Hey guys,

Lost my transmission today. Think it is the TC again. I am totally fed up with this Dodge tranny. I got a whole 5000 miles out it since the last overhaul. A friend of a friend did it in his garage. We found the TC bad. Went through the trans at the same time. My truck is great except for this poor excuse for a transmission.

Was pulling my boat back from the lake. Notice it was slipping it OD. When I came to a town I had no 1st gear. Had to get home starting in 2nd. With 3:55 gears and 315 tires, was a great challege. Made it all the way home. Dropped the boat off. Went to take my truck to carwash. As I was leaving the neighbor hood. I heard a clunk and had no drive. Rolled down the hill, turned the truck off, trying not to get ticked off. Checked my fluid...TOASTED. Manage to get it back in my drive by shutting off, waiting a few seconds then starting. Seemed like I could get drive for 10 seconds at a time.

Well I a sitting here trying to figure out my next move. I believe I want to go with a Performance Trans and Tc. Since it is sitting in my driveway I guess I will be doing myself. Does anybody know of a reputable KC, Missouri Transmission Shop? I have been looking a DTT, ATS, and SUN Coast on the net. Do I really need to do this? I want to exchange this tranny. I believe it has a problem taking out TC's. I was not really ready for this much of a pop financially. The truck will probably be sitting there for awhile. Give me some ideas! Please!

 

The Banks Power Pac might have something to do with it. How much extra power does that add? Most stock trannies can only take ~60 extra hp and ~150 extra lb.ft.

 

Banks claims another 100 hp or so with 650flb torque. I do not really know. I think it runs great! At least until today. I have been very modest on the accelerator. I believe the reason for failure was probably internal leakage problems. Was not resolved the first time. I am still trying to get out of depression.

 

Gorrend of Iowa makes a good tranny and TQ; plus they are close ,although ATS is too. Gorrends might be cheaper though. Best advice I can give is spend a day or two on the phone and talk to all the tranny guys and then YOU decide whats best for YOU, they all make good systems.

 

I second Helicopter Dan's advice, but while you are calling the transmission providers, talk to DTT to find out if they have a dealer in your area.

Take a bit of extra time to read the technical information posted at DTT's site. All rebuilt transmissions are not the same, and I will not even let a shop without a mill capable of resizing the case touch one of mine. The OEM Dodge units tend to push case ends, have bad valves, and are simply poorly finished in the machine department. A good performance transmission needs everything to be blueprinted to work for very long.

Also, take extra time and flush your transmission cooler and the lines before you install a new unit. The smallest fleck of aluminum will hose your valves and cough the new transmission.

 

blh 1960 -

Do yourself a favor and bite the bullet for an ATS or DTT trans..You'll love your truck again. I had one put in at 95,000 mi..Yes, its expensive, but I have a bullet proof auto trans now..no more worries..BTW, there around 4200.00 installed for a top of the line complete trans swap w/TC..

 

Just rebuilt my own using DTT parts and I don't reccomend it . I have nearly as much money invested as I would've if I bought the complete thing installed! Tony

 

Spoke with DTT. I think this is the route I want to go. I also spoke with ATS and Jasper. Jasper sounded kinda desirable but I still have a somewhat improved stock tranny. What was desirable was the nationwide 3year/75,000 mile parts and labor warranty. They have no problem with doing yourself and the shipping was free because KC is a depot. There price was around $2500 exchanged. I think I want to get all the HP I can out of my truck. That leaves the Aftermarkets and $$$.
DTT seems to be a first class act. 2year unlimited milege warranty. They have been tested and hold against unreal torque. 30 to 40% more HP. Is it really worth it? Give me some feedback. Help me decide! I cannot go through this every few months.

 

blh 1960 -

Both the ATS & DTT are nearly identical..Both will shift VERY FIRM!! Almost feels like neck snapping shifts, so be warned..My ATS has a 93% TC on it, so from a standing start, it feels like something is holding the truck back, cause it takes a few feet for the engine speed to catch up to the locked up TC..It will almost feel like a manual in this respect..Once you're rolling, the acceleration is stunning..But don't expect smooth, seemless shifts with either trans..The TC's have very strong clutches & springs to hold the hp..Only reason I went with ATS is because of the nearest dealer..Some will say the ATS has a stouter TC, but I don't know..It holds anything I want it to..the cost is within 100.00 for either one..but get the complete package..

