Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) opinion ?

[Tractorat]

Just had my truck in for service at the trans shop. He said the bands were way out of adjustment (Its only been about 10k since my last trans service). Well, he must have been right, because it shifts much better now. And, where I thought it felt like it was slipping at the high end of 1st going into 2nd, (or was it 2nd going into 3rd), it isn't doing that anymore.



He did suggest that it might be time to consider replacing the bands. As far out as they were, there is probably something else going on, so I'm just going to keep an eye on it for now.



While I was talking with him, I asked about upgrading to an aftermarket TQ to get more torque to the wheels. He said that, unless the truck is chipped, I probably would not like the outcome since the turbo doesnt really come on until around 18krpm. (I do have an Edge EZ, but nothing really aggresive)



Is that the experience of others ? That in order to take advantage of a, say, DTT TQ, that I really need to do some power upgrades as well ? Thats not what I thought I understood from posts I've seen on the tdr.



BTW, he did say that this particular trans (02) is a pretty decent trans. The weak spot is in the bands. And, unless I abuse it, the TQ is decent as well.



Educated opinions ?



Mike

 

[JohnBoy5]

Just had my truck in for service at the trans shop. He said the bands were way out of adjustment (Its only been about 10k since my last trans service). Well, he must have been right, because it shifts much better now. And, where I thought it felt like it was slipping at the high end of 1st going into 2nd, (or was it 2nd going into 3rd), it isn't doing that anymore.

He did suggest that it might be time to consider replacing the bands. As far out as they were, there is probably something else going on, so I'm just going to keep an eye on it for now.

While I was talking with him, I asked about upgrading to an aftermarket TQ to get more torque to the wheels. He said that, unless the truck is chipped, I probably would not like the outcome since the turbo doesnt really come on until around 18krpm. (I do have an Edge EZ, but nothing really aggresive)

Is that the experience of others ? That in order to take advantage of a, say, DTT TQ, that I really need to do some power upgrades as well ? Thats not what I thought I understood from posts I've seen on the tdr.

BTW, he did say that this particular trans (02) is a pretty decent trans. The weak spot is in the bands. And, unless I abuse it, the TQ is decent as well.

Educated opinions ?

Mike

well let me start by saying this, i have a full custom built goerend trans with 1700 stall torque converter. when i put my quadzilla programer on 0 (factory setting) i still love my trans and the 1700 stall thats in it. the lower stall does add a little bit of lag to the turbo but i have an aftermarket turbo so it might not be as bad with the stock turbo. if i were you and you have the time and money i would just call dave up and get him to build you something. Had i known that this trans was going to make it feel like a new truck and actually pull a hill like it should i would have done this swap years ago. i had him build it EVTRA tough since i am going to be a little over 500 hp when i am done so my trans is a little more expensive then most but thats ok i love it.

I had no idea that the stock trans sucked so bad till i got this one!

 

[gerry]

trans upgrade

My 01 is identical to yours and this is what I found. I've driven about 1/2 my 95k miles towing 4k-7k trailers and after putting a Edge with Attitude chip in found the TQ to start slipping. The reason Dodge reduced the power on the 47re engines is they knew the TQ was weak so if you bumpup power and/or tow sooner or later you'll find yourself rebuilding the transmission, hopefully a lot beefier than Dodge did. If you read what all the others did to their transmissions it's usually pretty much the same ie triple disc tq, Kevlar bands, shift kits, steel discs etc.