Would you do it?

[Justbeamn]

Guys, I have the oportunity to do an even swap from my stock auto transmission for a guy with a 2001 5 speed. The work will be done at DTT's shop with their supervision. The only thing I will have to purchase is a HD clutch. Other than that it will only cost me my time for my own work. I rarely tow, but I am going to bomb so this would be way cheaper than bombing the transmission. I don't mind shifting (own several other manual vehicles). What do you think? Should I stay with the auto or go with the 5-speed. Opinions appreciated #ad


Devon

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98. 5 3500 SLT Quad Dually 4x4. 3:54 Auto, Waterfall Blk on red. Custom dually flaps, Rhino lining, All acc's w/leather, Muth signal mirrors, Catz MSC's, 55watt back up lights, Optima Red Tops, 80/100 head lights
BD exhaust brake, Banks EGT/Boost/Temp gauges, Mag-Hytec DC&TP, SS bug screen and fender trim,SS Stull diamond line running boards, SS 4" turn down.
My Dually

 

[Bob Wagner]

Devon GO FOR IT !!!! Bomb on!

I was surprised it took this long to get a taker. Nice trade #ad


Bob

 

[RonaldLarson]

Just curious: why would you not install the DTT auto upgrades and have a much more enjoyable, more tractable and less driving work truck? Why do you think that the five speed guy wants out of his five speed?
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!
Still shiftless, and loving it.
Ron

 

[Justbeamn]

Ron, the reason the other guy wants to swap I believe is he is disabled to some extent and it's hard for him to shift. As far as the auto upgrade compare the price of a TC and VB and installation over just the HD clutch. Just trying to look at the pro's and con's. What all will need to be swapped? Are the computers different? Anybody had this done and if so how do you like the difference.

 

[Bob Wagner]

Devon, there is a write up about the switch out in TDR issue 31

I'm almost sure.

PS I perfer not to shift and I am getting the
DTT TC and VB on 4/20 #ad

 

[LSMITH]

I would do it in a heartbeat. That $3K every hundred thousand miles or so for a new transmission will go a long ways for other things. I won't have another auto behind a Cummins.

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99 2500 QC 4X4 AUTO SB 24V LARAMIE SLT 3. 5 LSD 285-75-16'S SPA Boost/EGT Everything but leather NRA Member Great Lakes TDR Member

 

[Max Wedge]

It really tickles me to listen to this nonsence about That $3K every hundred thousand miles or so for a new transmission Contact Standard Transmission & Gear Co in Fortworth Texas to see exactly what MUST be done to get the NV4500 to live.

Now I'm not knocking my brothern who have choosen the "bolt action" method, heck we've got one in the family living behind a stock V-10 (howling very badly). Fact is with the proper upgrades & maintance the TFOD will reward the owner with a lot less "Laying on your back changing a clutch" time. IMHO

Semi Automatic
Marietta Transmission Service
Marietta OHIO

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Y2K Black 3500 4x4 SLT+ Leather ETC/DGA DMF/DSA Luverne SST Bars
'64 Plymouth 426 III
'79 Chrysler 300 T-Tops

 

[LSMITH]

Semi, I was talking about an auto every 100K, not a 5 speed. A five speed should last several hundred thousand with minimal care. Automatics do not last that long, period.

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99 2500 QC 4X4 AUTO SB 24V LARAMIE SLT 3. 5 LSD 285-75-16'S SPA Boost/EGT Everything but leather NRA Member Great Lakes TDR Member

 

[Max Wedge]

I agree they shoudl, but the way D/C is put them together, they aren't. Over the last 15 years automatic transmission technology has come a long way--even in the "big rig" market. Allison probably being the best. In 1962 when the REAL Chrysler Corp. brought the Torque Flite on the seen, everybody thought that it would be a "slush box" just like the rest of them--and here we are almost 40 years and the same designs as 1962 is incorporated in the modern TFOD that is behind our Cummins.

Add a DTT Converter & Valve Body and change fluid regularly and it will last. Just finished servicing a Cummins 4x2 A518 with 218,000 (verified-origianl owner)--never been out of the vehicle. It just depends on your particular desire. Hey we are all driving the best there is (now).

Semi

 

[Justbeamn]

TTT! I know more of you have opinions about this!

 

[Bigsaint]

While I do enjoy all the "kicking and sticking", there are many times that I wished that I did go the auto trans. route. I really don't enjoy trying to merge into traffic while at a stop on a hill, fortunately, that does not happen often. 1st gear starts $uck. On the other hand, I bought this truck to pull, and pull she will once I get her rolling. I don't know if this helps as I have the 6 speed, but there's my $. 02 . I NEED A CUP SMOOTHIE !!!! (or whatever that thing is called).

Scott W.

White 2001. 5 3500 ETH/DEE 4X4 Quad cab SLT,tow package and camper prep,Husky liners front and rear,DiPricol pyro,boost and oil temp gauges,Edge EZ,Psychotty air,Bully Dog stage III injectors,ATS 3 piece manifold,HX40 turbo,4" BD exhaust,4" BD E-brake,McLeod clutch,Mallory 4150 lift pump,Mag-Hytec rear,Go-Rhino grill guard,Mopar tonneau,Lund bug shield,PM tractor utility back up lights,Penda bed mat and blow by bottle is bye bye !!! I love the smell of diesel in the morning, it reminds me of... . VICTORY !!!
<A HREF="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1231655&a=9089608" TARGET=_blank><font color=red>My Truck</font></A>
<A HREF="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1231655&a=9089604" TARGET=_blank><font color=red>THE SAINTS</font></A>

 

[Archive]

Semi,

I don't think you can put GM's TurboHydramatic into the same league as "the rest of the slushboxes. " PowerGlides perhaps, but not Olds TH's(and other GM units that benefited from Olds RnD). The TH400 behind my '70 Olds with a 455 is probably one of, if not the finest autos ever built. Has all the technology REALLY improved these various units in the past 30 years? Hmm, no. TC lockup has helped MPG, but domestic mfgs. , have continued to cut corners at every opportunity, my feeling is that one prime area that has been targeted is the relatively complex auto. If things were so great, DTT would not be in business right now.

