Howdy, I have a completely stock '96 CTD, auto,4x4, x-tra cab long bed. The tc needs replaced. Is it possible for the tc to go bad and not have tranny damage? I have been told yes and no. I recenently purchased this rig from a dealer and it came with a warranty, so the tc is covered but they are not going thru the tranny. Any info is greatly appreciated. I am new to this board and the info is great. Thanks

 

To quote the guy that recently replaced my TC

"I can just replace the TC, but you're stupid if you don't go through the tranny while it is out."

He found that 3rd gear clutch was burned, and did the seals, gaskets, etc.

It is whole lot cheaper to check it and find nothing wrong than to not check it, and wish you had.

Make the guy a deal. He goes through the tranny. If there is nothing wrong, you pay for that part of the job, gasket kit, etc. If there is something wrong, it gets fixed under the warranty, and he saves the aggravation of you bringing the truck back AGAIN and being mad about it.

That way he is only out something that he was going to pay sooner, or later anyway.

JM 02

 

Also tale this oppertunity to try and get a better than stock converter. Do some searching, for a few hundred bucks more than a stock rebuilt, you can get a much better converter.

 

ps welcome aboard

 

IMO if you are going to drop the trans for a TC swap I would freshen it up. New bands/clutches/steels and maybe a shift kit.

http://www.converter.com/

I've used them in the past on some high HP gassers with great success.

 

If the tranny is under warranty then that is one thing but don't let anyone talk you into rebuilding it with rings, seals, shift kits and all that bs. Do it right the first time, there are a few trannies that will handle anything you throw at them. The best one is a BTS, this tranny is designed for fords but you can put them in a Dodge with a different driveline and you still come out way cheaper then putting in a Suncoast. I personnaly have one they are solid. You can read about them on the internet at brianstruckshop.com. Also they come with a massive torque con.

 

I'm failing to see how spending a couple hundread bucks on new seals/clutches is in the same ballpark as buying a whole new trans, and the required driveshafts etc. to make it work.

 

Well depending and how you use your truck and also how long you plan on owning your truck will be an influence on your tranny decision. I was in the same position you were in awhile back and rebuilt my tranny, In six months I broke it again. Then I decided to put a BTS in and I haven't had any problem since, But I am pushing 450 hp and pulling heavy weight. Plus they gurrantee their product. Buying a aftermarket trannies is definatly a long term investments.

 

Ford trans have their problems too. I have built many of them that have held up. However I have also built a bunch of Dodge trans that have held up at 500rwhp and beyond.
James