Trans opptions.

My 01 CTD has 136,000 on the original trans, The TC still locks up in 3rd and OD but its is slow and The shifts are getting pretty slow as well. Is it worth it to invest in a trans go shift kit, or even a VB.

Or should i just drive it till the trany dies?

 

Hmmm.... good question.

If it's getting sloppy already then adding power will pretty much finish it off. But, going with a VB to get a few extra miles from it could work, but you'll likely trash the VB when it does completely die. But, I think the VB could be cleaned and reused.

I'd likely try a VB and see how many miles I could get out of it. Some fresh oil, band adjustment, and the better VB and it could make having new power more fun. But, if the clutches are basically worn out, no valve body or shift kit is going to actually make it not slip.

I'd throw the VB in and see if the clutches are still strong enough to hold, but plan on doing a complete rebuild sooner than later.

 

thanks, im planning on doing a goerend bro's trans when mine takes a dump.
depending on what a decent VB goes for i might do that next service.

 

136K miles, I would save your cash and go for the full rebuild. Good chance with that much mileage that the clutches will be on their way out. Dave builds a good transmission. I have installed several of them with great results.

 

I put a goerend bros VB & TC in mine at 137K miles, I had over taxed the converter with the injectors. The trans lasted another 2 years before the front band let go (172K miles). And that was with a fair amount of towing. I wanted a goerend bros trans but didn't have the money due to the fact the trans let go over chirstmas. I had a friend of mine who owns a trans shop rebuild it with plenty of updated and hp parts for $1100. He also cleaned out the converter & valve body, all new electronics. I did the pull/install on the trans myself. The trans is tight and and no slop. waytogo

When was your last band adjustment?
How is the fluid and material in the pan on a filter change?

 

the fluid looked good the last time i changed it, as for a band adj. Iv only had the truck for a year so i have no clue the last time it was done. never done a band adj. befor

 

Towing is part of what saved your transmission. Se, loaded, you apply more throttle, which ramps up the throttle valve pressure, and helps shifts firm up and speed up. Unloaded, throttle pressure is low, and shifts are sloppy and slow.
I was not trying to say that the transmission was trashed, just that with that kind of mileage, its a good chance. I went through this exact situation with a customer. Could not afford the clutches and teardown. Went just for converter and VB. 2 weeks later, he barely made it back over to the shop. Clutches were shot already, just took that much longer to totally let go. I kept one of his clutches to show customers that want to cheap out.

 

I hear what your saying diesel nut, your taking a chance without doing a rebuild. My truck was babied and well taken care of, so i went for it. 1tontractor said he has never done a band adjustment. A simple filter change and band adjust might be all he needs to get it shifting normal again. Your going to need a INCH pound torque wrench for the band adjust.

Here a link on how to do it for a stock trans: http://www.dodgeram.org/tech/transmission/automatic/AT_band_adj.htm

WOODS

 

ever heard of anybody swapping out a manual tranny for an automatic?

 

Yup. We at Triple D Performance have done it both ways a couple times now.

What are you goals with the truck?

 

dupe.

 

At this point I'm just in the investigative mode. I really like my truck but at times that NV 5600 gets a bit much...not real user friendly, especially around town and using as a daily driver...but awsome on the highway. If I could change anything about the tuck I think I would rather have an auto. So I was wondering what all I would need and ball park dollar figure to pull it off. I've heard guys here talk about Goerend trannys and how they like'em, do they sell the complete package? I'm not a big gear head so I don't know if there is stuff that I would need over somebody already with an auto and upgrading to a Goerend. Also with an upgraded auto can't I run more hp? Right now my south bend clutch is only rated to 450 hp. The next step up in clutches takes me to 600 hp but I hear it's even less user friendly.

 

Well doing the swap isn't hard, although you will have to find all the nessissary parts, as one one has made a kit.... yet.

If you have the 6spd, you have a 24v truck, so the swap becomes a bit more difficult to make look "factory." One of our Triple D trucks is an 01 that came with a 6spd, and is now an auto, but we had to install 2 switches. One to actuate OD the other for the torque converter.

I can go into more detail if you'd like, it is feasable and we have done it.

As far as power goes, either can handle a ton of power. The cost of the auto vs the manual will depend on your power expetations.

 

For now I just wanted to know if it was possible. We can talk more later, If I get real serious about it I'll call. Do you have a ball park dollar figure? If I do it I'd want it to handle 650 to 700 hp. I was thinking $6000 with labor, am I too far off?.....which may mean it's not feasable in the end. thanks

 

700hp.... Full billet Goerends, with all the nessissary parts... installed... I'll have to crunch some numbers but $6000 seems ballpark depending on what other parts would be needed to buy, and how "factory" you wanted it. If your talking changing wiring harnesses and ECM's, column, etc to have it look factory, it would end up being more.

 

thanks, for that kind of $ a fellow would really have to look at his options, maybe even a new or different truck, either way it'll have to go on back burner for now, but it's cool to know that it has been done.
A buddy of mine just back from Arkansas where he had a guy rebuild his 01 ford. You probably have heard of this guy, I forget his name, He was written up in dp several years ago. Lifetime warranty, good to 700 hp...my friend can't stop grinning. He says that everything just works better together. He was really impressed with the whole deal. The guy let him hang out in the shop and played "show and tell" with the whole process. The best part...$4000, not too bad.

 

a 700hp Ford for $4000? I'm sorry but it's impossible.

 

Would it make a difference If I said they rebuilt his tranny, that it wasn't a new one? If not I don't know what the answer is...this is a close friend and the same guy who won't speak to his dad anymore because he lied to him about something 15 years ago...so I find it hard to believe he's lying to me, could be a miscommunication issue between the parties involved. ( me included ) I'm almost curious enough to call the builder and ask him what his claims/ prices are...Not that this makes a difference but this guy only does ford.

 

Well 2 things...
Diesel Power magazine hasn't been around that long.

As far as $4000 for a tranny... ehh I doubt it would actually handle that kind of power. There are shafts that tend to give, etc without spendy parts.

As far as a tranny builder out of AK that is "big" in the diesel world... I haven't really heard of one out of there.

 

Hijacked???

thanks woods, ill be tryin that out probably come summer when im due for a preseason tune. Hopefully the band adj. will pick up some of that slop.waytogo