From what I can see this is a good tranny? Somebody want to help me out with this a little more? Any prob or things to look out for?

2000 Dodge 3500 Cummins dually w/ dump and 50k miles...........drives/shifts smooth

Search didn't come up with a lot of specifics, still gett'n used to the site/terms.

THANKS!!

 

tthomass:

I have the same tranny.......and actually have a post up on it right now. Mine has been shifting hard into 4th. I'm not sure if they all do this, or if I have something else going on. Have to run it up to 2000 rpms (40mph) before it reluctantly shifts into 4th. If I let up a little on the pedal at about 1850 rpm / 37 mph it will shift ok.....but If I'm pushing the pedal at all, it acts like it's slipping a little.

Otherwise, smooth shifting, and I've heard it's a pretty good transmission. First thing I did was change the filter/ fluid/ and adjust the bands.

First time in a Dodge, so I'm still trying to familirize myself with the way everything handles.

 

ok yeah thanks for the info......i'm most likely soon to be in a Dodge. Always been a Chevy (gas) person myself but from what I've read I've been discouraged from the Duramax see'n as I'm seeking a work truck (landscaping) and diesel (why diesel i can't really say haha).

I've experienced a similar situation with auto tranny's before......perhaps needing to help encourage it to shift by lifting off the pedal. Can't remember exactly what it was I was driving but I know that the International trucks I drive a work shift smoother that way......

 

The mechanically, the autos seem OK, for the most part. The hydraulics are the usual weak spot. A lot of them, even new, have a lot of internal leaks. Some do, some don't. Causes low presures and slippage of the torque convertor and or clutch packs.

Stock autos also don't like a lot of engine mods. My stocker didn't. Heck, I could even slip it when the engine was stock.

 

overall are there problems i should expect to see? see'n as its bolted up to a 3500 i figured it is built well enough to handle the trucks capabilities

 

If driven sensibly and not overloaded with HP...I think it's a good tranny. With all the Cummins torque, and if your hauling heavy or towing...I would establish a good preventative MX program of changing Dodge ATF+4 fluid @ 20-30,000 miles. Even better protection is Amsoils ATF...changing @ 50-60,000 miles. Some will say this plan is overkill...to me is cheap insurance against expensive repairs.....and just my way.

SilverRam01...I'm surprised you can even get it into 4th (OD) at 37 mph. Mine drives much better if I keep it out of OD till about 50 mph. With any load on the engine, it should not want to go to OD at that speed, IMO. The "slippage" you feel could just be 3rd not in lock up?

RJ

 

rjohnson: I stand corrected, your right....it's 3rd that seems to be reluctant at that speed/rpm. 4th or OD also seems to go in a little hard.......but at 45-50 ish and 2200rpm.

I have a quite a bit to learn on this AT topic......can you explain to me the "3rd not in lock up"?

Also, is there anything I can do to correct this?

Thank you.

 

When your trans first shifts into 3rd gear, the torque converter slips...allowing acceleration without bogging down the engine. at a predetermined point of reduced torque, the TC locks up, giving direct drive to the rear end, through the tranny. At moderate acceleration, lock up actually feels like another gear shift....with an rpm drop of 200-300.

Driving a diesel automatic is very different from a gasser. Best way to evaluate your tranny, IMO, is to see how it shifts and feels on a long, straight, level (or uphill) stretch of road...at medium or better acceleration from a dead stop....up through all the gears.

To get the most out of your tranny...train yourself to have slight acceleration THROUGH each shift. Makes it smoother...and is a lot easier on the tranny. I think the hardest thing for an electronically controlled, torque sensing trans to do is figure out when to shift under very light throttle.

I'm no transmission expert...these opinions are based strictly on my experiences, and what I have read.

Good luck

RJ

 

I agree w/ rjohnson ..seems like you have to "help" the trans a bit (especially stock). Almost seems like to get a smooth lock-up in 3rd you have to just let-up on the throttle a bit to help it lock in. Also, in my experience, I always try to come to a complete stop at a light, etc... to make sure it starts out in 1st. And the biggest (IMO) is backing off the throttle a bit when in 4th gear to get a smooth lock-up without slipping the TC. Just my .002, I also agree w/ keeping OD in the OFF position always under 50 MPH, I think the truck performs much better this way. When the day comes that you update that trans/converter you get to learn all over again (growing pains, i'm doing that now, very different shift points, etc...)

 

rjohnson;barracuda;

The above information has helped me alot! One question, your saying it's best to run with the OD turned off.......up to 50mph ? Could you please explain this?

Thanks a million!

 

Button, on the end of the shift lever...if you don't know about it.

Prevents tranny from "bogging down"..."lugging"...around 40-50 mph, which causes high EGT's and smoke...and low power! Best daily driving power band on the CTD is 1800-2200 rpm. This helps keep RPM's up in 3rd.

RJ

 

Yep, what he said

 

Also keeps it from "hunting", shifting back and forth trying to find the right gear.


phox

 

Thats EXACTLY what was bothering me.....the lugging, and frequent hard shifting in and around 3rd gear! I was aware of the button, but thought I would only need to use it while towing........

Thanks a bunch guys! I'm going to sleep better tonight

 

yeah good stuff............how much is mpg effected by driv'n w/ OD off up to 50? i'm thinking not much since thats about where it kicks in right?