HDJ81 transmission upgrades

[Enigma]

Fluid level is good. I had the tranny fluid changed at one of the quick lube places in Mission right after Cruiser Days. I have had the "hey idiot, you've heated me up again" light come on again once since that. I'll change the fluid again and drive around locally to see if anything feels different.
Prior to this, the truck had been slow to shift when cold but once warmed up was shifting normally and "felt" fine.

 

[Granite Grinder]

Like you said, beginning of the end. I constantly hear the exact same responses about the A440, hard shifting cold, better warm, slipping

 

[sailor]

Time to dust off the nv4500 fantasy... again.

 

[sailor]

Seriously... I think John Voo has an HDT block and crank, we need a A442 bellhousing, an NV4500 and a transfer case to get started right?

 

[Enigma]

Perhaps. I have no real hate against the A442f or auto's in general, I actually quite like it for 'wheeling and general driving. What I do hate is adjusting my highway driving habits. I do not want to drive differently just because there is a large hill in my way.
For me, at least at this point in time, it all comes down to costs of whatever is needed to get the auto up to par with what I want vs. a potential swap to a standard tranny. Neither option is going to be happening any time soon.
Benz transmission is in my area, they are suppose to be good from what I understand. I'll at least have a chat with them, get a diagnostic and see what options are available during this (extended) down time.

 

[sailor]

I hear ya. Keep me posted..

 

[BCR4619]

when they change the fluid... are they just dropping the 4 Quarts in the pan or the stupid amount that the tranny holds?

 

[sailor]

Quick Lube Place = uh oh...
in Mission = oh s***!

 

[Enigma]

when they change the fluid... are they just dropping the 4 Quarts in the pan or the stupid amount that the tranny holds?

Good question. I'll dig up the receipt and see what it says. I seem to recall them saying it's a "flush" including draining the torque converter. No idea how they really accomplish that. Total cost was something like 80$

 

[Granite Grinder]

Was your truck running? I think the only proper way to flush is using the tranny pump

 

[AJAEbj42]

Perhaps they simply didn't put enough fluid back in? That would be the easy fix I hope, but I'm clueless on the mysteries of an auto transmission.

 

[Enigma]

There's enough fluid. And no the truck wasn't running when they do these changes. The fluid change isn't the problem, general wear and driver abuse is.

 

[wrongway around]

hey if your into pulling it yourself ,i'd say put an inline gauge in first so you can see yourself how to controll the heat. if you can kind of contol the heat ,then send the t/c to roadrunner on a slow shipping and get the t/c rebuilt. i took the gamble on mine and got just the t/c rebuilt and it worked for me, i had shutter and slipping with super high temps at first, but before i tore it down i put a gauge inline and was shocked at how hot they run, i live in lynn valley all hills stop and go and not much chance for the t/c to lockup. so then i brought it to benz they said nothing was wrong with it , besides the fact i was trying to make the tranny do to much ,with the extra fuel and turbo upgrades i was playing with. kind of funny he asked me how long it was running hot for , ''since i put a temp gauge on. '' i wanted the extra power so i got the guy they get to rebuild the t/c with a couple upgrades. nothing fancy lowerred the stall 'which i hate' , rewelded the fins , then they put in a cut down f350 band and put on a thicker pilot stub. it was their first one and cost me a little over 600, but i think roadrunner does much the same thing at half the price, not sure they redo the pilot. probably not nessasary doing the pilot though. maybe see if longbow wants to upgrade your tranny ,he's awhile before marketing his v/b upgrade but that's only for the smaller a440 , he has not done an a442 upgrade but would need someone to be willing to try ,im sure you couldn't do better ,especially in the upgrade department. then you can really play hard.

 

[Glenn-BJ74]

http://www.westcoastcruisers.com/transfer.php

 

[Enigma]

http://www.westcoastcruisers.com/transfer.php

See page 1. The Wholesale would be the proper way to go, it's just a whole lot of cash. I can damn near buy a new truck for the price of getting that transmission and installing it.

 

[Glenn-BJ74]

If buying from Australia:
purchase cost + shipping x exchange rate x Duty (7%) x PST (7%) and GST (5%) and compare to the US price. Adds up quick.

 

[Enigma]

Still dreaming...price for a compelte Wholesale tranny is just under 6k AUS, plus another 1500 AUS shipping.

I'm going to get it totally flushed and try out some synthetic, like Royal Purple or Amsoil. 15 litre fill though..ughh.

I did find this sheet on the A440/2 :

http://www.sugarlump.no/cruiser/HDJ-80_3.pdf

 

[sailor]

Well?

 

[Enigma]

Deep subject.

 

[sailor]

Ha frickin ha. What is the update here- I saw your pimpmobile at Ateb the other day...