[Josh41]

Hi All,
Hoping to use your collective knowledge to make a decision on a transmission skid.
2016 CC LWB
Four Wheel Camper
Running at about max weight

Currently using the factory trans skid
Hefty Aluminum Engine skid
2" lift Front and rear
Airbags in rear
265/75/16 BFG KO2
Nothing else.

My concern is adding more skids will trap heat, some days in the summer we are going up some steep climbs at really slow speeds. Will additional skids just trap heat? I don't really plan on landing the truck on the skids (on purpose at least) but we do head out to some remote spots and really want to make sure we are protected from rocks and overheating.

Your thoughts are appreciated.
Josh

 

[Nissan4Life]

First off I do not believe that there is a factory transmission skid plate. Picture?

I don't think you have to worry too much about overheating the tranny. If really concerned get a trans temp reader and then skid it up.

That said do you need a transmission skid? How often do you hit your front engine skid. I bash my engine skid all the time. I have a steel one and have removed it twice to beat out the dent in the middle. I have even kissed the transfer case a couple of times. But I have never even come close to toucing the transmission. Granted I have a manual which does not hang down as low.

 

[mtyler11]

personally I say skids, but you have seen some of how I wheel... the armor is there to be used... That said, yes with full skids, when crawling along, there is a bit less air movement, but not significantly less. With an open bottom you still don't have alot of air movement. If you are concerned of overheating your trans, either grab a larger trans rad &/or a trans pan.
I have the pan, and rarely get above 180 and almost never get above 200. Every time I have got above 180, the engine is above 205 and the electric fan is running full out. Part of the fix is a lower temp engine thermostat (waiting to get installed)

 

[Josh41]

Tyler,
What do you use to monitor temps?

 

[shift_RUSH]

Does LWB make the tranny more susceptible...like the pic in your/the OP's sig?

 

[Josh41]

Does LWB make the tranny more susceptible...like the pic in your/the OP's sig?

The long wheel base makes for a poor break over angle. Sometimes touching the frame before the rear wheels come up. Not near the trans though.
The reason I want to add protection is more for the unknown. Planning on a month in Colorado, mostly off road. I try and choose moderate trails but you never know until it's in front of you.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[Sabretooth]

The long wheel base makes for a poor break over angle. Sometimes touching the frame before the rear wheels come up. Not near the trans though.
The reason I want to add protection is more for the unknown. Planning on a month in Colorado, mostly off road. I try and choose moderate trails but you never know until it's in front of you.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

Josh41 I think you've summed it up right in your last reply "for the unknown" "you never know until it's in front of you" and others have given there experience I'll add some to for some "food for thought" "It's better safe than sorry" I think if your really going that remote what would give you piece of mind and be cheaper in the long run a few hundred bucks for the skid,gauge an a add. trans cooler or walking god know how far to get a signal an pay for a recovery plus if you do damage the pan that's another bill can I get a big cha ching I just see dollar signs an "if you wanna play you gotta be willing an able to pay" so ask yourself would you rather put the $$$ into your Frontier or someones else's pocket. When I did the rad bypass for the MSOD I stuck a add. cooler up front I just replaced the rad and an reconnected the rad cooler in the rad I left the add trans cooler on for piece of mind just cause I tow a 3500lb tractor w/loader plus attachments to property out in E. Texas. I brought the gauge I just haven't installed (I know I know does a lot of good sitting on the shelf lol) I'm just waiting for next drop n fill to do it. It's just like the radiator I've had it for over a year I was just waiting till I changed fluid an hoses to do it.

So did you like all the cliche's I say like all have do it get the skid gauge and just buy the cooler local and then take it out locally hit it hard monitor your temps if you see it start to raise to high put the cooler in if not return it. Look at it this way Josh you'll be that much closer to being ready for the apocalypse good luck

 

[mtyler11]

... heat...

I have a BullyDog GT. It gives you ability to monitor 4 things at once (all I pay attention to is mph, engine temp, trans temp, 4th is flavor of the day) and a modest tune. If you load a tune I suggest you do the EGR oil/air separator also as with the tune loaded I get a slight ping under load because of the extra oil the EGR introduces to the intake track.
There are other options out there for monitoring temps. OBD scanner/guages, smart-phone apps...

If you're going to be remote, I'd armor up. An added bonus, the perfectly flat belly, added with rock rails makes it much easier to slide over dirt berms, mud, snowbanks... and you really should plan for a transfer skid and gas tank too, especially with the LWB...

The PML pan wasn't cheap, but its extra capacity helps. coupled with a cooler thermostat and a larger trans cooler and you'll never fear high temps... I'd start saving for the remaining skids, get a trans cooler (its cheaper than the pan) and a come-along. Even if you get a winch, a come-along is handy to slide the rear sideways, ease a tree out of the way, pull you backwards... just be sure its a high capacity. You can do winching with a high-lift but they make me nervous...