Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) transmission up-grade

[tdrpass1215]

Hello, This is my first post and I,m not sure if I'm doing things right, but here goes.



I want to up-grade my T. C. and/or transmission to a stronger setup. I'm looking for advice from those who have dealt with reliable firms in this field. Who has the best equipment, provides the best service and lasts the longest? Who should I not deal with?



I'm not into racing, off-road or any abusive driving. I tow a 10K 5th wheel.



Thank you for thoughts.



Bob

Healdsburg, Ca.









2000 CTD, 2X2, 6. 5 BED, AUTO, GEAR VENDORS, 4:10 DIFF, GUAGES: EGT. , TRANS, BOOST, WESTECH FUEL PRESS. 0-30, B/D EXH. BRAKE, LINEX BED SPRAY, AIR DOG FP80, POWER VISION MIRRORS, STOCK ENGINE, KELDERMAN REAR AIR BAGS, 60K MILES.

 

[wtfd6]

you may have just opened up a can of worms. there are a lot of good companies out there it just depends on how much you want to spend. transmissions are a touchy subject around here.

mark

 

[tdrpass1215]

you may have just opened up a can of worms. there are a lot of good companies out there it just depends on how much you want to spend. transmissions are a touchy subject around here.

mark

I don't want to ruffle anyone's feathers, I'm just asking for advice from users

 

[AMink]

Do a search on DTT, ATS, Suncoast, Goerand Bros. A lot of it will come down to how much you want to spend, where you're located, and how your questions are answered by the company reps. There are others, of course, but these seem to be the most popular. I wish I had one of any of the above :{ . I know there is a DTT installer in Reading, but I can't recall the name offhand. Have fun on here. This site is a gold mine of info to make your truck better.

 

[TGibbs]

I have heard a full DTT treatment is bullet proof but my truck has a suncoast triple disk with a valve body and it pulls great.

 

[JoshPeters]

Like the others have said... . look at all the companies, make some phone calls, and see who YOU like the best. I recommend filling out your signature, and let us know where you live. Depending on the area, you can even ask members to drive their trucks and see what feels right to you.



I have driven/ridden in DTT, Suncoast and Goerend trucks. DTT has the old muscle car type shifts. Hard and firm. Goerend is on the other end, with smooth bairly felt shifts. I have my theories, others have theirs. Send a PM and I'll let you know what I personally think as far as shifting goes.



ALL the companies you will find on here make GREAT stuff. Check out each companies warranties, and do a search on each. Customer service In My Opinoin (IMO) is what makes each company what it is.



Also, like it has been stated here... . Transmission threads can get interesting, and there are certian rules as to what can be said. If you want specific info from people, your best bet is to PM them about it. Read signatures and ask questions.



I've had Suncoast and Goerend myself. You can see what I have now. What I have now is due to Customer service after the sale. Again PM if you want to know why.



Josh

 

[Holysmokes]

Again, talk to the vendors. They are ALL VERY HELPFUL and easy to talk to. I was in the same boat as you are now. I dont hook to sleds (well... . yet) and I couldnt afford to drop five grand into a transmission at the time.

I took about 4 months and looked into all of them. They will ask you whats your HP goal. When I spoke with Dave at G-brothers,he told me that really 450 HP was the max HE RECOMMENDED. That said, I know of guy running his product with more HP than that with no problems.

Your transmission will be up BIGGEST UPGRADE you can do. Most of the vendors Ive spoke with agree that you can lose UP TO 30 % of your power through your transmission.

The gentlemen stating about "opening a can of worms" is both correct and Im sure doesnt mean anything bad by it. The transmission threads typically end in "mines better than yours" ugly battle. This is why we are saying to do some research because there are TONS of GREAT trannys out there. You just want to have in mind these things when talking to vendors. How much HP do I want? How much HP will I want down the road? ( dont limit yourself too low) What will I / am I using my truck for? Whats the warranty like? (anything can fail at anygiven time IMHO) Im sure there's more questions to ask yourself / vendor and mabey others can contribute. Good Luck!!

 

[JR2]

I thing the biggest factor is where you are located and how close you are to a good shop that supports one of the compaies listed above. They are work well, but not all shops/installers are the same.



