The problem I am having is when I accelerate onto the highway, it feels as if the OD clutch shudders when engaging under heavy throttle. When there is light throttle everything is fine. Smarty set on level 5. I was going to install a trans-go diesel shift kit. Will this cause more damage? My trans is completely stock except for DD pan. The truck shifts great in all other gears. I change the fluid every 10K with Mopar atf+4. 58K on truck now. The heaviest I tow is 9K a dozen times a year. Thanks for any help.

 

The shift kit won't hurt. Put in a bottle of smart blend or lube guard in the red bottle too. If it still shutters then you will either have to pull just the OD unit out and repair it or overhaul the whole thing.

 

Did you install the kit yourself? How long did it take? Thanks

 

Are you sure it isn't converter clutch shudder? Heavy throttle upshift is prime converter shudder area. May be looking at replacement.

 

The reason I thought it was the OD, is because when OD is shut off I don't have the shudder. Does the TCC not lock up when the OD is shut off?

 

yup, locks up in 3rd and od. I did the shift kit myself, the first one I ever did took about 5 hours.

 

badme, didyou replace the seperator plate? The kit I have did not have one but the new kits have them included. I plan on doing my kit this week end. Thanks

 

When I bought my kit they did not come with seperator plates yet. When I go back in this transmission I will up date the plate then. I would do yours with the kit, my plate was beaten up a bit when I did mine.When you do yours and you get to the part where you turn up the line pressure, I went to the max at 5 turns. This will give you harsh shifts but very firm shifts. I got used to mine, but would only go 3 or 3 1/2 turns next time. Other than that take your time and it should go fine.

 

Agree, shudder like a slip catch slip catch feeling. Let off the peddle and it goes away and only under hard accel? Sounds like your converter is just about done.

 

My trans did the same thing would shudder in OD. turned it off and it would quit. The torgue converter was going out in my truck. Maybe time for a converter upgrade

 

Well I was hoping to put off the convertor, I knew it was coming. Do you think I'm wasting time and money by just replacing the convertor and buying a new valve body to go with it? OR do I just get a fully built trans? I don't sled pull, or race, but I do pull a bobcat and trailer that weighs around 8-10K.
Too top this off I need to replace my VP44. This is starting to suck real bad!!
Any ideas on what the cost will be?

 

2500 ram how did you get the vp44 done under warranty

 

Search using my username or thomas or workenman (sp) and or VP warranty. Tons of reading

Not trying to be rude at all but this is a very well documented and talked about topic lately, if you want more please PM.

As for your trans question, I say you should be good with a converter and VB and maybe a band or 2. I had Dave Goerend rebuild mine about 5000 miles ago and he didn't even get into the OD or sun gears cause he said everything was so clean just a trashed converter. So I had a band replaced (still had about .020 surface left I think he said new was .045, VB, Converter and shift lever apply strap something for 2600 out the door. Couldn't be happier.

 

I did just the converter - a DTT and Valve Body - Suncoast about a year or so ago. No more problems but get it before the converter is totally trashed and destroys the trans with metal- flush your cooler lines and cooler by loostening the return and letting it idle after the change -until it runs clean - hook back up and top ff the fluid. I also went to dexron-mercon III for a solider shift per Gus at Farmboy's diesel.