The converter is slipping in my truck and it is starting to shudder kind of bad. I am planning on a whole new tranny and converter. I've been reading some older posts about the different brands and have pretty much decided to go with the ATS. Mainly because of dealer support local. TST isn't that far from me as well as Scheids, so I have a choice.
My question is how does this tranny work without the Torque Commander, does anyone just have the converter and tranny without the commander? Those that have the commander how does it shift without it on? I'm debating on skipping the commander in favor of injectors to get a little more power. I have 238,000 miles on my truck and am thinking it may be time for new ones. I can always add the commander later so I'm told.

 

The commander is great. I would definitely recommend getting it as part of the package. The coolest feature about the commander is that it prevents the constant locking/unlocking of the TC as you are on/off the gas... a very nice change from the stock setup.

To be honest, I haven't yet driven the truck without the commander powered on... I guess I should try it out, but I'm sure it won't be off for long.

Whether you get it now or later is up to you, just so long as you get it.

 

I'll second what CTD99 said. I drove my ATS without the commander for a couple of months after I had it installed, and of course I noticed a huge improvement over stock. With the commander, however, the tranny is completely out of this world. It really takes up the slack where the stock programming can't keep up. Everytime you hit the brakes, completely let off the gas, or go WOT, the converter will unlock with anyone's tranny without some kind of controller. The Commander takes over the stock programming and keeps those huge 3 disks in the Triplelok doing what they should... putting the power to the ground!

John

 

I have the AST commander, and when the commander is off, the trucks PCM takes charge and the TC will react like a stock truck (you still have a triple-loc, so it will not slip, but control wise, you are back to stock). It would be ashame to get the new trany, TC and not take advantage of having the TC lock up in 2nd gear, or not having the TC locked up for braking. If you can, go ahead and spend the extra 400 bucks, it will be well worth it. Also, if it is between the two shops you posted, I'd have to say go with TST. They are very nice, do great work, and they were more then reasonable on my installation. Also they have a fall special, you get an extra 5% off, hey it saved me about 370 bucks. also don't forget to ask for some cool looking TST stickers.

 

I ordered the whole package including the commander today from TST. ;D I really liked how they talked to me about my choices and options, they were a little higher than Scheids but made me feel more comfortable. I believe I will go with the #4 plate as well. I can't wait . Only 10 more days!
Any opinions on the #4 plate?

 

Y-knot, did you wait on your tranny to be installed or did you just drop it off and pick it up the next day? I am planning on waiting on mine. Any suggestions on things to do close by?

 

MUDCAT,

glade to hear you are going to get the ATS, you will not be sorry. TST is a very nice place, and the gut that will do the installation is top notch. They had very competive prices, and like I said they have a 5% sale on. I was going to stay in columbus, they even offered to drive me to a local hotel, and pick me up when finished. But I had them do several more things then just the trany, and I wasn't in any hurry, nor did I want them to be in a hurry (or atleast feel like they were under the gun). So I droped the truck off on monday mourning and picked it up wednesday afternoon. If you are having the whole trany package installed , and a plate change it will take longer then a day. Do you run one of there plates now? Don't forget to get your stickers, they look great on the side of the truck. When I went up, we were there about 2 hours early, so we stopped at the columbus McDonalds, and drank coffee and read the paper to kill time. I must have had 20 people stop to look at the truck, I guess most of them worked at the cummins plant, which was very near by. Is there a exhaust brake in the future? You know you could just get them to install a PAC-BRAKE while you are there????? Let me know how it all turns out. I am sure you will enjoy the new parts.

 

They said it could be completed in a day at least the tranny. I can install the plate myself if need be. I haven't decided between the 370s or the plate yet, still doing reasearch. It is hard for me to get off work 2 days this time of year so I was hoping to drop and drive in the same day. If it doesn't work out I guess I will be staying in town for a while. I don't do any heavy towing with mine just a couple ATVs mostly. I don't think a Pacbrake is in my plans right now. I'm mainly after a Powerstroke of a friends. ;D I drive this truck 70+ miles a day to work so it has to keep the drivability and fuel mileage.
Only 8 more days!! ;D