Just TQ and VB Change

[KSHall]

Hey anybody out there have a stock or a allmost stock truck that has changed TQ and or VB to aftermarket ones? If so what are your impressions of them ? Better performance, driving and or towing? Mileage ,transmission temps and so on? Is it worth the $$$$$? Do the VB change get rid of the famous 1-2-2-1-2-3 shift that your local dealers cant seem to duplicate or fix?

Oh yeah I just drive it to work and tow a 8500 lb trailer, a little hay some farm and building stuff. No drag racing or sled pulling and all the stuff that equals a $3000-$5000 transmission.

Thanks a bunch!

 

[JohnCollins]

Just TC and VB?

Oh, man, heck yes it is worth it. I have had my Goerend TC and VB installed for about two weeks now. My truck (have not added to sig yet) is a 2004 4x4 quad cab with 30k miles, totally stock with just a MBRP exhaust. I started reading here and elsewhere about how mushy the stock converter is and just got to the point that I had to try an aftermarket. The difference is incredible. The stock TC is horrible and if I had to go back, I would sell the truck, no kidding, and buy a stick. I no longer want a 6-speed with this transmission. My truck used to hunt a little 2-3-2 and would clunk on occasion on coasting 2-1 shifts. This disappeared with Dave's vb. I no longer feel a need to mod the truck as the power now gets to the ground instead of being lost to heat in the transmission. Shifts are firm, not harsh, and the engine speed drops between shifts (hardly fell at all with the stock slipper). I had a shop in Raleigh do all the work and also had them tear the whole transmission down, inspect and recommend needed replacements. All was excellent, even the rear thrust washers (which I had them replace with upgraded washers from Dave, anyway). All gaskets and seals were replaced. They charged me only $600 for this work which took them about 3. 5 days. Can not say enough good things about Dave Goerend and Superior Auto Service in Raleigh. This is by no means a cheap mod, but it is, I am convinced, the one that must be done first. Spending money on chips and power upgrades to send through the DaimlerChrysler TC does not make any sense as far as I am concerned. Well, I know someone will ask, so the total cost of the parts was $1900 including shipping to and fro. BTW, I took a trip this weekend involving 85% 2-lane 55mph country lanes and 15% stop and go. Was not pulling a load. Overhead said 23. 9 mpg. Hand calc was 22. 4 mpg. I am light on the throttle, but it takes even less throttle now to get her going. Previous best was 20mpg.

 

[KSHall]

Oh thats just great, just great! All I need to do is hear from one or two more folks like you and I can see that I'm going to be shipping out chunk of change too!!! Hey thank you for your reply, I sort of figgured that our trucks would respond well to that little mod. Are you going to add a tow box to yours? Or does it really feel like it has one on it now? These stinking things are so darn loose on the bottom end it is sickning. I have toyed arond with the idea of trading for a 6-speed or a new D-Max W/Allison to get away from it.

 

[Diesel Power]

a valve body alone is well worth the cost as it will save you money in mpg, also making your stock set-up more reliable, add a convertorand it gets even better Oo. most of my customers report back with a 2-3mpg increase. i only use suncoast, NADP, and goerends

 

[JohnCollins]

No tow box for me.

Nah, it feels like a different truck with the TC and VB. Dave said I did not have to do the vb but I went ahead and did it. The TC makes the much bigger difference, here.

 

[KSHall]

I've been told that the 05 and 06 48re's are somewhat better than the earlyer 48re's , is that so? I dont think the way I drive and use mine that I need to go into the transmission and change all that junk like you guys that are making tons of power, a TQ may have to be under my Christmas tree this year! Oo.

 

[Diesel Power]

if your going to stick with the stock transmission and can only do one thing first do the valve body first, that will give you the positive shifts and more fluid to your convertor for better coulping and more longevity, also you need the added line prressure for you new convertor to work properly anyway.

 

[Rams-n-Hogs]

I have a Goerends TC and VB. I think it was the second mod I did, and it makes an absolute world of difference, even on a stock truck. I will probably upgrade the rest of it when I get a little power to push through it, but it's been holding what little I'm throwing at it good, so far. I saw no mileage difference when I put mine in. As far as the 1-2-1-2-3 shifting goes, mine still does it in heavy traffic, and a very light foot. My solution for that is simply a heavier foot, but sometimes it can't be avoided. Every auto I've ever had has done it. The way I see it, the transmission is doing exactly what it's supposed to do, finding the right gear it needs to be in to function efficiently.

 

[KevinO]

If your upgrading your power levels you need to just buck up and buy the whole transmission.

 

[JohnCollins]

Improved 48re?

To my knowledge, there has been little change with the exception of the exhaust brake enabling. Sure, the marketing folks at DC would love to spread the belief that this or that is new or improved. Not likely. I had some question about going with a valve body and was just going to do the converter. Dave said this would be fine at stock power levels and that changing the vb would not affect the way it shifted since I am using stock springs in Daves vb. He told me the tc makes the biggest difference in shifting and power delivery. I don't see how a vb can firm up shifts much at all with the sloppy stock tc. Doesn't make any sense, but I can't speak from experience. If you just do the vb and still don't see much rpm drop at upshift, you are stilling burning fuel to heat up fluid.