PaulandAnn
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Re: 40 mph uphill? Other Armada or Titan TVs?
Since another 6 pages of responses came in after my last post, I thought I'd update. jerem0621 wrote: Change the exhaust on the Armada and make it sound better.... :B Haha! Well Jeremy got me thinking... I had already decided, based on all the feedback, that I need not shy away from the higher RPMs. The Armada now has a JBA catback $454 and a K&N CAI $ 320 replaces the factory air filter box. (Nothing like an impact wrench to get those old rusty exhaust bolts off!) Anyway, at least it will sound better revved up. And driving around town I can definitely feel better throttle response and torque. We'll be heading up to Payson at 5000ft in a few weeks before the Forest service campgrounds close for the season. I'm looking forward to the hills :) Oh and I ordered a Stillen all aluminum (no plastic) 3 core radiator so that I can put the tranny cooling loop back through the engine radiator.592Views0likes0CommentsRe: 40 mph uphill? Other Armada or Titan TVs?
Keith and Lu wrote: PUCampin wrote: There have been a lot of great posts but I would like to add a little more. Something I caught in your first post is you bypassed the transmission cooling loop in the radiator when you installed the aux cooler. This is a bad idea. ... In the case of Nissan trucks, it is a common practice. The radiators up to about 2010 have a possible internal flaw where the seal between the rad fluid and the trans fluid breaks, mixing them, destroying the transmission. My Pathfinder came with a factory installed external transmission cooler. So I had no qualms doing the same. Exactly. Thank you. I was going to say that but you beat me to it. The breakdown tends to occur after about 100K miles of heat/cold cycles. Also, it's said that the main purpose of the in-radiator xmission cooler is actually to WARM UP the xmission to operating conditions in cold climates. Something I don't worry about in Phoenix. The xmission still has it's separate factory main cooler in front of the radiator. I just added another. Much cheaper and WAY easier than replacing the main radiator itself! :) I've tested it towing up to 7000ft and it works great. Anyway, astute observation of my post PUcampin, but like Keith & I explained...430Views0likes0CommentsRe: 40 mph uphill? Other Armada or Titan TVs?
Well thanks again everyone for all of your input. I've read every post and am greatly encouraged to keep the revs up and not worry about it. Frankly to disagree with a couple of you, I hate the sound of the Armada running so hard. But the temp DOES stay down. My DD and non-camping road trip car is a 2006 Pontiac GTO 6L LS2! Now THAT'S an engine I could listen to all day WO throttle! Every time I struggle up one of those hills, with everyone flying by me, I fantasize about the next time I fly up that hill in my GTO... effortlessly! Thanks again all. Ford Expedition Twin-turbocharged ecoboost 3.5-liter V-6 375hp/470tq is on my wishlist for the next TV.472Views0likes0CommentsRe: 40 mph uphill? Other Armada or Titan TVs?
OK Thanks guys for all the encouraging feedback. The concensous is "rev it up". I know in my head a DOHC engine can handle the higher rpms. My other V8s have been pushrod LS1 and LS2 engines with torque down low. Somehow my blood pressure seems to be linked to that tachometer when I get up past 4000! And, I resist flooring the throttle. I DO have it in tow mode, but just shift manually before it does) But seriously, on those climbs I have to drop down into 2nd, get up to 5000 (redline starts at 6000), just to climb from 40mph back up to 50. Then I upshift back to 4th and 4000rpm, and it slows back down to 40. And this happens on the first hill, way before I've reached 7000ft. I did check into turbos. What the heck, I put power adders on my Camaro (Cam, exhaust etc) why not this stock SUV??? Anyway Australia makes one for Armada/Titan but doesnt sell it abroad. Thanks again, I'll try and chill at higher RPMs. ps A word about tow mode: Once I was cruising along in Drive at 60mph, on a long straight gentle rise. I looked down and the trans temp was nearly pegged. I down shifted manually and the temp dropped right down. So in tow mode by itself, evidently, I was cooking the torque converter.480Views0likes0Comments40 mph uphill? Other Armada or Titan TVs?
I’ve been trolling this site for a year. There’s so much info I that haven’t needed to ask a question until now! Tv: 2006 Armada LE 5.6L DOHC V8 with factory tow package. Tow rating 9000lbs. 305/385 hp/tq 105K miles, added external trans cooler, bypassing in-radiator cooler. Andersen WD hitch which I’m very happy with. The Armada handles the trailer nicely, it’s the lack of power on the hills that makes the drive so stressful. I chill out once we're through all the hills. Trailer: 21 ft Jayco. Factory weight with propane: 4385lbs estimate another 350lbs water, a couple hundred lbs food and whatnot. Lets say 5000lbs. (I've weighed the loaded tongue, but not the entire trailer) (TV cargo: only 2 people and dog) Driving up out of Phoenix to higher cooler elevations there are several hills/ridges on our way to 7000ft elevation. On every one, I eventually slow to 40mph. Is this normal? Neither trans or engine overheat. I have learned to ignore the “Tow Mode” and just downshift manually to get higher (3000-4000) rpms, for more power and lighter load on torque converter (keeping the trans temp down). But meanwhile, monster 5th wheel “houses” fly by at 65mph on the same hill towed by their Cummins powered or whatever pickup trucks. I don’t want a pickup truck. I don’t need one. In our SUV at all times, we have 2 child seats and a large dog crate. I see the 2018 Ford Explorer with 6 cyl turbo Ecoboost has nearly 100lbs more torque and a 10 speed auto trans. Sounds nice, maybe what I need, but still too pricey. Are other Nissan owners faring any better than me?11KViews0likes106Comments
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