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Transmission for 1st Gen.

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I have been searching and doing some homework (here at TDR) looking as to where to start with more modification to my truck. I have decided to start with new transmission and torque converter. Reason being is so many of you have stated that the stock just cant handle the increase in power. My problem is what to get. I have heard so many say ATS is best way to go, but all I saw was for 94 and newer. Do they make a transmission for 93 or is there a conversion that I don't know about? Wife has given OK to buy and money at this point is not a consideration. I want the best I can get. I tow a 10,000 lb 5th wheel camper, and when not towing I try to beat the other guys off the lights. Needless to say I have not won all light races, yet :D
 
Try calling them and talking to Clint (I think that's his name). Seems like I remember someone somewhere saying you can upgrade to a lock up TC, but it takes a little extra $$$ to install the electronic controls. I'm not into autos, to be honest; but most of the guys who advertise here are first class guys who will go out of their way to help you and/ or get what you need.



Daniel
 
I've talked to ATS about transmissions and they offer a HD non lockup transmission and a conversion to a lockup transmission. The lockup transmission is alot more expensive. You'll have to call them up about the specs on the transmissions because they don't have them on there website. I'm still torn between DTT and ATS though. Right now i still have about 2 more months before i have to decide which company i'm going to buy from.



Chris
 
Transmissions, the stuff dreams (or nightmares) are made of. For what it is worth, here is my take on your question.



Cost of rebuild - There is little difference between rebuilding a 46RH or 47RH when it comes to the basic parts and modifications. The extra cost you will incur is the converter. Lockup versus fluid coupling, single disk lockup versus multidisk lockup. The hard parts are pretty much interchangeable and the 46RH needs to have the updated parts if you want a decent unit.



Cost of install - This is where you have to spend some more money to get the 47RH installed in place of the 46RH. You need engine adpater plate, flex plate, starter. On a 4X4 you need to modify the lengths of both drive shafts, relocate the shift linkage, and modify the tcase mounting bracket. You will also need a manual switch for TQ lockup or by an electronic controller. If you do all the work yourself the rough cost of the parts is around a $1000. If you hire a decent shop to do the work add another $1000 on top of the parts.



What you have when done -



46RH - With a good fluid coupling and good internal parts you will have a transmission that will take some use and give a good lifetime. A lot of this will be dependent on the builder, the service, and how you drive it. considering the weight you are pulling there a couple things you must do. You must upgrade the planetaries to steel cased ones, you must have the OD setup correctly, you must have correct OD planetary, you must have more trans cooling and closely monitor the temp. If you don't address these basic pieces the trans will work but it will just hammer itself to death in much shorter time.



47RH - The basic transmission contains a lot of the upgraded parts so the internals are fairly strong. The updated OD will take more power and use without grenading. You must updated the OD pinion to the correct one and you must add the needed cooling and monitor temp also to get close to a bullet proof unit. All of the above is also dependent on the builder and their abilities. The converter is where you spend the difference in cost to get what you want/need. Tightness of fluid coupling when unlocked and the ability for the lockup clutch to hold the power and weight you tow are the areas you need to address. Whether you want a single or multi-disk lockup clutch or if you want to use a exhaust brake will determine cost, usability, and efficacy.



The cost of one rebuild can easily offset the cost of upgrading to the newer trans. How you are going to use the truck, how long you intend to keep it, and how much you want to spend are your guidelines.



My advice would be call all 3 vendors (DTT, ATS, Goerands) and talk to them about what you want and how they address the issues. Good luck.
 
This is the email I sent to ATS:



Hi, my name is Ron. I own a 1993 Dodge W350 4x4 w/cummins, automatic transmission. The only modifications I have done to date are, installed a 4" open exaust, and mild pump adjustments. I have been wanting to do more, but the torque converter is already not liking it. So what I decided I need to do was to upgrade transmission and torque converter first. I am not sure what tranmission I have, but the transfer case is an NP205. Front end is Dana 60, rear end is Dana 70, 4:10 gears. I tow a 10,000 lb 5th wheel camper and when not towing I enjoy trying to be the first across the intersection when the light turns green. Is the transmission a direct bolt on swap, or do I need to make modifications to linkages and things of that nature? Do I need an upgraded transfer case too? How much can my current transmission handle if i install tripple lock torque converter, commander and upgrade valve body? Hope to hear from you soon, and thanks in advance.
 
This was the reply:



The transmission you have in your truck is the 46RH. The converter is a non-lockup, for which we have a billet version.



Since you do not have a lockup converter, you don't need the commander either. Also, there is no need to upgrade the transfer case. This is a direct bolt up application - no modifications are needed.



It's hard to say what your current transmission can handle. Generally all stock transmissions can handle about 50HP over stock before the converter and/or transmission starts to slip. . If you just go with the converter and valve body, on a fresh transmission, you can expect to hold about 150HP over stock levels. The weak link would be the transmission internals (clutches, sprags, bands, etc... )



My suggestion for you would be the following:



46RH Extreme Duty transmission (includes our valve body) @ $1840. 00

1650 stall, high torque multiplication, billet non-lockup converter @$795

MagHytec Double Deep Aluminum trans pan @ $265
 
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