Sonnax or Transgo?
Captain
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 578
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From: New Jersey
i did my first tfod jr shift kit like 2 weeks ago, without ever doing it before. yeah it was a pita but as long as u have decent skills u can do it. be prepared to sit down for about 2.5 to 3 hours to get it done
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Captain
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 597
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From:
Its a puzzle, that's for sure. Taking notes and pictures is an absolute must if you're a first timer in there. Note the position of all bolts, springs, and especially check *****. Read the directions at least three times, and just before you do another step, check it again and make sure you aren't putting a part in backwards.
Give yourself an entire weekend to do it. If you rush, you'll end up with a FUBAR valvebody and trans in the end.
I recommend using giant white trash bags as a table cover to work on, and gallon zip lock bags to put parts in on disassembly. It really helps you to find lost parts and keep parts that go together, together. Also I'd use a sharpie to label the bags and note any odd steps you had to take to get a part off or how to route a specific part.
and be prepared to cuss, a lot.
Give yourself an entire weekend to do it. If you rush, you'll end up with a FUBAR valvebody and trans in the end.
I recommend using giant white trash bags as a table cover to work on, and gallon zip lock bags to put parts in on disassembly. It really helps you to find lost parts and keep parts that go together, together. Also I'd use a sharpie to label the bags and note any odd steps you had to take to get a part off or how to route a specific part.
and be prepared to cuss, a lot.
I remember putting the accumulator piston in backwards the first time and then wondered why it was binding up on the 1-2 shift! ROFL!!! Had to pull it all back apart to fix that. Think I went through about 15 quarts of trans fluid.
I know better this time.
Champion
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,416
Likes: 4
From: Bay Area, CA
I installed the sonnax sure cure and I LOVE IT!!! Yeah it fixes problems dodge made at the factory but I swear, once I finished installing it, I took it for a test drive and it was like greased lighting! Shifts as smooth as silk. If I had the chance to do it again versus the Transgo, I'd do the sonnax in a heart beat. Go with your gut...
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Captain
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 597
Likes: 0
From:
I installed the sonnax sure cure and I LOVE IT!!! Yeah it fixes problems dodge made at the factory but I swear, once I finished installing it, I took it for a test drive and it was like greased lighting! Shifts as smooth as silk. If I had the chance to do it again versus the Transgo, I'd do the sonnax in a heart beat. Go with your gut...
Since I pretty much know what the Transgo Kit does (firms up shifting, improves lubrication and cooling, firms up TC lockup, allows pump to run in Park, eliminates drain-back from the cooler so you don't need the check ball, etc) but was wondering what improvements the Sonnax kit made.
Good info! Thanks!
Champion
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,416
Likes: 4
From: Bay Area, CA
So the Sonnax actually made the transmission shift smoother? What other changes did you notice? What about torque converter clutch lockup speed? Did any shift points change? What about down shifting (I know that is primarily adjusted by the TV cable)?
Since I pretty much know what the Transgo Kit does (firms up shifting, improves lubrication and cooling, firms up TC lockup, allows pump to run in Park, eliminates drain-back from the cooler so you don't need the check ball, etc) but was wondering what improvements the Sonnax kit made.
Good info! Thanks!
Since I pretty much know what the Transgo Kit does (firms up shifting, improves lubrication and cooling, firms up TC lockup, allows pump to run in Park, eliminates drain-back from the cooler so you don't need the check ball, etc) but was wondering what improvements the Sonnax kit made.
Good info! Thanks!
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Captain
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 597
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More good info. I appreciate it, man. 
Is the TC lockup faster or the same? Part of the problem with these 46REs is the TC takes it's sweet time during the actual lockup. More than a second in my truck. That's what burns up the clutch in the TC. Did the Sonnax firm up the TC lockup?
Far as the OD lube, that is good to know! I'm not sure if the Transgo Kit improves lube to the OD or not. Can't remember. It's been a year or so since I installed the kit on the old VB.
Is the TC lockup faster or the same? Part of the problem with these 46REs is the TC takes it's sweet time during the actual lockup. More than a second in my truck. That's what burns up the clutch in the TC. Did the Sonnax firm up the TC lockup?
Far as the OD lube, that is good to know! I'm not sure if the Transgo Kit improves lube to the OD or not. Can't remember. It's been a year or so since I installed the kit on the old VB.
Champion
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,416
Likes: 4
From: Bay Area, CA
More good info. I appreciate it, man.
Is the TC lockup faster or the same? Part of the problem with these 46REs is the TC takes it's sweet time during the actual lockup. More than a second in my truck. That's what burns up the clutch in the TC. Did the Sonnax firm up the TC lockup?
Far as the OD lube, that is good to know! I'm not sure if the Transgo Kit improves lube to the OD or not. Can't remember. It's been a year or so since I installed the kit on the old VB.
Is the TC lockup faster or the same? Part of the problem with these 46REs is the TC takes it's sweet time during the actual lockup. More than a second in my truck. That's what burns up the clutch in the TC. Did the Sonnax firm up the TC lockup?
Far as the OD lube, that is good to know! I'm not sure if the Transgo Kit improves lube to the OD or not. Can't remember. It's been a year or so since I installed the kit on the old VB.