Attention: TDR Forum Junkies I have heard that, also I have heard, the sponsored trucks don't give breakage reports. So here is what has happened since March. 7500 miles ago.
The original valve body was faulty and so ATS sent me another. Briar Hopper installed it and all was great afterwards. I did end up with a new PCM that I bought (1998 12v auto p/n) so that I could have a dash. I still have the ABS and BRAKE idiot lights on.
The transmission has stock shafts, increased clutch packs ATS TripleLok and valve body. I have a dash mounted switch for lock up.
I, with help from a great welder and engineer, installed a B&M pro ratchet shifter and custom console with Auto Meter trans gauge. We eliminated the transmission coolers, as they were blocking the air flow to the radiator and intercooler. We mounted one under the driver's side that has a thermostat controlled fan. I see normal temps of 140 degrees with the sensor in the transmission pan. On 90+ degree days in town I see 160. If I choose not to use lock up, then I can get as high as 180 degrees. I saw an all time high of 220 after a burnout and long stage at the track.
Which gets me to the important issue of performance. I have close to 100 launches in 4wd, locking up in 1st gear. I have launched with as much as 30 lbs of boost. The third gear band tends to slip if the TPS isn't set just right, and I have to reset the TPS after I remove the pump. Maybe the band just needs an adjustment.
As for regular usage, I have pulled trailers, nothing outrageous and the transmission performed well. I also have a 2000 ft drive through a cornfield to get back on my property. It is really rough in spots so I idle the distance, locked up. That enables me to keep the transmission temps under 160 degrees. I did some stump pulling and being able to lock up helps tremendously.
I have given countless rides and all seem to be amazed. I can manipulate the throttle so that there is zero RPM drop when locking up, both visually and by sound. I have smooth shifts under light throttle and firm shifts at heavy throttle. Tom has riden with me several times and if he doesn't watch me shift, he doesn't know when the truck shifts or goes into lockup. Impressive!
I am saddened by the horrible conversations and loss of great personalities by the transmission threads on the TDR. People that I have known for sometime started acting like childish buttholes due to the release of ATS. It's a shame. Whether you like the fights or not, it's agreeable that all those threads got silly. I refuse to comment further on this thread unless it is a question related to the transmission's performance. Thanks.
The original valve body was faulty and so ATS sent me another. Briar Hopper installed it and all was great afterwards. I did end up with a new PCM that I bought (1998 12v auto p/n) so that I could have a dash. I still have the ABS and BRAKE idiot lights on.
The transmission has stock shafts, increased clutch packs ATS TripleLok and valve body. I have a dash mounted switch for lock up.
I, with help from a great welder and engineer, installed a B&M pro ratchet shifter and custom console with Auto Meter trans gauge. We eliminated the transmission coolers, as they were blocking the air flow to the radiator and intercooler. We mounted one under the driver's side that has a thermostat controlled fan. I see normal temps of 140 degrees with the sensor in the transmission pan. On 90+ degree days in town I see 160. If I choose not to use lock up, then I can get as high as 180 degrees. I saw an all time high of 220 after a burnout and long stage at the track.
Which gets me to the important issue of performance. I have close to 100 launches in 4wd, locking up in 1st gear. I have launched with as much as 30 lbs of boost. The third gear band tends to slip if the TPS isn't set just right, and I have to reset the TPS after I remove the pump. Maybe the band just needs an adjustment.
As for regular usage, I have pulled trailers, nothing outrageous and the transmission performed well. I also have a 2000 ft drive through a cornfield to get back on my property. It is really rough in spots so I idle the distance, locked up. That enables me to keep the transmission temps under 160 degrees. I did some stump pulling and being able to lock up helps tremendously.
I have given countless rides and all seem to be amazed. I can manipulate the throttle so that there is zero RPM drop when locking up, both visually and by sound. I have smooth shifts under light throttle and firm shifts at heavy throttle. Tom has riden with me several times and if he doesn't watch me shift, he doesn't know when the truck shifts or goes into lockup. Impressive!
I am saddened by the horrible conversations and loss of great personalities by the transmission threads on the TDR. People that I have known for sometime started acting like childish buttholes due to the release of ATS. It's a shame. Whether you like the fights or not, it's agreeable that all those threads got silly. I refuse to comment further on this thread unless it is a question related to the transmission's performance. Thanks.
so upgrades are getting closer!
. Understand, I'm not a transmission builder, just a consumer. 
