Level 10 torque converter for a440f

[Devils Paw 80]

I'm going to try one of these out. They're a low stall converter, claimed to run cooler and more efficiently than the stock unit. The tech told me that guys in Dubai run them without tranny coolers and don't have overheating problems. He also emphasized using Toyota transmission fluid, not aftermarket products. At $700, they're about half the price of the Wholesale auto converter. Here's the website, though this particular converter isn't advertised on it. Level 10 Performance Transmission Systems Bulletproof Transmissions,Supercharger

 

[RockDoc]

Interested to hear how it works out...

 

[Moby]

Run away from level 10. They sold me a torque converter and modified valve body for my a440. They ended up having to build me two separate valve bodies, and neither worked. The converter lockup would come on and off at 1 second intervals. Both units. Then they started blaming my transmission. Eventually Pat, owner, stopped taking my calls and I was out $1500. I put a stock unit and then an extreme valve body with 3rd gear lockup in and both performed flawlessly - nothing wrong with the tranny, just level 10.

I was very patient with them but they were really crappy to deal with. All kinds of bs about turn around times, it's shipped but ups lost it (multiple times)... They are the only business that I've dealt with that I go out of my way to warn people away from. When I talked with Rodney at Wholesale Transmissions when I got my extreme valve body I relayed my previous experience without mentioning the company. He knew exactly who it was.

Get a Wholesale Transmissions low stall converter.

 

[Devils Paw 80]

Did you file a report with the BBB? Level 10's rating with them is OK. Wholesale says the converter they stock for the a440 isn't low stall, though they can make one custom.

 

[Moby]

Did you file a report with the BBB? Level 10's rating with them is OK. Wholesale says the converter they stock for the a440 isn't low stall, though they can make one custom.

I don't put much faith in the BBB, but that's just me.

Wholesale used to market a low stall for V8 conversation applications. I know that Overhanger has a Wholesale converter and he likes it a lot. Me, I went to an H55F

 

[Devils Paw 80]

Got it in. My impressions are: Increased engine braking is obvious, and the truck seems to go through the gears more quickly when accelerating. I haven't driven it enough yet to check gas mileage, but am not expecting a significant change, if any. My A440F has always been smooth, and no change there.
Since experiencing three occasions of the oil temp light coming on this summer during a 3300 mile trip, my objective was to reduce oil temps a bit. In all three cases, I was traveling up very steep hills and had the light come on near the top. The light quickly went off after pulling over, with no apparent ill effects. The tranny oil looked fine coming out in the draindown. I decided to go with synthetic fluid this time with the new filter. So, I'm happy with it so far. The temp test will come next time I travel the Klondike highway to Whitehorse, which may not be for a year or more. Oh, one more interesting observation to mention. I used to have a pronounced clunk when abruptly letting off of the gas pedal, then again when I goosed it. I no longer can detect this at all, so more good news.

 

[lugueto]

What about adding a second transmission cooler (oil radiator)??. I Just replaced my stock a343f and transfer on my 90 series because they were fried due to a fatal oil leak. I couldnt find a replacement torque converter though, so the old one will do the job. To avoid transmission overheating, I'm adding a second, in line trans oil radiator, simple install. Need to add a extra liter of trans fluid and it works great. It's commonly done down here on the auto transmissions on trucks that will be used for heavy work or off roading, Including the a440.

I want to install a trans temp gauge to monitor and avoid any future problems.

out of curiosity, where did you guys buy your new torque converters????

 

[overhanger]

I don't put much faith in the BBB, but that's just me.

Wholesale used to market a low stall for V8 conversation applications. I know that Overhanger has a Wholesale converter and he likes it a lot. Me, I went to an H55F

Yes, I do and the Extreme A440F from Rodney (Wholesale Automatic Transmissions in OZ) that came with it both get two big thumbs up from me. They have been installed in the 62 for four years now with no problems experienced. I haven't talked to Rodney for a couple of years but a quick look at his website shows they still offer a low stall speed converter for the 440. If you were able to source something as good as WAT products for half the price that's awesome. Keep us informed how it goes.

 

[Devils Paw 80]

What about adding a second transmission cooler (oil radiator)??. .out of curiosity, where did you guys buy your new torque converters????

An auxilary cooler is probably the best bet for most, if not all, applications for improved cooling. However, my driving is almost exclusively in chilly Alaska and has not included any hard offroading, towing, driving in sand, etc. so I hoped to avoid hacking into the stock lines for the time being. My radiator is fairly new, so the stock cooler's integrity isn't a concern.
Overhanger bought his TC from Wholesale Auto in Australia. Since they're widely regarded as Land Cruiser experts and have a solid reputation, they're probably your best bet. Rodney's writeup on his TC mentions that the stock unit for the A440f produces too much heat. Based on his writings, I'm hoping that a better converter and synthetic fluid will bring temps down by 15% or more.
I got mine from Level Ten transmissions on the east coast of the US. Their website doesn't show any application for the A440F, but an e-mail exchange confirmed they did have it. I paid $700 plus shipping for the TC. Other costs included a new pump seal from Toyota, 12 quarts of synthetic fluid and $250 labor for my tranny specialist friend to do it. I also had a new filter and gasket lying around, but can't remember what its cost was. Anyway, total cost was around $1100.

 

[lugueto]

I will check their website. Are these a simple, direct replacement, or does anything need to be replaced/modified in order to accept the new torque converters??

 

[Devils Paw 80]

No alterations necessary for the Level 10 converter. I don't know about Rodney's.

 

[overhanger]

No alterations necessary for the Level 10 converter. I don't know about Rodney's.

The torque converter from Rodney requires thin-headed mounting bolts which he now provides.