My decision to purchase an auto was driven by the fact that my wife has a total hip replacement in her left leg. As it was originally thought, she would need to drive the Ram on a regular basis. That has not been the case, and I've kicked myself almost every day for not ordering a manual. None-the-less, I love my truck and am ready to shell out an additional chunk of change to fix this 'slushbox' so it works as it should have from the get-go. $3,000 plus is a real premium to pay to not have to shift. JMHO.

As to whether this swap is a good idea or not, I'd base it on easy of conversion. If pedal hangers or mount locations are there, if few or any additional OEM parts are needed, supervision and shop equipment is available (not an issue in this case) etc. , then I'd do it in a heartbeat.

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'99 4x4 • SB • QC • 3. 54 • LSD • AT • Leather • Mag-Hytech • Westach Guages • Line-X • Tommy Gate

 

[CCahill]

Semi,
I agree with you to a point.
the early Torqueflight, was a killer transmission. . behind a stock 383... anything past that and you had the trans in shops
like Art Carr's... I am also shiftless, with DTT products... said to myself for years, not going to buy another stick, But,ooooohhhh, THAT 6 sp sure sounds sweet! #ad
:

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2001 Quad,4x4,AT,4. 10LS,LB,Loaded enough,stock,mostly... . 65 Chevelle sedan, Hella nice driver, 53 Nash Rambler Convt,1 of 653 built,[not a Metro], GM drivetrain, injection, and auto/od
Specialized FSR PRO Stumpjumper,Cannondale F2000, Loaded
MTD Lawn tractor with flames
12' fishin' boat, loaded. .

 

[Max Wedge]

Originally posted by AZ_OILBRNR:
Semi,
If things were so great, DTT would not be in business right now.

Yes, in a perfect world the factorys would produce the perfect equipment--but even that is realative. Aftermarket sources such as Bill/DTT can almost always improve over mass produced items. I agree I wish I didn't have to spend $1300 to upgrade the unit, but guys once that is done, the TFOD is a VERY GOOD unit. Most people who buy these trucks(most people are not on this site) like the shift quality of a LHS in a 3/4 ton or 1 ton.

What is this $3000 number being thrown around? I must be missing something. #ad


This has been a good topic, heck there have always been a slpit in the camps, even at the Drags stick guys vs. auto's. Hope nobody gets thier feelings hurt! #ad

Ron




[This message has been edited by Semi Automatic (edited 04-04-2001). ]

 

[Mopar-muscle]

i'm with semi , the auto trans in the ram is a very capable unit when used as INTENDED , try to do something else with it or put insane amounts of power thru it and you will discover its weakness , benn there , living it right now , i'll post about my latest bout with stupidity when i get it back once i found out what happened .

if its pulling to and over rated capacity then the manual trans is probably what you want , if its moderate towing and just plain driving pleasure the auto is the way to go , though the auto can is is towing the big loads , you must use your head .

just what year is you ram ? not sure if the program is in the PCM of the other guy for an auto , but the connectors in the harness should all be there , you will be swapping alot of parts from one to the other , the steering column comes to mind along with the carpet , floor pan mods (??), pedal assemblies (?) . the problem may be more on your end as the pcm may be looking for inputs , and you can't swap pcms as the VIN of the vehicle is stored in it as is the mileage ... if i'm wrong i'm sure i will be corrected .

 

[LSMITH]

The $3K number is what a complete transmission with the upgrades or a rebuild and the upgrades would cost. Most guys have some miles on their trannies before they accept the fact that they need upgrades, and want a new or rebuilt unit to upgrade. Lots of others wait until the transmission is smoked completely before upgrading too. $3K is actually a little low, I would be surprised if you could do it for $3K even doing the labor yourself. Add to that the fact that you will be doing it again if you keep the truck. A $1000 clutch (best unit you can get) starts to sound pretty good. JMHO.

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99 2500 QC 4X4 AUTO SB 24V LARAMIE SLT 3. 5 LSD 285-75-16'S SPA Boost/EGT Everything but leather NRA Member Great Lakes TDR Member

 

[Mopar-muscle]

lsmith , you could do it for about 3200 if you did it yourself , thats for a complete trans from DTT , then there is shipping back and forth , if you were to rebuild it your self , or say pull it yourself and drag it to the trans shop you could probly get it rebuilt for alot less , the parts are cheap , we had the trans in my wifes old 96 grand cherokee done for 1800 , this included a new TC , and a mnew mainshaft as she drove it till it was out of fluid and would not move , cooked EVERYTHING , granted i grew up with the guy that owned the shop that did the repair , this included rebuild of the OD unit also.

 

[OILBRNR]

I arrived at the ~$3k figure as the original optional cost of the auto over the 5sp plus the parts and labor to bring it up to snuff.