2014 silverado 4.3 snow plow

foracle · July 24, 2021

I want to start by saying i understand i am working my truck a tad hard. And I AM going to continue. I just want to protect it as much as possible while doing that.

I have a 2014 silverado with the 4.3 v6. 102,000 miles and never a problem. Owned since new. When i haul heavy up gravel roads my tranny gets hot like....220-240. I am a carpenter and pull materials and box trailers. I installed a snow plow this year which is snow moving so not a lot of air moving past radiator. I have hit 250 before.

I had the transmission flushed at 50,000 and again at 100,000. But i would like to get my temps down. I am thinking an aftermarket fan? An additional tranny cooler?

From what i read the tranny cooler is basically built into the radiator. And because the engine runs so hot you wont get too much cooling ability. Also it dosnt start actively cooling until 190?

So i guess i need to adjust my thinking to the trucks 190 and up temperature range. But I am not happy with 230 for hours on end. I dont plow commercially just a few small drive ways. Any technical advice, not just opinions(lol) would help.

Grumpy Bear · July 24, 2021

You do not have to live with this condition and it is harmful long term. You have done well changing fluids ever 50 K. That is huge. The 4.3 also does not have the troublesome JBMX converter the V8 models have. Also a plus. Keeping the fluid under 180 F will help.

A thermostat bypass:

and an ancillary cooler with thermostatic fan would be right up you alley. Trigger about 160 F. Try Derale

https://derale.com/product-footer/fluid-coolers/transmission/remote-mount2013-10-28-09-53-271226240719

foracle · July 24, 2021

Thanks! They sound like what I had in mind. But its hard to know if my opinions, based on theory and no real mechanical knowledge, are on the right track.

And its hard to separate real solutions and quality products from gimmicks.

So thanks for the info!

newdude · July 24, 2021

Must Have - Superior 6L80 6L90 SURE-COOL Cooler System - Easy-to-Install (globaltransmissionparts.com)

Nothing wrong with doing the pill flip, but this is a great alternative to it. This will drop the temps on the trans. I would maybe start with this before adding an extra cooler. If its still not low enough for your liking, then you could add more to it.

Also, how do you operate the plow between your driveways? What I mean is, when you are driving around and its on, do you leave it straight or angled to the left or right? Also, what kind of plow do you have?

Edited July 24, 2021 by newdude

foracle · July 25, 2021

I normally have it slightly above ground and straight. Angled tends to tip one corner too low and tap ground. I have it as low as I can to get as much air flow. Sometimes I just sit with the hood up for 20 or 30 minutes and let the temperature drop.

But I will check out recommendation. Thanks

Tech89 · July 26, 2021

Thanks for linking my video again grumpy bear! So first off to the original post. I did a thermal to active bypass. The pill flip IS for the most part free but using the STL010 to replace the original thermostat give you a piece of mind that you still have that protection of a blockage or freezup (up north) and the active bypass will shut off and return to the factory setup. When you do the pill flip you just assume everything will be peachy forever. For me personally $42 and free shipping was cheap insurance. I am a GM tech since 2007 and if you’ve seen the internals of these things a nice shiny blue like I have you would dish out the $42 as fast as you could. I’ve dropped personally on my truck today( 94 degrees ) about 40 degrees. I drove today (not pulling) about 5 hours with about 2-3 hours of bumper to bumper and the hottest temp I saw my transmission run was about 137 degrees. I don’t make a penny with this video or selling this product. Just a GM tech who cringes at the sight of the flat bed rolling up with one of these things on the back just glaring at me.

newdude · July 26, 2021

On 7/24/2021 at 10:33 PM, foracle said:

I normally have it slightly above ground and straight. Angled tends to tip one corner too low and tap ground. I have it as low as I can to get as much air flow. Sometimes I just sit with the hood up for 20 or 30 minutes and let the temperature drop.

But I will check out recommendation. Thanks

This is 90% the culprit. Straight position and either just off the ground or all the way up straight. You are creating a big air wall that isn't letting air over the blade to the radiator. A literal brick into the wind scenario.

Full up and angled left or right will let air pass properly.

If you want to keep it in the straight position, get something like this: Air Deflectors for Straight Plows - PlowFlowmaster Snow Plow Air Foils - Snowplow Overheating Solutions

UI Bulletin 131c.pdf (gmupfitter.com)

Edited July 26, 2021 by newdude