UNHAPPY CAMPER

[BOB S]

HAVE 2000 2500QC,4SP AUTO,BANKS GIT KIT,BOOST & EGT GAGES, 3. 54 REAR END.

TOW 8800LB 5TH WHEEL.

UNHAPPY WITH 600 RPM DROP FROM 3RD TO 4TH

IS THIS NORMAL? WHAT OPTIONS WILL FIX PROBLEM?

PULLS OK EXCEPT WHEN I HAVE WIND LOAD OR SLIGHT GRADE.

CONSIDERING GEARVENDORS AUX TRANS. OR ANOTHER TRUCK

 

[Barry]

Bob S: I had a 2000/3500 Six speed with the 3:54s. It would not pull. So, I too ordered the Banks Kit and had in installed. Made it better but not right. After 7 months I called my dealer and ordered my 2001. Best truck I have ever owned. You have asked for help. Opinions are like belly buttons, most folk have one. Heres mine: The 2000 and newer trucks come with a tire upsize VS the 99s. Second, the final drive ratio of the automatic is . 69 vs . 75 for the manual. So with the BIGGER tires and the higher final drive of the auto, you have a wonderful combination to go to the store and church. It is not good for towing. Fortunatly, you have chosen the 354s as they are easy to change. Dodge has stubbornly held on to two ratios for over a decade but have changed tire sizes, transmissions, and engines. I would look at a 3:73 or even a 3:90 ratio change. You should be able to do this for around 600 bucks. That will put the power band where you need it and still give you plenty of cruising speed for the trips to the store and church. If you are going to trade look at the ETH/DEE combination assuming you would have a manual trans. Mi dos centavos... ... ... ... .

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2001 2500 QC, ETH/DEE,4:10s, LSD, EZ with elbow(26. 5PSI) Boost/Pyro Guages, 4" Turbo back, BD Brake,Mag-Hytec Cover, Kleen Wheels, Energy Release, 70 gal. fuel, 20K Reese. 25,000 Miles on 01/30/01(RV Dealer)

 

[Okie-Go]

I traded a 98 auto. I had the same trouble. Fine with no load but hit a head wind with the trailer you think wow what happened to the engine. I traded while on vacation,they had one on the lot. I liked everything but the color. traded anyway. I have not regretted it for a moment. The Ho and 6spd just loves to pull.

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2001 quadcab slt 2500 HO 6spd. LWB,2wd,dk garnett red, trailer tow package,camper special, anti spin 3. 54 axle, speed liner,oversized stainless steel chicken slide,66 gallon in bed aux. tank,K&N air filter,Reese 20k hitch, Terry 2000 EX 30ft. double slide 5er, 2000 20ft gooseneck for haulin jeep, firewood and huntin stuff. 5X12 tagalong for haulin the 4 wheeler. Okie Newton

 

[WCrovo]

All the autos tow that way. When I had mine and my wife joined me on one of business trips she was in awe over how gutless it was. My new truck is a different animal.

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2001 2500 tow, camper, SWB, ETH, Bright white,4 wheel discs.

 

[Bill Stockard]

Barry,

You "hit the nail on the head". Been there, done that.

There are parasitic power losses in the automatic that don't show up in the specification sheets. Even with the torque converter locked, some of the power losses are still there.

Combine that with the taller overdrive gear than the manual gearbox,larger standard tires(even taller gear ratio) and along with a 3. 54(less torque multiplication than the 4. 10) and you have a sluggish tow truck with the stock engine.

Bill



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Y2K 3500QC, 6 Speed, 4. 10, SLT+, Camper & Tow Pkg. , Westin Chrome Nerf Bars, Mopar Flaps, Reese 20K Hitch, EGT & Boost Gauges, RPM 45 Gallon Aux. Fuel Tank, Highway Products 5th Wheel Toolbox, ECM Controlled PacBrake, Painless Wiring Kit, Mag-Hytec Diff. Cover, Rancho 9000, Air Lift 5000 Air Bags, TOYS: '97 Hitchhiker II 31' 5th Wheel, 2 slideouts, 19,750 GCW, '94 Lance 990 11' 3" Slide-In Camper, Torque-Lift Camper Tiedowns

[This message has been edited by Bill Stockard (edited 02-02-2001). ]

 

[JSchooley]

I added the GearVendors Aux transmission. It's not all paradise but if you want a rush going up the hills it sure helps.

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John S. '99 QC 1T 4. 11 A/T Leather Driftwood, 50 Gal aux tank/tool box, gearvendors, BD brake/autolok, BD ISB comp, guages, BD Pressure Lock and Pract. Sol. Boost Elbow.

Just a Little BOMBed and liking it a lot.

 

[BOB S]

After reading and reading post after post it appears the best answer to my problem may be adding DTTs TC and valve body.
Would like to hear from ones who have these units.
I do plan on going to Dallas sat. to talk with Bill.

 

[Barry]

Mark, You are right on! I guess thats why the TDR pays you the BIG bucks. Autos and 4X4s should consider 4:10s. What we really need is the choice of 373s and 390s.

 

[Guest00]

Have the goodies. The DTT stuff really made a difference but out here in the fronteer with 75 mph speed limits and trying to get my CTD to almost run and pull as good as my 97 stock PSD has been expensive. But the last trip w/ 5th returning from Tulsa @ 75 mph, egt 1200, boost was a maintained 24 - 30#, OD lockup and a good head wind my would not hold speed and I was forced to drive in 3rd. I could shift into OD but could not hold speed. So It was 3rd lockup at 3k rpm, egt could exceed 1300 on any slight hill for the next 160 mi. and 6 mpg. 5 min cooldown and shutdown for 1/2 hr and it was ok again. Today I ordered a GV OD, I hope that running at approx 2450 rpm, @ 75 in 3rd will take some load off the engine and transmission and will be in a better rpm range for pulling grades: at 2k rpm in OD it doesn't cut it where as 2200rpm @ 85+ is easy but frowned upon by the police and maxing out egt.
With the OD unit I will still retain my 2k rpm in OD when pulling my car hauler and double OD for M T high speed economy runs @ approx 1550 rpm, @ 75 mph.

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2K, 2500, Quad, 4x4, 3:54LSD, A/T, reese 15k 5th slider, EASLEY BULL BAR, WESTIN NERFS, TA's, 9000's, stealth DD2's, DD Boost & elbow, ISSPRO pyro & boost, Turbo Lifesaver, JARDINE 4", DTT VB,TC,TC SAVER and AUX COOLER, PAC BRAKE, MAG HYTECH TP& DC, onboard.
pullee #1 26' Arctic Fox 5th
#2 22' car hauler w/ 76 Pinto 392cid or 68 Cyclone GT Cobra Jet FB
NRA-LIFE, VFW-LIFE, SoCSA-LIFE, SASS

[This message has been edited by JNutter (edited 02-15-2001). ]

 

[Big MAK]

Also been there, also done that.

Traded the auto after towing with it twice. It was only three months old. Now have another manual.

3. 73 or better gears plus some bombing enhancements will probably make it a better towing machine (as stated above).

These dealers should never sell an automatic with other then 4. 10s if it's to be used for towing.


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Big MAK
98. 5 ISB 5spd 4x4 Quad Cab 3500, 275s and Original PowerMax
A "WARRANTY FREE" ZONE
https://www.turbodieseltrucks.com