Going for a full build!

[pepsi71ocean]

After much back and forth arguing i decided to do a full build, my new job assignment more or less requires a truck that is 4wd capable, reliable and gets great MPG.and as such my 99 is well suited minus the missing trans.The problem is the job is in Philly, which is nothing but traffic, mostly going home that is, i'll sit in traffic for the first hour of my drive, once i get out of the construction zone im all good and its highway speeds from there.After a failed attempt at a shift kit install, i sent the kit back to DTt with my VB, where they have been sitting for a few months.I decided to just get a built transmission, i decided on DTT since they already have the shift kit, and Stephan is a site sponsor, plus they are good people to deal with.the question is how do you guys think a fully built trans will handle the drive, plus towing i still tow, and there are opportunities to tow as well as i might buy my first toy hauler as well.I will be adding a Pac Brake on the truck down the road to aid in braking and in warm up.my other question is can a fully built trans handle towing in 4th gear? i used to tow in 4th on level ground with my stocker trans but that might have been part of the problem. i will not like when i say the Camper sticker said that the GVW was 13,900.Now i have hauled before way heavier stuff then this, i just want to know how the built trans will handle the constant double duty as a DD and a heavy hauler.I will be posting videos once this truck is all together again. i miss the sound of my truck

[Mopar1973Man]

Hopefully CajFlynn shows up... He's a pro to what it takes to tow with a Automatic...

[MarbleCrusher]

Im not really knowledgeable with the autos but would be curious to see what CajFlynn and everyone one elses input is-Jordan-

[dripley]

i cant see why daily driving a built a auto would be differant than driving a heavy duty manual. i drive most of my miles un loaded. i have heard here and other forums of people pulling heavier trailers in od in an auto. but ihave no personal experiance with an auto.

[Dave3500]

i cant see why daily driving a built a auto would be differant than driving a heavy duty manual. i drive most of my miles un loaded. i have heard here and other forums of people pulling heavier trailers in od in an auto. but ihave no personal experiance with an auto.

I'm checking this out as well, I'd like to know. It seems to me like if one is not sled pulling or drag racing it should outlast us all, but let's hear from the experts! Dave

[anoldbiker]

Well I'm not a pro with the auto in the dodge, but as for actual use, in 2006, I had a stock vehicle and moved from California to Tennessee (total of 2,000 miles) with a 10k trailer filled to the max and had no problems with it. It did need to be put it in tow when I was going up the Rockies and went back to OD the rest of the pull. Outside of wanting better mpg, I praise my truck.Since then I have not pulled that heavy for that mileage, but have had no issues with my trans. Hope this helps.

[dually]

Built trannys are fine in everyday use. They are just built better and stronger plane and simple. If you change the torque converter stall speed to help light a bigger turbo like an s400 or something you may have trouble in a dd. If you leave the converter at a stock stall speed i see no problem.

[Dave3500]

Built trannys are fine in everyday use. They are just built better and stronger plane and simple. If you change the torque converter stall speed to help light a bigger turbo like an s400 or something you may have trouble in a dd. If you leave the converter at a stock stall speed i see no problem.

For a DD, a trans specialist told my to change the fluid every 30,000 miles & it will last. But that was w a gasser. A diesel changes everything esp. w how we like 'em! Dave

[dually]

For what it is worth my tranny guy said once a year. If you think about it most of us just drop the pan and do a filter change. For the most part thats fine, thats what i do. However the converter still has fluid in it. This may sound like overkill but this is what i do, Pull the tranny drain plug,drop the pan,change the filter and refill. Drive a day. pull the pan plug, drain and refill...Call it good.

[Dave3500]

For what it is worth my tranny guy said once a year. If you think about it most of us just drop the pan and do a filter change. For the most part thats fine, thats what i do. However the converter still has fluid in it. This may sound like overkill but this is what i do, Pull the tranny drain plug,drop the pan,change the filter and refill. Drive a day. pull the pan plug, drain and refill...Call it good.

Call it excellent! Hey, keep it running young! When you do the second drain is there any junk in the pan? How 'bout a tranny flush? The tranny specialist told me it's about renewing the fluid too. We are required to run syn, so that's the best the world has to offer us, so just keep it clean! Dave

[dually]

The nearest shop here offers the total fluid change but it is over 100.00. When i do the 2nd change the fluid is good looking. I use what the tranny builder recommends, valvoline max life, The stuff stinks like burnt fluid when you open the cap on a new bottle. I always get a kick out of it when a buddy comes over and get's a wiff of my tranny stick. They respond by saying "dude change the fluid" then i get a new bottle and give them a wiff.

[Dave3500]

Dude!

