I have a 1997 12 Valve auto with a stock transmission. It has 278k. I bought it at 217 and it has been a great truck. Recently I started feeling a shudder while the torque converter was locked up and pulling a trailer. It lasted for a while, but has finally gotten bad enough on hills that I need to change it, it's like it goes into neutral ONLY when it tries to lock up like at 47 mph plus Going slower than 45, like 1st, through 4th gear drives normal it is fine around town. It is older, and has been worked its whole life so I suspect it's just that time. I am no expert, but I suspect my torque converter it out, or the ability for it to lock up is out. Just so I know what to get, what should I have replaced?
I am guessing the torque converter needs to be replaced, and that is it because the tranny behaves perfectly as long as it is not locked up? Any input will be apprecitated. Maybe there is something more to this problem I am having, but I still drive the truck everyday just fine, just stay slow and get speed to get up the hills before it locks up!

 

Yes replace the torque converter. dont get a factory replacement tho. if you pull regularly you'll just tear it up as well. find a billet TC and i am partial to a 400 below factory stall TC so a 16-1800 stall TC. also a good idea is to find a shift kit that will firm your shifts and increase your line pressure. this will make the trans more reliable provided you dont have any worn clutches or bands. if the trans shifts thru all gears fine and only has trouble w lock up i suspect you'd be fine

 

Any of the big names should suffice, I like Dave Goerend

 

I have looked into the goerend ones and ATS ones, but they are really out of my price range right now, I just got a newer cummins 6.7 that I will tow anything heavy with now to make it last longer, but anyone know of any torque converters that are a slight upgrade from stock, something cheaper than 1200? If not, I willl probably get a stock replacement. Is the shift kit worth getting if I replace it with a stock converter and baby it? Since I'm in there?

 

I paid $380 for my single disc billet TC. its made by Precision i got it thru a local vendor ill see if i can find it somewhere online and post it

 

Transstar (sp?) has a billet low stall in that price range as well. Part number is CR-70X. Worked well for me.