Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) DTT upgrades ???

[RichB59]

I have a couple question for you guys who have had the DTT transmission upgrtades done. What kind of ATF fluid are you being told to use and did you have to go back after the first thousand miles and pay more bucks for a check up , adjustments and new fluid. I like the upgrades but not crazy about going back. I wasn't told about this check up til after the job was done. It's a hard enough sell as it is. (to the better half) without this added after the fact. Just looking for opinions and info!!



Thanks Rich

 

[cullyguy]

I use, as Bill K uses atf+3. It protects the clutch plates better, but can cause a bit 'O shudder. Atf+4 pretty much will stop any shudder, but allows some slip in the plates & costs 3 times as much. Most Chrysler transmissions fail from clutch pack failures. Now on to the 1000 mile service. Due to the manufacturing process & t/c lock up clutch breaking in, there will be particles that get into the fluid, so to ensure long life and a happy customer, the 1000 mile service is needed. That service consists of a complete fluid change, band adjustment and new filter. You can easily do this yourself. Your new TC has a drain plug in it so draining it is easy. Another reason why atf+3 is reccomended is because it is less expensive, therefore changing it often won't be so hard on the wallet. Bill K even provided me with 1 new gasket & filter as part of the deal. Walmart sells atf+3 for $2. 28qt x 22 qts(DD Mag Hytec Pan)= about $50 in fluid, less if you have a stock pan. Spend the $$, or your new investment will wear out much sooner than you would like.

 

[Sasquash]

I had DDT install mine in Canada. They told me to have my local trans shop change the filter and fluid between 500-700 miles as the mods to the number of plates in the trans are kind of "fuzzy" and wil "shed" during the break-in period.



When I had it done, the fluid and filter looked well used. Since then, the fluid and filters look great. Just like they told me it would. I have been VERY happy with the mods.



The other day I was out at Rip's exhaust shop to hear his 4" exhaust system (I ordered one ) and took Rip for a ride in my truck so he could feel the difference from a stock transmission. Now he wants his done too



Dan

 

[Opz01]

Hi Rich,



Welcome to the DTT club it was a very wise choice, they should of given you a 14 page pamphlet.

On page 2 it lists the ATF recommendations, I am using REDLINE fluid for in my transmission but it is on the spendy side. The second best that I have used is what DTT filled it up with. (Casterol ATF+3) And it is available at most Walmarts. I have used Valvalene ATF+3 and Pennzoil ATF+3 too, they costed a little more than Casterol and shifted a little smoother. Synthetics- I was told that Redline is better than Amsol for more of a aggresive shift.

As for the 2nd gear band adjustment- pg7(Varifing a 1/4" gap using a 1/4" allen. ) I can email it to you if you need it.

If you stay with the cheaper stuff it should only run you about $60 plus your state tax and thats including the filter.



Opie

 

[Bob Wagner]

Come on RIP join the club

 

[Rip Rook]

It's all a matter of money... .....

 

[Lynn_Schwartz]

Rich. Bill K and company worked their magic on my transmission and stuff a couple of months ago. I went back after a thousand miles or so for the check up. There was a lot of gunk in the filter and hard packed fiber in the pan. Bill did the change himself on a Saturday at no charge. I brought my own oil and he furnished the filter and gasket. He made some adjusments to the system, did a test drive and the truck performs really well. He invited me back in June and he offered to do it again at no charge when I begin my summer trailer towing. I had my trailer out last week end and I can't believe what a difference the truck is now over what it was as stock. If you go with DTT do what ever Bill recommends. You won't be sorry. Regards, Lynn

 

[Ken B]

RichB59,



Congrats on your DTT purchase! I would echo everything that's already been said, only to add... . At 1k miles I replaced my filter and gasket provided by Bill and I replaced the fluid with Amsoil. I couldn't be happier with my decision on all fronts and I look at the 1k mile fluid and filter change as a cheep way to protect my investment. I performed the fluid/filter change and band adjustment myself and I wouldn't consider myself a master mechanic. Hope this helps.



Long live DTT! Do the right thing and change the fluid/filter and make the band adjustment. Just my 2 cents. -Ken

 

[Chipstien]

I'm next.....

Just 12 more days..... tick tock tick tock

 

[RichB59]

No Question

about me going back for the service. Thanks for the feedback. I guess I'll go with the castrol atf 111 I've used castrol oil in my 92 Dakota for 10 years it has 141k and it's still going strong. The dtt mods are great I plan on owning this Diesel truck along time so I want to take good care of it.



Thanks again Rich

 

[cullyguy]

I guess I should have noted that the fluid was Quaker State Atf+3 That was used @ Bill's shop when my trans was done.

