Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
Our local transmission guru sees a lot of Dodge transmissions from Cummins powered Dodges that have been pulling large fifth wheels. Most all the trucks were stock, so he hasn't seen the devastation that bombing can do. His opinion of the Dodge transmission is that it is a very sound unit. He's seen some go 200,000 miles pulling medium sized fifth wheels and serviced regularly.
He just installed a Transgo Transmission kit to beef up the stock unit. It increases line pressure to help the torque converter clutch hold. It actually can cause line pressure to exceed the 96 PSI limit that the computer recognizes as the limit. To get around that a resister is installed to fool the computer into thinking the line pressure is not exceeding the 96 PSI value. It also has a number of componets which allow the transmission shop to adjust shift points to the desired RPM dependent upon the engine (12 vs 24 valve) so shifting is happening within the peak torque range. It also firms and shortens up the shifting pattern in many cases. Another nice feature (if you don't abuse it) is to command the transmission to hold or downshift to any gear including first regardless of RPM. If you aren't carefull you could overspeed the engine, but in some cases it would be nice to drop into first on a downgrade while doing 30 MPH. The stock unit will not allow that. It also allows cooling of transmission oil while in park, something that the stock unit may not do.
I haven't heard any advise on this unit, so maybe I'm the Guinea Pig, or maybe it's so bad nobody uses it. So far, everything is working well, so we'll see.
He just installed a Transgo Transmission kit to beef up the stock unit. It increases line pressure to help the torque converter clutch hold. It actually can cause line pressure to exceed the 96 PSI limit that the computer recognizes as the limit. To get around that a resister is installed to fool the computer into thinking the line pressure is not exceeding the 96 PSI value. It also has a number of componets which allow the transmission shop to adjust shift points to the desired RPM dependent upon the engine (12 vs 24 valve) so shifting is happening within the peak torque range. It also firms and shortens up the shifting pattern in many cases. Another nice feature (if you don't abuse it) is to command the transmission to hold or downshift to any gear including first regardless of RPM. If you aren't carefull you could overspeed the engine, but in some cases it would be nice to drop into first on a downgrade while doing 30 MPH. The stock unit will not allow that. It also allows cooling of transmission oil while in park, something that the stock unit may not do.
I haven't heard any advise on this unit, so maybe I'm the Guinea Pig, or maybe it's so bad nobody uses it. So far, everything is working well, so we'll see.
) 
