RATTLINRAM

<--------- This is how I looked driving back home from Norfolk yesterday.
I knew I needed to do something with my stock tranny after I put the Edge EZ on in January. The added kick from the EZ was allowing me to slip the stock torque converter if I laid into it before I reached about 60 mph. This was running empty, so I didn't even want to think what was going to happen when I hooked our 5er up and headed for the mountains.
I talked with Tim Barber (Timinva), who is one of our DTR members and the Administrative Assistant for the Virginia DTR Chapter #7. He suggested I call Dave Goerend of Goerend Brothers Transmission who is located in St. Lucas, Iowa. Dave is a heck of a nice guy and we talked about what I was expecting to use my truck for, along with some parameters on where my level of horsepower was going to end up at in order for me to have a dependable towing rig that gets used as a daily driver and sometimes drag race (just for fun,,,).
Anyway, we got all the pieces-parts together and I showed up down at Tim's @ 0900. (Tim had voluteered to do the tranny as long as I supplied the beer,,,,,,,,, I took him up on the offer before he could change his mind!) Tim did most of the work and I helped out when he wasn't using the phrase,,,,,, "Here,,,,,,,, let me see that,,,,,,,,,,, You're killing me here!" And he seemed to say that more as the day progressed!
Long story-short,,,,,,,,, Tim went through the tranny as if he had done hundreds of em, and even tried to teach me a few things,,,,,,, Then,,,,,,, out would come "That phrase" again,,,,, He didn't take a break until the tranny was back in the truck and I was going for a test drive. I think I was headed home at about quarter after three and still made it home to watch the last half of the NASCAR race on TV.

WA-HOO!....... RATTLINRAM will Rock & Roll now! Firm and positive shifts and NO hint on any SLUSHINESS. I can't wait to tow the 5er with this setup.

A big "Thank You" to Dave Goerend and especially Tim Baber, for getting me an automatic transmission that does justice to the Cummins in front of it!

Cowhand

Congrats, Dave is a great guy and Tim was very helpful when I was looking for a trans.

I've put 20K on my GB trans so far, and other than some trial and error trying to get the fluid level right, it has performed flawlessly.

Got some new goodies on the way from Piers, my injectors, manifold and valet switch should be here by Wenesday, hopefully the turbo will make it by Friday.
Then I can really enjoy it.

PS, tranny war threads are now just for entertainment

Duff

That's great. I'm "On Deck" for the G Brothers + Tim setup. Tim has offered me assistance as well. Can't wait to get it done...especially because I have no reverse and finding pull through parking spots can get real tricky sometimes .
Good luck with the new tranny!

WHIFF

Man, too bad all the cool guys live so far from me! I can provide a LOT of beer for someone with a little know-how to help me BOMB!

Cowhand

WHIFF, that is too bad. I can at lot of beer....

Battering Ram

Congrats on the better shifting tranny... Tim is one heck of a nice guy and it doesn't suprise me at all that he was happy to help you out. We just gotta talk him to going to the track to see how deep in the 12's he is .

Horace

MnTom

I can't wait................ My Goerend tranny is sitting in my garage RIGHT NOW!!! All I need to do is install it. From what I have heard it is a great thing to do!!!
Tom

RATTLINRAM

The roads have been wet from raining since I pulled out of Tim's parking lot which means trying any WOT launches,,,,, leads to not being able to keep aimed in the right direction! Ya don't have to ask how I know,,,,,,,,,

It is unreal how a well built tranny will bring these trucks to life when the power is moving ya, instead of wallowing around inside a stock "Slushbox" It feels like you've added another bucket of horsepower to the truck. I have been a passenger in trucks with built autos, but they were also big horsepower trucks so it was hard for me to really tell how much difference just the tranny upgrade would make. I'm impressed now. Dave G. has a satisfied customer in me.

Tim knows his stuff and I hope to repay him someday,,,,,, however,,,,,,,, I'm not sure if he will want me trying to help with any mechanical work again,,,,,,,,, (OK,,,,,,,, so I forgot to remove the last bolt in the cross member,,,, could have happened to anyone,,,,,,,, and yeah,,,,,,,, I did step on the release lever for the transmission jack during the install,,,,,,,,,,,,, but nobody told me to watch out for it and I did use my head to hold it up until he pumped it back up,,,,,, I think there were a couple of other things,,,,,,,,, but who's counting!)

DPG

Congratulations Dennis! I've never driven a CTD with a stock tranny, as I bought mine used with the DTT goodies already in place. I know that I really like the way mine shifts. I think that you will find your mileage going down a bit while you adjust to the new power of the Rattlinram.

DeWain

dodgeman01

What is the going cost to get a tranny redone. I have a buddy who wants to run 350HP or close to that and nothng else. it is a daily driver and he hardly tows anything. He don't have the money to smack down 4k on a built tranny. he would be happy with a tighter better shifting tranny not one for all out HP and TQ.
DM01

BigBlue

I'd say a TC and VB would do him good. Around $1500-2000 maybe?

AlpineRAM

After reading the results Dennis and lots of others had, and experiencing what some parcels of DTT stuff made out of my stock slushbox I am asking myself why DC can't do anything like that.
In my opinion the stock tranny is only good for converting diesel to heat. (And a small stove would be more reliable at that)

Dennis, have fun with Rattlinram, be aware that rear tire life and brake pad life are very short from now on.

AlpineRAM

RATTLINRAM

DM01,
The most talked about transmission vendors on this site are

Goerend Brothers
Suncoast
DTT
ATS

I would think that every situation is going to be different. The only way to really know what the cost is going to be,,,, is to talk with these builders and any other tranny shops in order to discuss what your needs are going to be. Any good business is going try and match your needs and not try to sell you something that you really don't need or can afford. Note the key word "Good Business" I would also imagine that another cost factor is going to depend on the current condition of your tranny also.


AlpineRam,
I agree with you and I hope that the 48RE will prove itself to be a much better unit for Dodge. There is no logical reason why all of the truck manufacturers couldn't come up with better autos to go behind the diesel.

AlpineRAM

Dennis,
I think it will be partially for emissions reasons since if you lug a diesel with a tight TC it will emit more particles. Also with a tighter TC you'll need more brake pedal to keep the truck on the spot.
I think that DC has a good chance to get their stuff right, but I don't think it will be the 48RE. If you look over here you'll see some nice transmissions like 5 and 6speed autos for hi-torqued diesels.
They work on different fundamentals, the 47 and 48 still use hydraulics to compare speed to throttle position. The newer ones do this all through a computer, and a shift is carried out so that the clutch pack will have full holding power regardless of engine rpm and throttle position.

AlpineRAM

Dieseldude4x4

Seems I remember someone else saying that a lot when a certain individual came over to my place to get a new fuel system installed.