Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Dissapointed in performance, something wrong with trans?

[CHinton]

We went on a nice camping trip to Grove, OK and my trucks performance has left me dissapointed. There are a few hills between here and there and on the steeper ones I lost 10MPH or more. When we first headed out, approaching a hill out of curve at 35mph, it would barely excellerate up the hill! My 2001 1500 5. 9 gasser pulled these hills better! What is wrong here?



Some things I experience:

• When unloaded and accelerating at WOT, it stays in 1st gear very long, shifts to 2nd briefly (3 secs max) and then into 3rd

• When going up-hill with the trailer, the transmission doesn't seem to 'want to' down-shift from 3rd until below about 40mph. When it does, the engine rpm is at about 3K.

• When starting from stop and engine is hot, the engine seems to need to spool-up before before moving.

I have no gauges (yet) and no bombs that I know of. I have not weighted the trailer yet, but estimate it at about 5000lbs and is the same trailer & hitch used with the 2001.



Sorry about the length of post.



Thanks

Chad

 

[2ndgen2500]

your trans will only do a 3-1 shift, it wont do 3-2, so unless you are at very low speed, you wont downshift. sounds like you need to get your transmission checked, my truck pulls very very hard in 2nd, but only stays in 2nd for 2 or 3 secs.

 

[TMWeber]

Torque converter?-Band ajustments?

 

[work2muchplay2little]

Low ATF level, dirty trans. filter. I'd also check your air filter, boots on the charge air plumbing, your fuel pressure, and check for codes.

 

[CHinton]

Air filter is good, LP has less than 3000 miles on it. I will check ATF fluid tomorrow. The various air tubing looks good visually. Will check the rest.



Thanks

Chad

 

[JFinke]

I have no gauges (yet) and no bombs that I know of. Thanks

Chad

Problem solved..... no bombs. Get a good transmission upgrade and you will think you added another 150HP. Then add another 150HP and you will race empty gassers up the hill. The stock auto's are not very good at keeping the truck in the power band.