I just bought a 98 12v auto.
The truck is completly stock except for the 4" exhaust and has 125k miles.

The transmission seems to be working fine but it is stock.

I want to do a #10 plate and set the timing etc. nothing serious on this one as I need a reliable tow rig.

My trailer is a pretty heavy 5th wheel ( over 12k pounds )

My initial thought was to do a converter and a shift kit or valve body to firm up the shifts etc..

Am I kidding myself that this will work out.

I have a local shop that does ATS and can most likely swing the $$ for a Stage 1 trans. It just really cuts out the budget for anything else needed.

The local trans shops all really seem to have spotty records regarding Diesel trucks.

If I do just the ATS trans will I notice any improvement over stock when changing nothing else out ?

The ATS will make me broke for a while...lol

 

shifts will be a bit firmer if a shift kit is part of the stage 1 trans, and it will also stall lower due to the upgraded converter. its best to do the trans first because then you can safely add power and you won't be stranded on the side of the road.

 

I did a triple disc converter and valve body from Goerend, but left the rest of the trans stock for now.
http://www.goerend.com/
When the trans eventually does let go, Dave said when I get a rebuild he'll credit me the cost of the convertor and valve body, so I'm not buying it twice. And I get to use whatever life's left in this trans (Dodge factory rebuild according to the receipts) for now.

 

Best value is going to be what esde did. Stick in a Goerend or ATS towing valve body and a good converter. Even a billet single disk will be fine for your power level. If you maintain that trans correctly (regular fluid changes with a good oil and band adjustments) you may just be surprised how long it will last.....

 

Yup, Just grab a Goerend converter and Adjust the bands- thats my plan..Oh that reminds me, I better order the $1050 goerend one as we are leaveing for a long camping trip memorial weekend and I want a custom 100 or so RPM LOWER than what he normally ships as my 12v is all torque. About the valve body, are they bolt up and go or is there alot of work needed to put one in?
My trans shifts perfectly except for the slipping TC at 1/2 throttle or more. Here is a video of the nasty stock TC allowing the engine to rev so high the pump de-fueles before it grabbs the next gear.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIffOi2A_d4