Finally put some miles on the the 97 after going through all the little items.
It was a beater with unkown history.

I have completely changed the tranny fluid, deap pan, and temp guage.
The tranny does not get hot.
I have put a new TPS on but need to adjust per spec.


Basically, the 1-2 shift is way early, the other shifts are soft.
The rpms will go up but the truck will not under heavy throttle.
Manual shift works ok all gears.
Overdrive ok.

I am still assessing the truck to see if it will be a keeper. I am looking for a work truck that can tow.

If I pay for a built tranny a TC will it make a world of difference putting the power to the ground.??? I do not want to invest that much jack and not have the power transfer.

The engine seems good and I am going to put some miles on before power mods.

FYI....I am at about 7 grand invested with new E laod tires, gauges, 4" exhasut, KDP, fuel lines, filters, gaskets, and a bad truck bed (needs replaced).

So...built auto tranny quys, is it really worth 3-4 grand? This will put me at about 10 grand for a good running rough looking truck. I am not sure I could get my money if I had too.

thanks

Karl

 

If you wouldn't get your money after the trans, your probably wouldn't get it before. If you plan to keep it as a work truck, I've heard marvels about installing a proper, well built trans to fit the application. If the other drivetrain components are solid (engine runs well, doesn't take oil, etc.) and you do want a work truck, I'd say it is probably worth installing a good trans, and you should have a good work vehicle.

 

I got an ATS Stage IV trans in 2002. I've put over 100,000 miles on it and it's been a great trans. I've never had a problem except when I had about 30,000 miles on it, it started shifting somewhat wacky--it shifted but it just wasn't shifting like it should have. Anyway I took in to ATS. One of the guys took it out for a spin, (at 5:15 pm--almost closing time!) He brought it back, drove up on the lift, drained the trans, pulled the VB, showed the VB to one of their trans builders and they pulled a broken spring out of the VB, put a new spring in, buttoned everything back up, added fluid and got me on the road before 6:00 pm!! THAT'S SERVICE! And no charge either. What really impressed me is they successfully diagnosed that broken spring in the VB by driving it for about 2 minutes.

Anyway, my 2-bits is if you are going to keep the truck, do the trans, and do it right--you won't regret it, and a good trans won't let you down.

 

my 95 shifted the same way. pulled a 4500 lb 5th wheel for 3 yrs and 46k miles. never had a problem. replaced it at 232k cuzz of LOTS of metal, steel and aluminum, in the pan and now pullin 9500 lbs. turned out the rear drum was coming apart. but never had any trouble. the new one shifts the same way. don't know about others, but when towing, i take off w/ the od off. when the tcc kicks in i back off the throttle and shift into od.
i put in 1 of these http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/47RH-...spagenameZWDVW. the later years are $100 more i believe. mine was 1200 not going thru ebay. they are good people.


john, 95 237k, 2x, lb, cc, tc lockup sw, billet tc, hvy dty tranny, air shocks, 4.10's, 32's, governor set to 2.8k, ground stock pl, a little more boost, kdp tabbed, KnN,

 

transgo shift kit and billet tq converter. gsk if u really want it to move. i cant see any point in putting a full billet tranny in it unless ur doin some crazy sled pullin with alotta hp.

 

the trany is worth it my truck has had 3 trannys and i just burned my last up so atleast tc and valve body

 

thanks for the input
I just want to make sure that you don't have much slippage with aftermarket setups