aw4 running temps?

[my2monkeys]

I just installed a trans temp gauge in my 89.

I was surprised to see the temp get way up to 230*f as I was climbing up out of Borrego Springs.

Not towing or heavy load. Engine temp was 210*f, which is good.

So i am not sure if my cooler is clogging or what.

Trans ran good, you wouldn't know it's hot if you didn't have a gauge.

What are your guys' temps usually at?

 

[dktool]

It will climb high quickly when the converter is not locked.

 

[Ol Blue]

AW4s do like to run hot. I hit 260F once when going up mountains on 35s. The big tires and mountains are definitely what causes my heat issue, what size tires are you on? Do you have the factory radiator integrated cooler or are you running an external cooler in front of the radiator?

I've pretty much learned to keep it out of "D" going up any sort of grade. I keep it in "3" now and will only ever shift to "D" if its flat or downhill. This helps a ton with keeping temps down. In "3" it never goes past 180F. When I used to keep it in "D" it would commonly go to 200-230F.

 

[95cherokeeCalidweller]

I had the same problem going up the 215 the 4.0 never got past at 202 but the trans was at 245° I had to pull over and let her cool off numerous times before making it to camp I will install a trans cooler behind the bumper and make “speed holes” to help with air flow

 

[maxbraketorque]

AW4s do like to run hot. I hit 260F once when going up mountains on 35s. The big tires and mountains are definitely what causes my heat issue, what size tires are you on? Do you have the factory radiator integrated cooler or are you running an external cooler in front of the radiator?

I've pretty much learned to keep it out of "D" going up any sort of grade. I keep it in "3" now and will only ever shift to "D" if its flat or downhill. This helps a ton with keeping temps down. In "3" it never goes past 180F. When I used to keep it in "D" it would commonly go to 200-230F.

I fully agree with this approach. In "D", the TC will only lock in 4th, but in "3" it will lock in 3rd.

And definitely put in a trans cooler. The most effective location is in front of the radiator on the mech fan side. This way, its constantly getting a stream of non-heated air over it.

And use a high quality ATF that can handle high heat.

 

[dktool]

I have a switch set up that I can pick any gear with or without converter lock up. Really helps !
Only 1st gear is not lockable.

 

[95cherokeeCalidweller]

Please elaborate!!!

 

[Patrick_E]

Big tires definitely make a huge difference. I’m running 33-inch tires, and when I’m crawling up steep mountain trails, the transmission temps easily hit 120-130°C (around 250-265°F). It gets pretty intense, especially without a transmission cooler installed. I’ve had to pull over a few times just to let things cool down before pushing further. Without proper cooling, you’re basically asking for overheating and potential damage during long climbs or slow off-roading. Definitely something to keep an eye on if you’re running bigger tires and tackling tough terrain.

 

[maxbraketorque]

Big tires definitely make a huge difference. I’m running 33-inch tires, and when I’m crawling up steep mountain trails, the transmission temps easily hit 120-130°C (around 250-265°F). It gets pretty intense, especially without a transmission cooler installed. I’ve had to pull over a few times just to let things cool down before pushing further. Without proper cooling, you’re basically asking for overheating and potential damage during long climbs or slow off-roading. Definitely something to keep an eye on if you’re running bigger tires and tackling tough terrain.

Have you regeared? In 4-low?

 

[Patrick_E]

Have you regeared? In 4-low?

Yeah, I’ve already regeared — running 4.56s now to match the 33s. It definitely helped, especially on the highway, but when I’m out on steep mountain trails in 4-low, the trans still gets really hot without a cooler. On long climbs or slow technical sections, it doesn’t take much for temps to spike. Honestly, I think an external trans cooler is a must if you're wheeling in the heat or doing a lot of crawling.

 

[maxbraketorque]

Yeah, I’ve already regeared — running 4.56s now to match the 33s. It definitely helped, especially on the highway, but when I’m out on steep mountain trails in 4-low, the trans still gets really hot without a cooler. On long climbs or slow technical sections, it doesn’t take much for temps to spike. Honestly, I think an external trans cooler is a must if you're wheeling in the heat or doing a lot of crawling.

Yeah, big trans cooler. Note that tube-and-fin are known to be less efficient (but somehow are still commonly available).

I still use the built-in "cooler" in the radiator and put the trans cooler before the radiator cooler. There seems to be differing opinions on whether to keep the radiator cooler, and if keeping it, then which to put first in the ATF flow path. I bought temperature sensors to allow monitoring both setups, but I never got around to hooking up the temperature sensors to a gauge.

 

[Unclewolverine]

Yeah, big trans cooler. Note that tube-and-fin are known to be less efficient (but somehow are still commonly available).

I still use the built-in "cooler" in the radiator and put the trans cooler before the radiator cooler. There seems to be differing opinions on whether to keep the radiator cooler, and if keeping it, then which to put first in the ATF flow path. I bought temperature sensors to allow monitoring both setups, but I never got around to hooking up the temperature sensors to a gauge.

From the factory all 3 of my rhd ones run the fluid to the radiator, then the stand alone cooler. Note, rhds have it in the opposite radiator tank than the lhd.