New Auto Tranny is in...WOW!
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Joined: May 2003
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From: Southeastern Michigan
New Auto Tranny is in...WOW!
Been having TC shutter for a little while and I knew it was time. After searching here I narrowed it down to just two tranny builders. Logistics played an important role and all things considered I decided to go with HTS Custom Mopar Transmissions here in my home state of Michigan. 102 miles from my front door to theirs.
I spoke to the owners Dusty and Marianne on the phone a few times and everything was set up. Dusty asked me how I used my truck, my mods, and my plans with it. We discussed options, pricing, budget, etc. and came up with a nice package that gave me what I needed, what I wanted, and fell into the budget I could live with. Sure I could have probably been talked into "more", but that did not happen. Straight honest answers, no over selling, and a nice easy laid back interaction.
2 weeks later (this past saturday) I head over to HTS for a tranny swap, was told 2 to 2 1/2 hours start to finish. I told my wife I don't know what time I'll be back home.
The first thing he did was introduce me to my new transmission, then Dakota (his assistant), and his wife Marianne. For the next 2 hours I watched these guys take out the old, and in with the new. I had a front row seat in the shop, and they had no problem with me being under the truck with them. Dusty would be working away and all the time he was working, he was talking to me about Dodge diesels, hi performance mods, good trannys, trashed trannys, horse power, DTR, etc. Dakota didn't have much to say
Well, 2 hours later Dusty and I are driving my truck with my new transmission down snow filled roads looking for dry pavement to see "how it feels". I was like a kid with a new bike.
The thing shifts like another car is bumping into the back of my truck. The best way to describe it is like me smacking my fist into my other hand. It's like it hammers into gears. No mistake about it, you know when it shifts. This is something we discussed, and so far I like the feeling. Dusty did say if it feels to harsh he can take care of that. So far I like how it feels so we will leave well enough alone. I want to see how it feels when I tow my 5th wheel. Need to get a set of heavy duty U joints. The engine and tranny feel like one unit, almost like a manual that power shifts all by itself. Great feeling.
The new trans gave the truck new found power. No more loss waiting for the TC to finally grab. It just starts putting power to the wheels as soon as you give it some pedal. I had my #10 plate moved back from the stock position with the stock tranny, and Dusty wanted to move it forward right after our test runs. I decided to wait. What he didn't realize is just from the new tranny I felt a drastic power increase. To Dusty (who races and has seen tons of Dodges with gobs more power than mine) I'm sure the truck felt like a dog.
After the test runs, we took my old tranny apart for giggles and Dusty gave me an "introduction to the worn out 47re". Man this guy knows transmissions! He showed me the weak points of my tranny (and the 48re as well) and the common failures, what parts fail and why, and what parts fix the failures and why. What parts are beefed up, how much, and why. Made me feel allot better about the rebuild. I know I have a good solid tranny that is gonna hold the power and last a long time.
Today I moved my #10 plate forward about halfway between stock position and full forward, AFC housing about 3/4'ths to 7/8ths full forward, and took it out for a spin. All I can say is OH MY FREAKIN DOG! Cruising at 30mph and mashing on the pedal my tires will break loose! This thing just goes! It's like a whole new truck! I'm sorry I did not do this sooner!
I know there are lots of other quality builders out there, and I'm not trying to take away anything from any of them, but I just gotta say this tranny is great, I had one heck of a positive experience dealing with these folks, and I feel lucky I decided to go with them. I have to give credit where credit is due. I have no incentive to post this other than I feel I got a great product, a great service, and a great price. I am not associated with HTS at all. Just a happy customer.
Anyone who is tranny shopping has to seriously check these folks out. KD
I spoke to the owners Dusty and Marianne on the phone a few times and everything was set up. Dusty asked me how I used my truck, my mods, and my plans with it. We discussed options, pricing, budget, etc. and came up with a nice package that gave me what I needed, what I wanted, and fell into the budget I could live with. Sure I could have probably been talked into "more", but that did not happen. Straight honest answers, no over selling, and a nice easy laid back interaction.
2 weeks later (this past saturday) I head over to HTS for a tranny swap, was told 2 to 2 1/2 hours start to finish. I told my wife I don't know what time I'll be back home.
