Need some auto trans advice
 

. One in particular is a cab/chassis model rated over 10k.

On a side note it is interesting that a truck with this GVW doesn't have the underbed cooler just because it left the factory with out a bed.


History: 92 municipal truck with 72,000 miles on it and stock. A518 trans for sure.10,000+ gvw cab chassis w/o under bed cooler( no bed from dealer so I guess they said the heck with trying to help a heavy haul truck out.Way to go Chrysler!) Looks like pan has been off prior. Truck has been sitting. I see a slight leak on a cooler line which over time I think has lowered the atf level. Tried driving it around the block and it is sluggish. checked level and it was barely on stick. decided to do a trans service, pan was clean with no metal in pan or filter. Fluid was pretty brown and smells funky, but not necessarily burnt.

Any way, I am wondering: (As long as the trans doesn't slip with correct fluid level in Neutral) :

1. Because this is a dump truck with a good heavy gvw, if the trans is ok, would I help it by putting in a shift kit? Which one? A std transgo or the towing kit? I imagine I could weigh it down to 14,000 lbs and will tow also. Could I go full manual vb to really control it?

I intend to stay close to stock power from the engine.I dont mind a crisp shift as long as yall don't think it will hurt it or wear things fast.

2. Which fluid? I read: type f, dexron, atf+4 and synthetic arguments for two nites. I would like to run type F as it seems to shift firmer.

I understand about heat issues and will soon add an aux cooler to help address that. I also understand how the converter is the weak link as stock.

What Im shootin for is to tow or carry heavy and not burn up what may be a good trans, by slightly modifying and babying, but have the power to haul without feeling like I am completely just spinning the converter. Get my drift?

ATF+4 fluid works good. Thats whats reccomended, me and my dad have used pennzoil ATF+4 in the past. I thought ATF+4 no matter what, was synthetic ? I know i've been told by my friends dad (trans builder)- to never use Dexron-M 3 in a chrysler trans

Transgo SK-TFOD is what you want....:D I believe its around $125

I've never heard of transgo making 2 different kits, It'll shift firmer but it ain't gonna be no tire chirper or anything [laugh], with the stock torque converter you'll feel a little difference in shift, but you're helping the trans out and thats whats important :D, more line pressure= better clutch holding.

The TransGo kit has instructions on drilling out a couple of the passages - 4 or 5 if I remember correctly.
These will INCREASE the shift firmness from mild to wild...

Please don't quote me but I think I read where they also tell you how to make the trans a full manual shift.