I have been in the auto industry all my life as a technician and service advisor and this is my first diesel. I was always happy with the old 727 torque-flights used in the big block mopars and am really pleased with the truck overall. But I am less than pleased with the sluggish,random hunting shifting that the 48re gives.

I tow a 9000 lb travel trailer sometimes and I do want to add a Quad zxt box, 51 inch donaldson and air intake upgrade someday. Would a good torque converter upgrade with possibly a VB shift kit (I can install both at no labor charge) benifit me more in getting what I have to the ground with better shift performance or would the Box, Muffler and intake give me way more?

 

Do the TC and VB first. Then add the rest with the Quad race box instead. You will really love your truck then. I wish I had the cash for trans mods, I know it will change the whole demeanor of my truck. Good luck!

 

I agree with gatf4! I have not done it yet, but from all my reading and studying it seems that almost nobody is disappointed with TC and VB upgrade as far as performance is concerned!

That is not to say the box route is bad, but from what I see you would be adding power still with no way to get it to the ground!

I did add the Donaldson 51" and love it! Nice, mild tone with notable power increase through the entire rpm range but not overbearing at all! Just sounds like it should!

I am doing the tranny next! ...but I am waiting until I can do the flexplate too!

 

I am in the same boat with $$, i do smaller cheaper mods first until i can afford my tranny upgrade. But it is well worth it if you have the cash

 

the TC, VB upgrade is just spendy. I have read something like 30-50hp can be optained from the right setup.

I am strongly considering these mods as my truck does not like level 5 on the juice at all with my 37's. feels like if the tranny would hold the power is great. the egts are managable unloaded so I would use it if the tranny did not hate the setting.

towing as much as you do I would just do this mod I think.

DTT
ATS
suncoast
Dunrite
goerend bros

are all companies I have heard talked about. DTT has prices posted on thier site and don't seem all that horrible. like $975 converter and $399 vb. that is about the same as just the ats converter. I have not called dunrite (they are local to me) or the goerend bros yet. ats and suncoast were both more that DTT and i have heard good things about DTT but not first hand experience.

 

I added power first and then the tranny......looking back I would have done the tranny first. The way it drives will blow you away. From now on the first mod for all my new trucks will be a tranny upgrade. I know its expensive but worth every penny.....

Brad