Lost all my coolant driving down the interstate when the short heater hose let go.
Got home after emergency road side patch up and replaced the hose and coolant. All better now.

 

The diesel r46 transmissions are becoming harder to find, so don't scrap it if you come across one. These performance trans builders would love to take it off your hands.

 

Today I was able to install a LED resistor in the driver side harness, and all works as it should.

Found the extra ground I installed for harness to frame was all corroded up, so I'm glad I had to install the resistor, as I most likely wouldn't have found the bad ground back there.

Fix the ground tomorrow and and the passenger side resistor.

The new LEDs are sooooooo much brighter, and well worth the effort to install.

 

You and Ollie have some beers to share...

 

today I replaced my radiator.

 

That's what my son's attitude was until I showed him how a built A518 tranny hauls the gravel out of the pit. He picked his jaw up off his lap and immediately made arrangements to build his up and scrapped the Getrag project.

And like another said, cores are getting hard to find. Even if it crashed on ya, don't scrap it. It has value.

 

What did you install?

I'm pretty happy with my Mishimoto aluminum radiator.

 

You have a thread on your build?

 

I installed a SPECTRA. I still had the original in and the bottom fitting was coming loose on my way back from the hunt. Just glad it didn't blow out completely. Was bringing home the ATV's. Still gotta go get the fifth wheel so will give it a good test coming back through the mountains with all the weight. Will let ya know how I like it then.

 

Its not the difference in performance, I just don't like them or the price tag of a GOOD rebuild compared to a 5 speed. The RC got this 518 because it was available vs a Getrag when I built this project. The truck is my DD and all it needs to do is haul me and parts and the occasional box of beer. The engine is bone stock and the truck is not abused, and once again I have turned a slushbox into slush.

 

BHD, That had a beefed up A-518 from your pulling buddy that had some VOODOO work done to it as well...Correct?

I am hoping I like the beefed up 47 RH [I have the receipt for a recent $6500 build on it]. I plan to install on my 2wd Ramcharger behind a 12V making make some power.

 

Had a shop do it. Good clutches, a few hard parts, Shift kit (Transgo, I believe) and a Goerend low stall converter. Around $3G total.

I do have the frame mounted fan cooler, and it's working most of the time when I'm pulling a grade.

And this truck, with an exhaust brake, will hold back 18,000 lbs at 50 mph on East Homestake.

While yer in there, be sure to replace the stock flex plate with a better one. If yer putting a little power into a built up transmission, you will eventually shear a stock flex plate.

 

Yes it did, not sure as to the details, but it has a high test port pressure vs stock across the board and a fancy torque convertor.

It works great, shifts hard, runs cool, does everything I expect it to do. I was just doing an annual fluid and filter change when I found that piece of what I think is a snap ring in the pan.

 

I wish I can have something to contribute to this tread. What I've been doing is not truck related, but thought I'd share anyway. My wife is trying to keep me busy so I don't go mad in this house.

You know those reindeer and sleigh combo that folks put out on their lawns during x'mas, the ones that move? Some folks put them on the roofs of their house? Well, I've spent the last two weeks, ripping off all the old wiring and lights, and rewiring those things with single strand LED's.

Most friends that have called me to ask what I'm doing, tell me they would've taken the gun to the head instead of doing that, when I tell them, lol.

Hopefully in another month, I'll be able to truly contribute to this tread with stuff I've done to my truck.

I envy each and every one of you, that are currently working on your rigs. The next time you think you've got a headache when attacking a fusible link problem, think of those reindeer, lol

 

Drove mine all over Southern California and filled up, tracking mileage for the first time since the NV4500 swap. With 4.10’s and 35” tires, and combined city/highway as well combined bastard/grandpa driving, I’ve managed 16.9MPG. Highway driving has consisted of 62-75mph on this tank, staying between 1600 and 2100. Numbers should be accurate with the GPS speedometer. I think I may have a cracked exhaust manifold, so you can guess what my next post will be about.

-Shaggy