Good Morning Folks,
For those of you who are not interested in modified transmissions it would be
a good idea to hit the delete key now as this will be a little long.
For everybody who has been a member of the DML since 1997 you will probably
recall some message traffic from me concerning my transmission woes from the
very beginning. I won't recap everything from '97 now, but last May (1998) I
had
a complete transmission built using the TransGo "Mr.Shifter" Kit, modified
Pump,
Raybestos Clutches, Hayden Cooler and several internal modifications that go
beyond my comprehension. At that time, the Transmission Shop and I discussed
whether to use the original stock torque converter or upgrade to an after
market
one. At that time, we could not justify the expense of a new converter as the
stock one worked well and I did not want to change the stall speed. So we
used it.
This turned out to be a big mistake. For the last year the transmission
worked
absolutely wonderful. Then, in March it began to leak. I though it was a
pump
seal as it runs very high pressure. Then I began to notice a small shutter
upon
moving from a standstill. I took it into the shop near the end of April and
they
tore it down. What a mess.
The center weld on the stock Torque Converter let go. It was leaking like a
sive
and sending bits of weld material throughout the transmission. Didn't do the
clutches any good and there were signs of heat. Had to start from scratch
and build a new transmission.
Took nine days to build a new one. We used the TransGo "Mr.Shifter" Kit and
the Pump from the old trans. The Clutches were upgraded to Redline and we
installed a new (larger) 4-coil Hayden Cooler. I chose a Dynamic Torque
Converter
with the stock stall speed and the lock-up feature. The shop specialists
performed
their magic with the internal parts and valve body which I still don't
understand.
The main band was replaced with one made of Kevlar(sp). The Solenoids in the
valve body were replaced and the cable to the throttle body adjusted. Took it
for a test drive and it worked fantastic.
After I took delivery, I drove it 7 miles. At 55 MPH the connecting hose on
the
pressure side of the cooler let go. I dumped $120 worth of AMSOIL all over
my truck, the road and everybody behind me. What a total mess.
Had to call a flatbed to come and get the Dak. Most of the translines were
steel except for the connection at the cooler. This was done to allow for a
little flex. This was a mistake. All new lines were installed (warranty) and
double flanged at the cooler. This should not happen again. Took $27 in
quarters and two quarts of Simple Green and a lot of work to get the oil off
my truck.
As soon as I got it back, the steering locked up and I could only go straight.
It simply would not turn. More bad luck. The joints in the steering input
shaft
froze at the rack and pinion box. Took two days to get the part which was
$235 at the dealer plus installation.
My Dakota is now completed, clean and running better than ever. But it was
expensive.
Cost was: $1700 at the TransShop
300 for a rent a car
350 for the steering fix
100 for misc stuff (Oil Change, Summarization, cleaning,
etc.)
------
$2,450
The Dakota looks and runs much better than new, but I am broke.
Hope nobody makes the same stupid mistakes I did.
David R.
Sterling Heights
Michigan
drd892@aol.com
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