 

[Mactruck]

Could someone elaborate on the differences between ATF+3 and ATF+4?

My DTT mods are being installed this Saturday and when I get the 1000 mile check up, I'm planning on installing Synthetic. I too am a firm believer in protecting my investment and the extra cost of synthetic is still cheap insurance against premature wear.

How can the Redline give more firm shifts than Amsoil?????

Any recommendations for a particular Oil????

(I'm getting the 89% TC & VB, I do not tow alot, Mostly Around town & Highway unloaded. )

 

[Bill Kondolay]

Why the change after the first 1000 miles?



That part is simple, since we very rarely do just a converter and valve body upgrade, we are also changing the pump bushing, drum bushing, 3rd gear clutch pack, 2 gear band. All these fiction materials have what is known as a peach fuzz on them and after a few miles on the transmission they tend to go in the bottom of the pan. The bushings also have a slight wear as they seat. Normally on a 95 or earlier dodge ram it wouldn't matter much, but on the 96 and later dodge rams it's a different story as they have an eletronic governor solenoid which can easily be contaminated and lead to shifting problems. The electronic components on a 96 and later dodge ram are worth approx. $320 from your local dodge dealer and about 2 hours labour.



ATF +4 gives you the smoothest shifts and the least likely to cause TC shudder.



ATF +3 is like the middle of the road it's got better fiction co-efficiency than ATF +4, the only reason that we use ATF+3 is because it the most available in bulk form, and is less expensive.



Dexron oil is the most aggressive, it can handle alot more horsepower without your clutches slipping than ATF+3 or +4. Therefore it also causes firmer shifts, when we take Stefan's truck on the road we use dexron oil, simply because on the amount of abuse this truck see's, with customer/potential customers driving it see's some hard miles. Lawrences truck held 700+hp with dexron type oil.



If you want smooth shifts use ATF+4

If you want an aggressive shift use dexron oil (keep in mind dexron can cause TC shudder)

 

[24V-DSL]

Mactruck.....

I don't know about synthetics, but I've used Mopar ATF+4 since my DTT install. Drove Bill's fluid for the 1000 miles and then changed it over to Mopar.



The only source I can find for Mopar is the stealer, and it's ~$30/gallon

The wording on the container could be interpreted to mean that this is a "lifetime" fluid, but I'm not believing that.



DTT just changed my fluid after ~25K on the install, and Vinnie said everything looked like new.



I love my DTT, and have decided that a 25K change interval and the cost of the fluid is worth the peace of mind. Plus, it gives me an excuse to drive to Abbotsford once a year to have DTT hands touch my transmission

 

[chef]

just checking to see if the opinions on transmission fluid still hold true. i need to flush my system out tomorrow and am having trouble finding +4, but i've previously read that i should NOT use anything else. it's a stock 47RE in my 99, will be towing about 7k twice a month or so. don't care about firm or smooth shifts, just want it to be safe and hold up while i save.



also, the transmission is about 50k miles old, never hauled anything, used for long drives on a stock engine.

 

[GFrance]

Welcome to the wolf pack Rich. I did my 1000 mile service, a piece of cake. I use the atf+3 because it's inexpensive & easy to find. Because my truck tows heavy all the time it's in use, Bill recomended I change it out at 12,000 mile intervals. Was going to keep useing Amsoil but I think it's kind of a waste to through out such spendy oil at 12,000mi.

Got the chance to see Bill & Stefan at the races in Medford Or. today & watch Stefan tear up the quarter mile with Bills new race car. Oo. Oo.

 

[2ndgen2500]

i contacted bill and he told me i was good to use Amsoil ATF, which has worked well for me in the past and is cheaper than atf+4

 

[CharlieFoxtrot]

Hey, found this old thread while searching for some stuff. Since you can't get ATF+3 any more, I called DTT a while back and asked what to use instead. They said Dexron3 plus a bottle of Lubegard red additive (available at NAPA). Said definitely don't use ATF+4.

 

[JJPage]

They said Dexron3 plus a bottle of Lubegard red additive (available at NAPA). Said definitely don't use ATF+4.

__________________



Been following their advice since they did my trans in 2004, no problems.

 

[Ken Gallaghan]

dtt service

Follow the techs advice at dtt and you will be happy. . Call them up and have them give all the good info, royal purple seems good, band adjustment and filter change. . I have been putting my truck thru daily hauling usually with a outfitter camper loaded to 9800lbs and a small cargo trailer for the bike with no issues with this dtt transmission. I will be servicing it for 50k soon. As everyone knows these trucks needs transmission upgrades and ats dtt suncoast are good places to start, cheers