[dually]

[JOHNFAK]

Wait for CAtjflyyn But in meantime - I have a DTT tranny and enjoy. I don't however think its much greater than stock. But it depends on what you mean BUILT. I have higher line pressure for clutch holding, more clutches , upgraded solenoids and apply lever etc and a 3x disk TC with upgraded VB. Anyway - TC and VB were biggest value for me. But I am only 350-400 HP. I think if your going above that you need to consider shafts and flex plate. Not sure what else you could really do - as its heat and friction that will kill the internals, torque will kill the shafts. So I know you know all this already But I'd say shop around and just get a good TC and VB ...... wait until your tranny internals start playing up - and then line up a refresh/rebuild for around $2000. This of course changes if your doing boosted launches or aiming over a true 400 HP. oh - i LOVE THIS BTW - gives me a great sense of security. http://www.jcwhitney.com/fan-cooled-oil-cooler-7-6tube/p2000854.jcwx?skuId=189427&filterid=j1

[2500ctd]

I have a Goerneds, tranny, triple disc TC, billet input shaft, deep pan and his shift kit set up for more towing. I actually believe I have one of his earlier lower stall converters too. As for daily driving, it makes the truck more fun to drive. Its more responsive, I like the firm but not harsh shifts. You acn watch the tach needle drop 200 rpm when the TC locksup. Get on it with the TC locked up and acclerates. No flare in rpms. Of course that is my trick for tailgaters as it does load the engine and makes it smoke, alot if I want it too. Yea at times I can be an . I rode in a truck after my tranny and couldnt believe the difference. Stock tranny is definately a slush box. My truck is just stating to do that shift in and out of lockup, not sure what to do about it.I already have over 100K on the gorends tranny and have no issues. In the tow pic thread are some pics of me towing. I have grossed normally around 23K. Recent trip was about 22K goign north on I5 from AZ to WA. I'm sure some know those hills, grapevine and the mountains leading into OR. Goin up is no problem. Coming down I that my :brake:s are working.

[JOHNFAK]

Goin up is no problem. Coming down I that my :brake:s are working.

^^^^ ainit that the truth !!

[dripley]

I have a Goerneds, tranny, triple disc TC, billet input shaft, deep pan and his shift kit set up for more towing. I actually believe I have one of his earlier lower stall converters too. As for daily driving, it makes the truck more fun to drive. Its more responsive, I like the firm but not harsh shifts. You acn watch the tach needle drop 200 rpm when the TC locksup. Get on it with the TC locked up and acclerates. No flare in rpms. Of course that is my trick for tailgaters as it does load the engine and makes it smoke, alot if I want it too. Yea at times I can be an . I rode in a truck after my tranny and couldnt believe the difference. Stock tranny is definately a slush box. My truck is just stating to do that shift in and out of lockup, not sure what to do about it. I already have over 100K on the gorends tranny and have no issues. In the tow pic thread are some pics of me towing. I have grossed normally around 23K. Recent trip was about 22K goign north on I5 from AZ to WA. I'm sure some know those hills, grapevine and the mountains leading into OR. Goin up is no problem. Coming down I that my :brake:s are working.

^^^^ ainit that the truth !!

can yall use an ehaust brake on your autos?

[War Eagle]

Would be nice if we could. Just have to shift down and use the brakes to keep the speed down.Good brakes are an important tool on the truck.

[cajflynn]

I have towed a little bit with an automatic. 6k miles this week so far! I towed a 16k load from NJ to Las Vegas. Then a 12k load to Miami form Las Vegas. I towed in OD the entire time that I could. There were quite a few hills that I had to downshift for. I am happy to share my thoughts.A built trans will probably shift really hard. That will be hard on the hard parts if you are towing heavy. I would tell Stefan you don't want hard shifts. I would also ask what kind of planets they use. Dave G. says to use Chrysler planets because aftermarket planets don't last long. I cannot verify that but Dave G. buys a lot of DTT parts so maybe they will say the same thing.I change my fluid and filter every 30k miles. Every 30k miles! If I buy a used truck I change the fluid right away. I never flush them.Towing in OD with a stock torque converter is not the same thing as towing in OD with a triple disc converter. The stock converter will slip a lot and create a lot of heat. The triple will no slip. Less heat will translate to a longer trans life. If you tow heavy in traffic you need to be careful not to overheat the trans. The cooler lines run through the block so when you are in traffic the fluid will go to the engine temp right away and higher as you stop and go. You can use an exhaust brake with an automatic. You just need a lock up controller. My bottom line with the automatic is that you can certainly tow with them in OD for a long time. I try to keep my fluid clean and my temps down.

[pepsi71ocean]

So much has transpired since i started this thread....I would like to have a low stall converter, but i wonder if those can be "found", seem like fun to watch the rpm's drop a few hundred on lock up.I will talk to Stephan about the planetary gears, I did go with a Billet input shaft, and flex plate.I will also discuss the harsh shifting, over some more easy going shifting as well.( I had a shop drop my trans because i have been working so much and they took out my trans pan, so i'll be getting a double deep pan will cooling fins on it.Stephan said he has a new transmission cooler coming out soon i think.Still taking advice on this build.