Just bought a 2002 Ram (my first diesel) and noticed the transmission acting strangely. Overall it shifts good and no signs of slipping, but when slowing down the transmission downshifts into first pretty hard and makes a slight clunking noise...any idea what this is?


Also what can I do to help the tranny live longer besides adding deeper pan and large cooler???

Aftermarket valve body?

 

Anyone have an idea?

 

Check all the mounting bolts and the cross member bolts.

As for the other, yeah, a built valve body would help big time. Another member here on DTR (I think his name is Blackdodge, maybe) was running a DTT valve body and was pushing around 500 hp. I think. It's been awhile since I read it.

 

Check your u-joints also. If quite a few miles , servic - filter, fluid - band adjustment. The bands being adjusted properly affect the shift timing.

I had my factory torque converter start slipping so replaced it with a DTT single disk and SunCoast valve body. Pulled the check ball from the heat exchanger per Sun coast. Rest of the trans is stock and shifts good and solid now.

 

Thanks for the help!