Upgrading the Valve body alone?

[Flying_gage]

Searched for what I am looking to do without results.

Have the below truck in the signature, new to me. Just returned from a 1000 mile round trip pulling a 17.5 twin axle camper. Nothing heavy but reminded me how much
these transmissions stink in stock form. I especially dislike the 3-4 change at 1300 rpm.

My question is this: Would replacing the stock valve body with a Goerend unit change the perceived driveability? I am not in a position to do a torque converter at this point.
That will come down the road.

Thoughts appreciated.

 

[phantomusa]

If it was my truck I think i would wait and replace the torque converter and valve body at the same time when i could afford both

 

[Motorhead]

Replacing the valve body with still a sloppy torque convertor like the stock trucks have won't really pay off. The third gear locked is direct, 1 to 1. Your OD or fourth is .69 to 1 ratio. That major gap was the main reason I sold my 2001.5 automatic in favor of my 2007, 5.9, 6 speed. You will always have that gap unless you go with an auxiliary overdrive such as a Gearvendors. With it, you could hold your trucks transmission in third, 1 to 1 ratio or direct and the gearvendors in OD which is a .78 to 1 ratio. Perfect for towing plus it keeps your truck transmission in its strongest and coolest running gear position.
I sure wished that Dodge would have put a 6 speed auto behind the 5.9.

 

[BILTIT]

I wish aftermarket would come out with a 6 speed auto for these trucks, you could swap in the 68rfe but not sure its much better other than the extra gears and at a large cost.

 

[Motorhead]

The 68rfe and the Aisin both have two overdrives. The first overdrive is for towing.
You can see the ratios of both here. http://www.dieselhub.com/compare/aisin-vs-68rfe.html

 

[cerberusiam]

Yes, it will help without any other upgrades. Make sure to do the other small parts list at the same time for best results.


"I especially dislike the 3-4 change at 1300 rpm." I am not at all sure what you mean by this. The 3-4 shift is computer controlled and the only way to get it to shift at 1300 is down hill coasting and still not sure it would do it, all things working correctly of course. If it is doing that routinely there IS an issue.