Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) transmission advice

[b.ferrara]

looking at the recent issue #48 there are a couple of transmission places.

Just wondering any advice on ATS, Blumenthal, NADP or any other not mentioned in the issue. Thanks in advance.

 

[Bart]

One must be careful here not to start any "transmission wars". I had an ATS installed in my 3500 when it lost it's trans at 96,000. It has over 154K now and running great. One reason it is is because I drive it like a stick shift without a clutch. There's a rherostat on the dash that inables a computer to lock up the torque convert at various speeds from 18 to 45 mph. 45 is the normal for a stock trans. I have always had mine at 18 mph and that's why I must shift it with the gear shift lever. That also includes locking the o. d. in and out. On the occasion that I forget to lock it out and just drop it in drive it will shift out of 1st and before I can blink it's in o. d. locked up and that's not a pretty site or sounds. I know immediately that I screwed up.

On another note I know another guy who went through two ATS transmissions. He was pulling heavy up some serious mountain roads. He was also driving it like an automatic. Heat is the killer of automatics. He said he never drove his like I just explained to you. As a result he went out and bought a Freight liner. Yes an 18 wheeler type truck. I went up to his neck of the woods a month or so ago and ended up putting mine in 2Low, because I was pulling over 16,000 pounds up some tough switch backs. Six miles up serious grades. Neither the engine nor trans heated up above normal because I used my head and not my right foot. 2 Low you ask? I have a 4x4 dually and have setup it up so that I can put in 4 low and keep the front from locking up. That gives me a slow 7 to 1 rear differential ratio (combine transfer case low ratio and 3. 54 differential ratio). It was slow, but heck how fast can you go on continuous switch backs with a truck, side in camper and car trailer with off road Bronco strapped on it. I think both DTT and ATS are fine companies that will give you go service IF you use it like a car. If you use it like a truck then drive it like a truck and both companies with most likely being equally fine. If you want to just put it drive and go then don't tow heavy. That's my opinion and I'm stickin' to it!!

Did I answer your question without startin' an old war? I hope so. Like I said they're both fine companies. One last note I have another friend who had his 2500 auto go out on him and he just went to the local shop and had them rebuild it for him. 1 year/12K miles. Where as ATS and I believe DTT give at least a 3 year/36K warranty and they stand behind them too! The jury is still out on how long local trans stands up.

What ever you do, get a trans gauge and you'll learn a lot about how your trans works and how long it'll last (depending on the heat ranges you encounter).

 

[bmoeller]

I would suggest that you do a search on here. There is enough to read, that will keep you busy for a month or 2.



Have a Goerend transmission myself. VERY happy with it so far.



www.gbtransmissions.com

 

[JPittinger]

I fully agree with bmoeller. Dave Goerend is unbelievably helpful.