Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Trany Questions

[CarlThompson]

Hey,

I have a 99 3500 dually automatic transmission. I am trying to get in to pulling and I was wondering what transmission I should consider installing. Also, would it be smart to convert to manual transmission and how much work that would involve. any advise would be appriciated, thanks.

 

[Diesel Nut]

Maybe some guys with more experiience with pulling can chime in here. I'd say that unless you are going to trailer it around and never drive it leave it as an auto. Just drop a built trans in ans lock out OD and pull in low range. As long as you have billet shafts and 3rd gear drum and 3rd gear band you should be ok i think, unless you are going to run some stupid insane power (that would be cool!). NADP and Suncoast make some great transmissions, and no conversion work. I'd say you are looking at about an even draw either way cost wise.



By the time you by the transmission, the dual disc clutch, all the clutch parts (assumming the t case bolts up), cut the hole in the floor, buy the shifter, ect, and do the work, I think its going to be about the same as a built auto deliverd to your door and you install on a Saturday.

 

[BILLVO]

Just my opinion is to stay with an auto trans spend the money and go full billet. They have what the manual transmission guys call the "Evil down shift ability". which is an advantage in some pulling situations over the manual. I think a vast majority run DTT or Goerand trans and converters. there are many more but I think these are the most popular.

 

[zstroken]

I have had zero mechanical issues with my Goerend transmission. The one electrical issue I have had is my fault. The wiring harness on the truck had an issue. There is a friend of mine that I built his transmission too (using Goerend parts) and he has 30,000 miles on it and probably 40+ hooks. He has broken 2 dana 80 axles, 3 sets of ladder bars. I have broken two front drive shafts, twisted a stock rear driveshaft, broken two welded Dana 80's, and one set of spider gears. No transmission problems yet. Dave has every flavor of convertor you want, makes even customs ones. If you are running a stock charger go with the tightest one he has, or at least the 15 bladed one. If your gonna run a bigger charger go with a little looser one and make sure it is a triple disk, you will more than likely want to lock it up while pulling.