I hate to ask the question, trust me - I did search for my answer before posting another question about power modules and towing.

Here's my deal - I have a 2004.5 325HP 2500 4x4 quad cab w/ 8 foot box and a steel flat bed - weighs 8100lbs. Truck has 176K, previous owner did a lot of highway miles while towing a gooseneck trailer. I use the truck for towing trailers typically around 6K lbs. Twice a year I run from WI to FL w/ a 32' gooseneck w/ 2 cars. Weight of trailer & load is typcially around 14K lbs, of that 3000 lbs is tongue weight on the bed. I run 285 / 75 / duragrappler tires - 4Klb load rating, I do not have a dually.

This past spring, I did a very detailed tranny flush, filter change, and trans solenoid change along with adjusting the bands. I currently run a mileage max box. I do not need any more "power", I am pretty easy on it since it is a truck and not a dragster.

My question is - will the smarty jr help my tranny by changing the shift points / make is shift more positive, etc? or will the extra 40 hp put more stress on my tranny therefore I should not add the smarty jr?

Getting onto the highway, depending on the on the on ramp, I can see 230F degrees. When I climb the mts, my egt never get over 1200F but my tranny may get to 265F which concerns me. My speed will drop to high 20's to low 30mph when climbing the mt pass. I try to run the A/C to "manually" run the engine fan with hopes that will take out more trans heat.

When do the mt climb, I have the truck in tow / haul mode and will manually put into 2 gear (automatic) if need be.

Any suggestions regarding the smarty jr or tips on towing would be appreciated.

I love my truck and will likely keep it for another 2 years but I would really like an 06 mega cab w/ an 8 foot aluminum bed. The dodge is a great truck, if they only would have put the same amount of rear seating as the gmc's / fords of the same year I would not be looking to upgrade in the future.

 

As far as I know the Smarty will not directly affect your trany shifting. The added HP will have some added stress on the trany but if it is in god condition and you take it easy you will be OK. If you drive it hard, even that 40 HP increase will slowly kill your trany.