Thread: Looking at a few little upgrades, is the standard TD5 auto okay?

Shack, on here does a good mild tune for the TD5

The Auto and torque converter on these boxes are the weak point of the drive train.

IMO one of the main reasons they fail on stock vehicles is that the engine didn't make enough power for the converter to be locked as much as it should be, this in turn causes excess heating, which in turn wrecks everything.

If you can keep them locked it helps a lot.

So a mild tune isn't a bad idea, but if you go chasing higher and higher performance, the auto really needs upgrading as well.

I've fitted a temp monitor to the outlet of the Auto cooler line, you will be AMAZED how quickly they can overheat on hot weather.

Driving on soft sand with the AC, transfer in hi in hot weather will be a surefire auto killer.

Shack makes an outstanding point about the Auto, its a big concern of mine also. I would also add that towing can also mess them up.

I recommend an additional ATF cooler, the hard part is getting one that handles the abnormally high pressure that comes from the 4HP during TC lock up. This one is expensive but effective, reliable and it fits, which is a lot more than I can say for many others. This setup with 2 ATF coolers also prevents the auto overheating when the OE cooler unknowingly gets plugged up with mud from offroading. It only takes 1 overheating before you need to rebuild the auto.
Aux Transmission Oil Cooler

Also for tyre size, most will fit the 265/75-16 which is about as far as you can go for fitment without anything more than a 2" lift and standard rims. Best bang for your buck when concerning big tyres and pretty much every 4wd tyre is available in that size.

Originally Posted by shack

The Auto and torque converter on these boxes are the weak point of the drive train.

IMO one of the main reasons they fail on stock vehicles is that the engine didn't make enough power for the converter to be locked as much as it should be, this in turn causes excess heating, which in turn wrecks everything.

If you can keep them locked it helps a lot.

So a mild tune isn't a bad idea, but if you go chasing higher and higher performance, the auto really needs upgrading as well.

I've fitted a temp monitor to the outlet of the Auto cooler line, you will be AMAZED how quickly they can overheat on hot weather.

Driving on soft sand with the AC, transfer in hi in hot weather will be a surefire auto killer.

cheers for the reply,

Prior to buying I was looking into higher performance builds and quickly found out as you said the auto is a bit of a let down. So I’ve changed direction with that side of thing and just want a small bump it power to make up for the slightly larger wheels I want to run. Will the stock torque converter be sufficient?

or would that cause more slipping/heat?

Originally Posted by GasketGoneWild

cheers for the reply,

Prior to buying I was looking into higher performance builds and quickly found out as you said the auto is a bit of a let down. So I’ve changed direction with that side of thing and just want a small bump it power to make up for the slightly larger wheels I want to run. Will the stock torque converter be sufficient?

or would that cause more slipping/heat?

The stock Auto should hold up ok to a small power increase.

However you don't know what the Auto has been through already.

If it changes ok, the converter doesn't slip when locked and it doesn't take 10 seconds of idling in the morning before before the pump picks up oil .. Hopefully it should be ok!

Realistically a small increase should be fine, I would do it.

And of course, you still have a multi position throttle pedal, so you can control the power yourself.

Originally Posted by shack

The Auto and torque converter on these boxes are the weak point of the drive train.

IMO one of the main reasons they fail on stock vehicles is that the engine didn't make enough power for the converter to be locked as much as it should be, this in turn causes excess heating, which in turn wrecks everything.

If you can keep them locked it helps a lot.

So a mild tune isn't a bad idea, but if you go chasing higher and higher performance, the auto really needs upgrading as well.

I've fitted a temp monitor to the outlet of the Auto cooler line, you will be AMAZED how quickly they can overheat on hot weather.

Driving on soft sand with the AC, transfer in hi in hot weather will be a surefire auto killer.

Mines currently stock, but any tips on keeping the auto happy on soft sand? Using low range? AC off? etc. etc.

Originally Posted by reid25

Mines currently stock, but any tips on keeping the auto happy on soft sand? Using low range? AC off? etc. etc.

Yes, just get your tyre pressures right down low and make sure your ATF cooler isn't plugged up full of mud.

Originally Posted by shack

The stock Auto should hold up ok to a small power increase.

However you don't know what the Auto has been through already.

If it changes ok, the converter doesn't slip when locked and it doesn't take 10 seconds of idling in the morning before before the pump picks up oil .. Hopefully it should be ok!

Realistically a small increase should be fine, I would do it.

And of course, you still have a multi position throttle pedal, so you can control the power yourself.

cheers mate, that’s true I don’t know what it’s dealt with in the past but going off the owner before me it’s never seen any 4WDing and never towed more then a box trailer of lawn clippings.

it does operate smoothly, changes well and does feel good to drive (doesn’t do anything odd). As I said I’m only looking for a remap to compensate for the slightly larger tires and I do have some mechanical empathy so I would hope it would deal with it fine, if anything I might change the transmission fluid a bit more frequently and look at improving cooling if it’s worth it.