DTT is in!!

[Mechanos]

Just got done installing my DTT rebuilt trans. Now this is how an auto should behave!!!!!! :smokin: :smokin:

[weedwacker]

I still remember the first time I dropped mine into drive after an instal 4 years ago. Damn shame Dodge still can't get them to transfer power and shift like Bill K and crew.

[DRM]

So how does it feel? I just had a local shop rebuild mine, and I am not all that impressed so far.

[Mechanos]

Mine feels AWESOME!!! Damn near get wood everytime it shifts. What probably feels the best, though, is that I ordered all the parts from DTT and rebuilt it myself.

To say that the 1-2 shift is crisp would be an understatement. 2-3 and 3-4 are quite crisp but 1-2 is sharp!!!

[Mechanos]

So how does it feel? I just had a local shop rebuild mine, and I am not all that impressed so far.
Dude... there is no way in hell a "local shop" can put out anything in the same leauge as one of Bill K's units.

[SanDiegoCJ]

I still remember the first time I dropped mine into drive after an instal 4 years ago. Damn shame Dodge still can't get them to transfer power and shift like Bill K and crew.


:shaking:

Dodge CAN make a transmission just like a DTT, but it won't sell, at least to
the large majority of their customers. Most of their customers DO NOT want
to feel the trans shift, they want it to be "uber smooth". Also, to make a trans
like the DTT costs a bunch more $$$$$$$$$$$ than what they supply now, and
again most of their customers DO NOT want to pay the $$$$$$$$$$ premium.

[tv_larsen]

Mine feels AWESOME!!! Damn near get wood everytime it shifts. What probably feels the best, though, is that I ordered all the parts from DTT and rebuilt it myself.

So, what's the parts list? What upgrades did you install?

[DRM]

Dude... there is no way in hell a "local shop" can put out anything in the same leauge as one of Bill K's units.

Did I ask that? :rolleyes:

Oh, and you are wrong if you are assuming Bill is the only guy out there who knows how to build a tranny. That's just plain silly.

[Mechanos]

Master rebuild kit with front clutch update
Billet front servo
Billet accumulator
4.4:1 front servo arm, HD band strut, HD band anchor
OD update kit
Towing valve body
Torque convertor
Voltage regulator
Mag-Hytech double deep pan

I was told that basically, it is everything they do on a standard rebuild (Full DTT trans). It's not just what parts are put into the trans, it's also HOW the parts are put into the trans. Beyond that I will not say more.

I added a billet input shaft on top of the rest of the parts because I would like to add an exhaust brake in the future.

I also replaced the electronics on the VB (which they do standard, but these components do not come with the new VB) with parts I got from the local Dodge dealer. I also had some hard parts damage that caused me to replace some other internal parts as well.

[Mechanos]

Did I ask that? :rolleyes:

Oh, and you are wrong if you are assuming Bill is the only guy out there who knows how to build a tranny. That's just plain silly.
Don't get all butt hurt and girly, now.

I never said Bill was the only one who knows how to build as trans. I know there are about 4 BIG names in the built auto arena (for the Dodges, at least), but since you didn't name the company you used, I assumed you were talking about a local shop like Joe's Transmissions or something like that. Hell, a well trained monkey could put one these things together, it not that hard. But the R&D, tips, tricks and experience learned from the racing environment are what makes the difference in a trans that will stay behind a stock engine and trans that will hold 600 hp & 1200 ft-lbs.

I talked with several of the big name trans builders, and discussed what they do and why (in as much detail as they were willing to openly discuss) and made my decision based on those conversations. I was most impressed with DTT's explanations of why they do what they do.

[DutchTJ]

good choice on the tranny ... even though I went with a Goerend with 3disk TC :D

[DRM]

So I ask again, how does it feel?

[MattS]

So I ask again, how does it feel?

Post 4.

Mine feels AWESOME!!! Damn near get wood everytime it shifts. What probably feels the best, though, is that I ordered all the parts from DTT and rebuilt it myself.

To say that the 1-2 shift is crisp would be an understatement. 2-3 and 3-4 are quite crisp but 1-2 is sharp!!!

[Mechanos]

So I ask again, how does it feel?
[Foghorn Leghorn]I say, son, pay attention!![/Foghorn Leghorn]

EDIT: damn... linky didn't work

[DRM]

[Foghorn Leghorn]I say, son, pay attention!![/Foghorn Leghorn]

Clicky (http://frogstar.com/wav/displaywav.asp?fil=getnthru.wav)

Crisp shifts - my local rebuild has that. How about take off? How does it pull through the gears with a load behind it? That's the stuff I am interested in, so I can compare it to my rebuild.

