My Bully Dog Programmer gave me a quick lesson in tranny management. I want to tow on the higher settings. The triple lock and the valve body along with the commander deal looks good. Is there a better way to go? I tow 13k a lot and I tow from sea level up over mountains and through deserts at 65mph while climbing to over 8500ft. I've seen the temps in the Owens Valley over 110. I'm not talking you Kansas style tow where the biggest climb is a freeway overpass.

I apologize for not paying better attention to previous discussions on tranny upgrades.

 

I would go for the upgrades and get a deeper tranny pan (deeper wallet too!).

 

That's my question, but which one's are working for towing. The ATS stuff looks good but I'm hoping to hear from those that tow 10+K up and down mountains. I'll become my own warranty station so I'm hoping to make repairs few and far between.

The VB, TQ and torque commander from ATS are around $2500. I should be able to install them myself with the help of a very bad diesel influence I know. The Edit that started me down the BOMBing road is sure as hell going to help. My wallet was empty when I started this stuff.

Edited by Admin

 

I am in a similar situation with my truck and fifth wheel. The canper weights in just under 13k. The torque converter started slipping the first time I hit some big hills. I was afraid to spend $2000 on a triple disc converter and valve body and then have clutches start slipping and get trash into the converter and vb and have to replace them again. I also do not want to be stuck on the side of the road if it happens. That could ruin a vacation real quick. I decided to spend the money and go all the way the first time and then I should not have to worry about it anymore. I now have the ATS Stage V in my truck.

 

If you can do the install yourself, you can purchase the additional update kit that replaces the stock clutch packs for around $400. I have already slipped mine just climbing mountains in overdrive at high power.....empty. Your tranny will be solid as a rock after that. All of the big three offer an additional update kit, though usually not listed on their web site. Call them and talk to them. They will tell you what you need based on how you drive/tow.

 

Wholly crap Batman! Are you telling me there is MORE to buy than the TQ, VB and torque commander. Now I have to go inside the tranny? I've never seen the inside of an Auto before unless you are talking firearm. How spendy is it to have someone elso do just that? I can do a torque converter and screw in a valve body.

 

Yeah, there is more….a lot more. If you look on the ATS or DTT web sites, you can buy their transmission for about $2400, without a torque converter and valve body. You don't suppose your buying a stock tranny for that kind of money do ya? That tranny has been upgraded with their update kit. That is what your paying for. It includes new internals to include more and beefier clutch packs, which are very important. The kit with all the parts is cheap. It is the install that gets you. To install a complete update kit along with a torque converter and valve body, at say the dealer, your probably looking at close to $1,200 to $1,500 in labor. They basically have to tear your entire tranny down and rebuild it with the new internal parts you will receive in the update kit. There are differences in the update kits offered by DTT and ATS, so call both to get the scoop. Start saving!

 

I was hoping the stock tranny would do it with the aid of a ATS TC,VB and Commander. Their 48re for the level 5 is closer to $3200. I'll be putting a major dent in a credit card for the TC, VB and commander deal. If those things don't cut it, I'll have to get the tranny later.

 

You know, your truck will probably pull just fine on the middle settings of your Bully Dog. Then you would not have to worry so much about the trans..
I'd still get at least the converter......

 

I'll see what the dealer says. I still think I hurt the thing while pulling completely stock. It got HOT. I was pulling up a steep and twisty road with 10 mph hour turns. I had to stop several times to keep the coolant temp in check. I'm convinced the only reason for the temp increase was the tranny temp. The tranny line going through the radiator. The fact the thing does not lock until fourth is stupid. I'm sure the TC for the SO is not the same as for the HO. Maybe they'll change that at the dealer. Doubt it.

 

The Commander will help greatly with that. I have the BD Torq-Lok and can lock my converter in any gear all the way down to 10 mph if I want. Kind of jerky at low speeds though. Comes in handy in situations like you describe, and drag racing, but not much good for anything else unless you have an exhaust brake. The Torq-Lok is half the price of the Commander, but the Commander is much easier to adjust lock-up speed.

 

You just have to be careful with that Commander. Stamey broke 2 input shafts drag racing with it. He is pushing about 600hp though.........