I'm running 235/75R15 with 4.11 gears and a Superlift Truspeed calibrator.

My transmission shifts at the right times, but they feel hesitated often and sometimes (usually at W.O.T.) very abrupt.

My truck has 57k original miles and I know it sat for a long time. I think I should replace the tranny fluid and I thought it would be a good opportunity to mod it a bit.

Here are my mods and there associated questions. Please chime in with any thoughts or experiences!

1: Amsoil Synthetic Multi-Vehicle Automatic Transmission Fluid

http://ww2.amsoil.com/shop/by-product/transmission-fluid/automatic/synthetic-multi-vehicle-automatic-transmission-fluid/?code=ATFQT-EA&Code=ATFQT-EA

Would it be better just to have a full flush done?

2: Tension the Band?
I've seen that there is one adjustment.
Do most shops do this with a filter change?

3. Change the filter
Did this on my last Dakota. It's a messy job. I think I want someone else to deal with it this time.

4. Shift Kit
http://www.ebay.com/itm/A500-500-A51...070c51&vxp=mtr

I notice this has 4 levels of adjustment.
What exactly changes?
I'm thinking of Heavy Duty, but what would be the downside to the Full Competition setting?

I think that should be everything to overhaul it. But, if there is anything else easy or worthwhile, I'm all ears.Thanks!

 

1. Best transmission fluid is Mopar ATF+3 or higher.
2. Yes re-tightening the bands are good to do.
3. Yes diffidently change the filter.
4. That kit looks okay, but I'm not a transmission guy so there may be better kits out there.

I'm sure there are tons of threads on shift kits. Try doing a search.

Also there is a transmission master tech on here, he mostly is on the 2nd or 3rd Gen Ram section.

Master Tech

Try reacting him in the Transmission help links he has in those sections.

 

check out these guys.
A & Reds
3737 W. 29th S.
Wichita, KS 67217
316-942-5300
800-835-1007

 

I definitely search the forum pretty hard before I ask. But, I can definitely overlook things, I suppose.

A google search turned this up:

http://www.dodgedakotas.com/boards/v6/10130.html

"
Message:
Use chrysler ATF+4 or Amsoil synthetic ONLY no
treatment crap,

No the transgo kit will not create to much presure
and harm the trans.

Front band 2 turns
rear band 3 3/4

Just mark the adjuster bolts and tighten snug with
a short wrench and back of the amount of turns,
see where they are first by marking the bolt and
turning in untill snug, or use torque wrench at
72 inch pounds 6 foot pounds than back off, in 30
years of working on these trans I have never used
a torque wrench to adjust any bands its not needed
snug botomed out 0 travel left than back off

Transgo kit can be set up in 3 diff stages as we
do them in the shop

Stage 1
towing heavy street and 4X4, nice firm but
not harsh shifts
Do all valve body work and turn the presure up
2 1/2 turns

Stage 2 all the same but drill the holes in the
seporater plate larger, tire chirping fast shifts
excellent for 2 wheel drive people with heavy
right foot

Stage 3
Install the shift comand and all the servo parts
which is a spacer on front servo firms 2-3 shift
rear servo install spacer and spring and you can
now take the presure up 4 to 5 turns
Front band 1 3/4
Rear band 3 1/2
(RE be sure to install resistor or you will get
trans presure trouble codes)
Now you can law a foot or 2 of rubber down when
shifting, and shift the trans totaly manualy
having the ability to select any gear at any
speed or rpm

A faster firmer shift has less slipage and heat
build up and heat is what kills transmissions
1 thing I forgot to add on the stage 3 setup

Lockup hopup
If you do this you will need to replace the
housing rings front of trans that come with the
kit it will firm lockup just like all other gears
and learch the truck foward when it enguages"

That's pretty much the answer I was looking for. So, I thought I'd repeat it in this post.