Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) ??up grade the auto or trade up to 6spd ho??

[GBerry]

I know its personal opinion and all the rest of that junk!! but I still have to ask ya all what ya think.



But with the deal on the 02's and the things I'm looking to do like a Weekend Warrior 5er and some bigger tires to get it out into the sand dunes, plus cost of changing the gears and not getting a LSD when new :{ (gears 4:10's and a posilimited slip $1700. 00+ tax at local 4x4shop) and upgrading the auto from what I have been reading $2500 to $3000.

Well I'm thinking it might be better to sell or trade it for a 02 6spd HO and LSD with the 4:10's for the bigger tires like I was thinking when I bought this one. When I was test driving the trucks I decided 3:54's would be ok most of the driving would be hwy to work and back and when I got the trailer I could just go a little slower and I still could but that New truck keeps whispering to me I'M NEW AND ... well ya know

SOOOOO keep it and do the gears and auto or get the 6spd HO??????

Guy

 

[Bob Wagner]

I just test drove an 03 6speed





Unless you love shifting, <b>Nothing comes close to my DTT upgraded auto</b>





I tow a 10K 5er with stand up bedroom and dual slides with no problems, 3:54 gears too



If you want a test drive, I'm just a little bit North

 

[DUNE RACER]

If you stay with a modest tire size and air them down in the sand you should do fine, that way you could keep the 3. 54's. A better torque converter will do wonders for your auto, a full on "built" unit probably is not needed with no power mods.



IMHO, LSD units are useless, especially OEM units, if you want real traction save the money and get an ARB locker. Then you'll have an onboard air supply for airing tires up.



I faced a similer decision 2 years ago, keep my 98 12v auto with a banks powerpack & BD transmission or get a 01 HO 6speed. I choose the HO and have never looked back, I went with 3. 54's again but run near stock sized tires. The only power mod I've made is a good muffler and this truck pulls nearly as good as the 98 with pump mods.



Its your money & your decision, hope your happy with which ever road you choose, see ya in the dunes, Zach

 

[GBerry]

??auto or 6spd

DUNE RACER what are you pulling and do you pull it out into the sand ??

I'm pulling just a 7x14 tandem axle deck over with my ATVs's,gas,fire wood 3 to 4k total but I'm looking to get a 5er and ill be pulling it into the dunes too!!

I'm thinking of putting the 305/75-16 BFG's MT's or ?? saw something about the nitto's on another post but didn't get to finish reading it.

And your right stock LSD is nothing like the power lock I had in my old 69 F250 it worked great and it saw a lot of mud holing, sand and and thing I needed to get through!!





Bob Wagner I would really appreciate the chance to test drive your truck!!! I'm sure that would be just the ticket to help me make up my mind !!

ill send ya a pm Bob W.

and thanks Guy's for your reply

Guy B.

ps sorry for my long windedness

 

[Diesel Freak]

GBerry



I make it over to Battle Ground quite often, if you want to test out a Mildly Bombed Six Speed, drop me a line!



But I must admit I have over 100 HP more than an '03 H. O.

 

[RichB59]

I wanted

a 6 speed but ended up with an auto (wife). I upgraded and love it. I feel very confident with this rig. BUT!!! A stick is a man thing and I know how you feel. If only I could get a custon knob for my Auto!!!!





LOL RichB

 

[PBayer]

I just went through this problem. I had a 2001 auto. Added the full DTT trans stuff w/ 91% TC. It made a huge difference, but I did not like the auto trans in a diesel truck. I just traded the 01 on a 02 6 speed HO and love it! Its all in what you want. Paul

 

[RustyJC]

A little different situation in our case, but we were towing our current 36' triple slide 5ver (13,500 lbs) with a 3500 V-10/automatic/3. 54 axle. Not a good combination for towing at these weights!



See signature - we went the HO/6-speed/4. 10 route and, for our heavy towing application, don't regret it for a minute!



Rusty

 

[roadking]

trade!