#4 plate and stock transmission

[Blackcloud]

I don't plan on upgrading the transmission in the immediate future,but I just got a #4 plate for my '96 and was wondering how long the stock transmission might last. The truck is mostly stock, only has 60,000 miles and has been well maintained. I'm kinda thinking out loud here,so don't brand me as an idiot quite yet. I know TST says not to go this hot 'cause it can't take it,but this plate sitting on the bench is driving me nuts. Man this bombing puts a dent in the pocketbook,but I love it. Help me think clearly here. Sould I do it or not?

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

You don't say it, but your truck must have an automatic. Anything hotter than the #8 is risky. I have felt/heard the clutch packs slipping with a #5 and stock trans (line pressure), driven solo. The 4 is a good way to accelerate your b. o. m. b. ing process.

 

[Blackcloud]

Joe- I assume that when you say "solo",you mean w/o a trailer?I do plan on upgrading the trans,it's the same battle cry (lack of funds). I was thinking maybe about having the work done at Muncie.

 

[Strick-9]

Turn up your line pressure as much as you can. Details on DTT's website.



Don't lock your TC for acceleration. Don't even let it lock below 2000 rpm while accelerating hard. Install an unlock switch to help. The transmission might surprise you.



I didn't follow the rules above and my freshly rebuilt transmission lasted 4 months and was completely destroyed. Not just burnt clutches either. Stripped front hub, burnt TC clutch, trash everywhere, band strut even fell out into the pan. Major damage.



I had the equivalent of a TST #4.

Enjoy.



-Chris

 

[Jim Fulmer]

I had a #8 plate in the middle and the rest in the signature and when James did my transmission the O/D clutches were blue, direct clutches were slipping, O/D enguagement spring was weak and converter clutch was slipping, yep I abused it! Do what Chris is saying to do and back that plate off to minus stock.



Jim

 

[CWeidenkeller]

Got that same set up in mine, plus I'm turning 37" swampers, so it's a little loaded up from the git-go. Can't seem to keep my foot out of the dang thing either... ...



I'm in the same boat, lack of funds. Really started to notice the slip when I put my 49 state intake and AFE on. For now, I'm just running the plate way back and taking it easy on the go-pedal... ...



Any way you look at it I'm still hastening the trans' demise. Just hope it gives up on me close to the house. I hate to see a Dodge going down the road on a tow truck... ... .

 

[rjones]

I HAVE THE NUMBER 4 TST IN MINE WITH JUST THE BC V/B AND THE BD "LX" TC THE REST IS STOCK MINE DOESNT SLIP AT ALL"YET" ITS BEEN IN FOR ABOUT 3MONTHS NOW.

 

[jimk]

torque convertor

I not sure as to what you guys are saying. When you stand on the motor below 2000 rpms or at any rpm you unlock your torque convertor to prevent damage to the convertor or the transmission. So when you unlock the transmission the convertors will flash to? Can you use overdrive or is this limited to 3 gear only when you are really into the miles per hour.

I am still sitting on the fence when it comes to an automatic. But I had no problems yet with mine so ( I have babed it so I would make it last ) but I would like to be able to really run it through the gears, how ever I know better as it would probably gut the transmission.

Thanks JIm

 

[CWeidenkeller]

I'm sure I'm opening myself up for some minor flaming, but there are three major limiting factors in the stock trans (so I'm told). First, the auto is only good for around 650 ft/lbs, second, the torque converter is very inefficient and doesn't have much surface area in the lock up clutch, and third, exceeding the above ratings will burn clutches and blow the lip seal.



Bottom line is you are wasting money in the HP/$ equation while hastening the demise of your trans... ... I speak from experience on that point. My stock trans slips so bad I just keep my foot out of it... ...



I'm gonna turn up the line pressure and do some VB mods that Bill K. suggested, but this is just staving off the inevitable until I can afford the complete DTT setup.

 

[Extreme1]

I was in a similar situation with my #5. I got a kit from Goerend's and that helped a lot (it was not installed per directions). It would still slip slightly if I really tried but I had already been slipping it for a while. The new TC fixed it of course.

 

[Gray 5.9]

Line pressure

Just how much can you turn up the the line pressure 1 turn the screw until you can't turn it no more or, 2 just a certain amount to gain a few more psi. I noticed that my truck will shudder a little when I give it a little go pedal in slow heavy traffic, and when It shifts, it does it hard jerking the truck into second, third, and fourth

 

[Joe G.]

Emerald5. 9,



I hope you don't have the TCC locked when it shifts. If you do then that would account for the hard shifts. Eventually break things doing that. I only use my switch for the exhaust brake. If I'm just running along the freeway I have the switch on for decelleration or off ramps. If I am going to pull hard or excellerate hard I force the TCC to be unlocked. No signs of slipping or shudder in mine. Never never lug it with the TCC locked. I do have the DTT VB and TC.

 

[Gray 5.9]

Joe. G

I don't have the switch on unless I do like you described, coasting or waiting untill I'm above 50 mph so that it won't unlock. When I do get just below 50 mph I'll flip the switch back off to normal.

 

[Joe G.]

I dunno then. It shouldn't shift hard unless you have the wrong oil. Have you tried Lubegard? If not a bottle of the red stuff might help. Get it at NAPA.

 

[Gray 5.9]

Ive been running ATF+3 amaco that you get at autozone. I might add a quart of Lucas translube in to see if that helps, they have it at napa. Other than the hard shifting, and high stall speed of the stock torque convertor it's ok. Still bothers me that when tring to keep up with fast traffic, I hit the pedal wide open and still get past by a Kia sportage OH well... I quess I'll just have to bare with it untill I can afford a DTT trans.