xtremexj

OK, I've been looking for a Cummins for a couple of months now, mostly 1st gens because of price, but the wife doesn't like the look of them. So, I have come across a pretty good deal on a 95 reg cab with auto. After reading MULTIPLE threads regarding problems with the auto, I'm a little freaked about the 2nd gen autos. The truck would be daily transportation to work (about 10 miles each way) and 6-10 trips per year hauling 7000lbs worth of heavily modded Jeep and trailer with the potential for a slide-in camper eventually. All I want to do is add a #6 TST plate, BHAF, gauges and 4" exhaust. Will I really have that many issues with this trans if I am good with regular maintenance and remember to keep my RPMs up on the mountain passes? This is a big decision and I can't afford to drop a new tranny in at the moment. Maybe a shift kit to keep line pressure up and shift overlap to a minimum? All thoughts welcome.

kawi600

95 autos are slow as slugs without the governor spring kit and a cam plate on them.
Also its not -if- the transmission is going to fail, its -when-. Especially once you uncork it to the point where its driveable. Mine was run stock for 170K and the transmission was burning the clutches even in stock trim. If youre lucky you can install something like a Goerend's or DTT torque convertor and valve body and prolong the trans' life enough to save up for the full rebuild. Ive heard Goerend's will do that.
Great truck if you have the cash to put in a good transmission and some good mods. The older 12v trucks are desirable due to the mechanical pumps and the reliablilty at higher power levels.

Ram of Steel

I don't mean to hijack your thread but I do/did similar driving and towing. My auto made it to 194,000. On a regular basis and mostly in the mountains, I flat towed my 4000 lb Land Cruiser.

194k is when I installed the #5 cam plate. Within one week my trans started to (slip) act up. About two weeks later, I hooked up to my new 40 ft 5th wheel toy hauler and towed a nearly 400 mile round trip (dumb on my part) . I made it there and back and the trans was still operational. I immediately purchased and installed a NV4500.

When it was all said and done, my best friend owns a transmission shop. I gave him my automatic trans and transfer case. He disassembled the trans and promptly let me know that the internal transmission parts appeared to still be in decent shape but the torque converter was purple (smoked/toast)

I guess what I am trying to say is, I was very happy with my automatic and I believe it would have lasted much longer but the increased horsepower and torque took care of that.

xtremexj

What if I were to install a better converter such as TCI diesel unit with the shift kit? Again, not going to be able to spring for a $1000 converter and $2000+ rebuild. If I did more towing, I would probably go for the 5 spd but it's such a pain for the stop and go drive to and from work every day.

berner

You'd probably be better off with a #10 plate. The power comes on smoother later, at about 1800 RPM, which will give your tranny more time to build up pressure to hold the power. Drive with OD off until 50 MPH. You can wire in a relay that will lock it out everytime you start the truck. It's a cheap, easy mod that works slick. Instructions are here
Probably the best defense against cooking the stock TC lock-up clutch is to not get into the throttle in 3rd at 30 MPH with the TC locked up. It's hard not to do because with the plate and GSK, it's just plain fun. You won't believe the torque the first time you do it. 30-60MPH is quick!
Get guages and keep an eye on trans temp, especially when towing. Get the bands in the tranny adjusted and keep the fluid clean. You WILL be rebuilding the trans sooner or later. Nothing lasts forever.

CarlJensen

I have a #5 plate in mine but in the stock location. Put in an upgraded TC and valve body. Going on 140K now with towing a 12K 5ver and still all together. As said do not lug it at all and it will last for an indefinate time but any mods to increase torque past about 600 ft lbs and it will be toast. I found an outfit in Carona CA that I got the TC and valve body from for about 1200 dollars and it's OK until the tranny goes, then I will have to get a full unit and be done with it.

ccmckee

When i put in my #8 plate my tranny was fine until i hauled a 35' 5er for a friend of mine. The TC started slipping when shifting into O/D. I put a shift kit in which helped it quite bit but it would still slip under load.I drove it like that for a year and just rebuilt it this spring this was at about 315,000km's(195,000 mi).They put in a triple lock TC and they upgraded one of the bands to a hemi band and did a little more VB work. The rest of the tranny was still in great shape and required very little work. so yes you could probably get away with a new TC and VB.

xtremexj

Well, I didn't even drive the auto because the truck was just beat. So, instead, I drove a 97 reg cab 4x4 with the 5spd. I actual didn't mind it. The throws are shorter than the 1st gens that I drove. Hmm, might have to consider the stick.

jimk

I have a 95 4x4 with 3.54 gears. The truck has 10 plate all the way forward, along with the afc housing, and the spring is set loose. I have been told that is a bad idea and I believe it . Fuel early on is a bad idea for a automatic, at low throttle angles. The engine had 215 injectors, 17 deg timing, 3 k gov kit. I run TDH fluid in my transmission. Good ideal or bad I have had no problems for over 60k miles since changing over. When I use the truck to tow and that is what it is used for I drive it by starting in manual 1 or some times 2 and let it autoshift to 2, the ease on the throttle until I land the 3 gear shift at about 1600 or 1700 . I usually shift a 2500 or more and let off the throttle shift and ease on to the throttle. Over drive is locked out. It is all a get by, make shift deal. I dont tow in overdrive usually an just let the engine rpm and drive at 62 or 65. I never leg the engine or transmission.
One little thing that I have done is install a throttle stop on the throttle lever on the transmission to give me more oil pressure at low throttle angles and a higher up shift at part throttle. It is a band- aid, but it helped.
For one thing I dont have 2 gear lockup a I really nead it but have got by so for. For what ever it is worth good luck Jim

schoust

Not to steal your thread but I am about to get my 95's trany rebuilt ,does anyone have any sugestions on how to build it?The truck will be making some power and be used for towing???

kawi600

Goerend's or DTT. Those seem to be the two with the best feedback. If you want to do something cheap and add onto it later, maybe do only the VB and the TC, but thats a little risky on an old trans.