Truck questions

[Lordsman]

Bought a '93 recently and have a few questions now that I've driven it some. Responses are appreciated!



At what outside ambient temperature will the grid heaters engage

on start-up? My '99 truck heaters engage now(mid to low 50's at night), not from '93 though.



Anyone bought/installed a new auto transmission from Dodge? Opinions? Mine has 205K on it, can't last as long as the mighty Cummins!



Can hear the transfer case (below 4 wd shifter) hummming according the engine RPMs. Is that normal?

 

[ETOBICOKE]

Grid Heaters

First gen grid heaters have a sensor mounted on the intake manifold. They are supposed to operate if the manifold is colder than 60F. If the truck has been driven in the evening, chances are the grid heaters will not need to cycle the next morning even if it is close to freezing overnight.



Neil

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

ETOBICOKE is correct. The grid heaters will usually engage at around 60*F although they will only run about 3-5 seconds at that temp.

205K MILES is doing pretty good on the A518 trans.

I assume it has been regularily serviced but you are looking at its life expectancy limits in my opinion.

The noise from your T-case,, is it an actual gear whine, or a bit of buzz?? Mine makes the latter and is nothing more than the spring which 'loads' the shift lever. If I give it a tiny wiggle or move it slightly forward/backward it quiets right down. Checking the T-case fluid would be a good plan, they get overlooked alot.



Regards, Bush'

 

[Lordsman]

Drive the truck every day now. So as you guys say the heaters may not come on yet. I'll keep an eye on it.

Truck recently had Warn hubs installed replacing stock for the front end 4wd. Fluid is new, properly filled.

Yes, the transmission has been maintained regularly, with fluid changes every 25,000 miles so I was told. Seems to downshift hard sometimes when driving slow from 2nd to 1st. I plan on getting a new stock transmission from Dodge, but need some opinions on that. I hear that the new trannys go for $2,000 new.

Overall this truck is running well, and I like it.

 

[LDM]

Originally posted by Lordsman

Drive the truck every day now. So as you guys say the heaters may not come on yet. I'll keep an eye on it.

Truck recently had Warn hubs installed replacing stock for the front end 4wd. Fluid is new, properly filled.

Yes, the transmission has been maintained regularly, with fluid changes every 25,000 miles so I was told. Seems to downshift hard sometimes when driving slow from 2nd to 1st. I plan on getting a new stock transmission from Dodge, but need some opinions on that. I hear that the new trannys go for $2,000 new.

Overall this truck is running well, and I like it.

My 90 model used to shift hard on slow speed down shifts. I found the down shift cable was sticking and replaced with a new one and it has shifted fine since the replacement.

 

[dslcummins]

I have the new transmission from Dodge, mine had a hard down shift from 3rd to 2nd. It ended up being a lot of wear inside, that was the problem. It was better to change it, then rebuild it. I seems to work good. I have just under 12,000 on it now.



Rodney

 

[DBF]

I had a new A-518 installed (at Bill Kondolay's suggestion), then put in one of Bill's torque converters and had his shop modify the valve body.

Then we took it from Virginia to Alaska to Oregon and back home (17,000 miles), towing an 8,000# 5th wheel trailer.



We had no problems with the transmission. We drove it fairly hard, but kept transmission pan temperature below 180 by slowing/shifting as necessary. We didn't encounter higher temps except when pulling a longish grade.



Opinions:

1. Excellent performance, even when towing

2. Less heat generated when pulling, due to the better torque converter

3. I predict it will last much longer than stock



Notes:

1. Transmission part number 5014728AA, $2055 plus tax locally

2. Bill's TC and VB work came to close to $1000

3. Installation with Bill's instruction sheet cost another $400. If you're handy, you can do it - I didn't have the time and location to do it.

4. Bill will want you to have plenty of trans cooler capacity



Regards, DBF

 

[Lordsman]

Auto Trans

Getting back to the posts here. Thanks for the info. Sounds like a good transmission to buy. I have a few more questions, if you don't mind.

Who is Bill Kondolay? And where's he located?

Does he(or do I) add new torque converter and valve body to a new transmission before it's installed?

Seems like I'm a little behind in these auto transmission change-out's and upgrades.

If any of you want to educate me a bit on the torque converter and valve body mods it would sure help me know how to go about it correctly. I'm loaded up pretty good in the bed all the time and pull a 16' flatbed trailer also to & from job site's occasionally. So I'd like the new transmission to be right.

I know I don't have too much time with the original trans. and thought I felt it slip a little this morning. It can bang pretty good sometimes too when downshifting. Thanks again.

 

[DBF]

Re: Auto Trans

Originally posted by Lordsman

Getting back to the posts here. Thanks for the info. Sounds like a good transmission to buy. I have a few more questions, if you don't mind.

Who is Bill Kondolay? And where's he located?

Does he(or do I) add new torque converter and valve body to a new transmission before it's installed?

Seems like I'm a little behind in these auto transmission change-out's and upgrades.

If any of you want to educate me a bit on the torque converter and valve body mods it would sure help me know how to go about it correctly. I'm loaded up pretty good in the bed all the time and pull a 16' flatbed trailer also to & from job site's occasionally. So I'd like the new transmission to be right.

I know I don't have too much time with the original trans. and thought I felt it slip a little this morning. It can bang pretty good sometimes too when downshifting. Thanks again.

Bill Kondolay owns Diesel Transmission Technologies in Abbotsford BC. His web site is http://www.dieseltrans.com/ (turn down your speakers, it has a thunder motif).



If you buy the new trans from Chrysler, it will come without the torque converter, but with the valve body to control the auto trans. I talked with Bill to buy from him the torque converter (he has two to choose from, depending on your needs) and to arrange for him to upgrade the valve body (what mods he makes depend on your engine's power and which torque converter you've selected - if you have a real stiff torque converter you'll want a valve body with higher output to match).



My local help removed the new valve body and shipped it to Bill. He sent it back (modified) with a set of instructions and a modified band for the transmission. My local shop (not trans experts, but good general auto shop) put the torque converter into the housing, put the new band into the trans, re-installed the valve body, and put the whole thing into the truck. Took them half a day.



What a difference when I went to pick it up that evening!!



I sold the old trans complete for $100 to a local core shop.



Feel free to e-mail with questions, or leave them here.



DBF