I have a 2001 Dodge diesel 24 valve,3/4 ton pickup with an edge chip (60 hp), 4 inch exhaust. The truck is stock as far as the motor goes other than these two upgrades. I went into a shop to price gauges for the truck and the owner of the shop said to make sure that I get the tranny valve body upgraded before I tow anything. The trailer I will be towing is a 9,000 lb. prowler fifth wheel camper trailer. He claimed that one time towing without these upgrades will make my transmission start slipping and shuddering, basically ending my transmissions life then and there. It is an automatic trans, with only 76,000 miles on it and I don't want to have to replace it already. I need some experienced help and opinions PLEASE, before I have to break the bank fixing a rookie mistake.

 

At one time I was where you are today. Same Bombs and approximatly the same trailer weight. I never had any problems at all. I would think that it makes a difference on the grades you would be pulling.
Gene007
WarWagon

 

I also have the same mods as you minus the 4" exhaust and I have a Scotty II. I have pulled a 9,000 Wilderness 5th wheel for 2 years now throughout the Eastern US. My only tranny mod has been a Trans-go shift kit and synthetic fluid. So far, so good, and I do tow some nasty hills here in Southwestern PA. If I could scrape up a few extra bucks, I think that the torque converter would be the next on my list, but like I said, everthing is holding up for now. Good luck.

 

Daryl:

Like "Diesel Dave", I ran my 96' Dodge CTD for 98,000
miles with the "stock" transmission and only a "Trans-Go
Shift Kit." The shop that installed it increased the line
pressure from 50-55 (stock) to about 70. Like Dave, I
had no problems at all.

The "Trans-Go Shift Kits" can be found for around $50.00-
$75.00 and most any competent transmission shop can
install it for you.

Hope this has helped you some!

---------
John_P

 

You may be allright now but if you add anymore fueling mods
you want be.

 

I'd like to thank everyone that has replied to my question, at this point I have more trust in people like you that are out there pulling with your trucks than someone that is in a shop who is after my hard earned dollar. I think that the proof is in the pudding and what you guys have responded to me makes me breathe a sigh of relief! There aren't a lot of diesel shops around here but the ones that I have stopped by haven't said anything to me about the "Trans Go shift kit." The only option given to me was the valve body swap which will cost $500 installed. I really appreciate the help from you guys, and the website also which has restored hope and confidence in my overpowered, under built truck. I hope to write back at 150,000 miles with a big smile on my face and two thumbs in the air!

 

What these shops are selling you when they sell you a valve body, is a assembly that has already had a shift kit of some type installed.

 

I went down to a local transmission shop that has a good reputation and I personally know the owner. They were very helpful and went so far as to research all of the best possible options I had asked them about from the info that you guys gave me. And they were very agreeable to the shift kit idea and had another suggestion which was a BD Pressure Lock. After looking at my particular situation and some checking with the before mentioned companies they suggested going with the Trans Go Shift Kit. They said the shift kit will overall benefit my tranny and truck better than the Pressure Lock. To my suprise the shift kit ($300.00 installed w/tranny service and filter) was cheaper than the BD Pressure Lock ($400-425 installed and out the door). So once again I thank you guys for the great information, and help to get me pointed in the right direction.

 

gumby how does it shift now?

 

Daryl:

Sounds like you made out pretty well! I wanted to let
you know that I also had a BD Pressure Loc on my 96'
and it worked well too. But, with the mods you and your
tranny shop did your truck should shift much better now
and last longer too!

Take care and let us know how it feels!

---------
John_P