Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Low budget trans upgrade

[danadj2]

I had my trans rebuilt about 30k mi ago(before TDR membership) and it was put back with stock parts. I believe the TC is failing. Symptoms are slipping more and more especially when cold and mostly at least for now in low gear on take off. I don't pull very often and at the most it will be a 16ft stock trailer or bumper hitch car hauler.

What type of TC and/or other mods should I be looking at? Also I will be installing a 3gsk in the near future to get a wider power band. Where is the least expensive outlet without sacrificing quality?

 

[inarush76]

trans upgrade

none of the upgrades are inexpensive. Check www.dieseltrans.com.

Oh, and the #10 plate w/gov springs =

HTH

Any questions, shoot me an email.

James

 

[JohnE]

Have you checked the trany fluid?

A torque converter does slip until locked up. That is how one gets torque multiplication. Sounds kinda oxymoron, but that's how a fluid clutch functions. Fluid coupling only gets you efficiency after engine rpm and road speed are up and the need for torque muliplication has passed.



Your description "... more especially when cold and mostly at least for now in low gear on take off. ... " sounds more as low fluid.

Another possibility may be TC drain back. After checking the fluid levels, try running the transmission in neutral for a minute before taking off. Gets the juices flowing and the TC and trany a chance to fill.



The best transmission value I found was

Goerend's

 

[rrausch]

Ditto on what JohnE says.

 

[inarush76]

check fluid first in neutral

As mentioned, trans diagnosis should always start with confirmation of fluid level.

James

 

[danadj2]

The fluid level has never dropped and it looks good. What troubles me is this truck would break traction on takeoff in the past. As for the drain back, it does do this and I take this into account. What I am seeing is magnified when on an incline or sometime when I accelerate hard after setting at a signal light for a minute or more. Thanks for your ideas and keep em coming if you have more.



I have left it with the owner of the trans shop that rebuilt it last year and I am curious what kind of lip service he will give me. If it turns out to be something and he won't stand behind it, I will be looking for some good aftermarket parts to put it back together.

 

[Howard Durand]

There is a 11-06-2003 post in the Classifieds selling a DTT 89% TC and valve body for about $900.

The TC would fit your transmission but am not sure about the valve body.

 

[danadj2]

I got my truck back today after the trans shop went on a couple of rabbit chases. It turns out they say the valve in the valvebody that operates 1st and R was sticking and causing it to not engage like it should. They first tried to say it was low of fluid and replaced the original cooler lines with fitting type lines which after labor was another $200 or so. I will know more after making a 150 mi run tomorrow but must say it shifted nice on the 10 mi drive home.

 

[Cooker]

It sounds like you got it resolved for a reasonable amount of money. I hope it is all taken care of.

 

[danadj2]

I hope this is not a dream but it feels better than I can remember since the rebuild. Well it's off to KY (800 mi) on Wed. I am actually looking forward to the trip now.

Thanks for the brainstorms and ideas. Next step is the GSP kit and possibly an upgrade plate.

 

[Howard Durand]

Glad your shop got it fixed for you.

$200 for new lines is a pretty good deal. Mine were replaced by the dealer in 98.

Total labor and parts came to $568. 00.

 

[danadj2]

I guess I should be happy (and I am) but it makes me aggravated that this has been an issue since the rebuild and I kept getting lip service like I didn't know what I was talking about. Basically they are a decent shop but I will most likely look around after this.