To start out, I've actually spent a bit of time readingsome of the valuble comments and suggestion, but I am new to the forum. I have a '99' 1500 Ram 4x4, 360 eng w/auto trans, extended cab/6' bed.
My issues is similar to some of the posts of the past; Vibration & Tranny slip.
1) My vibration or shutter can happen at pretty much any speed; the formula is the engine is at coasting or low RPM and in high gear. You start to press on the gas, the engine bogs slightly then it happens - scares the crap out of you or your passenger (it sounds and feels similar to a dry shaft turning in a tight rubber sleeve). You let up on the gas slightly, it goes away then you can step on the gas again, it might or might not come back - it surelywon't come back if it steps up a gear. It doesn't always happen, but the above conditions need to be met.
2) My tranny slip tends to happen more in the cooler weather, but not as bad in warmer days. It is when you first start the truck and take off, you rev. the engine slightly and it gradually takes off. Once your moving or driving around there is no further slippinng, just the initial take off for the day. In a previous post there was a recommendation that a faultycheck valve could be draining the torque converter, not sure where it would be.
I've changed the tranny oil and filter, checked the U joints and just finished replacing the right front bearing/hub assemble.
Any thoughts? Sincerely Jim

 

so when its happening with the low RPM and slight gas pedal push, does it somewhat disappear when you turn the OD off?

here's how you may do it, OD on as you approach 45mph going to 60 (or highway speed) you turn the OD off (turn it off at 45) to keep the rpms above 2000 even on high gear, this way you avoid the shudder on the low rpm usually at 1200-1300. (bad gas mileage)

this is currently my problem and I usually avoid it by switching back to OD on and off for example going uphill I may turn on OD just to rev up or slighly brake to disengage OD to rev up. (like downshifting on a stick)

some people had luck with just changing the TPS, changing fluids, changing filters. but my problem "maybe" somewhere in the valve body not pressurizing properly. besides I found a chunk of aluminum part laying in my tranny pan and its probably a former valve body part.

also it may be the TC, TV cable adjustment or bands that need to be re torqued.

 

Interesting reply about pressure in the valve body. I would say there is a good chance that this is the locataion of the problem. I had the same issues about a year ago with the shudder. I never had any problems with slippage though. I had my mechanic install a shift kit. He also flushed the tranny and refilled with with ATF+4 and he checked the adjustment on the bands. The shudder has never come back after that.

A shift kit requires boring out some of the openings in the valve body and replacing the valves and springs. This results in greater line pressure and firmer, quickershifts.

You can prevent the shudder by downshifting as described above. Kicking it out of OD will help. Having some work done on the valve body will probably eliminate the problem. You could probably have the valve body serviced and put in OEM parts. But for the labor and parts cost, you might as well go for the shift kit. You can get them with various degrees of performance. My mechanic used a "Superior" brand shift kit and installed the parts for the "Performance" setting. It's been about a year, so I might not be quite correctin my terms, but basically you can get kitsvarious degrees of shifting firmness. I'm pleased with the way the truck shifts. I'm a family man and don't go ripping around with my truck (usually), but it isn't a wicked shifting setup. It's firm, but not harsh.

Having the shift kit installed will run around $200 - $300 depending on the mechanic and brand of parts. The other good thing is that a shift kit can actually extend the life of your transmission by reducing slippage and it will get rid of that annoying shudder.

 

i had a local shop install one of these kits in mine when they went through my tranny they said it does wonders for these trannys and it did help alot ive had no troubles whatsoever with it......i know it says it wont fit a 99 but they might have something that will fit....just a thought....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...;rd=1&rd=1

 

I have the same problem.
My transmission was in need of help 40k miles ago when I replaced the engine...long story, people before me abused the poor truck. I flushed the fluid then and just figured I would get the tranny rebuilt when it started acting up. Well that point came about a month ago. (Side note here, don't order anything from seattle remanufactured).
I had the tranny rebuilt, had red eagle clutches put in and had a shift kit done, tranny shifts like buttah now. Problem is that ths shutter I experienced before the tranny rebuild has come back. Mechanic said that the torque converter was about shot and that the clutches were shot as well (probably didnt help the situation at all), now I am fairly certain that it is the TPS. I will find out on payday, 50$ and a half hour of my time should do the trick.

 

This past w/e i did some testing with the OD and the vibration does go away when i shut the OD off. I'd like to look into the shift kit and if they have it for the 99. Thanks for your help.

 

Thanks guys for your comments, the OD does make a difference for the vibration, maybe a shift kit will cure the other issue (slippage). Have any of you installed the kit yourself or is it typically a tranny guy that should do the work. Thanks again, Jim

 

Since you are having problems with slippage, it might be a good idea to have a reputable tranny shop do the work. They may be able to discover a problem that you aren't able to recognize.

If you want to tackle the job yourself, it consists of lowering the tranny pan, draining the fluids, and pulling the valve body off. This is a lot easier if it's done on a lift, but could be done with the truck up on jackstands. I'm pretty sure you only have to drill out a few of the holes and installing the new springs and valves in the valve body. The trick is to make sure you drill out the proper holes and get all the parts back together properly. Make sure you have gaskets or sealant to put the pan back on. It's also critical to have a manual (Chilton's or other) so you can torque the valve body bolts in the proper sequence and to the proper torque. Also be prepared to have a lot of oildrain outwhen pulling the valve body down and to get dripped on when putting it all back together.

Personnally, I would ask around and find out who is a good shop or mechanic with transmissions in your area. Fortunately, the guy who put in my shift kit is a good friend, so he gave me a break on the labor. He's also one of the best tranny mechanics in central Pa who has a successful business through word-of-mouth advertising. Good luck with it.

 

JimO I found this link, it will give a better description of installing the shift kit than I did previously.
http://hometown.aol.com/gnkim/transgo1.html