Shift kit for 4R100
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,595
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From: Utah County, UT
I have not installed the tugger kit, but if it is anything like the sonnax/tricumulator kit it is well worth it. Feels like the truck really puts the torque to the ground with the kit. The sonnax kit has a new modulator valve and 3 new springs to add/replace in the valve body.
New User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 13
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Installed the Sonnax system last weekend- so far so good. Haven't heard of Transgo, but that don't mean anything good or bad. Most discussion on this topic from this site seems to revolve around Sonnax. Have you tried searching the archived threads?
Don't understand why Ford doesn't build them with some sort of shift kit at the factory.
Don't understand why Ford doesn't build them with some sort of shift kit at the factory.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 274
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From: Southern California
Except for the fact that my 99 had a Banks Trans Command on it when I bought it. I have always used Trango on every automatic I have ever had. Race cars , towers, you name it. Transgo has never failed me or its' designed intent. I am planning on using one on my 99 soon and ex the Banks.
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New User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 19
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I also have a 99 that came with the Banks Trans Command. From what I can tell from looking around the web it is quite possible that over time it can damage the transmission. I too have used Transgo shift kits in the past and have liked the results. If anyone has any negatives on the Transgo please let us know.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 167
Likes: 3
Its funny that yall should mention the Banks TransCommand giving you problems, a friend of mine started experiencing tranny problems about 10,000 miles after installing the Banks product and sold his truck because he was afraid of the tranny cratering.
Bowedup
Bowedup
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 274
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From: Southern California
I am not really sure how the Banks works. I know it is just a plug in and somehow reprograms the shift point an firmness of shift. It even has a pigtail for doing tranny diagnostics. Many plug and play programmers do the same thing. A valve body upgrade truely works only with the trans. It was brought to my attention that when installing the Banks system, your tranny better be in good condition to begin with. This is only second hand information. I am by no means a computer genious and won't pretend that I know what is going on between the ECM and what ever. I leave that to those that do.
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Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,595
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From: Utah County, UT
the banks trans command pretty much works like a mulitplier to raise the line pressure. i.e. if the PCM tells the tranny to have 1 unit of pressure it goes through the trans command and comes out at say 5. it the pcm says 5 then it would come out 25. It doesn't do anything about holding power in gear like a set of tricumulator springs would. I don't know exactly what goes on in the trans command box, but this is what I have gathered up.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 167
Likes: 3
That sounds about right, if their TransCommand is of the same quality as their SixGun, then I could definately see how it could produce damage. And heaven forbid that you had to talk to their customer service dept......
Sorry, did not mean to ramble, just very very fustrated with Banks and SixGun right now (it still works, but the darn digital display quit so now I have no gauges nor can I change settings!!!)
Bowedup
Sorry, did not mean to ramble, just very very fustrated with Banks and SixGun right now (it still works, but the darn digital display quit so now I have no gauges nor can I change settings!!!)
Bowedup
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 299
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From: Ripley NY
I have about 20k on my tranny since I had it rebuilt. The builder used all transgo parts in it, including the tugger kit. He also put a triple disk t/c in as he said that the tugger was a good add on but would really benefit from the t/c. Well it is like driving a completely different vehicle now as compared to a stock tranny. The biggest difference that I can see is when I am pulling a long grade with the 15000lb 5th wheel behind me, it used to shift down to 2nd all the time and now I hardly ever have to hit 2nd even on long grades. I know it was a lot of money for the upgrades but in my opinion it was money well spent.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 274
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From: Southern California
Celjel, what manufacture TC are you using. I am planning on upgrading my tranny and I will be using a Trasngo kit. I am interested. I only pull a 11.5K tag along and I do pull a lot of hills and mountians here in So Cal... Thanks
More Turbo
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 577
Likes: 12
From: Cumming, Iowa
I started with the sonnax kit from Black Cloud, showed the buliders in the chain of shops I work for what I had and what I wanted to do. they advised to use the new sonnax valve but the springs may not be heavy enough for what I needed. the recomendation was get kit from Superior Transmission parts. Transtar part number 73C01 the accumulator springs are a bit stronger than the tricumulator springs in the sonnax kit. the Superior kit also comes with pump mod parts but I am not pulling the entire unit just having one of my guys do the valve body mods. Might get it done Friday after turkey day if shop is slow I will post the results. The reason for the mods is my preadator on the 60hp setting causes slight flair on the 2-3 shift if I use the 40hp setting or stock no problem.....But why have it if you can't use It.....So on with the mods.....
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 299
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From: Ripley NY
I don't really know who makes the t/c that he put in. I know that he gauranteed it for a year, but at the time I never thought to ask who makes it. Like I said, regardless of who makes it I have been more than pleased with it, especially towing. I'm glad that I had him upgrade all the parts that he did even though it cost me a little more.
