Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) build my own DTT???

[TMills]

I am looking to upgrade my automatic transmission and was wondering how hard it is to build my own DTT. I have never rebuilt a automatic transmission, but I have installed/replaced a few. I feel pretty confident that I can do it, but I just was not sure how hard it would be or where to get more info on this project.

Thanks,

Todd

 

[SnoKing]

Maybe Stefan will answer, but I do not believe that they will sell you all their special parts, VB and TC as a self install kit. There is a lot more the goes into building a custom transmission than just throwing parts in. The work they do or have done by one of the trained installers is worth the cost involved. My theory is do it right one time. Make the call 866-504-4002. SNOKING

 

[ballpeen]

i am sure they will sell you the rebuild kit and parts. they would be crazy not too. afterall, it is basically the same 727 our fathers drag raced with in the 60's.

 

[Joe Mc]

Don't try di_king around with it yourself. Let the trained professionals do it for you - the 1k is worth it to have some one else do the job "correctly" and be there if you need them. MHO

 

[c-hawk]

They may sell you a built trans and let you install it, but i doubt they will let you buy all the parts and build it yourself.



Understand that the assembly, tolerances, etc. that goes into assembling the parts can be just as important as the parts themselves. Put good parts together incorrectly and it's not going to work.



I agree with the other posters that suggest using a DTT authorized installer.



My . 02



Chris

 

[ballpeen]

http://www.dieseltrans.com/dodge/price_list.htm well what do you know, a trans shop that sells parts to people. this is not a new concept.

 

[TMills]

I guess what I was asking is, what do these fancy "trained" professionals do that makes it worth the 1k I am going to pay them? I consider myself mechanically inclined and have performed all repairs and maintenance on my truck.



Todd

 

[JoshPeters]

Well first of all, I'd buy the ATSG manual. Read it through, then read it again. The front half of the trans is a 727. The Back half could kill ya if you aren't careful. You need a special tool and a shop press to take it appart. There is a LARGE spring in the OD section that you must compress, pull 2 snap rings, and allow the spring to come up. There are also a couple of thrust washers that when you take it appart, fall. Then when you put it back together, you can accidently put it in the wrong spot and cook your trans.



Overall, I don't think it's that bad. Just be careful, take your time, and watch the manual.



Josh

 

[DISPATCH]

if you do it yourself i bet they wont warranty the transmission ..... just my 2 cents

 

[McLaughlin]

I asked a similar question prior to purchasing mine. I asked if a local custom shop could do the install. Answer was sure but not recommended. Can't remember for sure if the warrenty would still be valid. Personally, I am glad paid one of their factory trained installers to do the install. Not only is he a good guy to know with a lot of knowledge regarding CTDs but he did an excellent job on the install.

 

[EdK]

I built my own 727 Torqueflite for drag racing using a complete B&M Transkit. Even with all the parts and 36 pages of instructions, I needed to have my tool and die makers make me up some special tools and do some machine work like drilling several holes on a 27 1/2 degree angle! Fortunately they were also "gear heads" and did the work on lunch breaks costing me only a few trips to some fast food joints!



If you must purchase the special tools and pay for the necessary machine work, you won't save that much money over doing an exchange for a complete transmission.



Ed

 

[Diesel Nut]

What kind of specail tools did you have to buy or make? For what? I have been thinking of tackling a transmission myself as well.

 

[Huff N Puff]

Chris is right,the tools are provided to their dealers only,who have been trained by Bill. I consider my self a good automotive technician,I wouldn't attempt it myself. You could end up trashing alot of expensive parts.

 

[sstockton]

My buddy was trying to convince me to do Mine on my own. To quote him I believe he said, "Its easy I've done mine like five times". That there is enough for me to say let the pros do it. And I wouldn't say this guy is totally inept, we've done some work on manuals together and they seemed to work fine afterwards, that could've been my doing too, he doesn't take his time. But do it once do it right.

 

[Speedo]

I did my own, I spent a bit of time on the phone with Bill to make sure that I got it right. I've built quite a few auto/light truck transmissions but most of my trans experience was building Allisons. I built this one around 100,00 miles ago and I've been happy with the performance. I installed a set of DDIIs and an Edge EZ and smoked my stock trans within a couple of days and I was trying to be gentle with it. I don't have anywhere near the torque that some people are running but its done everything that I expected.



It was great dealing with DTT and I even got to return the favor when someone who had bought a complete trans from DTT needed to have some repair work done and there were no DTT transmission shops up here at the time.



Gus

 

[Cummins Thunder]

Words to the wise... Let the trained pros do the job



I have seen this whole thing played out in the past. (all true, but cut down)



Guy builds his own trans(aftermarket billet TC, VB & clutch pack upgrades)... Has problem after problem... drives the truck for thousands of miles... contacts the trans company many times (Yes, they honestly tried to help him)... In the end he becomes stranded hundreds of miles from a GOOD trans shop, needs to be towed in, trans is torn down, TC is COOKED (all the colors of the rainbow!! ) guy ends up paying for all labor, new parts(same that came out) go in, guy picks up the truck and says the trans has never felt so good



This truck was/is making about ~350 RW HP and the owner mechanically inclined.



The following is one of many reasons I support my local diesel performance shop (see sig \/ \/)



Have it done right, and rest easy knowing it has a warranty, and will hold up.



CJ

 

[TowPro]

I used to overhaul auto transmissions for a living. One thing the expert has going for them is they have seen what causes the transmission to fail. They can look at parts as they take it apart and know what to look for. I have seen a trans that failed, only to take it apart and find something else was ready to fail. Its more then just O-rings and clutch parts. I guess what I am trying to say is they will know to fix "all the known problem parts that could cause another failure" instead of just trying to fix what is wrong with it now.



Even with the experence I have with transmissions, I would be inclined to purchase an exchange unit, I can't afford to have my daily driver down.

 

[JoshPeters]

I used to overhaul auto transmissions for a living. One thing the expert has going for them is they have seen what causes the transmission to fail. They can look at parts as they take it apart and know what to look for. I have seen a trans that failed, only to take it apart and find something else was ready to fail. Its more then just O-rings and clutch parts. I guess what I am trying to say is they will know to fix "all the known problem parts that could cause another failure" instead of just trying to fix what is wrong with it now.



Even with the experence I have with transmissions, I would be inclined to purchase an exchange unit, I can't afford to have my daily driver down.

Very good point! I rebuilt mine. Even if I would have known to look, I doubt I would have seen it... . but my input shaft drum had hairline cracks. I got about 20 miles and the trans had to come back out because it split. For the most part our transmission's are pretty "simple" in my opinion. As long as you check, and identify every part as it comes appart, clean it properly, and reassemble everything in it's proper place you should be ok.



Keep this in mind though... a piece of lint in the valve body, can cause trans failure.



Josh

 

[BigPapa]

Let 'em go boys!



The best lesson learned is the lesson learned the hard way.



Scott

 

[JoshPeters]

Let 'em go boys!



The best lesson learned is the lesson learned the hard way.



Scott

True, but if someone can learn from our lessons, I'll tell them.



To some people Automatic transmissions are a mystery.



Others make it an artform!



Josh