t-bar,
and a light on dash tells you its off

[krat]

Just checked for the button, and of course it is there. Just never had cause to use it before.
I'll give it a test run on the beach tomorrow and report back.

Thanks for the advice, I think my problem is easily solved.

Kev.

[atari4x4]

krat wrote:

Thanks for the advice, I think my problem is easily solved.

Kev.

yep, go faster & keep the doors closed

[krat]

Problem solved, Overdrive off and all good.
Thanks to all for the advice, and yes Gus keep the door closed.
I have removed the front guard and the door, hinges are well stuffed but the pillar looks ok. Now I just need a door and guard.

Kev.