maxpower

My truck has 430,000 miles with original tranny, always pulling a trailer. It's never had any work other than I put an overdrive solenoid in it about 100,000 miles back. Tranny works perfectly but the 1-2 shift has always been a bit soft. Lately it seems to be getting even softer, but the other shifts are still nice and firm. I was thinking about adjusting the bands and putting a shift kit in it. Not for performance, this is a work truck, but to help prolong the life of the tranny. The truck runs and drives great and works everyday so I don't want to risk hurting that, but I am a little worried about the 1-2 shift. Any advice?

67HotRod

What year truck?

With that many miles on the original tranny, I would save for a rebuild. The updated parts will make a world of a difference just in stock form. Upgrade the valve body and torque converter and you will really like the trans.

maxpower

It's an 01. Funds are definitely not there to do rebuild, right in the middle of completely remodeling our house. And it runs great like it is except the soft second gear. I was just looking to give it a bit of help, maybe I should just leave it alone?

AlpineRAM

I'd start with checking the front band- should take you about 15 minutes, nothing more than some brake cleaner and penetrating oil needed.

I would not go with a shift kit on a tranny this old- a shift kit raises pressures, and your seals are old- too much risk to blow out the seals and needing to rebuild IMO

maxpower

That's something I hadn't thought about, raising pressures and blowing seals. I will adjust the bands, change fluid and filter and leave it at that.

That will hopefully get to me 500,000. I've always said when it hits half a million I'm gonna retire it and make a playtoy out of it. It's been an amazing truck and I'll never sell it.

AlpineRAM

Ayn results?

rotohead

Concerning shift kits, a issue you should keep in mind is they make getting credit for a core return unlikely. If you ever buy even a stock replacement valve body and want the credit for a core return you'll likely only get 50% credit at best. I found out the hard way.