Hi folks. New to this forum. I hope I'm in the right place. I'd like some feed back on the Yukon 3/4 ton 3.72 gears hauling near capacity in 110 + degree heat. Has anyone done that? Are there any experiences you have that could be helpful? I really appreciate it. I'm traveling from FL to Phoenix and parts around there in July. Yeah. I know. I could have picked a cooler time, but it just wasn't gonna happen. Thanks.
check the fluids before you go. make sure you have good brakes and youll be fine. just dont try to dodge gas stations imp:
I agree check your fluids especially the antifreeze, if in doubt change it out. have a safe trip and drink lots of water when in the heat.
I live in AZ . I run synthetic in all my diffs ( thanks hoss for the tip ) , and the heat is no problem . Redline or Royal Purple can drop your temps a bunch . The cooling system needs to be up to snuff on the motor , I would worry about that more than the axles gears waytogo
Cooling system better be, the dang thing's brand new. I am interested in the synthetic stuff though. Around these parts I heat it up to 190 plus and there's no hills. I know it's going to be hotter out there. Does the synthetic diff fluid actually make a great difference? Thanks.
190 is fine, especially since normal operating temps on GM's is 210. You must a different thermostat in it. Royal purple has some antifreeze additive, and it is supposed to bring you down some more.
There are different thermostats you can put in to allow the water to flow to the radiator at different temps. For example 210, 190, 175?, etc. Instead of holding the water in the block until it reaches 210, yours is releasing it at 190 to the radiator. It is common to do this (190) in the south where temps can get pretty high! I like the 210 because it allows my heater to get hotter faster in the winter.
Use mobil one synthetic engine oil. consider an oil temperature gauge also, if you do, put it before the stock cooler so you can see how hot it is getting. Many people have a hard time getting out of Phoenix in the afternoon this time of year, unless going east. We are in a valley.
I would take your rig to the car wash and blow off the engine, radiator, and or tranny cooler to remove anything that might add heat. Also think of changing your oil and tranny fluid before you go I second the Mobil One.
Don't forget the diff's like pauly383 suggest. I cooked my rear gear lube coming from Disney World July 2nd, the outside temp wasn't too hot but pulling my 5er at highway speeds sent the gear lube temp to extremes. I'll be switching to Amsoil gear lube sometime next week.
I'm going to install a PML or Mag-Tec diff cover and use Amsoil synthetic gear lube, hopefully this will cure the overheating. If not I'll try the remote oil cooler. I never had this problem with any of the Ford diesels (3) I've owned in the past...
Back from the wild west Everything worked great. I didn't change a thing...all stock and dealer recommended fluids. Got the transmission up to 225+ a couple of times, but it didn't seem to bother it at all. Great vehicle. ps Louisianna has some rough interstate. I actually got airborn once, and I know I did because I heard the tires screech when I came down.
