I have a '99 3500 4WD Dually and am wanting to get a bit more power out of it, say in the 300-400 hp range. I would like to do it mostly with hard parts and a mild tuner. Truck has 105k, I bought it w 95k on it, and I need it to stay reliable. I don't want to do a bunch of wild stuff that continually needs attention or causes a bunch of other things to go bad.

So that's the easy part. Now to the trans which will have to be addressed at that power level IMO. I know of all the builders out there with the 4-6k transmissions, I live in Denver Metro so ATS is here, I just don't want to spend that kind of money. I have a friend that bought one of those for his '97 PSD and the truck has been back 3-4 times for tranny repairs. I think all times has been under warranty, I just can't do that. I found another shop that claims they can build a tranny that can hold 400 hp and include a billet single disk low stall converter, for towing, for approx 2200+450 r&r. I asked them why so much less than these other guys? They said it was the color and name, that every one uses the same/similar rebuild kits and their prices are lower because they do many transmissions.

My history with diesel trucks:
1996 7.3 PSD-115k with no tranny problems, loaded only with tools and also a small enclosed trailer.
2002 7.3 PSD-125k with 2 tranny rebuilds, 1 at 15k and the other at 115k. Daily driver until about 110k then got a Toy Hauler and I burned up the trans, Had rebuilt and it never was the same. Ditched it ILO next truck.
2006 5.9 Mega w/ 6 sp std-180k, new clutch at 117k because DMF was coming apart, did have $2500 in front end repairs and 1 injector. However, for towing this truck was great. Truck was paid off and I needed some $, so I had to sell it.

Looked for a month, while driving a friends spare '90 accord, for a '96-'02 std and couldn't find anything that wasn't just beat to heck. Finally ran across truck I bought, was in pretty good shape, low miles but had the auto. I needed a truck badly so I bought it. So now I would like to get the power level up to make this truck more fun and capable. The auto makes me nervous.

Options: Keep this truck, add some power and a tranny and hope it holds up or sell it and go on a search for a 5 sp manual in the same/similar truck.

I know there are many auto trucks out there that tow heavy with auto transmissions, so it can be done, at what cost though?

Long post, lots of variables, main concern is the auto and the amount of $ for a good auto trans. Thanks.

 

If I gave you $100.00 and asked you to build a nice strong porch swing and you spent $50.00 for nice shinny adds, I could expect a $50.00 swing, right?

The little guys who work by word of mouth can ussually save you some money and time. Just ask for some customers to talk to!

 

Fuel system & fuel gauge first.
You need to check the line pressures in the trans to see if a Valve Body and Torque Converter will benefit it. If the pressures are good then you can upgrade the trans on the cheap. Look in my sig i've had my TCI converter for 6 years and it works great. A good aftermarket trans lock up controller will add years to a trans too.

 

j-fox, funny you say that. I am a carpenter. Great idea on talking to some customers. Maybe I will be able to talk to someone with similar truck/usage. Thanks.

SJR- yes, my first upgrades will be injector pump, air dog and a set of rv 275's. I will probably go with a tuner which has a monitor included for gauges, like the ADR100 or Edge. I have a trans guy that can check out the truck, but they do not do tranny's for higher hp applications. I have been reading that guys with good auto's putting in a good VB and TC with great results. Thanks for the info. My truck actually does have a BD Torq Lock switch and an exhaust brake. Brake doesn't work and the TL switch does but I have no idea how to use it. Pretty sure its just to be used in conjunction with the brake, yes?

If I had a diesel shop around that I could trust, long story on 2 shops that are crooks, I would have them test out the IP. But I've got a friend that has done them and can help me with the r&r so I figure I will just put a new one in and know that it is good.

Thanks for the replies gents.

 

have you verified the stock converter being there? If the installer of the exhaust brake/bd parts did his job, he probably talked the previous owner into the t/c too!! OK, that may be a long shot but you should crawl around under it and take your cover off to see. My single disk has about 75k HARD miles on it- no idea how many miles the stocker had before I replaced JUST the 'verter! They told me it wouldn't last because I had shuddered my stock converter, but new fluid and new(to me) suncoast and it is SOLID