The first thing he did was introduce me to my new transmission, then Dakota (his assistant), and his wife Marianne. For the next 2 hours I watched these guys take out the old, and in with the new. I had a front row seat in the shop, and they had no problem with me being under the truck with them. Dusty would be working away and all the time he was working, he was talking to me about Dodge diesels, hi performance mods, good trannys, trashed trannys, horse power, DTR, etc. Dakota didn't have much to say
Well, 2 hours later Dusty and I are driving my truck with my new transmission down snow filled roads looking for dry pavement to see "how it feels". I was like a kid with a new bike.
The thing shifts like another car is bumping into the back of my truck. The best way to describe it is like me smacking my fist into my other hand. It's like it hammers into gears. No mistake about it, you know when it shifts. This is something we discussed, and so far I like the feeling. Dusty did say if it feels to harsh he can take care of that. So far I like how it feels so we will leave well enough alone. I want to see how it feels when I tow my 5th wheel. Need to get a set of heavy duty U joints. The engine and tranny feel like one unit, almost like a manual that power shifts all by itself. Great feeling.
The new trans gave the truck new found power. No more loss waiting for the TC to finally grab. It just starts putting power to the wheels as soon as you give it some pedal. I had my #10 plate moved back from the stock position with the stock tranny, and Dusty wanted to move it forward right after our test runs. I decided to wait. What he didn't realize is just from the new tranny I felt a drastic power increase. To Dusty (who races and has seen tons of Dodges with gobs more power than mine) I'm sure the truck felt like a dog.
After the test runs, we took my old tranny apart for giggles and Dusty gave me an "introduction to the worn out 47re". Man this guy knows transmissions! He showed me the weak points of my tranny (and the 48re as well) and the common failures, what parts fail and why, and what parts fix the failures and why. What parts are beefed up, how much, and why. Made me feel allot better about the rebuild. I know I have a good solid tranny that is gonna hold the power and last a long time.
Today I moved my #10 plate forward about halfway between stock position and full forward, AFC housing about 3/4'ths to 7/8ths full forward, and took it out for a spin. All I can say is OH MY FREAKIN DOG! Cruising at 30mph and mashing on the pedal my tires will break loose! This thing just goes! It's like a whole new truck! I'm sorry I did not do this sooner!
I know there are lots of other quality builders out there, and I'm not trying to take away anything from any of them, but I just gotta say this tranny is great, I had one heck of a positive experience dealing with these folks, and I feel lucky I decided to go with them. I have to give credit where credit is due. I have no incentive to post this other than I feel I got a great product, a great service, and a great price. I am not associated with HTS at all. Just a happy customer.
Anyone who is tranny shopping has to seriously check these folks out. KD
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Garrard county, Kentucky
I know what you mean. Mine shifts pretty firm, but man when you get a load behind it, it smooths out, and is perfect in my opinion
Im sure yours will be the same. Its amazing the difference in the stock tranny, and a good aftermarket tranny. And to think if the factory would just put a lower stall converter, and a little more line pressure to them they would be SO much better. Oh well. Guess it just feels that much better when you upgrade 
Eric
Im sure yours will be the same. Its amazing the difference in the stock tranny, and a good aftermarket tranny. And to think if the factory would just put a lower stall converter, and a little more line pressure to them they would be SO much better. Oh well. Guess it just feels that much better when you upgrade Eric
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 953
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From: Southeastern Michigan
Yes, I am really pleased, anybody who is "thinkin about it" has got to beg, borrow, or steal the money to make this upgrade. It's really that much of a difference.
To see Dusty work on a tranny is amazing as well. This guy is a freakin wizard with these tranny's. KD
To see Dusty work on a tranny is amazing as well. This guy is a freakin wizard with these tranny's. KD
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Joined: Feb 2004
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From: south west, Michigan
Glad to here you like the tranny. Dusty will stand behind it to! So far he has changed 2 broken output shafts, moved me from a 91% converter to a 89% converter and re-adjusted my line pressure/shifts points, all to make sure the trans is set up perfect for me. Cant ask for much more then that!
