Hey guys,

Took my first trip with the old truck this weekend. I am pleased and disapointed all at the same time. Truck did not miss a beat.

First question.
I believe my torque converter is going bad. I was towing my enclosed trailer, total 7K lbs., on a long road trip this weekend. 500 miles. When the trans is up to temp after a long run and I come to a stop, when taking off I get a pretty good shudder in first and second gear. This is only under a good load.(3/4-full throttle) If I ease off the throttle, it's not as bad. It does not surprise me that the converter is going bad. The shudder makes me think this is the case. What do you think? It does not seem to do it at cruising speed though. This is what confuses me......

Second question.
My mileage was 13-14 mpg over a 500 mile run. This was on interstate but it was hilly. Up and down constantly. Seems like the truck is down on power. I assume as a result of the converter? Maybe? I had the throttle to the mat most of the time just trying to keep a steady 60mph. On level ground it's not difficult to maintain 60 but when it got hilly it was tough. Even when kicking it out of overdrive when I came to a hill it did not want to pull the little hills well.

My last diesel truck was a 6.0 powerstroke and it was bone stock. It seemed to have twice the power than my Dodge has.

Transmission has two coolers on it. One up in the grill area and the second is under the bed on the drivers side. The one under the bed is about 12"x12" and has a fan mounted on top of it and is thermostatically controlled. I don't think the trans is overheating. I stopped a few times and put my hand on the cooler. It was not extremely hot.

I plan to do alot of towing over the road. I love the automatic and do not plan to switch to a manual. What would be a good converter to put in? I also think I want to tweak the motor for more power but I don't want to drop my mileage below 14 either. Turn up pump slightly and bump up the timing slightly?

I think I will be happy with the truck once I get a good tranny behind it. All you automatic lovers out there, what are you running?

Thanks for listening. Thanks in advance for any advise.

PS:
I also need to check to see if my throttle cable is opening the pump all the way. This seems like it possible.

 

In stock form these trucks are dogs at best. Once you start making some "adjustments" you will like it alot more. Read the "sticky", it will explain how to turn your pump up. I put a Georend Bros. TQ converter in my auto, and i like it. Much better than stock.

 

I thought shudder was the clutches slipping. Your 6.0 did have more then the stock 93 6b. These trucks stock are pretty numb.

 

Only 80k on truck? Maybe it's time for a tranny flush?

 

Well, you definately hae some tranny issues, can't say exactly the problem... But thinking a rebuild is in your near future.. Also, yes your 6.0 powerstoke in stock form will blow the doors off the stock 93... But, with a good trans and a few tweaks here and there your 6.0 will never cross your mind again... Check out the sticky on some very helpful info and welcome to the site...

 

Very possible. I am guessing on what is wrong.

 

I think a tranny rebuild would not only fix the problem, but make you like your truck a lot more. The stocl converter is very sloppy, and just the addition of a new converter, (I recommend Goerend) will make the truck feel completely different.

 

The tranny was replaced at 53K miles. The fluid is fresh. Just serviced in the past 5K miles. The truck has had a hard life. It has towed heavy stuff every mile since new.

 

Was it replaced with another stock 518? If so, then that's your problem. If you are going to be towing a lot, then you need to have a built tranny. For a lot of heavy towing, I would suggest a 47rh swap, because they are overall stronger tranny's, and they have lock up. The 518 will do anything you want it to if it is properly built. A new converter is a must.

 

Are you sure shudder is in tranny. A slipping clutch will fail in a very few short order. There will be material in pan to support slippage. Is it possible a drive line shudder?? A converter slippage is generally indicated by higher reving during takeoff or engine overloaded at highway speed.

 

Torque converters shudder when they're going bad, because there trying to engage at the stall speed but it can't because its slipping it causes it to shudder.

Put a Goerend torque converter in there and be done, The 47RH swap needs specicific parts from a 94-95 truck. Like the adapter,bellhousing,starter and you need to tweak the frame so the starter clears, then you have to wire up the O/D and LOCKUP to a switch, Its worth it but it's not at the same time

www.goerend.com call him up and talk to him, tell him what you do, how much you tow, and he'll guide you to buying your best upgrade for your new truck!!Maybe you can arrange getting your whole tranny rebuilt so it lives.... BTW when you upgrade your torque converter and tweak your pump it will outperform your powerjoke in every categorie

Afterall its a cummins

 

Ya know? Some make it sound as though the stock/OEM truck was/is a piece of brown material. Goodness!! Makes ya wonder why folks even bothered buying the thing?

When I bought mine brand new in '93, the thing was a beast! The stock A518 has since run every bit of 200,000 some miles with no problems and was rebuilt as a preventative thing knowing I'm hot-rodding it.



. . .. just yakking out loud . . . .


Mine would shudder a bit in 1st and going into 2nd under a heavy load till I puts some traction/ladder-bar type bars on the rear axle. I remember being somewhat shocked when I had the wife move a load with the truck and I got to see the rear axle twist-up as she went from forward to reverse.

 

I am not sure that the shudder is coming from the transmission. It "seems" like it is but I don't know. I need to check the drive line a little closer for worn parts. I already inspected everything but I might have missed something. I will keep you posted to what I find.

 

David back in 93 these things were beasts.... now not so much in stock form. A new cummins has what 650 ft/lbs stock and a six speed manual or auto.... Yes they will put any truck fom the mid 90's back to shame in stock form. but stock they are no match for a new diesel. Put some one in a stock 1st gen that is used to any of the big 3's new trucks and they are gonna cuss it... now mod them and thats a different story. The 89 is doing a REAL good job of pissing off all the late model diesel owners around me. The **** thing will run right with my Smarty-fied (yes I made that word up) 06 until about 70, then the no OD kicks my ***.

 

As stated, thats because it did have twice as much power. Well that is when its not in the shop!

Aaron