You say one's as easy as the other... which is more effective?

 

DON'T get the cheap TG kit -- get the HD2 or Tugger. Should be around $70 or $100, respectively....

 

Yeah, that's what I was looking at... the HD2 (on Summit... see here).

But, comparing both to each other, is one better than the other? I'm not afraid to get involved...

 

Unless you pull the trans, you won't use all of the Tugger parts, but there is more stuff mod'ed with it than just the HD2. I put in the Tugger and have been very satisfied. Worth the extra $30? Who knows. I just know my trans is still holding at 450/1000..... YMMV.

 

NICE, Joe... hmmm, were'd you get your kit, anyways?

 

I bought the HD2 Tugger kit for about $102, its been sitting on the shelf for months until this week when my trans went out.
The owner of the shop thats rebuilding my trans said he loves the Tugger, and is installing mine for me.
Hopefully be the end of the week I will have some feedback on how it performs over stock.

 

Ok, nice! Now, you just called it the "HD2 Tugger"... is it the same? I didn't think so... sorry if I seem dense.

 

Check out this link, It's what I bought
4R100 HD2 Tugger kit.

Ford Lincoln Mercury Reprogramming Kits

 

Ok, I got ya... yeah, I'm definitely gonna check that out! I would love to firm up my trans a bit... the thing is, I'm wondering if alot of my "slippage" (it could be something else) is because of this, or because I need a TQ. Any way to tell if it's the TQ going out?

 

I got mine from Oregon Performance, but others have had bad luck with them. I can recommend Transmission Parts USA -- I know folks that have used them before:
4R100 Tugger Shift Kit Transgo Performance Shift Kit

 

Thats a good question. When my trans started slipping last week, I was wondering the same thing. I had a noisy TC and thought "it" was slipping....but I lost third shortly after, and the fluid was almost black.
I guess I'll find out when the trans shop calls (maybe today?)
On my last F250, I replaced the TC with a new Ford reman TC, and that trans started slipping a month or so later. I drove it that way for months, and the fluid was bright red and never smelled burnt...so go figure????
So my guess/assumtion would be the trans slipping not the TC...
Im no trans expert, and I dont want to misslead you, its just what I have been through.

 

Thats where I got mine... I misplaced my reciept and couldn't remember their name.

 

A lot of good information, thanks. subscribing

 

I eneded up installing a BTS accumulator body and a transgo tugger plate. shifts nice! not to strong but... strong enough. made a big difference in trans performance, especially with the new sepparator plate.

 

Since I plan on upgrading my '02 PSD for some serious towing, I have been weighing the options available to bolster the anemic 4R100 slush box. It is without a doubt the sorriest tranny ever dropped into a Ford pickup. But it is fixable. I'm not ready for a full rebuild. So here's my take on the Transgo products that are relatively simple to install, even if you don't have vast experience in automatic transmissions, like me.

Before you proceed, so as not to muddy the waters any further, know that the Transgo 4R100-HD2 "Tugger" kit that sell for around $100 plus is THE Tugger kit. The Transgo E40D-HD2 (4R100) kit that sell for around $60 plus is NOT the "Tugger". Both however, are way more advanced than what is often referred to simply as a "shift kit", which is usually nothing more than a oversized modulator valve and some stiffer springs. This is why Transgo proudly proclaims them as "reprogramming" kits, which do indeed take the older style shift kits to a higher level. They are more effective at improving transmission performance without compromising transmission reliability. Also know, I am not a "certified automotive technician". But after driving Ford trucks for over 35 years, I don't consider that necessarily a bad thing!

Some early 4R100s have a E40D main valve body (MVB) , known as the 1st Type, and later 4R100s have the 2nd Type MVB. The E40D kit is designed around the pre-'99 E40D tranny, but since some early 4R100s have the 1st Type MVB, the E40D kit includes some MVB mods in 4R100s. However, the E40D kit makes no provisions for mods to 4R100s with the 2nd Type MVB.

Thus, the E40D kit addresses the L/R holding problem by modifying the 1st Type MVB through the "optional gear command feature" which uses a stiffer holding valve spring and a new 2-3 valve. While the 4R100 kit uses a stiffer solenoid regulator valve spring AND a new "quick fill" holding valve with associated springs, which is easier on the drive train than the "gear command feature".

Only the 4R100 kit includes provisions for modifying the L/R modulator boost valve; with either a new spring for the 1st Type MVB, OR a new boost valve, bushing and spring for the 2nd Type MVB.

All the above mods can be installed without dropping the tranny. If you are doing a complete overhaul, then ONLY the 4R100 kit includes provisions for modifying the main pump converter regulator and the pressure regulator boost valve. The 4R100 kit also includes a better designed 4th clutch spiral snap ring.

Otherwise, the two kits are the same with the exception of a hole here, a plug there, or little ***** or bigger *****. That's it! If you have a pre-'99 that you like to run hard, install the E40D kit, including the "gear command feature". If you have a '99 and later 4R100, then install the 4R100 kit. And of course, if you're going into the pump, don't forget to install the Transgo 4R100 ON/Off lockup valve kit, and etc…

Hope this clears some things up for those considering Transgo.