 

I recommend the DTT full set up ;D I live in the Pacific North West so it was kind of a no brainier for me to decide I can get to DTT in 8 hour's with a stock pos tranny ??? And get back in 6 with a Wolf Pack in the CTD ;D Do your home work and try to get a ride in a DTT, ATS, or any other transmission to get a feel for it. I can tell you that when my truck shifts my head kind of snap's back ;D Did it since Bill K and his crew put it in. I watched the entire process when I got my DTT He is the god of Dodge transmissions

 

blh1960

I can only speak out of my experience with DTT- which is truely positive. I had only the parts shipped with a good manual and then had some phone support during the install. In my opinion the stuff I got was of really good quality. The support was great. (I am located in Europe, so sending trannies back and forth to the US wasn't an option). I turned over more than 100 000 km on my tranny and all the services until now were just checking the fluid and verifying the bands. Almost nothing in the pan, so I do expect a long service life out of it.
The comments about the firmer shifts are quite true, but DTT does offer a livestock valvebody for people who don't want to have neck snapping (or cattle throwing ;D in this case) shifts.
If you aren't a pro I'd suggest that you go to a renowned installer of any of the aftermarket trannies, since small errors can have expensive consequences.
Since the philosophy of ATS is really different from the one of DTT I'd suggest that you try to find some trucks to do test drives with each of the vendors transmissions. This could prove worthwhile, since drivers and use of the vehicle are different, why not get the optimum tranny for you.

Please don't go and ask the standard tranny war starter question "which one is better" now

AlpineRAM

 

im going with a DTT trans here in a few weeks after driving a few trucks with this trans! there is no comparison!! u cant even say its a new truck cause its better than that!!! its just unreal from the stock slushbox to this tranny!!! i know its alot of money but take it as an investment! if ur going to keep ur truck! thats my way of dealing with the money!! it will be a very good investment!!

 

Well guys, thanks for all your feedback. Does anybody in the KC area have a dodge diesel with ATS, DTT, or Sun Coast?
I would like to test before I succumb to the dollars. I love that neck snapping preformance. Why else would I be looking?Also I will probably select based on the availability of a installer in my area. I know that DTT has one in St. Louis MO. That would be a 3 hour drive from the KC area. This means I would need to be towed or hauled. Anyone have a large flatbed trailer and some spare time. I sure would take care of the fuel and lunch. Might be a neat experience. I thought I would ask. They probably could just rebuild the one I have with DTT parts. I am sure Bill has taught them to go after the root of the problem. I got my wife's blessing to spend the money. I better get with it before she changes her mind!!! ;D
BLH1960

 

Had mine fitted with the DTT race tranny this late spring. My truck suffered 2 trans failiers prior to my DTT trans I have about 20,000 KM on it now and it works every bit as good as day one. I am more then happy and my trans is the last thing on my mind. Also to anyone who says aftermarket trans are all the same or equal there not.

Call up the man Bill K he can be found at DTT the website is www.dieseltrans.com. I contacted him after hearing praise for him when I first joined this site. He is a great guy and is no BS he will tell you like it is and is a small family business man like my family so I could relate. He also does business the way my father taught me and that was the Honest way no BS and don't take advantage of people. Now enough history how does it work you ask we'll amazing my truck has never pulled as hard as it does now and works amazingly. Look at the top puller trucks around and the HUGE HP trucks on this site and see which trans they run. Nathan Wright has a CTD in the 12's with a DTT race trans that was enough proof for me!

 

blh1960:

You have received very good advice from all the members
here.

Both my son and I have the ATS Stage IV units in our
trucks and are very happy with them! We both have
over 40,000 miles on them now. ATS offers a 3 year
100,000 mile warranty on their units.

Since you live in Missouri I would recommend contacting
DTR member Keith Livingstone (Rammin On). He is starting
a new diesel performance business in St. James, Missouri
just west of St. Louis off I-44. He has the ATS Stage IV
in his 95' Dodge CTD and is also very happy with his.
If you give him a call I know he would let you drive his
truck to compare.

Good luck on whatever you decide!

-------
John_P