D2TD5 auto heavy towing update
Just come back from a week towing the 3.5T brick around the southwest of WA. Of course we don't have quite the mountains of the east coast, but still found a few reasonable slopes to haul up.
My D2 has recently been fitted with a 2nd hand alum radiator via DazzaTD5/Aztec 4x4 to replace the standard OEM, and definitely makes an incremental improvement.
With my mild remap but oversize tyres, I'm realistically limited to between 80 and 90 on the flat in order to keep the EGTs under 600 (usually varies between 450 and 550).
I had my worst economy ever at 21.43L/100km from Perth to Cranbrook near Mt Barker in hilly country with that terrible wind on the Sunday.
Next day gently did the Stirling Ranges (gravel) and Porongorup National Parks and then downhill on to Albany averaging 15.43L/100km.
Albany to Manjimup through the karri forests, including visiting Klonk/Steve in Albany and then Discorevy/Craig in Nirvana resulted in 17.03L/100 km.
Manjimup to Margaret River to visit family was similarly 17.23L/100 km. Noticed quite a few Discos and the odd Defender in Augusta as we took a quick detour en route. I'm wondering if a certain ex National Park Ranger who lurks on here occasionally has gone more into collecting or maybe servicing/repairing for others in his retirement. Didn't have time to stop and check - next trip.
About to head off for a weighbridge check, and refuel to gauge the economy for the last section from Margaret River back home up the dual lane Forest Highway (which hopefully will be under the 17L/100 km mark with sitting on 2,500 rpm/85 kmph with little or no wind and ambient temps under 27 degrees.
I've noticed that once ambient gets over 30, the coolant temp (which for virtually all of the coolish trip sat between 88 and 91) rises a little, similar to my towing experience for the Coral Bay trip last September.
I have a very good front mounted transmission cooler with over-ride fan, so as an experiment turned on the fan for a while during the last leg. Made no difference to the 60 degrees trans oil reading, so looks like its more likely to be useful in low speed/low range heavy transmission work - if ever needed.
My newly replaced sensor for the trans cooler temp sits at the back of the pan, and does not protrude much into the oil. Nevertheless, I'm sure it reflects close to actual oil temp, even if with a little time lag. This reinforces my long held view that I'm running too cool and I need a trans cooler restrictor/bypass something like the Derale 25792 to allow the oil to get a little warmer consistent with the advice from Dave at Ashcrofts. I'll need two, one for each car, so seeing as how they are difficult to locate in AU (no stock, so I'm advised) just in case anyone wants to join in a group buy, I'll eventually post something in the appropriate section.
Cheers Gavin
EDIT - forgot to mention I always tow in 3rd Sport, plus take off in 1st as suggested by others on here.
D4 MY16 TDV6 - Cambo towing magic, Traxide Batteries, X Lifter, GAP ID Tool, Snorkel, Mitch Hitch, Clearview Mirrors, F&R Dashcams, CB
RRC MY95 LSE Vogue Softdash "Bessie" with MY99 TD5 and 4HP24 transplants
SADLY SOLD MY04 D2a TD5 auto and MY10 D4 2.7 both with lots of goodies
Reply With QuoteOriginally Posted by gavinwibrow
Just come back from a week towing the 3.5T brick around the southwest of WA. Of course we don't have quite the mountains of the east coast, but still found a few reasonable slopes to haul up.
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