I want to extend the life of my truck and right now it seems that the transmission is the weakest link. I want to install a shift kit, and new transmission cooler with a fan on it. My question is not how to install the shift kit, but whether it is a good idea considering my truck has 90K miles on it?? I have dropped the pan and changed the filter and what oil I have lost every 30k, as stated in the manual, but will I be doing more harm than good with this many miles on it? Should I flush the transmission first?..or should I just leave it alone??

Also, has anyone used Lucas Transmission fix before? Does it do any good? I heard that it revitalized the old transmission fluid and helps lubricate the internals better causing less wear.

By the way, I already have a Hypertech tune on the truck with upgraded shift firmness. (doesn't seem like much) If I install a shift kit, do I need to remove this part of the program?

Any helpful info will be greatly appreciated.

 

I've heard some negative stories about flushing older transmissions. I personally drop the pan, replace the filter and also drain the torque convertor (there is a drain plug on the convertor on all earlier models and some of the early 2001's). This replaces most of the oil. When I refill the oil, I add "Lubegard" (available at Napa). Lucas looks like molasses and basically thickens your oil, works pretty good for light slippage. If your trans is a 4R70W, make SURE you only use Mercon V fluid!!

Electronically firming up your shifts is not the best for your trans as it basically does it by raising your line pressure up. A good shift kit does it mechanically and gives quick short duration shifts which reduces slippage during shifts and extends the life of your clutches.

 

With any luck you will have a drain plug in that converter. I personally do not recommend making changes to the PCM as the first thing. A FTVB should take care of it. Troyer can get you one. Factory Tech is in testing stages of a do it yourself shift kit that is completely reverseable. I'll let you know how it goes as I should be installing 2 next weekend. If the fluid looks like motor oil don't even bother changing it. Usually when the fluid looks that bad the converter will start shuddering terribly after servicing.
Alan

 

First, what is an FTVB?

Second, I planned on replacing the torque converter with a better one for towing and off roading from either TCI, B&M, or Troyer.

Okay, so I don't flush, stay away from Lucas, and still not sure if I should do the shift kit. I am not doing a full manual valve body job. Just something to make it firm up the shifts, improve the flow, and take out some of the slipage that the factory programs in. I know that this extends the transmission's life, just want to know if I am throwing away money on a transmissionl that has 90K.

No, my oil has never looked black at all. Medium red at best. I am not that abusive on my transmission.

 

FTVB= Factory Tech Valve Body

Troyer probably doesn't have a listing for it yet ,but Factory Tech also has 4R70W converters.
Alan

 

I don't know about the merits of using the lucas stuff in a good working tranny but in one that is slipping a little or shifting rough I have seen it work wonders. Yes it is thick. It contains a polymer resin that coats the bands in the tranny to help the slipping problem and supposedly lubes the valves. Like I said I don't know that I would put it in a completely healthy tranny but I have seen it put off a rebuild for quite a while.

My 2 cents