I would also suggest that you tell us where you are from and maybe try to hook up with some local guys with modified trannies so you can go for a ride.



I do not regret my choice.

 

[Rd.Runnr]

I can speak for customer service from the builder in my signature. He is there when he is needed. I have recommended him in the past, will do it again.

 

[.44 mag]

The shop located in Reading, CA is J & H Performance. I will be bringing them my truck shortly for a full trans. upgrade. They are currently using Suncoast products. Obviously, I trust their work and selection of parts vender. They were using another brand and had some failure and customer service issues.

Hope this helps!



Hank

 

[klaybus]

See sig below! Good luck.



Clay :-laf

 

[Beery]

I am in the same boat. Trany failing. Need info from ginnypigs.

 

[Beery]

I actully subscribed looking for trany experience with aftermarket products and when I figure out how to fill out signature I"ll show what I"m sporting.

 

[zstroken]

Goerends! Dave goes up and beyond the call on customer service. We put in a convertor that Dave had made special for us and we also wanted to change a 3-2 downshift characteristic on the VB. Dave spent 25 minutes on the phone with me making sure I knew what to modify on the VB, sent pictures everything(It was just drilling one hole on the seperator plate) Well we installed the convertor and had an issue with the VB. I left a message last night at about 2:45 am. Just expecting Dave to call me on monday. Well this guy freaking called me today(xmas eve) about 9:00 am. Talk about customer service wow!. After he told me what I did wrong he said call back if there were anymore issues cause he was helping someone else set up there clutches today. This is the second time that he has blown me out of the water with the customer service. Definately give him a call.

 

[Beery]

I see alot of DTT? and Goerends? but never ATS. Is it bad to ask why?

 

[JoshPeters]

ATS makes good stuff, but lately I have seen some posts about poor customer service when something happens within the "warranty. " I don't know personally, so don't take my word for it, but if you do a search for ATS you may find those threads.



DTT and Goerends are IMHO the best companies out there. Both will give you what you want. It depends on your price range and the shift feel you want.



I'm like Zstroken, A friend of mine owned a diesel performance shop and was going to be building trannys for Dave, up here in MN. Mine was his first. Dave gave him his home number and said to call if we had any issues. At 2am we were having some major issues, and I HAD to have the truck the next day. Unsure if we should call, we did. 2am, he was happy to hear from us, and had no problem letting us know what we needed to do! He even told us to call again if we had any more issues!



I know CumminsAholic in Northern MN has had great things to say about DTT, as I recall he had the transmission shipped to him, and installed it himself. After getting everything good to go it had a funny shift. He called up DTT, they sent a valve body, Didn't help. Then a Torque Converter, again, no help. They finally just sent a whole transmission out, no cost to him and he installed it. He's now 100% happy with the product.





Josh

 

[Holysmokes]

The shop that I had do mine had never heard of dave. (dave never heard of him) At the time, this shop was going to install 2 of these. Dave called over to the shop and offers any help he can to get these installed. (info for proper set up ect. ) That said I didnt use G-brothers but that stuck in mind as a good customer service experience.

 

[HAnderson]

Why bad mouth ATS. I drag,and towwith one. and only have had good severs out of there shop for three years. H Anderson

 

[JoshPeters]

Why bad mouth ATS. I drag,and towwith one. and only have had good severs out of there shop for three years. H Anderson

Read the post again.



I did not bad mouth anyone. I just said what I had read. If you insist, I'll go find the threads and post them here.



I really didn't think that was nessissary.



Josh



This is the one that really stands out

http://www.tdr1.com/forums/showthread.php?t=129275&page=1&pp=15&highlight=ATS+Problems



and again

http://www.tdr1.com/forums/showthread.php?t=133432&page=1&pp=15&highlight=ATS+Problems



and again

http://www.tdr1.com/forums/showthread.php?t=124587&highlight=ATS+Problems

 

[foolkiller]

if i were you, i'd ensure the proximity to the builder AND installer were within a "convenient" distance from me so as to be able to deal with the potential problems. AND, could you have the truck down for days to deal with the potential problems. from my experience, having a second car is a must for this mod and i'm not going through it again until i do.



unfortunately i do have to go through it again.