When to upgrade transmission?

[GGibson]

I have a stock '96, Auto with 3. 54, Pull a 9000# 5th wheel. I have 95,000 miles (about 35,000 towing). No problems with the transmission yet. When the time comes I'll probably go with ATS. Talking with ATS they suggest I do it now before I have trouble. Talking with Dealer, they suggest I don't fix what ain't broke and keep driving my conservative ways, then go with the ATS when trouble starts. Comments you guys??

 

[JConley]

I have 103K, and there is nothing wrong with my transmission. It is getting overhauled on Tuesday in Denver. Preventative maintenance is a lot cheaper than replacing gears.



I look at it this way. You can decide when to have your transmission overhauled, or your transmission will decide for you. One of these is a LOT cheaper than the other...

 

[Bob Wagner]

if you are not in a rush, wait and see how ATS pans out.



Like Jims sez, If it aint broke, fix it til it is

 

[D. Showan]

My personal opinion, I would keep using it until you start to notice anything strange going on (shudders, flairs slipping etc. ) It will probably give you warning signs and you should have plenty of time to repair it before it gets really bad . You might get another 30-40K out of it.

 

[Snow man]

GGibson,if you are going with ATS,and they told you to keep running it,then thats what Id do.

 

[redramnc]

I ran mine until it started slipping suddenly at 103K. Got a stock rebuild from a guy I know and trust (shoulda/woulda/wished I had done it differently now). If you go too long slipping it eats the intermediate shaft in the overdrive and that costs more money (a toasted OD unit is $1200 from D/C). I had no choice to try to limp it, it wouldn't go. The explanation I got was that the more wear the worse/more expensive the OD unit is to repair. However, if you are going to swap out then the core can be pretty bad unless the swapper/rebuilder is going to hold you accountable for excessive parts needed to rebuild.



I plan on going to an ATS if/when the trans goes again. I would follow their recommendation.