manual lock up torque converter

Fergus,

Give ya local Auto tranny mob a ring (if you live in the city) and talk to them about it. A lot of taxis have this sort of a set up to try and use less fuel and get longer life out of the tranny. I'm pretty sure that you could also have the rpm that it locks up at, come in lower(depending on the technology of the box).

If this is in relation to the exhaust brake, all you would need them to do is set the tranny up so that when the exhaust brake is activated the transmission will automatically go into lock-up.

I once looked at putting an exhaust brake setup in my 75 Series, because they have exhaust brakes in the Coaster buses which use a 1HZ motor. However talking to a mechanic at work he said there is a fair bit to change and get it set up. Cheaper to replace brake pads a little more often I reckoned.

Cheers,
Hughesy

Hi Fergus
I have a nissan terrano (grey import) with locking torque converter( optional accessory available in japan) works a treat great for hill climbing especially towing tends to act more like a manual (cuts out slippage -rpm lower) but its real advantage is hill decent in low range it gives engine braking like a manual.Turn it off, back to normal, and it runs away like your normal auto- I have impressed a few manual only 4wd people with its abilities.
if its not an expensive mod i'd say its worth every cent
regards Kev

Fergus,

I have fitted a few to vehicles, easy to do. Find the wire that feeds the soloniod in the trans and run an ignition feed to it via a relay that is energised by a push button switch (I used old holden high beam switches, and mounted them on the left foot rest). The relay coil is wired in series with the brake light pedal switch, so when you brake, the converter unlocks. Send me your email address and I'll send you the circuit diagram if you like.

Chaz
http://members.bettanet.net.au/~conody/index.htm

Been there and done that!
I had a 60 series auto some years ago and spent hrs designing and fitting an torque converter locking device.
It worked with a small air operated cylinder pushing in the valve which locks the converter.
It worked well, with locked position able to stall the motorif engaged at idle.
But as a method to slow you down on hills it is just not enough,the diff ratios and gearing of the autos does not give enough reduction for safety.
Since then I have owned two patrols and fitted Marks low range rock crawling gears in the transfer case with brilliant results.
My first gear is lower than the equivalent manual and can go anywhere a manual vehicle can,its the only real way to get safe low gear speed reduction.
Regards