I know there's a wealth of info on the forums about the auto tranny, but I really wanted to try and get it narrowed down. I've got a 97 auto. I love the truck and the engine, but the tranny is really getting on my nerves. When I'm taking off I get it up to about 2k rpm and it stays there through all the gears, I can't feel it change gears. It kind o ffeels like I'm wasting power. Until it hits overdrive it drops to about 1400 rpms and then it feels great.

This is my first Dodge cummins. Is this this kind of normal with the factory tranny? I live pretty close to Power by Poole and am thinking about the DTT but I really don't know what to get or how much. I'm also planning on doing the 3k springs and a 10 fuel plate. Probably do it all at once. Any info would be great. Thanks.

 

What your describing sounds like "normal" shifting to me. I'd save for a built tranny, then start buying add-ons. Never cared for the way the stock transmissions shifted.. Good luck

 

Look into a billet TC, and either a performance Valve Body or a shift kit, that will give you a whole different beast.

 

Sounds normal. You need a more efficient tc and an upgraded valve body.

 

Thats the high-stall slippage of the torque convertor, designed to protect the 1960's design torqueflite transmission - any good aftermarket t\c will lower the stall speed to the range suitable for Diesel operation - pull your pan, check for brown stuff in the bottom, which is excessive clutch wear - if lots, the t\c will accelerate further wear, and the shift kit won't help = time for a rebuild + t\c + shift kit - if little, the tight t\c and a shift kit will considerably improve driveability and reliability

 

Dodge designed the converter so loose so it could get some rpm's up to reduce smoke for emissions.
Get the DTT trans advice and never look back.
It will change your truck dramaticly.
You don't need a billet converter.
These trans have too loose of a fluid coupling and too low line pressure.

 

valve body and a tripple disc converter. i have a billet single disc and can slip it like theres no tommorow. if you have money to dump into a built DTT tranny i would do it but if u dont these two will help you out greatly. I would do the fuel plate now (grind it to a 10) and dont slide it all the way forward. the gsk helps out alot with driveability and stops your engine from falling on its face at 2200 rpm. the plate alone with a star wheel adjustment will make youre truck come to life. good luck my friend.

 

I personally hate mushy transmissions/converters. If you can afford a full manual kit, some upgrades, and a low stall converter you can build an automatic that you can shift whenever you want it to shift and as hard as you want it to shift. I just finished mine a little while back and I like it. You might also go with manual/auto that you can hold gears with the shifter or let it shift manual....I used a B&M truck shifter in the floor. I dont know what is available for your transmission, but if you want it to hit and shift when you want you will probably want to have one built.

 

Hey that's pretty neat. You got any pics of the shifter on the floor?

 

Nope, but I will try to remember to get one and post later.

 

Transgo make a full manual kit?

-Dustin-

 

I believe they do. It's the TFOD-Diesel-HD2 or something like that.

 

Hmm..I'll have to rethread that tonight.

-Dustin-