Automatic transmission question

[Pit Bull]

My truck see sig. It is 215 hp with 420 ft. lbs of torque. If I keep it stock, tow within the manufactures limits of the truck, and maintain the transmission per the owners manual recommendation will it be reliable? I see that when the trucks are bombed that the transmission has to be beefed up, that makes sense. Has anyone that has not bombed and not surpassed the limits of the truck had problems with their transmission? (I know with any product there are some failures). If I want to beef up the transmission even though I am not increasing the engine performance, what needs to be done for it to be totally reliable? I know this question might sound weird but I am not looking for more power just reliablity from the stock unit.

Thanks

Denny

 

[Dieselnerd]

Careful driving and good maintenance are the keys to longevity regardless of whether or not your transmission is "beefed up". The transmissions are pretty strong, the so called weakest link has been the T. C. because of the lockup clutch slipping under heavy load and the rather loose coupling of the stock unit. Many people have towed heavy loads for many miles with the stock transmission. Don't lug it when it's locked up and change the fluid on a regular basis and you will be just fine.

 

[Big White Beast]

I'm no pro.............

But I would step up the maintenance schedule if you tow heavy or abuse it. You can also turn up the line pressure some. It will help a little.



As far as upgrading it. DTT is the way to go. If you go with their TC & VB plus upgraded clutches you will feel like you did some power mods. That 215 horses will now be mostly to the ground instead of being lost in the drive train.



Haven't had mine all that long so I cannot comment on reliability but from what I see around here and all the abuse given these trannies it must help some.



Garrett

 

[Dr.Kayak]

My buddy has a 99 2x4 that he tows a mid-size 5th wheel with. Completely stock tuck. His Auto started slipping badly in OD at 60k miles.



He tows hard with no gauges. He thinks the tuck should handle a WOT tow up a Sierra grade. The tuck is stock, he is not exceeding the tow rating. It should handle it? Apparently not.

 

[rrl989]

I had to have the OD Unit bearing / case replaced at 65K miles. Apparently, it spun in the alum. housing giving me a loud whine. I wanted to replace the whole unit, but, the mechanic convinced me internally it was still like new and they warranty the old unit for 12m/12k. Now at 73K, transmission still works like new. Just traveled Skyline drive at 12K GVW, transmission never hit over 180 degrees measured from sump. I have a stock 12V and trust my transmission will go many more miles before I need a rebuild.



RonL

 

[JGort]

I have 80,000 on mine and the only problem I've encountered was that last month it began to shift up and down (about a 200 RPM difference) at about 45 MPH. Per the comments on the board I went to the dealer for a flash update and it has been working fine since. That's the only problem I've had.

 

[amsoilman]

I have a friend with a '94 Ram CTD with a stock engine and automatic. He now has 165,000 and has never had a problem with the automatic. Of course he does use Amsoil ATF to help reduce heat. I also just visited a Dodge dealership and spoke with the transmission specialist(considered to be the best in the area) who claimed the stock transmission behind a stock CTD will last for a very long time. He went on to say:"When people start pulling 25,000 lbs. and increasing power in the engine, that is where I see failures"



Wayne

amsoilman

 

[Ram_Kowboy]

I installed the B&D valve body on my transmission at about 40k. The shifts were much improved after the installation. I never could get used to the stock transmission shifts, they seemed so soft to me. The upgraded valve body, I am told, allows less slippage between shifts. As a result, longer life. I now have 114k on the truck. About 40% towing. Never any problems. I would not hesitate purchasing my next truck with the A/T.



Oh! I did have the same shifting problem JGort described with the same results.

 

[Fireman Dave]

Denny,



Mine is all stock except for gauges and exhaust. I changed my fluid and filter at the 1 year mark (which also happened to be 12,000 miles). I also changed the cooler line when I did it and installed my temp sender in the line port. I plan to change my fluid and filter every year - cheap insurance as I see it. I also tow with OD off. In 3rd, it's at 1:1 without the planetary gears working - this is the strongest situation for the transmission. It costs me a little bit with mpg, but I think it's a good trade off that gives me the best chance to get the most miles out of the stock transmission. It also pulls much better at the higher rpms - more power available at any given moment. In OD, it just seems to be lugging it when towing. I towed my TT about 7500 miles this summer with no problems. I'll probably stay stock to get the transmission as far as it will go. If it does puke, then I'll get a new and improved one that's beefed up. Then I'll probably go whole hog on power mods.



Dave

 

[Mopar-muscle]

fireman dave , there are no planetarys in the OD units , its clutches just like 3rd in the transmission itself . what causes the damge in OD is lugging it with a load on , the torque at 1400 - 1500 is what will hurt the the OD unit , towing in od is fine on flat roads , going uphill wit hstock power should be done in 3rd , i also now believe that 4. 10s are a better choice for those that tow , but thats me ...

 

[Joe G.]

Mopar-muscle,



There certainly ARE planetary gears in the OD unit. The exploded view of the parts in the OD unit on page 21-263 of my '95 service manual shows a planetary gear unit. Clutches do not cause a ratio change. For that you need gears. Clutches select which gear path is used in the transmission and OD for each ratio.

 

[Dieselnerd]

I remember some of the earlier OD planetaries "eating" the gears under heavy load because of insufficient lubrication. This caused them to run very hot and they basically burned the teeth off of the gears. This was solved by opening the lube passage to dump more oil into the OD gears. I don't recall for sure what year this took place, I think it was '95 or '96.