2024 Ram 3500 exhaust brake with the Aisin transmission

[westcoaster]

How is the exhaust brake/transmission supposed to operate?
Or, more specifically, operate at slow speed/off road?

I load my truck camper in the back of my truck, turn right onto the nearest logging road and up into the mountain to a high altitude lake.

Getting up there isn't much of an issue, Transmission seems to get warm (107*c or 224.6*F) The engine fan comes on to cool the transmission at around 90*c (194*F)

It is heading back down the steep grades that is the issue. I can't seem to get the exhaust brake to engage in first gear at any speed, and I need to go between 30 and 35Kmh (18.5-21.7mph) before the torque converter will lockup in second gear. After the torque converter has locked up the exhaust brake will work down to 20kmh in second gear.

This is with tow-haul engaged or not. Makes no difference.

Is the exhaust brake supposed to work in first gear?
Google's AI generated answer says yes, however, not one I trust....
Dealer says "normal operation, no fault found"

Thanks,
Apologies for the over size pictures, however, everyone does want pictures....

 

[superjoe83]

It will not lock the converter in 1st, so no engine brake in that gear

 

[westcoaster]

Well, that sucks....

Thanks for the reply!

 

[superjoe83]

Well, that sucks....

Thanks for the reply!

I have the BD 2Low kit on my truck to keep the drive train from binding up when backing my 5th wheel up to my shop witch has a steep incline in front of it. I haven't tried it on my truck, but I would try and see if you could run it in low range and get the exhaust brake to slow you at a lower ground speed. If it works you could install the BD kit to run 2Low on the logging roads.

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[Brutal_HO]

OP, those temps are high for the AISIN, if you're not locking up the converter uphill, you should run in 4-Low at a higher gear.

 

[westcoaster]

I have the BD 2Low kit on my truck to keep the drive train from binding up when backing my 5th wheel up to my shop witch has a steep incline in front of it. I haven't tried it on my truck, but I would try and see if you could run it in low range and get the exhaust brake to slow you at a lower ground speed. If it works you could install the BD kit to run 2Low on the logging roads.

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That's interesting. I'll keep that in mind. I have found over time that it is preferable to use 4 wheel drive both going up and coming down to simply cut down on the rear tire wear. The gravel road and the minor amount of tire slip with a heavy load on tends to take chunks out of the rubber. The old truck would drag the rear wheels downhill under certain circumstances ('04 ram 6 speed manual with a pacbrake)

 

[westcoaster]

OP, those temps are high for the AISIN, if you're not locking up the converter uphill, you should run in 4-Low at a higher gear.

The dark brown stains the dipstick leaves on the white paper towel when checking the transmission oil says you are correct. (Edit: fluid is red, there is some other deposit leaving the brown colour)
The dealer on the other hand says that's "normal". Says normal operating temp is between 25*c and 140*c...

Just need to figure out how to run this truck in a way that isn't going to leave me stranded some day....

 

[ErikTheRed]

OP, those temps are high for the AISIN, if you're not locking up the converter uphill, you should run in 4-Low at a higher gear.

This would only be ok on a gravel or dirt road, right?

 

[Brutal_HO]

This would only be ok on a gravel or dirt road, right?

Considering the Op said "logging road," that was assumed.

There is always the option of using BD's 2-low lockout kit that's safe on pavement.

 

[Trash Panda]

This would only be ok on a gravel or dirt road, right?

Temps in that range should be avoided for longer periods of time.

Spikes when traveling slowly with low airflow and an unlocked torque converter are bound to happen, but efforts should be made to minimize it.