I talked to Goerend about their trans, then the local guy. The local guy was able to describe a lot of stuff that sounded about in par with what Goerend does. I have had several other dealings with the local guy where he *could* have taken us for more money, but chose to be honest and save us some coin.

He said there were upgrades and mods he does specifically for pulling. Mine uses a triple loc converter, and the same VB that ATS uses.

Again, I am trying to get an idea maybe what my trans *should* feel like, so when I take it back for him to check, I can better describe what I think is up with it.

[Mechanos]

Well, since I just got it all buttoned up last night, I haven't had a chance to put the trailer behind it yet, so I can't answer that one. The best suggestion I could give you is to try to find someone in your area that has a DTT and ask them to take you for a ride in it. Seat of the pants is the best to judge it anyhow.

[MattS]

To help DRM out I'd like to know if the 2-3 shift has a noticeable RPM drop it or if the RPM stays about the same like with the stocker. Since it's slipping thru most of 2nd and into 3rd. :shaking:

[Mechanos]

To help DRM out I'd like to know if the 2-3 shift has a noticeable RPM drop it or if the RPM stays about the same like with the stocker. Since it's slipping thru most of 2nd and into 3rd. :shaking:
Oh yeah, there's a noticable drop in RPM on the 2-3. DTT's system specifically addresses the problems that cause the slipping. Just for you guys, I paid close attention to the tach on the way home from work today. Of course, the actual RPM drop is going to depend on how hard you're into the throttle. I had a chance to leave a 4-way stop with nothing in front of me, so I put my foot in it pretty good. After my vision came back into focus from the 1-2 shift I watched the tach as the 2-3 shift took place. It dropped about 600 RPM on the 2-3 shift.

[MattS]

Oh yeah, there's a noticable drop in RPM on the 2-3. DTT's system specifically addresses the problems that cause the slipping. Just for you guys, I paid close attention to the tach on the way home from work today. Of course, the actual RPM drop is going to depend on how hard you're into the throttle. I had a chance to leave a 4-way stop with nothing in front of me, so I put my foot in it pretty good. After my vision came back into focus from the 1-2 shift I watched the tach as the 2-3 shift took place. It dropped about 600 RPM on the 2-3 shift.

Mines drops about 50. No joke. Well, that's went it's not shuddering trying to remove my fillings. So what are you charging for installs. :laughing:

[Mechanos]

Mines drops about 50. No joke. Well, that's went it's not shuddering trying to remove my fillings. So what are you charging for installs. :laughing:
50 :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Yeah, you got some serious slipping issues going on there. What do you have? a 47 or a 48?

[Chris Johnson]

I've had my full billet DTT for close to two months now. I've also had a chance to tow with it on a handfull of occasions. Around town unloaded the trans. is very aggresive. It makes you want to keep the skinny pedal to the floor when you leave every light. It really shines once the trailer is hooked up. It's just awesome! When I'm in town towing I can easliy keep up with the traffice light to light without even pushing it.

[fj40charles]

Did I ask that? :rolleyes:

Oh, and you are wrong if you are assuming Bill is the only guy out there who knows how to build a tranny. That's just plain silly.

Don't make this into a DTT vs. other tranny thread.

[MattS]

50 :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Yeah, you got some serious slipping issues going on there. What do you have? a 47 or a 48?

47. Mines an 2001. That's with 275 injectors and the comp box on level 2 pump NOT tapped. It's got 90k on it. I could baby it and make it another 20-30k but I need to just bite the bullet and do it.

[Mechanos]

Yeah, I thought I had some major slipping issues too, but mine was mainly in 1st gear. It was so bad that I was beginning to think that the overrunning clutch was shot. I was pretty shocked to when I disassembled the trans and found that ALL of the frictions in every clutch pack still had most of their material left. My trans didn't slip much in 2nd on up. Based on the amount of metallic sludge I found in the pan, I thought it would be much worse than that. Front band still had most of its material as well. I'm thinking now, that most of my problem was a worn out/shot TC. Pretty much had to take the thing apart to clean all the gunk out of it, so what the hell.... might as well rebuild it while I was in there. A TC/VB can make worlds of difference, but if you don't address all the internal leakage problems with these transmissions, you won't be utilizing the full benefiet of the TC/VB. Just made sense to do it right the first time instead of half-assing it.

