My tranny is to the point where it needs some upgrades. I dont plan on much more power unless i do D.V.'s, but that would probably be it. Anyway; has anyone rebuilt there auto themselves. I have seen kits on ebay with upgraded clutches, and all the seals and stuff for about $150. I really only NEED a Torque Converter, but if its not to much trouble i will buy a manual(like $16) that tells how to do it all, and buy a rebuild kit, and rebuild it myself while i have it out, so that its in good shape. I will also install a heavy duty low stall TC of some kind, and im going to do this regardless of wether i do the clutches/seals or not. How long would it take me to rebuild it after i got it out of the truck, and how hard is it? People do this everyday, so i know it can be done, but do you need special tools and things, or can you use basically standard/readily available tools. I REALLY cant wait to upgrade my tranny, and im going to do it right the first time if its possible. I cant afford any of the big high $ trannies(im 17), but i think something like this is all i need anyway's. WE have a nice insulated shop, and a lot of tools, so i will have a decent place to work on it. Thanks for any help.

Eric

 

they are the easiest out there. you will need some kind of spring compressor to do the 3rd gear clutch drum. a press to do the od spring, careful it is 800 pounds of spring . takes a special tool to set the od clutch clearances, these are critcial to prevent clutch flare-up or bind up.. IMPORTANT make sure cooler will flow minimum of 1 qt of fluid in 20 seconds if not cooler needs to be replaced. keep all clearances on minimum of tolerances. set fluid pressures at high side of tolerances. anyone handy with tools and can follow instructions can do it. have fun and keep it clean.

 

Well I don't know about the e-bay kits, but the factory shop manual is great! I bought a DTT update kit and a master kit (gives you some parts that are much better than stock!) and went into it.
I'd definitely go for an update kit and either a VB or a shiftkit to raise line pressures for any low stall TC. And with the higher pressures (Higher than stock tolerances) you'll need some better seals than stock.
A lot of good reading can be found under http://www.dieseltrans.com/phpBB/index.php
(A vendor of transmissions but also a lot of good info and explanations about the inner works of a Dodge tranny)

AlpineRAM

 

I already hasve a transgo shift kit which upped the line pressure, but i dont know if i want to get into my tranny or not.lol My tranny only has about 100k miles since it was new or it was rebuilt(not sure which.Previuous owner had it done when a wrecker burnt up the tranny by leaving the transfer case in gear after he wrecked it). Do you all think my tranny would be ok if i just put a better TC in, and dont add any more power? Also, would it help if I added that 4.4 ratio lever, and a kevlar front clutch band? Do you have to pull the tranny apart to put the clutch band in, or can you just slide the old one out, and put this one in? I would buy a DTT converter, but i dont have the $ to blow on one. I probably wont end up getting D.V.'s since EGT's are already bad enough. Has anyone had any experience with the TCI torque Converters? Thanks

Eric

 

For changing the lever and the front band you'll have to remove the front cover f the tranny. (That's behind the TC, so tranny has to come out)- but if you are already there you can pull it aopart and check the clutches in some minutes. (At least the front half)- Bill makes his 4.4 apply lever and the front piston as a set because of the 2-3 shift timing. (2-3 shift is crucial to avoid burnt clutches) I don't know how this will work with a shift kit, I'd think you should call Bill for that- he'll know.

HTH

AlpineRAM