Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Bombed, now transmission slipping? What to do!

[gwizpro]

Well, the bombing bug got my transmission. Did a cross country trip recently and pulled a Toy Hauler loaded to about 10K gross. No problems.



Then when I got to Pittsburgh, I had Diesel Injection install the 3K springs. Big Big difference with the RPM's. Great mechanics here too. Extremely helpful...



BUT, after about a week or so had to pull the Trailer about 5 miles up some hills and man oh man the transmission was slipping badly. When the truck is not pulling a trailer I can go , but if I stomp on it, it will start to slip in lower gears. Once in lock up, all is okay. Truck has 87k miles...



Talked with DTT and they recommend a complete change. Just can't afford that much right now. $4k plus installed



Question is: can I get by with a properly set up Valve body (DTT)for say a year. The guys at DTT are great, and they will tell you the things you should do. But, the bottom line with me is always the $$$$. .



Anyone had a similiar problem and did the Valve Body???



Thanks, The RackMan

 

[Dennis Garrett]

Better call Dave

http://www.gbtransmissions.com/default.htm

 

[Boldt's Wagon]

You probably have seals leaking in some area in the transmsission other than the valve body. The internal leaks reduce the transmission pressures and holding power of the clutches, thus the clutches slip. Replacing the valve body will not fix the leaky seals.



A crutch might be to turn up the pressures as shown on the DTT web site. This might buy you a few months as the higher pressure tries to balance the internal leak until the leak gets even bigger.

 

[Jim Fulmer]

Rackman, DTT will not steer you wrong in anyway. I put 13K on my stock transmission and it was crying when we pulled it to do the updates, I never knew or asked about the converter but the direct clutches were slipping and the O/D clutches were blue:{ There is more to a transmission or an upgrade than adding a V/B... . my $. 02



Jim

 

[rrausch]

Talk to all of 'em. Don Ramer or Clint Cannon of ATS are at 1-800-949-6002



I put in an ATS Stage IV, at 107,000 miles, and the TripleLok is AWESOME. It just WILL NOT slip under massive H. P. & Torque. I don't know if you've damaged your trans or not, but Clint would probably know. Also, they often recommend only the installation of the TC & VB without a major re-build if the rest of the trans seems sound and has relatively low mileage. Often just the TripleLok and a VB will make the trans last a lot longer, as there will be NO little bits of clutch material circulating and plugging up the fluid flows.

 

[53 Willys]

Talk with all of the above and do a bunch research. If you do a search you will need to read between the flames, but there is a lot of info.

My experiance has allways been, Once it is slipping the damage has been done to the clutches. Just changing out the VB and TC will only contaminate them and you will end replacing them again with the complete trans anyway. My Opinion is that you need a rebuild and its the best time to add the VB and TC .

DO IT ALL NOW

Mine is now DTT, cause it fit my type of usage better and I have been very pleased with both the People of DTT and their product.

 

[rrausch]

Good point 53 Willys! Talk to all of the trans Guru's. Do your research.



Mine was slipping pretty badly and I'd also forget from time to time to switch off the mystery switch, when I'd come to a stoplight and at those times the TC would REALLY buck & slip! Ouch!! But when my old stock TC was cut apart, at ATS, you could see that even though it had been slipping, it hadn't started to degrade, in other words, the TC clutch material had NOT started to crumble, burn off, etc. I think the amount of damage might depend on whether the trans slips for a long time under a lot of heat and a lot of pressure. I mean, towing a big 5'er up a mountain grade for 6 miles, while the TC is slipping is different than the way mine was slipping. Mine slipped while driving around town, a situation where the slipping is more of a nuisance than a sure-fire way to fry your TC clutch. If I HAD towed heavy and long, I'm sure I would have fried things.



If the TC clutch has already started to degrade, then you probably need a complete rebuild, but if it has already started to degrade, I would think you would find evidence of that in the trans filter and fluid, not to mention in the way the trans shifts.



Also, the really good Trans shops do stand out don't they? I see a lot of accolades for DDT and ATS both. Also Goerend. While at ATS, I was given complete run of the shop, to watch my trans get torn down and rebuilt, man that was FUN! I also was allowed to work on my truck while it was up on their lift for a day. And they gave me a car to drive to lunch and run errands with, etc. I can't thank Don, Clint & Ranee enough!

 

[Tom C]

I used DTT on my last truck. I would try ATS.



Definitely do your research. Check for preferred operating RPM's. You may not want to operate you truck at or above 2400 RPM all the time which some aftermarket transmission companies say you have to in order for there product to work properly.

 

[rrausch]

Well it IS fun to be able to shift locked, both up while accellerating and down while the exhaust brake comes on. I don't shift locked very much, but it is always a kick to do it! The TripleLok will take it!