[bchesley]

I have over 12 months and 30k plus miles on mine and I still giggle like a school girl when I jump out into traffic. I have towed long distance (21hrs straight), short distance, and heavy both ways and it performs like a champ. You can feel the pull no matter what weight is behind it. The most fun though is red light to red light playing. I had no idea how much power I was wasting. It is an aggressive trans. My wife is not crazy about it but she gets over it. Every new truck I get is going to DTT as soon as I get it.

Brad

[MattS]

Are you keeping a log of your MPG. I'm wondering if I could do better if I'm not wasting it making friction and heat. :laughing: I'm getting about 17 mpg mixed. Hand calculated. Running 3:55's and 35's.

[Mechanos]

Are you keeping a log of your MPG. I'm wondering if I could do better if I'm not wasting it making friction and heat. :laughing: I'm getting about 17 mpg mixed. Hand calculated. Running 3:55's and 35's.
I started a maintenance/milage log book the when I bought this truck. I only have 125 miles on the trans so far, so it is too soon to tell what impact it will have on my milage. I can't help but think the MPG figure will increase since I'm not wasting all that energy slipping the worn out TC.

[weedwacker]

I did the build on mine also.

Best part of this trans is the power transfer thought the converter. When you drop into drive the truck feels like it has a clutch in it, power transfer is that dramatic. You will have to stomp on the brakes a little harder at idle though.

[weedwacker]

:shaking:

Dodge CAN make a transmission just like a DTT, but it won't sell, at least to
the large majority of their customers. Most of their customers DO NOT want
to feel the trans shift, they want it to be "uber smooth". Also, to make a trans
like the DTT costs a bunch more $$$$$$$$$$$ than what they supply now, and
again most of their customers DO NOT want to pay the $$$$$$$$$$ premium.


So you do not think that dodge would sell more trucks if they did not have the reputation of the soft auto????

[SanDiegoCJ]

So you do not think that dodge would sell more trucks if they did not have the reputation of the soft auto????


Maybe, but once "Joe average guy" drove a Dodge with an auto like a DTT
I doubt he'd like it. The shifts would be to harsh for his liking. That's why
Dodge, Ford, and Chevy transmissions, as supplied from the factory, all
shift real smooth, but that means they slip and build heat. Chevy went with
the Allison, but Chevy trucks are $$$$$$$$$$$ compared to Ford and Dodge.
It's a balancing act between reliability and "comfort".

[Mechanos]

If you ask me, the makers should offer the soft shifting pussy trans for people that just want a truck for image, but want it to drive like a car. They should also offer an aggressive trans as part of a towing package or something similar for those who buy a truck and need it to drive and perform like a truck.

[weedwacker]

DTT has a livestock hauler setup VB that softens the shifts somewhat. My truck seems to shift softer as the load of trailer or in the bed goes goes up.

[Mechanos]

I have their towing valve body which has a pretty damn firm 1-2 shift to begin with. Then I made the 1-2 about 30% harder with one of their little "tricks". There is NO doubt when this thing shifts... into any gear for that matter. :smokin: :smokin: I don't know that it's necessary, but I'd like to get some miles on it before I go dragging a load GN around. That just seems like the right thing to do.

Another thing I've noticed over the stocker is the lockup. With the stock trans/TC it was very noticable. With this trans the TC is so tight that the lockup shift is barely noticable under most conditions.

[bchesley]

I second the lock up change. On my stock tranny if loaded really heavy and building speed I had to back out of it going into lockup to keep from barking my turbo. I actually blew out my lower intake hose once. Now the converter is tight enough that no matter what the load or speed of lock up you hardly feel it.

Brad

[SanDiegoCJ]

If you ask me, the makers should offer the soft shifting pussy trans for people that just want a truck for image, but want it to drive like a car. They should also offer an aggressive trans as part of a towing package or something similar for those who buy a truck and need it to drive and perform like a truck.


That would be the ideal situation, but IMO there's not enough market for a
"DTT style" auto trans for the manufacturers to offer it. If there was enough
market they'd offer it and make the $$$$$$$$$$$.

[Mechanos]

OK, for added protection of my new investment, I added an Isspro trans oil temp gauge to my cluster. For those of you that have a DTT (or other built auto) what sort of operating temps do you see running around empty? I spent 20 minutes on the highway this moring on the way to work and the needle never moved off the bottom peg (140°F). Went I turned into the parking lot and got ready to shut it off, the needle just barely started to lift off the peg. My temp sensor is in the cooler line exiting the trans.

