Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Transmission sugestions

[Melton]

I have a 2001 with a automatic, with edge tuner, pulling a 10,000 camper in the mountains. The transmission isn't acting right. and I think I need to upgrade before it quits and strands me out in the middle of nowhere. My question is what is the best route to go.

 

[Mishkaya]

I have been very happy with the Goerend transmission in my '02 auto. There are plenty of options though, and the final call will be yours.

 

[madmanmanick]

Mag-Hytec Transmmision Pan

I have the same setup and I have not had any problems with my transmission. One thing that I did to extend the life of my transmission is adding the Mag-Hytec double deep transmission pan for it. I have only had the temp get above 180 a couple of times in the 5 yrs I have had the truck. Also it gives you a drain plug which makes it easier to change the filter and the fluid. Hope this helps.

 

[KKlingbeil]

Your best bet is to call many of the known transmission companies out there and tell them what you have done to your truck and what you use it for, and have them explain what you need and a price. That will probably help on the decision. Floor It Diesel in Lawrence, KS may be an option for you beings you are in KS. John is a great guy and builds some great products!

 

[gerry]

trans options

This june after I put a Edge chip in my 01 I was very happy with the boost in performance but soon noticed the trans shuddering between shifts (93k with about half towing). I shopped around the area and went with a local shop that had rebuild my car trans the year before. When I told them about the chip they new right away that I wanted a triple-disc TQ, shift kit, Kevlar clutch discs and a bunch of other performance equipment and I am very pleased with how it works. I think the key is to find a transmission shop that you can trust to ''build'' the transmission that suits your driving requirements. The trouble I've seen a little is that sending across country for a ''built'' transmission requires you to go local for r&r or if you're able to do that yourself (I'M NOT) then hope you don't have problems with the trans you get. I should say the only problem I had was several months after I had it done it didn't always want to kick down to low when stopped but the shop quickly fixed that. I didn't see that there was much money to be saved by sending my transmission to Florida, Colorado or wherever and then having it r&red locally. Just my 2c

 

[BGoodale]

Hi Melton; I had an ATS built transmission installed in my truck about 2 years ago by their shop in Arvada co. The transmission has been okay so far but their tech support and customer service has a lot to be improved upon. I would not recommend them. The main reason I wanted to use them was because I could take it to them for install. If I had to do it all over again I would go to Goerend or SunCoast and then find a good shop somewhere close to me for install. Hope this helps. Brett

 

[ColemanR]

Well Ive been down this road this road a time or three first time

(My 97) went with DTT had a problem they took care of it no questions asked well maybe a few LOL

(trans went 200k and lost a bearing in the overdrive) second time with my 06 wanted to keep my money in the USA went with Dunrite had a few issues was not vary happy with the results still went 200k Snapped the input shaft(driver error) was broke down in BFE had a Jasper trans installed (granted it was a stock HD rebiuld but remember my stock trans went 160k) 43k later Im dead in the water well they have me take it to shop of my choice Source Auto was my choice they ran the pressures they were at bare min needless to say Jasper says well its with in spec we will replace it BUT BIG BUT you have to sign this waiver that says we took care of your trans but your on your own now no more warrenty so sorry All I can say is I will never do bussiness with them again I was actually getting ready to order a transfercase from them and decided to wait and see how this went(422k on my transfercase/rearend) very dumb on their part anyway RIP at Source Automotive has always and I mean ALWAYS taken care of bussiness well he is NOW Dunrite Transmission they put one of their converters/valvebodys in my truck all I can say is my old truck is back I would recommend Dunrite or DTT both have been good to me Jasper not so much. Ive rambled enuf hope this helps Randy

 

[sheamc]

I went with a shop not too far from home. They did alot of their own custom stuff and used DTT guts. I have to say this, TALK to every shop you intend to use. After talking to the shop foreman he went over how everything worked, what would be affected by various changes. I told him what I was planning on doing with the truck(be honest). He gave me his recommendation and his guarantee. Now, if you want specific parts --triple disk, billet shafts, etc let him know. I got the billet input, a single disk along with a double deep transmission pan and the upgraded internals, all because it was recommended for what I do. This rambling is all for a reason, find a shop you trust and let THEM do the work, then enjoy. Good luck.



Bye the way, he guaranteed this for 500hp for what I wanted to do.



Shea

 

[Joe Mc]

Melton,

Back in late 04 and around 129k, no power added all stock, my trans started to slip shift (I bought the truck in 5/01 w/75k all stock). I had the trans DTT'ed, no billet shafts, straight up DTT RV master rebuild. Then around 132k I dropped a few bombs; Edge Comp and Mach 1. 6 sticks, rolled around 375HP & 720TQ. Felt great, but you know a little more always feels better:-laf. So I ran for about a year with that set-up then around 145k went with present set-up (see signature). Presently, I'm at 191k and have not had one problem with the trans other than a shift solenoid, which relates in no way to the rebuild. So I'm going on 7 years since rebuild and almost 60k+ miles, I'm happy and the trans shifts as well as it did when I picked it up from the shop that did the work, which is TRE Diesel Performance out of VA. Beach, VA. Tim Barber is the owner of TRE and DTT builder, great guy and great Customer Service from both Tim and the folks at DTT.

