Auto transmission

[travelweary]

I'm new to the tdr and have the opportunity to get some back issues however nothing explains the major topics in each. I already realize that the auto is the weak link but the wife couldn't handle a manual. I have an 11000 lb. 5er and most everyone understands my concerns. Where can I find all the info on the transmission and torque converter that I need to know? I tow alot on the freeway and I'm not real happy about not maintaining speed in overdrive even on the least grades or the high rpms when not in overdrive. Any recommendations besides the expensive gear splitters?



Thanks!!

 

[MCummings]

Hey Travelweary!

Welcome to the TDR!



I own a manual transmission, but from what I hear, is the VB&TC need upgraded (ValveBody and Torque Converter)

The main buzz around here seems to be BillK with DTT

(DTT= Diesel Transmission Technology)



Give 'em a call at 1-800-922-7782



This is my opinion.



MerrickNJr

 

[Dieselnerd]

TravelWeary, your problem of not being able to maintain speed in OD on a hill with an 11 K trailer is not the transmission, it's lack of power. A lot of the members have towed heavy loads with a stock transmission and power upgrades. If you up the power and drive in a reasonable manner the stock transmission will last a long time. If you get transmission mods and do not upgrade your power, you will go up the hills almost as slow as you do now. The only difference is that with the modified TC unlocked it won't slip as much as the stock one but you won't be able to stay in OD without power. I had the same problem as you and it made a big difference towing with power upgrades. I didn't upgrade my transmission until the TC started to slip a couple of years later.

 

[turbo lcc]

MCummings is right on the money call Bill@DTT and get both the TC and the VB. . then add an EZ box... Sweeeeet. Well at least it will pull more like a diesel should. This is the setup I am running and I have no complaints.

 

[Tom W]

Ditto on DTT. My 5th wheel weighs 13000 and I can pull as fast as I want. Bill K will give you good advice.

Tom

 

[csutton7]

travelweary----turbo lcc hit it on the head--that's a very good combo---if you want more just throw some injectors in her----chris

 

[CBrandt]

Originally posted by travelweary

[B I tow alot on the freeway and I'm not real happy about not maintaining speed in overdrive even on the least grades or the high rpms when not in overdrive. Any recommendations besides the expensive gear splitters?



Thanks!! [/B]

I got a Edge EZ and love it! It will totally change your truck! You will find that with just the EZ you can make the truck haul with just a light foot. I would recommend that you also do the transmission upgrade soon after. I found that with just the EZ I can make the AT slip with the trailer in tow. So I have to watch that the RPM does not get to low or try to accelerate to much on a hill, or it will slip the clutches. So I down shift to 3rd and keep the RPM's up. I my opinion you could not go wrong getting an Edge EZ for your truck and trailer.

 

[Mopar-muscle]

..slipping the trans ???

cbrandt , i think what you are experiencing is your TC slipping , if you were slipping the trans itself you'd be in for some serious trouble , the EZ by itself is not capable of slipping the high gear clutches unless you trans is a very worn hi mileage unit . i'll guess your trans is stock also ?

 

[Sasquash]

Welcome to the TDR. I have to agree with the others who say to give Bill K a call at Diesel Transmission Technology. My 5th wheel is 11700lbs and I was in and out of overdrive on the slightest of inclines. I had Bill's company install the 91% TC and a valve body set up just for my needs, what a difference . It was well worth the drive to Canada for DDT to do the install, they checked out the whole transmission and made suggestions as to what else I could do to improve performance. I also had them install the deep Mag-hytec trans pan. With the addition of an EZ box I am now able to pull as fast as I want to even over the Rockies.

 

[JohnMcIntyre]

Originally posted by travelweary

I'm new to the tdr ... . Any recommendations besides the expensive gear splitters? Thanks!!

Congratulations! No doubt you'll get a wide range of advice and suggestions from your fellow TDR members. The best piece of advice and recommendation I can pass on, is one that I was given myself, when I joined the TDR almost 15 months ago... ...



ESTABLISH A BASELINE!!



It's all about setting and managing your expectations and without a baseline, it's real hard to determine if you're really getting as much bang for your buck as you were hoping for. Good luck and welcome aboard... ...



You'll see from my own sigfile, I'm now based overseas in Europe. I was over at Bill K's place in Abottsford in the early part of April this year then covered almost 6,000 miles in the lower 48 before shipping my truck and camper back to Europe from New York. On the CATscales in New Jersey the total weight measured 12,500 pounds, not quite as heavy as your truck and 5er, but more or less in the ballpark.



From my personal experience to date, the DTT mods plus some appropriate power modifications will put a big smile on your face. PreSales and Aftersales care is important to me, especially this far away. That in itself should say something about customer satisfaction.



There are lot of TDR members who've implemented some of these upgrades and a significant number of them also have DTT'd autos. I would recommend you ride shotgun with a local TDR member to experience the before and after effect unless you happen to be passing by Europe one weekend , when I'd be happy to oblige!



Good luck!!

 

[Batman]

Travelweary

Welcome to the TDR, as you may already know, there is alot of great information here.

All of the above have hit the nail on the head. Give Bill K. @ DTT a call. His products and customer service are TOP SHELF.

A short stroy that may help you with some mods. My wife and I took our 5er (10,500 lbs) to Fl & back to RI (appx. 3k miles). Truck was completely stock, new trailer. Big hills slowed us down and had to get out of O. D. We just went to NH this past weekend (short trip 350 miles round trip), I have upgraded transmission (thanks Bill K, Massdiesel, & Moparmuscle), installed DDii injectors, Edge EZ, 4" exhaust, gauges, & K&N filter in stock box. All I can say is DO IT , the power increase is substantially increased, driveablilty is excellent. Didn't need to downshift o steep grades (I can actually increase speed if needed), merging into traffic from an on ramp is a breeze. Money well spent. If you tow, I would suggest doing some mods. HTH