As some of you may know, My tranny's shot. I'm still waiting to hear back from my tranny guy on what exactly he's gonna charge me. My main question is, if I end up having him rebuild my tranny, are there certain parts I should beef up? In other words, what parts in the tranny are the weak point in order to prolong my tranny life. Ironically enough, I bought the Sonnax Sure Cure kit from the parts for sale section for $80 a couple of months ago, but I didn't get around to installing it. So need less to say, that will be installed. Oh, and I will have the freeze plugs replaced with brass plugs since those are leaking already. Any suggestions would surely be appreciated.

 

Everything, its a dodge!

 

'Nuff said, right. Sad but true!

 

i copied this out of another thread.

 

^^^ Well that saves me some typing... Now to explain a little. The biggest weak points in the dodge transmission is the **** poor VB programming/low line pressure and a poor quality torque converter. The torque converters make a lot of heat and the VB has too much slip programmed into it. Then there`s the things like a plastic accumulator piston, an aluminum input planetary and an unstable low/reverse servo... I`ve never bothered with the Sonnax sure cure as the Tran-Go does most of the same things PLUS reprograms the VB and raises line pressure. But I do ALWAYS add a Sonnax low/reverse servo to have peace of mind that reverse won`t go out randomly over a stock part that should have been replaced with aftermarket.

Also, the Borg-Warner kits come with thinner plates to get one more clutch plate in the clutch packs, which in the case of OD means 33% more holding surface. Oh, almost forgot, if you had problems with the OD planetary burning up DO NOT get the 6 pinion planetary...The reason the stock 4 and 5 pinion planetaries burn up is lack of lube, fact is 5 pinions burn out way more often than the 4 pinions. So a 6 pinion won`t last any longer. The only cure is a new intermediate shaft with updated oiling. This can be bought with the steel front planet for $150 (only $60 more than just the steel front planet).

Anyways, that is about all I would worry about on a stock to even mid level (350-400rwhp) performance build. After that it`s time to look for some diesel trans parts and a billet front cover converter.

 

great thread. has any of this info changed? i have a 2000 ram 1500 4wd i would like to bullet proof the tranny on. if i buy the parts outright and take to shop what all do i need? a list would suffice if possible? thx

 

Do a search for MonteC's transmission thread in the FAQ/DIY section. He compiled a great list. And I disagree with post about not upgrading to 6 gear planet set...but that's just me. I also do not agree with the logic for NOT installing the Sonax Sure Cure. I have tested VB with and without. And other things, not "programming" (whatever that meant) need to be done to alter pressure.

 

MonteC's list is on page 6 of his thread.

 

(I was too lazy to go look...but I knew it was there.)

 

I found it but its only for someone doing heavy towing everyday. How can I tell what I need with 3.55 gears, 33in tires and all I want to do is road/highway and 4 wheeling?

Are they the parts still the same?