Christine's Plans For Denver (WAS: Transmission Skooling)

From: Terrible Tom (SilverEightynine@aol.com)
Date: Wed Nov 02 2005 - 12:36:32 EST


> If you are going to rebuild the new transplant trans, there are
> several tricks to making it stronger and last longer. But first we
> need to settle in on which trans will be used as each tranny has
> specific tips for its build that will increase fluid flow and extend
> the life of the trans internals while making the entire unit stronger.
>
> WiLieR
>

Lots of very good transmission information man - thank you! Let me go
into a little more detail on what I have in mind here. I'm basically
declaring the current engine, transmission, and vehical wireing harness
to be junk. Engine starts and runs, transmission shifts and moves the
truck, and so far I have not had major wiring failures... but I would
not feel comfortable taking Christine on the highway to Denver next
summer. I have already decided that I will not be towing her out there.
  The fuel costs are prohibitiave... I can't afford to buy my own
trailor - and after the experiances I had towing this summer with the
Ram and the U-haul trailor - I just ain't doin' that again.

So I think I'm going to open up my planning stages to The List and ask
for some input on what I should do.

Here are the options I as I see them:

Engine Choices:
3.9L Premagger (I have one I can rebuild)
3.9L Magnum V6
5.2L Magnum V8
5.9L Magnum V8

3.9L Premagnum Pros: Easiest and cheapest idea would be to rebuild the
Premagger 3.9 that I have sitting in the garage. Direct engine
replacement - no modifications necessary. I can work on them and know
them like the back of my hand. Can use stock ECM, wires, fuel system

3.9L Premagnum Cons: A stock premagnum engine with less power than I
want to have, few options for aftermarket modifications

3.9L Magnum V6 Pros: Easier than a V8 swap, more power for the same
weight as my stock engine, lighter than a V8, can use stock transission
better fuel economy than a V8

3.9L Magnum V6 Cons: Need to swap over ECM, wire harness, fuel system

5.2L Magnum V8 Pros: V8 power and sound, much better aftermarket parts
avaliblity - better power levels allow for better performance, towing,
hauling

5.2L Magnum V8 Cons: Possible transmission selection/compatibility
issues, have to swap wire harness, ECM, fuel system, will require
electric cooling fan, less fuel economy than a V6, more front end
weight, can my stock front end handle it? (axle halfshafts and
suspension?)

5.9L Magnum V8 Pros: Most amount of avalible swap in V8 power avalible
(also same pros as the 5.2 V8)

5.9L Magnum V8 Cons: Again, can my stock drivetrain handle that power?
It was not designed with a V8 in mind, or the kind of loose nut it would
have behind the wheel. (also same cons as 5.2L V8)

So I guess my delema isnt what transmission to use - its what engine I
am going to use.

My plans for Christine have never been anything as radical as what Walt
and Mike are doing with their Dakotas. Ever since I bought the thing
I've always wanted to turn it into a heavy duty work truck that I can
wheel with on the side. I am thinking a donor truck would work best,
that way I can get the engine/trans and the wire harness, the interior
peices I need, maybe even put air conditioning in there - heh I know I
swore I didn't need air conditioning... but I've grown to like some of
the Ram's creature comforts.

I want to ditch the IFS and put a solid axle under there - but for use
from a heavy duty stand point - not specifically for wheeling. I don't
need the axle width to stick the wheels out real far, and I don't need
it jacked up to the sky.

I also have some frame considerations to think about. I do have frame
rot in a couple places, but not severe at this point. Most of it is
limited to the IFS brackets and bumpstops and would be torched with a
solid axle anyway. So the frame is not bad enough to have to replace.

Soooooo... I have to get to work now... Guess thats about all I can
think of to post at the moment. I look forward to what you guys have to
say!

-- 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rocks are for skipping... I'm all about the mud
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