Hello folks, I have read these forums for several months now trying to learn all about what to do for performance upgrades, and have come to what I think is my basic plan. Please advise me on what you think about it, as most of you have spent a LOT more time than I have with this stuff.

First, my situation.

'00 2500 with about 135K miles. Has been used all over texas from a couple owners for farm/city deliveries.

Current state of the truck is good, one minor leak from a power steering pump which is soon to be resolved, no other leaks, no problems with power or start up.

Transmission seems to be pretty awful. I have heard these are not great in the first place, and can certainly agree with that.

25' Fifth wheel RV, weighing about 4500 pounds towed. Ideally, a small (1500-2000 pound boat will end up behind that, lets see if I win the lottery.

My single most important goal is fuel economy. My camping trips tend to be 5-10 hour drives, and fuel is getting expensive. Right now I am pulling about 15-16MPG with just the camper. I don't have hard data on a boat yet, as I only pulled my fathers for one trip, and there were a plethora of mechanical problems on other vehicles of the trip.

My second most important goal is pulling well up a hill. I am by no stretch of the imagination a speed demon, especially while pulling. I like to cruise along at about 73 or so on the flats, 70 on the uphills, and maybe 75 on the downhills. (Depends on grade, I don't wanna wind up a pretzel.)

This is the current plan I have.

Replace transmission with rebuilt. Mine has a ton of miles, and seems to run with lower efficiency as it heats up from a long trip. This is my first automatic, so I am a poor judge, but I don't want to break it by towing with decent power. This is the transmission I have chosen, based mostly on price, secondly on what the claim for reliability is.

EDIT: Link not working, try this.

OK... I cannot link it. I go to ebay, type in 47re and click on the one from Phoenix Hard Parts. They also have an upgrade for more extreme cases, I don't know if I need the extra.


This comes with an upgraded torque converter, which I think is required basically for my use.

I know DTT or whatever the acronym is has a better built unit, but for close to $1000 more. Does this seem solid for the money?

Perhaps you need to know what performance upgrades I have planned to decude that.

This is the basic set I think gives me the most performance for the money.

http://www.everythingoffroad.com/ind...alog434_0.html

The one for my year, near the bottom of the page, the "race" version. I don't plan to race, but it seems to give a reasonable upgrade without giving too much where I may cause undue wear on the hard parts?

If you have any better people to do business with, or a reccomendation for a transmission, please let me know. I think DTT(sic?) is here in Denver somewhere, but I just cannot find a way to justify that much more expense when someone else has a decent looking one for so much less.

Anyhow, all pride and ego aside, I am 100% willing to accept any better ideas. I am truly a n00b at this, and welcome the experience you folks have.

Thanks for the help!

Mike

 

One thing, DTT (yes, you got the acronym correct) is in Canada.
ATS (the other big name) is in Colorado.

There's a couple more big names, Goerend Brothers and Suncoast.

Other than that, I have no personal experience, so really shouldn't sway your decision.


phox

 

Click on the links:

Goerend Brothers transmissions

Suncoast Converters

For the record, after three years sitting on the fence and much reading on Dodge Diesel sites, I went with Dave Goerend.

 

I looked over those 2 manufacturers for transmissions, and while I feel they likely do an extremely good job, and don't doubt their methods or credentials, is there something so much better that can justify spending twice as much for the transmission?

The upgrade phoenix hard parts can provide is basically all new soft parts, new planetary gears, an upgraded valve body, and a heavy duty torque converter. All of that for $1600, plus they will install for $375 in my truck. That seems like a good deal. Am I missing something?

Thanks again for the help and replies!

Mike

 

That doesn't include a torque converter, you need a torque converter, and thats another grand or so.

 

No, the one from phoenix hard parts does include a torque converter. In fact, it is an upgraded torque converter with more friction surface and a billett cover. I wish I could link it in this forum, but it does not seem to work.

To see what I am in reference to, this is the path:

go to http://www.ebay.com

type in 47re in search.

Click the first one which has the phxre trans logo on the side for $1895, this is the upgraded towing version. The one below it, for $1150 is the standard.

Both of those claim to come with a torque converter, unless I am reading this wrong.

Thanks again.

Mike

 

Tarqal,
You'll find that a lot of people here think the more something cost the better it is. If it isn't in the same price range it must not be worth anything. SOMETIMES THIS IS TRUE. Sometimes not. Nearly everyone around here is hot about F1 injectors. I just put in Jammers for less then half the price. They sure seem to be well worth the money and the saving. We'll see in the next 100K miles.

