For a long time I have wanted to convert my trucks transmission over to an automatic for better pulling and better acceleration. Can anyone tell me who makes a good automatic that is going to last and hold up to all the torque? What all is involved in the conversion other than physically putting in the new transmission?

Keith

 

I don't know nothing about the conversion process but I will tell you that I have always had a standard but if I were to go to auto the only tranny I'd run is a DTT. They have really impressed me over everything else, but they are costly.

Eric

 

Probably a new ECM, column, some other wiring and stuff.

I had an auto. Now that I have a manual I don't ever see me going back.

Just my opinion.

 

Depends on HP wise.........how big are you wanting to go? There are a couple different options out there for you.

Also swapping to a auto will require a new computer, linkage, tranny of course, and a bunch of other misc parts!! Not sure on what ALL is needed.


~Nick

 

I just hate loosing all my boost every time I shift and frankly get tired of shifting all the time.

Power wise I am just wanting something that will handle my current setup listed below with a little safety margin. Only pull on occasion. Mostly just running around town with some stuff in the bed.

Keith

 

The only auto tranny I would ever put in a truck again is an Allison. They are unheard of right now because there are only 2 trucks right now that have them, mine being one of them. I install them and hook everything up. I have been sled pulling with it and it is holding up great. In my opinion, it is the only way to go. Ask Enterprise Engine how well they like 47's!!! I am talking to them right now about putting together kits. I am installing another one in a truck from Washington in the middle of November. Eventually people will see how good they are.

 

I'm with Gabe32. I personally HATE autos behind diesels (and autos in general, but specifically with a diesel). IF I was forced to have to run an auto, it would be an Allison. Be warned that not all Allisons are created equal. The ones used in GM trucks behind the Duracraps are very light duty compared to the commercial versions. They don't hold up that well in the GM trucks. Look for one out of a bus or other medium duty truck. I know medium duty Fords are available with them behind a Cummins, a 5-speed version, but I don't know if they are the same as the GM light trucks or not.

For what its worth, I'm so unhappy with my auto that I'm going through the trouble to swap to a 5-speed. My auto absolutely sucks for towing anything, and even daily driving is a pain with it. All it does is force the engine to run at high RPMs, wasting the low end torque. The only way my truck will move below 2000 rpms is once I get to 3rd or 4th and lock the torque converter manually and allow the truck to slow back down. Unfortunately the torque converter (and tranny in general) is very weak at low RPMs, so its easy to make it slip.

Run far, FAR away from autos for a diesel!

Jim

 

Thanks for the input. Maybe it isn't worth it. I was under the impression that the good automatics locked up after first gear. I don't want a slush box I want a nice tight feeling auto if I am going to change over to one.

Like I said before I just hate loosing my boost every time I shift. I test drove an automatic but the dodge transmission felt like fluid drive almost.

Keith

 

www.gbtransmissions.com Autos and manuals both have ups and downs. An auto will pull every bit as good or better IMO. And is much faster. Sometimes i do really wish I had a stick, but I am pretty happy with my automatic so far. A built auto is very hard to handle no matter what you are doing.

Eric

 

I LOVE my automatic.........now. While a stick would be "ok", I prefer the auto.

 

A stock auto is crappy. Trust me, I know. I'm still running one. But a built one is probably better to tow with than a stick for a couple of reasons. Not only do you get power multiplication from the gearing (just like a stick), but you also get the torque multiplication from the torque converter on top of that. A low stall converter in there trucks make's them so much nicer to drive.

If you have your tranny built you can have it setup to lock up after 2nd but this is hard on parts unless you have the billet ($$$) parts to do it with.

 

Well, I have got one of the ceramic clutches from TST and while it doesn't ever slip it is mighty jerky starting up.

What do you mean when you say a built transmission is "hard to handle?"

Keith

 

Im just saying that they hold up and pull well I love how mine pulls now with the TC, and Shift kit

Eric

 

stock autos suck and built ones are light years better but neither are as good as the allison. My allison is out of a duramax and it is built and I haven't broke anything. In my opinion I should have broke mine a couple times and it stood strong. Even built 47's with billet shafts still break. I am not a big fan of the 47's because I tore down the 47 and allison both and the 47 is a baby compared to the size of the components of the allison

 

I'm sure a swap could be done...if you really wanted to do it I'm sure you could with the right amount of funds. Perhaps you could look at a wrecked manual truck and scavange the parts. My guess though, is that things are alot different than they used to be and switching trannys from man to auto is far tougher now. Computers, wiring, and all of the control stuff that goes into it now is a far cry from hooking up vacuum lines in the days of yore and keeping it simple. I too occasionally get sick of having a manual transmission at times, but when I read here about slippage, tightening of bands, replacing transmissions, etc...I'm glad that I have a clutch...Also I think there is nothing cooler than having the front end lift up a little when I am starting off in 1st gear...and the sound of the turbo through the exhaust when I let off to shift...all these are pluses.

If you go for the swap I wish you luck though.
-Geoff