I was looking into something to firm up the shifts on my 2002 Excursion PSD , and came across the transcommand from Banks. My question is how the install goes with this ? Is this something i need to "install" , or is it just a plug in type of thing ? The less work i have to do the better....

Also , are their other products that are better than what Banks offers on the market ???

Thanks for the help ,

 

Ken here. When I bought my 2000, the guy that had previously owned it had the full banks system installed. It,s a simple bolt on under the the passenger side of the truck. There's a plug in harness that goes between the computer,& the trans. Probably would only take about 30-35 minutes to do the job. I tow a car trailer with my 94' lightning on it, and can tell you from experience that it really works. When driving normal the shifting is a little firmer that normal, but when towing the shifts firm up, so that there is very little slippage in the trans clutches. It makes it feel like you have a valve body kit in the truck. KEN

 

i have heard that it is better to just use a transgo shift kit. supposed to be a better fix and i think its cheaper too (about $100). it is a little more complicated to install though, you have to drop the trans to do it. just my $0.02. -marty

 

I have a transcommand on my 350 and love it. It really does firm up the shift to where it should be. I agree that it's easy to install, just be careful when pulling the wires from the old socket that you don't break the tabs.

 

I also have the Banks TransCommand on my 96 F-250 460 and love it. It took me about 1.5 hours. Took my time and read the directions before to tore things apart. You have to switch a few wires around for the tranny to the command unit but it's all explained in great detail in the instructions.

I'd rather buy the banks unit than the transgo unit. Less mess and clean up plus you can bypass the trans command with a plug they send you if you decide to switch back.

Like someone else mentioned. It firmed up my shifts in all gears and when on a load it shifts great and stays in the power band. I think I paid 200 bucks for mine. I bought it in a kit with some exhaust parts

I think you'll like the Banks unit myself but thats just my opinion.

 

Xaviar

I am considering purchasing a Banks TransCommand unit for my 2003 Ford Econoline E350 4x4 van with 4R100 trans.

I was wondering if it is possible to remove the TransCommand unit without eveidence of installation if warranty work was needed on the transmission.

Thanks,

agprint

 

Yep. Al you have to do is disconnect if from the harness and unscrew a couple of screws that hold the module to the frame (on the passenger side). KEN

 

I'm I confused, Isn't the trans re-programable via the computer to get a happy medium. Just thinking.

 

The Banks system is a good one, that deals specificly with the transmission, so is more suited for many applications. Reprogramming the computer would work, but not as effectively as the Transcommand. I ran with the Trans command for 150,000 miles, and had the tranny rebuilt, because they were working on the aux. 150k of hard miles through the transcommand had not worn the box anywhere near as much as the techs expected - they said it looked like it had never worked hard. (belied by the exploded auxiliary transmission behind it....)

At the same time as the rebuild, I had a custom shift kit made up, that complemented the Transcommand, and Boy...... It is different - I now get instant shifts when powering it, or sharp shift, but smooth when not. Towing it just snaps in. I would imagine with this double system in, I will be looking at a rebuild when I get to 350k.

Theo

 

I know this is an old post, and the OP nor the person I am replying to probably cares any longer, but for those that are reading this currently ,you do not need to drop the trans to intall the transgo. You only need to drop the transmission pan and the actuator. I installed the transgo shift kit in just a few hours and I had never done anything with my transmission befre that. I am personally going to try the banks alongside the transgo. I am hoping that together I get really nice shifting.

 

Once you get that together please make a new post on it. Curious how it works out for you. And then you can put a title on it that will help people find the Transgo/Banks combo.

 

What is an actuator? I'm not familiar with that part.

 

does anyone know if you can run the trans command with a programmer? I have an edge evolution with the digital display on the dash and was thinking about adding the trans command, but don’t want to cause any issues with line pressures. Do the programmers work better as a stand alone unit for the trans or would the trans command plus the programmer be more effective? I’m regularly towing 12k lbs in the mountains so I’m looking to extend the life of my transmissions as much as I can.