Well its a mixed bag of emotions, I feel good and bad. On with the story-New upgrades have the trans in bad land (sudder) and I know the real fix is a new transmission mainly becasue I have 167,000 on it already but figured Id try a valvebody patch until winters grip relents. Dropped it out put the kit in fill with oil and hey no leaks weee. So far so good, now its test time. Let it warm up and take off. Shifts are def stiffer 1st to 2nd to 3rd then 4th and RIGHT behind tq locks and then shudders **ouch** that wasnt suppose to happen. Anywho I guess the old trans is just to tired but at least it shifts firmer and when I do the trans build I know the valvebody is working correctly. I probably could drop pan and push line pressures up but....?? Also now the truck bucks HARD if Im doing 70mph and I pin it to the floor?? I dont think it is motor because this didnt happen until I installed the kit. They send a little circuit box to wire in did I get this wrong?? Anyone have ideas on this problem. It only does it pinned and moving and high speeds so I can deal for now. Any thoughs or ?'s out there.

 

Putting a new valve body in a tired transmission is like giving the Wifey a new stove and expecting it will make her a great chef.

Usually the VB is installed along with at least a new torque converter.
The TC might be having slipping issues with the higher pressures and subsequent sharper shifts.

 

Time for a tranny rebuild.

Mine just started the shutter and I have a BD trans pressure loc. It's worked great for years, but after 190K it's time. Mine goes to Georend Bros.next week. 6 hour drive from here, but I want Dave to install it.

 

Carefull, if you grenade that worn out trans you could very well (and probably will) fill the valvebody with debris rendering it too in need of an overhaul.

 

Let me ask you guys advice. My '96 4X4 has 95,000 miles. I've been slowly turning up the hp, and trans upgrades are next. Right now I have no slippage, in trans or TC, or any other problems. I'm debating whether to go with a VB or just a kit. When I pull the trans to replace the TC, I'm going to rebuild and upgrade it, but that won't be until the end of the year, I hope.
I'm leaning towards just the kit, to keep from damaging a new VB in case of failure.
So, what are your opinions? Which kit? Its a 47re of course. Thanks.

 

Sounds to me like the torque converter is toast..

 

Yup trans is just tired but I did Drive from home (MI) to PA and towed a dodge dakota extended cab back with a dolly 8hrs one way. No problems just didnt let the truck kick down and slip. The shift points are actually pretty firm but TC well is another story. Trans rebuild scheduled for EARLY spring. Funny when I was in the trans didnt find hardly any shavings of any type, its not tearing itself up just a weak old man.

 

Maybe you just need a better TC?

Eric