I am going through the cost issue with the Blue Chip VP right now. It is $400 dollars more then my cost for a local rebulid by Bosch auth. place. If it lasts longer then it would be worth it. But my research tells me that Bosch is not sure about how good the FEDEX is. Where do I go.

My point is you have to do what you think is best after you dig through all the info availbe. Are you willing to gamble the cheaper one is good enough. Are you willing to gamble the extra money won't be wasted because the cheaper one was as good. I don't mean to ramble but it is certinly important to do research instead of just listening to opinions.

JMHO
Randy

 

Sorry I thought you were talking about the suncoast one for some reason.

I have looked at them too and if they actually do what they say it seems like they would be a good deal. I would be a little leary about going through ebay unless they had a dealer locally for warranty issues. I would call them and see what they say and make your decision from there. Someone else started a thread last week or so asking about them also and I don't think anybody had anthing bad to say but I don't think anybody has actually used one.

 

I am the last person on earth that should be pioneering these kinds of things. Surely one of you uber rich people can just buy one and try it? > Anyhow. I think that is what I will do, if it is as described. I will call today and see how long it takes to do the install, then find a way to get to phoenix and back, that is of course unless someone local wants to show me how to remove/replace a transmission/TC?

Thanks for the advice on transmission, what about the performance upgrades? The kit I listed seem to do what is needed?

Thanks again,

Mike

 

tranny seems ok....however i would be lear of the lack of billet input shaft, whether racing or towing heavy, if that torque converter can put the power through it like they say, the input shaft may not be happy with you.

 

I went ahead and called them. They are booked up for 3 weeks for installation, but can do it after that. They are willing to close the order at the price listed on ebay, plus installation, minus core and shipping. This works out to be about $2275 for the "extreme" towing transmission. The only concerns I have at this point are the lack of upgraded shafts, as ramtd02 mentioned, and the fact that I have to pay in advance. Spending $2200 for something I am not going to get for 2 months (my own schedule) is a bit frightening.

Mike

 

Pheonix makes a good setup for a stock or mildly modded truck. I know of two other people with thier setup. one is in a 98 12v in montana with a #8 plate and 35's who doesnt tow the second time he cooked it he called up DTT. He has the billet torque converter ect that they offer. The other dude is here in the Sac Valley with a 99 24v running DD3's, HX40 and a comp box, the cost of the tow bill and R&R since Pheonix doesnt cover labor just replacement of the unit motivated him to get the replacement and then resell it on Ebay, he made most he money back minus all the labor he had paid for and is now running an ATS (60k miles later)

Piece of mind isnt that much more nor is a billet input and output. build it to last or build it later & again.

You are going about researching this the right way you'll just need to determine what truely you are going to be expecting out of this thing

 

You said you have been reading the threads for several months! Than you know what people will say.

Some, myself included....say - It's going to cost me at least $2,000 to do it anywhere close to right, I'd rather spend $3,500-4,000 and have a proven winner that will be as trouble free as it can be for 200,000 miles. For me, this attitude was based on 6 months of reading here and seeing NOT ONE MEMBER dissatisfied with their DTT Tranny.

Others, Can't afford it (which I respect) or won't afford it....and are willing to live with partial fixes (shift kits & torque converters) and have varying degrees of success over the next 100,000 miles. Those that have good luck, are understandably proud of the money they saved and talk about it often. Those that learned an expensive lesson - with lots of down time and repair bills - tend to keep it to themselves.

Our Tranny builders have evolved to the point where there are excellent suppliers. If you can afford it...do it.
If you fall into the second category...do your $2,200 upgrade and take your chances.

Just remember one thing...on this web page, almost nothing gets total cudos from everyone that has used it.....except DTT and Goerand Bros Transmissions.....and maybe Fleetguard Oil Filters.

IMO, towing 4500 lbs, you do not need the added expense of Billet shafts...unless your heading for 500+ hp!

Good Luck!...which ever way you go.

 

Well, this is a lot to think about. Since they are local and all, how do people feel about the ATS work? Many posts I have read seem to feel they are about as good as DTT. Would you agree?

Mike

 

I did not intentionally leave ATS (or Suncoast) out. ATS had some detractors 2-3 yrs ago...not a lot.... have heard nothing but good in recent years....and they have a strong following.

I would call them all and ask a prepared list of questions. They are all use to "not ready to buy yet" calls. Go with whomever gives you the best feeling.

Being local is worth a lot, IMO

RJ