1995 Ram 2500 with 5.9 automatic 4x4 with 3.55 gears I think. This was an old work truck I bought and tried pulling my boat today which weighs around 7,000 pounds. While accelerating with o/d off the RPMS seem to jump about a couple hundred RPMS just before it shifts. The transmission was rebuilt a year ago. But that was before I bought it.
I only went 2 miles with the boat. I used low range pulling up the steep boat ramp so I wouldnt strain it too bad. This is the first automatic I have owned in 10 years.
Could it need a band adjustment?

 

depends on the miles. Many here will say "Unless there is a problem, don't touch the bands."

I figure that every 60K you should "bite the bullet" and send it to the dealership for drain/fill/filter/band adjustment. With your own drain and fills and filter replacement in between. The dealership only charges $120 for that service. However, I would bet that they don't do the band adjustment. When i did a drain and fill. i had to buy 12 quarts of tranny fluid. And the filter/gasket. Ran about 100 because i used synthetic at 7 dollars per quart. So the extra 20 gets you the full service.

It is something that you can really jack up. Especially if you are using an autozone torque wrench!!

 

If its flaring the rpms during the shifts it needs a band adjustment.