4l60 torque converter lockup kit

[field57]

I was wondering if a lockup kit is a good thing to have for towing. I have a 92 k1500 that I tow a camper with that weighs nearly 6,000lbs. I can't keep the torque converter locked on the highway most of time. Any slight wind or incline it unlocks. I also have a trans temp gauge with the sender in the pan and I have seen temps around 210. If I go really easy (about 50mph) it will stay locked and maintain temps around 175-180. So is it worth installing one of these kits? Would sure be nice to hit a switch and keep it locked while driving 60mph. Thanks.

 

[rhino]

I wouldn't try that. Not saying it wouldn't work though. It would put a ton of pressure on the converter clutch though. Do you have a nice sized external cooler? I would try cooling the trans by a different means that tricking the converter to stay on. Maybe a deep pan, new synthetic fluid, or a drop cooler.

 

[field57]

Ok thanks, I did it and it seems to work fine. I didn't think the old tbi would be overly hard on the converter clutch just because it is a fairly gutless engine?

 

[VCaddy]

I'd just tow in 3rd and deal with the marginally worse fuel economy. Seems like these trucks get 10MPG no matter what you're towing or how fast.

 

[field57]

Ya you are right about the fuel economy thing and I always did tow in 3rd but when the converter stays unlocked I was just building way too much heat in a short amount of time. When it is locked it stays nice and cool.

 

[VCaddy]

Wish I would have had a trans temp gauge when I towed my 5700# car trailer from Utah to North Dakota. Pulled it at 55MPH in 3rd the whole way, but all I know is that it didn't burn the fluid.

Do you have the factory trans cooler?

 

[field57]

The cooler I have is a fairly large one that a previous owner installed. I do have a gauge and was hitting 215 degree pan temperatures for long periods of time. If i was able to keep it locked it would stay around 175.

 

[ccreddell]

I know when I adjust my TV cable, I can adjust out the early unlocking of the converter. Might just need an adjustment so it unlocks at a greater throttle opening.

 

[rhino]

Man mine won't get over 12 going down hill haha. Yeah don't let her get far over 225 for sure. What type of kit did you go with?

 

[field57]

I just bought a decent 2 pole toggle switch and wired it myself.
Took about 30 min taking my time to try do a good job on it.