How long do DTT trans & vb & tc last?

[TMorris]

I bought my 2001 Ram used in september of this year, with 40,000 miles on it. Im hoping the transmission will last until around this time next year, at that poing in time i'll probably be in the 60,000 miles range. (if i can get it to last longer, great, but right now im planning/hoping it lasts till around 60k).



Anyways, when the transmission goes, im planning on getting a DTT transmission & torque converter & valve body installed. I would like to know what is the expected life expectancy of a DTT setup? Do they last longer than a stock setup? And how much power would a DTT setup handle? After i bare the expense of getting the new trans & tc & vb, i'll probably get into upgrading the power of my truck. I dont anticipate having a 600 hp, 1200 torque truck, but somewhere around 400 hp and 800 torque range.



Thanks for the help,

Tim

 

[Strick-9]

Yes, they will last longer at stock power.



When you increase power though, the life of the transmission will diminish.



I've put 370-440 HP (depending on propane) through my DTT transmission for 8 months now and still counting. It's driven HARD and has to pull double duty as a racer and a daily puller for a construction company. Pan is still clean every time I change fluid. I've only had to adjust my second gear band once for wear.



Maybe this will give you some idea of what's possible. I'm in the process of adding another 100 HP and I'm debating over whether to rebuild or not. I'd like to know how long it will hold together, but I really need to change some shift timings to help it live with the added power.



Let's face it, you aren't going to get 100,000 miles out of a transmission behind a 500 hp diesel.



If I get 6 months between rebuilds at the 500 HP level, I'll be happy. I fully expect to get at least that.



-Chris

 

[SlyBones]

Gee I am full of transmission questions lately

Strick-9,



The reason for rebuilding, it is because the lockup clutch it surfaces are gonna be wore out, or pieces having to do with fluid coupling that will be wore out?

 

[Dr.Kayak]

You expect the trans to fail at 60k miles with stock HP? I would hope it would last longer than that. I though if you changes fluid every year and never got it too hot it would last for years.

 

[Strick-9]

Slybones,



My torque convertor is perfect. I have a custom made TC saver, so I have NEVER slipped my torque convertor clutch.



The fluid coupling components of the TC will NEVER wear out with anybody's TC.



My reason for rebuilding is simply to change the 2-3 shift timing and to freshen up the 3rd gear clutch packs.



Currently, my truck applies third gear before 2nd gear releases. Second gear is holding the front drum standstill, while third gear is trying to move the drum at crankshaft speeds. All dodge trannies have this shifting sequence. It is called shift overlap. Too much overlap wears out the third gear clutch pack prematurely because they are the last clutch to come on. The last clutch to apply always loses. Third gear basically slips until second gear releases. If you just tune the shifts for less overlap you would get to the point where second releases then third engages. The problem here is that when second releases, you are now in 1st gear again, so the engine speed would flare up during the shift. It is better for transmission durability, but a little annoying at light throttle shifts.



I'm willing to make this sacrafice for transmission durability, so I'm going to speed up the second gear release and delay the 3rd gear engagement.



While I'm doing this work, why not replace the clutch packs with new ones? It's literally just a few dollars more.



I'd rather rebuild now when it's cheap than wait for clutch material to start clogging up the valve body and scarring up the governor valve like the last time.



Hope that answers your question.



-Chris

 

[TMorris]

Dr. Kayak,



I dont expect it to fail at 60,000 miles. Its just that all the horror stories i hear from people needing a new transmissions while they're still under the 36k factory warranty, and others that have been on their second or third transmission before they hit the 100,000 mile mark. I guess im just getting a little over worried/cautious right now. Like i said, i hope it goes past 60,000 miles, the more the better. Im not going to lay down $3000 for the setup then another $1000 for installation if i dont have to. Im just trying to get some information right now. I dont plan on buying this for another year. Im just doing a bit of research right now.



Tim

 

[Shovelhead]

TMorris, for transmission questions, go directly to the guru.

Honest answers, NO B. S.





www.dieseltrans.com

 

[rrl989]

Tmorris, I too read all the stories. I have 70K+ on mine and it still hasn't fallen apart. Does its job well. When you but an auto, you know sooner or later it will need a rebuild / when you buy a 5 spd. you know sooner or later it will need a clutch or 5th gear (joke). If you look into the numbers, I think you will find our transmission is a good unit with the stock HP levels. There are millions of our transmission's out there, I know if you follow DrKayak's advice you may be in for a long wait before if fails.



Ron

 

[SlyBones]

Chris,



Yes indeed that answers my question and teaches me a new thing. With all the recent talk about shredding TC lockup clutches and related problems, I started thinking that if I did not abuse my lockup clutch, and the fluid coupling stuff did not wear out, then whats to go wrong. Now I know.



Thanks

-Fred.

 

[SlyBones]

Oh and I agree with Dr Kayak, change the fluids, dont let it get too hot, I also dont abuse the lockup clutch with too much extra hp at the wrong time, and I follow a few of the driving tips Bill K has give me.

 

[Jim Fulmer]

Strict 9

Ok here are a few questions for you, On my truck right now I can flash the converter in lockup just a bit but only at lower RPM(below 2k) after that it is fine, so what is giving up in the converter? I figure it has to do with line pressure.



James Northam is going to rebuild it as soon as I get the cash(other truck for sale) with his full tilt touch ups! What converter would you recommend for mostly driving and maybe stepping up the power if I can control the heat.



Jim

 

[Big White Beast]

Warning!!!

If you plan on milking the stock transmission as long as you can, DO NOT EVER EVER drive a DTT modified truck!!!



Once you do the you'll know the stock transmission wasn't working right when they shipped it from the factory.



Why wait to drop the cash on a new one when you can upgrade now for less money and enjoy it right away. Auto transmission's are a crap shoot anyway. Some last some don't. The more you abuse them the shorter they last. Same goes for the modified ones.



Besides if you upgrade the trans it will feel like you did a power upgrade on the truck. The power transfer to the ground is incredible. Then you won't feel the need for more power in the engine (Yeah right).



Garrett

 

[amsoilman]

One of these transmissions in these trucks in Stock Form and not abused by over heating them will last a very long time. Most of the people you hear that have had transmission problems, are those that upgrade the power, or abuse the trans by over heating the fluid in them.



Wayne