ATS Lock-up Transmissions...

[Nicholas]

Good evening everyone,



Would anyone know if it's possible to fit a complete "ATS" lock-up transmission into a 1st gen truck???



Any information would be greatly appreciated.



Thank you,



Nicholas R. Gajewski

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

Ohhhhhh Nicholas,,,,



WOW, the new guy jumps in with both feet and both hands. . "D



Bud, you just tapped the hottest topic since income tax.....



It is possible to have a custom lockup transmission system installed. It is of course, more costly than a custom made fluid coupling system. Mostly due to the fact that we use a fluid coupling system all the way... .



There will be some electronics involved (PCM??) and of course any crossmember changes, driveshaft alterations (??), etc. that may go with it... . I'm sure there are other things that I'm not aware of to.

It does take some doing but yes, it can be done... .



I won't belabour the point, but you can see my preferrence in my sig below, and you can have a fluid coupling system that will hold your truck down as good as any lock-up IN OUR application. .



Good luck with your inquiries/choice.



Bob.

 

[cerberusiam]

A 618/47RH/47RE/48RE can be put in the 1st gen trucks with a little work and parts.



Parts needed - (I have the Cummins part #'s if needed)



Late model starter

Flex plate

Engine adapter

Transmission wiring harness





The drive line needs to be shortened about 1. 25 inches. The shift linkage frame mount needs to be moved back some to line up correctly and the transmission mount will need to be modified to accept the longer unit.



As far as electronics go, DTT or ATS market an aftermarket lockup controller that takes input from the TPS and possibly the PCM. The other option is the infamous mystery switch to manually control converter lockup.



The speedo assembly will have to be addressed also as the newer models did not use the same speed control as our trucks do. The builder will be able to modify the OD to accept the correct speedo assembly and output shaft.



Like Bob said, the parts are available to make a solid non-lockup transmission that will take the torque the engine puts out and the cost is going to be less. However, the best fluid coupling is still going to suffer from the loss of available power and higher trans temps. In addition, the later model trans has quite a few design improvements and better hard parts.



Parts is parts and if you keep breakin' the ones ya got its time to find better ones. The new 48RE auto is available from DC for about the same price as a high performance trans from most of the builders and has incorporated a lot of the changes that DTT and ATS have found to be beneficial.



If you haven't yet give Don Ramer at ATS and Bill Kondalay at DTT a call and get their take on the whole picture. Either one wil be happy to offer advice and solutions. Good luck.

 

[Paul Herioux]

Nicholas,

Come up to the Yooper Trail Ride in September and you can crawl around under my truck(see sig) and see how I did it. If you want to take a look sooner I'm only two hours north of you in the Escanaba, MI area. I can't make the dyno event in Wasau this weekend do to field work needing to get done or I'd meet you there. Just PM me if you want to meet somewhere. If you search my old posts you will find the write up I did on my install.



As for some of the points brought out here;

1)Your speedo hook up isn't affected because you have a 4x4. Hookup is on T/case and there is plenty of slack in the cable to make up the extra length.



2)The T/case shifter boss is still there on trans housing. A very simple cut and weld modification will line it up with your current hole in the floor.



3)I prefer a custom built trans mount over moving the trans cross member. It leaves a lot more room for the 4" exhaust to go around the T/case.



4)Flex plate change is optional. Old flex plate P/N supercedes to the new P/N. New plate is stronger though. I have new P/N flex plate hanging on wall as a spare after mixing the two up during the all-nighter I pulled doing the install.



5)Toggle switches on the dash work good for controlling L/U and O/D. If you leave the lock up on coming to a stop once you will never forget again as the rear end hopping up and down on the pavement will sear it into your memory.



6)DO NOT use a stock 2nd gen converter, you will be extremely dissappointed. :{



Have Fun, and ask all the questions you wish.



JM2C,

Paul