Oh, I don't tow and this is my daily driver/toy. I change fluid, filter and adjust/check bands every Spring.

Others have offered great advice - call several of the big outfits ATS, Goerend and don't forget DTT. Tell them what you are running and if you plan to add any power (once again as offered in previous posts - be honest) and listen, learn, then decide. Try not to make money the main reason for choice, Customer Service goes a long, long way, especially if a problem arises.

Happy hunting.

 

[rluft]

I had mine rebuilt using DTT components. Have not had any problems with it in 40,000 miles. My dad has a ATS transmission. I asked him if he would go with them again and if I should get one and he didn't think so. He has not been satisfied with ATS's service after the sale.



If you have a local shop that you trust to do the work and have them use better than stock parts, like DTT or the others brands mentioned above, you will be happy.

 

[PetesonM]

Gorend! awsome trans, awsome service. They will help you make sure everything is right even if you do the install.

 

[Melton]

I want to thank you all for your suggestions, I had always thought that ATS was the way to go, but now I don't think so. My trans mechanic is the drive train instructor at the local vocational college, and was a transmission mechanic at a shop that did proformance diesel work. He wants to do it during Christmas break we are leaning towards DDT or Goerend and one other but don"t remember the name. Thanks again and Merry Christmas. Dale

 

[Skydiver]

Think about this.
First I wanted to say go to Jeff Garman in Griffin Ga. But I think it would be in your best interest to use a rebuilder that can/will take care any warranty issues. It would be more convenient for you if that shop was "not too far" from where you live. If you drive a great distance for the rebuild and it fails your towing bill could be enormous.

 

[John - K5AWO]

Several years ago, my stock transmission was slipping bad, the TQ was toast, would not pull below 2,000 rpm. At the time, I favored ATS really strong over all the other guys. I made phone calls to DTT (impressed), ATS (not so much), and then SunCoast and got a hold of their lead shop mechanic (lucky the sales guys were gone for lunch). This guy asks me what I am going to be doing. Told him. He said triple disc TQ, use their best valve body, replace the clutch bands throw in an external oil filter in the output side oil cooler line (to catch clutch and TQ filings). I asked if the billet input shaft is needed. He said no, the OEM shaft will handle 500 hp if you aren't jerking things around, just towing. Asked if it would handle a 10,000 lb trailer, he said "hell yes". I did what he said, my son installed the parts and no issues. My son is a diesel mechanic and a coworker that builds trannys. All it cost me was parts. See my signature for how it all ended up.

 

[bigflatdaddy]

I think you will be happy with ANY replacement transmission. The stock transmission simply doesn't have enough umph for what we like to do. I replaced mine at 125K with a goerend heavy duty, and honestly, if I every buy a new truck, it will go straight from the dealer to a transmission shop for the same update. Wow. I love the way my 03 drives, better than the day it was purchased. Hope this helps.

 

[KGrotte]

Truck had a DTT in it when i bought it but drove up to BC Canada and had it freshened up. Bill at DTT is amazing. I am running 700-800 HP through it and shifts like a dream. I had some over drive shift issues at about 20,000. I called bill and he told me to take the pan off and call him back. He walked me throught the adjustment. 2 years latter still going strong. I cant say i pull with it and i dont know how others stand up but i have nothing but good to say about DTT.

 

[Joe Mc]

If you're going with DTT (or most likely and other) it would be best to have an authorized DTT trained shop do the work = Customer Support + Warranty if any issue should arise.

If someone else purchased the parts and does the install it's pretty likely that DTT (or any other) will help the installer through any problems, but it's best to have the "trained" guys do the work. IMO

 

[ArmandoCantu]

yep, final call is yours, there are many out there. But, I installed an ATS Stage II transmission and 5-star convertor. Very pricey, but you get what you pay for and it's ALL made here in the U. S. A. I know, I visited the ATS place in Colorado. I'm impressed with mine and recommend it.

 

[JBodenhamer]

It appears this is not your plan, but I did my own rebuild about 30K miles ago with Dunrite stuff(valve body and billed TC) along with new clutches and bands throughout, and am very happy with it. Shifts nice and firm, no problems. Getting the trans crossmember out was the worst part of it all. Took me a couple days in the garage with periodic help from dad and father-in-law, and total cost was about $2200. No slipping with minor mods(edge juice with attitude, intake, exhaust).

Good luck! I recommend Dunrite parts. Good folks, good customer service.