[SanDiegoCJ]

OK, for added protection of my new investment, I added an Isspro trans oil temp gauge to my cluster. For those of you that have a DTT (or other built auto) what sort of operating temps do you see running around empty? I spent 20 minutes on the highway this moring on the way to work and the needle never moved off the bottom peg (140°F). Went I turned into the parking lot and got ready to shut it off, the needle just barely started to lift off the peg. My temp sensor is in the cooler line exiting the trans.


I'm assuming that you have a larger than stock cooler on it ?

[ScottFJ40]

Don't make this into a DTT vs. other tranny thread.
Yeah, those are prevelant on other boards. The childish behaviour of DTT and ATS reps made me decide to go with another company.

[ScottFJ40]

47. Mines an 2001. That's with 275 injectors and the comp box on level 2 pump NOT tapped. It's got 90k on it. I could baby it and make it another 20-30k but I need to just bite the bullet and do it.
In the meantime, turn up your line pressure. I'm running around 400hp to the wheels on a STOCK 47re with 97K miles on it.

[MattS]

In the meantime, turn up your line pressure. I'm running around 400hp to the wheels on a STOCK 47re with 97K miles on it.

I don't think I ever got that info.

[Mechanos]

I'm assuming that you have a larger than stock cooler on it ?
Nope... just running both stock coolers. Fluid leaves the trans and runs through a water-to-oil heat exchanger (mounted below the turbo) and then up to the air-to-oil heat exchanger behind the grille before returning to the trans. All stock factory stuff.

EDIT: Well, it does have a Mag-Hytec double deep pan on it. Finned aluminum pan that hold an additional 4 qts. of fluid kind of acts like a 3rd cooler. :p

[DutchTJ]

OK, for added protection of my new investment, I added an Isspro trans oil temp gauge to my cluster. For those of you that have a DTT (or other built auto) what sort of operating temps do you see running around empty? I spent 20 minutes on the highway this moring on the way to work and the needle never moved off the bottom peg (140°F). Went I turned into the parking lot and got ready to shut it off, the needle just barely started to lift off the peg. My temp sensor is in the cooler line exiting the trans.it can take quite a while for the gauge to read/move, also depending on the ambient temperature :)

[Mechanos]

In the meantime, turn up your line pressure. I'm running around 400hp to the wheels on a STOCK 47re with 97K miles on it.
You have to be careful when if you turn up the line pressure. Too much line pressure and the PCU will throw a code thinking a sensor is out of parameter. When it throws that code, the PCU puts the trans in "limp mode" which basically starts the trans out in 3rd gear. It doesn't take very many 3rd starts to smoke the 3rd gear clutch pack.

[Mechanos]

it can take quite a while for the gauge to read/move, also depending on the ambient temperature :)
Yes, the air was a bit crisp this morning.:p

[ScottFJ40]

You have to be careful when if you turn up the line pressure. Too much line pressure and the PCU will throw a code thinking a sensor is out of parameter. When it throws that code, the PCU puts the trans in "limp mode" which basically starts the trans out in 3rd gear. It doesn't take very many 3rd starts to smoke the 3rd gear clutch pack.
Never happened in the 30K+ miles I've run on itwith the pressure turned up *shrug*.

I am also very clueless about autos mostly. :D

[Mechanos]

Never happened in the 30K+ miles I've run on itwith the pressure turned up *shrug*.

I am also very clueless about autos mostly. :D
How much do you have it turned up? Did you run a mainline pressure test before and after turning it up? Do you remember how many turns you put on the screw?

[MattS]

How much do you have it turned up? Did you run a mainline pressure test before and after turning it up? Do you remember how many turns you put on the screw?

YEAH!! and what friggen screw are you talking about! :laughing:

[SanDiegoCJ]

YEAH!! and what friggen screw are you talking about! :laughing:

What, you want all the pesky little details ? :flipoff2:

[ScottFJ40]

YEAH!! and what friggen screw are you talking about! :laughing:

I turned mine 4 or 5 turns IIRC.

Check here MattS
http://www.dieseltrans.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=51
You'll need an allen head to do it. Just remember, counter clockwise increases the pressure.

[DRM]

Oh yeah, there's a noticable drop in RPM on the 2-3. DTT's system specifically addresses the problems that cause the slipping. Just for you guys, I paid close attention to the tach on the way home from work today. Of course, the actual RPM drop is going to depend on how hard you're into the throttle. I had a chance to leave a 4-way stop with nothing in front of me, so I put my foot in it pretty good. After my vision came back into focus from the 1-2 shift I watched the tach as the 2-3 shift took place. It dropped about 600 RPM on the 2-3 shift.

I'll try to compare that to mine tomorrow.

I took it back to the shop Thursday to adjust the kick-down and check some other things. I think it's pullin' good now :cool2:

[DRM]

47. Mines an 2001. That's with 275 injectors and the comp box on level 2 pump NOT tapped. It's got 90k on it. I could baby it and make it another 20-30k but I need to just bite the bullet and do it.

Do it man!!!!

Now that I have a tranny in and working right, I am going back in to move my #10 plate from stock position to pretty much all the way forward and see how she pulls :evil:

[DRM]

That would be the ideal situation, but IMO there's not enough market for a
"DTT style" auto trans for the manufacturers to offer it. If there was enough
market they'd offer it and make the $$$$$$$$$$$.

Agreed.

With the way mine shifts now - there is NO WAY the average person would buy a truck like this... they'd test drive one and go buy something else for sure. It is just too firm of a shift for what *most* people do with these trucks *most* of the time - daily drive them.

[MMiller]

Agreed.

With the way mine shifts now - there is NO WAY the average person would buy a truck like this... they'd test drive one and go buy something else for sure. It is just too firm of a shift for what *most* people do with these trucks *most* of the time - daily drive them.

Wow, really? I guess I need to ride in a few more trucks then. I've only rode in one Georends built truck(no others DTT, ATS, etc), the owner loves it, and it works well, but I was not impressed. I'm not an auto guy, and it was hard to tell, as his truck has a large turbo that spools slow, and I don't know how aggressive he was driving it. I did not think it shifted real "crisp". I guess I've ridden in too many machines with powershift transmissions, and I think thats how a "real" auto should shift. I hate having the engine rev up before the truck moves, and feeling the slipping on shifts.

I regress, I buy a truck to work it. Not some cushy, smooth riding, soft shifting grocery getter. I guess thats why I own a first gen, its a truck that works relentlessly, and has been trouble free.

Michael

[ddp1]

Nothing like the DTT transmission. Glad you are enjoying it, Mechanos.

[Flatty]

I had mine rebuilt by Keith up at susanville tranny... This thing fawking ROCKS!!!!!

Screw that DTT and ATS crap. Support the local guy, and have some faith in the small builder. I will put my tranny against any of the big names.

Dima

[DRM]

Wow, really? I guess I need to ride in a few more trucks then. I've only rode in one Georends built truck(no others DTT, ATS, etc), the owner loves it, and it works well, but I was not impressed. I'm not an auto guy, and it was hard to tell, as his truck has a large turbo that spools slow, and I don't know how aggressive he was driving it. I did not think it shifted real "crisp". I guess I've ridden in too many machines with powershift transmissions, and I think thats how a "real" auto should shift. I hate having the engine rev up before the truck moves, and feeling the slipping on shifts.

I regress, I buy a truck to work it. Not some cushy, smooth riding, soft shifting grocery getter. I guess thats why I own a first gen, its a truck that works relentlessly, and has been trouble free.

Michael

You might be buying it to work - but taking a quick look at any of the diesel boards and it's clear why even those most of guys buy their trucks... to be "cool" :p

[DRM]

I had mine rebuilt by Keith up at susanville tranny... This thing fawking ROCKS!!!!!

Screw that DTT and ATS crap. Support the local guy, and have some faith in the small builder. I will put my tranny against any of the big names.

Dima

I won't knock those other guys - they have their place and do put out a good product. I just wanted a local place to do the install. And if I need to cash in on that 3yr/36k warranty, I just drive it up the street and drop it off - simple as that.

BTW - my local guy is an ATS installer... he had one of those purple beasts in the shop being installed when I was there on Thursday getting the full ATS treatment.

[bchesley]

I had mine rebuilt by Keith up at susanville tranny... This thing fawking ROCKS!!!!!

Screw that DTT and ATS crap. Support the local guy, and have some faith in the small builder. I will put my tranny against any of the big names.

Dima

My local guy is a DTT trained installer. Actually lived with bill for three months to learn all the tricks!!! You might be suprised how many authorized shops there are that can install their products.

[Flatty]

My local guy is a DTT trained installer. Actually lived with bill for three months to learn all the tricks!!! You might be suprised how many authorized shops there are that can install their products.


I did the install myself, i had Keith build me the tranny. I do think he is an autorized DTT and ATS installer as well...

Dima